Marcel Desailly surprisingly names ex-Manchester United star over Lionel Messi in all-time World XI

Marcel Desailly is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of his generation, so he knows a thing or two about football.

During his 20-year professional career, he won two Champions Leagues, two Serie A titles, an FA Cup and FIFA World Cup. With over 100 caps for the French national team and having played for one of the great AC Milan teams, it comes somewhat as a surprise that he did not include Messi in his all-time World XI.

Messi is seen by many as the best football player of all time, with over 1,000 appearances for club and country and just under 900 goals to show for it.

This is in addition to an impressive trophy haul that includes eight Ballon d’Or’s, 10 La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League winners medals, seven Copa del Rey titles, two Ligue 1 successes and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Daily Mail have reported that Desailly has named former United midfielder Paul Pogba in his all-time World XI over Messi. This comes as a surprise given Pogba’s struggles and Messi and former United star Cristiano Ronaldo being seen by many as the greatest footballers to walk the earth.

Pogba had some good moments in a United shirt with his 2017/18 season his most productive, recording 13 goals and nine assists in 35 Premier League appearances and being named in the PFA Team of the Year.

However, these moments were few and far between, with his attitude often getting the better of him and becoming a passenger in many games. His performances for the French national team often outweighed the production he gave in English football.

After arriving from Juventus for a fee of £89 million, a world record at the time, he failed to live to expectation after an impressive time in Turin. He would return to the Serie A giants but a doping ban saw his second spell at the club come to a premature end.

Pogba’s inclusion in Desailly’s side sees him in a midfield alongside Edgar Davids and Rodri. He included himself in the back four, with also featured Roberto Carlos, Achraf Hakimi and Sergio Ramos, as well as former Manchester United shot-stopper, Edwin van der Sar, in goal.

Meanwhile, instead of choosing Messi, Desailly opted for a front three of Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldo Nazario.

Whilst the team Desailly has picked is still glittered with great players, it seems a surprise that not only Messi was absent from it, but also the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Johan Cruyff, Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer. However, he’s clear set his stance on the iconic, Ronaldo or Messi debate.