Robert Lewandowski snubs Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and HIMSELF from dream 5-a-side team
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI surprisingly left both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo out of his dream all-time five-a-side team.
SunSport exclusively sat down with the Polish striker, 35, to discuss a range of topics including his former manager Jurgen Klopp’s farewell from Liverpool.
He also opened up about Borussia Dortmund blocking him from joining Manchester United in 2012 after a phone call with Sir Alex Ferguson had made him determined to secure a move.
But perhaps the most surprising part of the interview was when Lewandowski reeled off his five-a-side team.
Able to choose from any era, he selected legendary Brazilian keeper Claudio Taffarel to play in between the sticks.
He then went for Spain’s World Cup-winning captain Carles Puyol in defence, before he selected Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho to drop in behind Thierry Henry.
He also said he would coach the team.
Speaking at the announcement of his partnership with gaming company G2A, he said: “So goalkeeper, I’m thinking about Taffarel from Brazil. That was 20 years ago, but the goalkeeper that I loved to watch.
“Defender, Puyol.
“Three more, so now I’m an offensive team.
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From the moment he walked into the room of 30 or 40 people at the G2A media day, there was a humbleness you would not expect from one of the best players of his generation.
He then proceeded to give what appeared to be an off-the-cuff speech about his excitement for the partnership – a task many sports stars may have found daunting but which Lewandowski took in his stride.
Sitting down for the interview, he was quick to ask about my time in Barcelona and how I had found the city.
He then proceeded to joke that I had “forgotten my sun cream” after catching a glimpse of my redder-than-usual complexion.
Across the next 15 minutes he was happy to answer anything, speaking with an impressive eloquence and relaxed nature.
At the end I requested a photo which was warmly received by Lewandowski – who was happy to oblige.
We shook hands and he wished me the best, before he prepared for his next two interviews in German and Polish.
“So midfield player, I’m going to choose Zidane… and striker Thierry Henry.
“I will be the coach. I’ll be on the line, I can manage them.
“Who’s going to be one more? Ah, yeah. Prime Ronaldinho, for sure.”
Keeper Taffarel, 58, earned 101 caps for Brazil between 1988 and 1998, winning the World Cup in 1994.
He then helped them reach a second successive World Cup final four years later – saving two penalties in the semi-final against the Netherlands – before they lost 3-0 to France.
Interestingly, he now works as a goalkeeping coach for both Liverpool and the Brazil national team.
Puyol, 46, spent 15 years in Barcelona’s first team, winning six LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues.
He also helped Spain to glory at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.
Barcelona wizard Ronaldinho, 44, only spent five years at the Nou Camp but is widely regarded as one of their greatest players, winning two LaLiga titles and the Champions League.
Alongside Ronaldo Nazario and Rivaldo, he also lifted the 2002 World Cup with Brazil.
Arsenal icon Henry, 46, won two Premier League titles with the Gunners and became their record scorer with 226 goals.
He then joined Barcelona and claimed successive LaLiga titles, while he also scooped the Champions League in 2009.
At international level, he won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France.
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