Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, More Eyed in European All-Star Game Proposal
Rumours of an annual UEFA All-Star Game have surfaced in Spain, promoting the possibility that Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic could one day grace the same attacking line.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo (h/t JJ Bull of The Telegraph's Project Babb), an NBA-influenced all-star contest could be a future fixture of the European football season.
Teams would allegedly be split into Europe North (Premier League, Bundesliga, Russian Premier League, etc.) and Europe South (La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A, etc.) to make two ultimate teams of the non-FIFA 15 variety.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Mundo's report suggests no more than three players per club would be permitted, with all participants and managers being selected via Internet vote. The Internet, lest we forget, once tried to send Justin Bieber on a tour of North Korea when a poll opened to decide his concert route.
There would likely be restrictions put in place, of course, so "Dave from Down the Pub" can't receive the chance to line up opposite Arjen Robben in the Europe North selection. Telegraph Football posted possible teams based on this season's play:
AS writer Nicholas Rigg tweeted Mundo's frontpage:
The MLS All-Star Game is popular in the United States and works via a simple voting system. However, it would be interesting to see a UEFA all-star weekend much in the style of the NBA's.
Basketball fans recently watched Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Zach LaVine smash his way to victory in the Slam Dunk Contest, while Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Stephen Curry took the three-point title.
Many football supporters would undoubtedly love to see the equivalent of this weekend—perhaps with a skill challenge and free-kick contest—implemented before a showpiece match.
The European season is already packed, however, so managers may be irked at the thought of adding an extra fixture to the schedule. Ronaldo, Messi and others have Champions League and international commitments deep into the season, so it would be a challenge to fit such a fixture in. The first time someone picks up an injury in a potential All-Star Game would also create a problem.
It's exciting to consider the world's best meeting in one place. Charity matches are commonplace in football but often lack competitiveness. UEFA President Michel Platini could provide an entertaining spectacle if the aforementioned plans are to go ahead, and the opportunity arises for Ronaldo and Messi to finally team up.
