Football aficionados, buckle up! We're diving into a deep-sea of football memories to curate the dreamiest of dream teams.

If football were a music playlist, this would be the Greatest Hits album...

Score 90 asked ChatGPT to give them the best XI of all time - and the results have been shared across social media.

Let’s take a closer look.

1 Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon

Let's kick things off between the sticks.

Legends like Lev Yashin and Peter Schmeichel have donned the gloves with serious panache, but ‘Gigi’ Buffon? The man's like fine wine - gets better with age.

For over two decades, he's been the embodiment of goalkeeping greatness, and only retired recently.

With Juventus, he’s scooped up titles like they were going out of fashion. And his Italy gig? That 2006 World Cup says it all.

Leadership, charisma, agility - the dude’s packed with it all. It's not just about the spectacular saves; it's the sheer aura he brings onto the field. No one will argue that he's the greatest goalkeeper of all time.

2 Right-back: Cafu

Now, Brazil has served us some footballing feasts over the years. But the right-back delicacy? Cafu's the main course.

We’ve seen full-back maestros like Javier Zanetti and Philip Lahm, but none with Cafu's vivacity or abiluty.

Two World Cup wins under his belt and a stamina level that would give the Energizer bunny a run for its money. The man was everywhere, defending, attacking, and just oozing class.

What a player!

READ MORE: 20 Greatest Defenders In Premier League History (Ranked)

3 Centre-back: Franco Baresi

Centre-back territory is hotly contested.

Think Bobby Moore, Fabio Cannavaro - absolute units. But Baresi? He’s like the Gandalf of defence: “You shall not pass!”

Twenty glorious years with AC Milan, and he commanded the backline like a general. Tackles, interceptions, leadership - he had it all in his arsenal.

It wasn't just about physicality; it was the way he read the game. Like a chess grandmaster, always ten moves ahead.

4 Centre-back: Franz Beckenbauer

Enter ‘Der Kaiser’. The elegant German redefined the role of defenders. Competing with the likes of Maldini and Nesta is no joke, but Beckenbauer was no ordinary player.

As a football intellectual, he reshaped the libero/sweeper role, making it his own. Not to mention, bagging the World Cup as a player and then as a gaffer?

Double whammy! If football had a hall of fame, Franz would have his own wing.

5 Left-back: Paolo Maldini

On the left, legends like Roberto Carlos have dazzled us. But Maldini, oh boy, he’s the Mona Lisa of defenders.

Born into the game, he exemplified what it meant to be a one-club man with AC Milan.

His reading of the game, combined with flawless technique, meant he could switch between left-back and center-back effortlessly.

A career brimming with trophies and iconic moments, Paolo's place in football’s pantheon is guaranteed.

6 Midfield: Zinedine Zidane

Now, onto the midfield maestros. Zinedine Zidane, he’s pure platinum!

Watching him was like watching ballet, but with a football.

Those turns, that vision, and a flair for the dramatic – remember the 2002 Champions League final? Or that World Cup final? The man turned up on the biggest stages.

The likes of Andrea Pirlo and Xavi were incredible, there's no denying that, but few have made football look so graceful and yet so effective as Zizou.

READ MORE: Ibrahima Konate didn't hold back when asked about Liverpool's current squad

7 Midfield: Diego Maradona

The word 'legend' feels small for Diego Maradona. In a world with Platini and Best, Maradona carved out his own pedestal.

The 1986 World Cup? It was his personal playground. The dribbles, the audacity, and oh, those unforgettable goals against England.

Equal parts genius and maverick, Diego's story is one for the ages.

8 Midfield: Johan Cruyff

Speaking of football philosophers, Cruyff wasn’t just a player; he was a doctrine.

While Best and Di Stefano had dazzling moments, Cruyff was consistency personified. The spearhead of "Total Football", his influence went beyond just goals, and continued on years after he left the game. It was about vision, intelligence, and that signature turn!

Later, off the field, his thoughts reshaped how teams played. The man, the myth, the legend.

