A former Manchester United flop has been named in a World Cup winner’s best XI of all time, making a shock appearance over Lionel Messi.
Marcel Desailly, 57, played a crucial role in France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 triumphs — and therefore knows a thing or two about what makes a successful team.
The former Chelsea and AC Milan centre-back stunned fans on Tuesday, however, by choosing to exclude Argentina legend Messi from his best ever XI.
Messi, widely regarded by many as the greatest of all time, was omitted from Desailly’s front three of Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldo Nazario.
While many would disagree with Messi’s exclusion, few can argue strongly against the trio he selected, each one an undisputed legend of the game.
But the inclusion of former Manchester United star Paul Pogba in Desailly’s midfield was a pick that really raised fans’ eyebrows.
A former Manchester United flop has been named in a World Cup winner’s best XI of all time
Argentina icon Lionel Messi was also surprisingly left out of the France legend’s best ever team
Marcel Desailly, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, named a controversial line-up
While Pogba, 32, was undoubtedly an excellent player in his prime, he has also failed to hit the heights expected of him during a turbulent career.
After leaving Manchester United’s youth academy, Pogba established himself as one of the most promising midfielders in world football at Juventus before returning to Old Trafford for a huge transfer fee of £89million in 2016.
Despite displaying the occasional flash of brilliance, Pogba’s six-year spell at the Red Devils was ultimately a disappointment and saw his career spiral downwards.
An injury plagued spell back at Juventus between 2022 and 2024 followed, with Pogba chalking up just eight appearances across his two seasons there.
During his second stint in Turin, the midfielder was slapped with a four-year ban for doping in 2024, which was later reduced to 18 months.
Despite struggling on the domestic stage, Pogba played an integral role in France’s triumph at the 2018 World Cup, which perhaps influenced Desailly in his decision-making.
The now Monaco footballer was included in Desailly’s midfield alongside Manchester City midfielder Rodri and former Netherlands star Edgar Davids.
Desailly named himself in the team, which was shared to social media by OLBG on Tuesday, alongside Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos at centre-back.
The inclusion of Manchester United flop Paul Pogba in midfield has raised several eyebrows
While there was no room for Messi, his long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo made the cut
Roberto Carlos and Achraf Hakimi were selected at left and right back respectively, while Edwin van der Sar was picked between the sticks.
Desailly, who made over 100 caps for France between 1993 and 2004, has worked as a pundit for networks including BBC and ITV since his retirement — and also does plenty of charity work in his spare time.
