I want to emphasize that the lineup you’ll see is just one of many possible formations, and it is ABSOLUTELY not the definitive best. It simply reflects my personal preferences based on the available players.

For instance, CR7 could easily replace Van Basten in attack, or Zidane could take Platini’s spot, and so on. With the players available, one could create at least a dozen top-level formations.

Back to our topic: I envision an All-Time Europe team with a zonal four-man defense, a technical and robust midfield with at least one defensive player, and three top-tier attackers.

GOALKEEPER
We have many top-level goalkeepers to choose from. I chose Yashin primarily for his “aura” of invincibility and the fact that he is the only goalkeeper in football history to win a Ballon d’Or. However, any other goalkeeper from the list could easily fit in without losing quality.

DEFENSE
An absolutely world-class department, strong athletically, tactically, and technically. The captain, Beckenbauer, plays as a sweeper but is actually a modern center-back with playmaking abilities, able to start plays and dictate the tempo from the back. Next to him, I place Baresi. Perhaps a more “pure” and physical stopper would fit better, but I couldn’t overlook someone like Franco, capable of commanding any defense with his extraordinary charisma, speed, excellent individual technique, and exceptional decision-making ability.

As full-backs, the obligatory choice on the left is Paolo Maldini, while on the right, Lilian Thuram for his completeness, overwhelming athleticism, and his stellar performance as a right-back in his only World Cup playing that position.

MIDFIELD
As mentioned, the possibilities are virtually endless. I wanted to include at least one defensive midfielder, and in this sense, Rijkaard is the absolute best candidate: he has game vision, physical power, height, and an innate tactical sense. To complete the midfield, I chose an all-around playmaker like Platini and an attacking midfielder like Iniesta, who can effectively play between the lines. In my opinion, this midfield has everything: physical strength, interchangeability, top-level technique, and grit.

ATTACK
Here the possibilities are even greater!
Again, these choices are personal. CR7 obviously has more numbers, victories, goals, and awards compared to Van Basten, but personally, I prefer the “Swan of Utrecht“: more elegant, more aesthetically pleasing, equally complete, better at playing with his teammates. Behind him, two legends and players who defined an era for different reasons: Johan Cruyff and Puskas, both versatile attackers capable of playing any role from the midfield forward (and beyond).