9 Right-forward: Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi - the little magician - is seen as the greatest football of all time by many fans, which is consolidated after winning the World Cup with Argentina last year.

Messi, who makes defenders look like training cones, served as the crown jewel of Barcelona for over a decade, and broke records for fun whilst playing in Spain.

Those mazy runs, the pinpoint free-kicks, and a vision that rivals a telescope – he’s been an absolute treat to watch, and undoubtedly one of the best footballers of all time.

READ MORE: Chelsea's strongest XI with Moises Caicedo set to join ft. Nkunku and Mudryk

10 Left-forward: Cristiano Ronaldo

Step aside folks, it’s CR7 time!

From his humble beginnings to becoming football royalty, Ronaldo’s journey is the stuff of fairy tales.

With stints at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Man United again and now at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, he’s redefined what it means to be a global superstar.

Aerial prowess, rocket shots, agility - Cristiano Ronaldo is the footballing Swiss army knife.

And the man’s got an appetite – for goals and trophies, that is!

11 Centre-forward: Pele

Rolling back the years, Pele encapsulates what football's all about.

A prodigy who announced himself to the world in style, bagging three World Cup titles. Those dazzling feet, the acrobatic finishes, and a charisma that lit up stadiums.

Before the Messi-Ronaldo era, Pele was the undisputed king.

That's the starting XI done, but let's look at some notable omissions...

• Dubbed the 'Black Spider', Lev Yashin was a revolutionary figure between the posts. With his black attire and intimidating presence, he redefined goalkeeping during his tenure. Notable for his incredible reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, Yashin is estimated to have saved over 150 penalties in his career. Though Buffon got our nod due to his longevity and adaptability, Yashin remains a monumental figure in football's hall of goalkeeping greats.
• Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos is best remembered for THAT free-kick against France – a physics-defying banana shot. Apart from his set-piece mastery, Carlos had a lethal combination of speed, strength, and skill. While Maldini's overall impact on the game gave him the edge, Carlos's attacking flair made him a close contender.
• The heart of Barcelona's tiki-taka system, Xavi's vision, and passing ability were second to none. He could dictate the pace of a game, making the ball do the work. While Maradona and Zidane's brilliance made them undeniable picks, Xavi's influence, especially in the Barcelona and Spain teams that dominated football in the late 2000s and early 2010s, is indubitable.
• Often called the 'fifth Beatle', George Best combined skill with showbiz. His dribbling ability and knack for scoring made him one of the most celebrated footballers of his time. While Cruyff’s overarching impact on the game edged him out, Best's individual brilliance surely makes him worthy of the conversation.

• A player who could play anywhere on the field, Alfredo Di Stefano's versatility was unparalleled. His prowess at Real Madrid during the 1950s, winning five consecutive European Cups, is the stuff of legend. However, the sheer influence of players like Pele and Maradona in global football nudged him out of the Best XI.
• With a left foot that could produce magic, Ferenc Puskás was a goal machine for both Hungary and Real Madrid. His scoring record is phenomenal, and the annual award for the most beautiful goal is named in his honor. But with Messi, Ronaldo, and Pele in the mix, this Hungarain maestro faced fierce competition.
• Another midfield maestro, Michel Platini was known for his incredible footballing brain and set-piece prowess. As the lynchpin of the French team in the 1980s, his impact was substantial. But when up against titans like Zidane and Maradona, even legends like Platini find it tough.

Overview -

Every era of football presents its own set of stars, game-changers, and mavericks.

While Chat GPT's 'Best XI' is a representation of footballing genius across generations, there are also some 'near misses' who stand as a testament to the beautiful game's rich history.

Their omission from the XI isn't a slight on their legacy but rather a nod to the sheer depth of talent that football has been graced with over the years.

The debates, discussions, and deliberations can go on, but one thing's for sure: football, with all its stars, never ceases to amaze.

Picking an all-time Best XI? Mad challenging.

This list, however, celebrates football in all its glory. The highs, the lows, the sheer brilliance – it’s got it all.