A Starting XI filled with stars at Estádio da Luz

The constellation of stars that, since 2003, shone in the new Estádio da Luz made hard to choose the best Starting XI ever – and the respective substitutes – of the New Cathedral.

We begin with the World’s best in 2017 ... Cristiano Ronaldo repeated the conquest of 2016 and equaled Messi with five golden balls. The Portuguese, who made his debut at Luz with the Manchester United jersey, transferred to the Spanish capital in 2009. Since then, at club level, he only returned to the Benfica Stadium to play - and win - the final of the Champions League, in 2014, a match where were also Sergio Ramos and Marcelo.

Playing for Juventus for several seasons, Buffon visit Estádio da Luz in 2005/06 and in 2013/14. He won in the first match, lost in the second, but he would surely like to change the results.  He won a friendly match and lost in the semifinal of the Europa League, which the final was held at the stadium of the bianconero. As well as Buffon, his countryman Cannavaro took part in the friendly game.

In parallel with Buffon and Cannavaro are Messi and Xavi. They have played in Lisbon for Barcelona against Benfica in 2012/13, for the Champions League.

Pirlo e Kaká have been teammates in Milan in the early years of the 21st century. The Italian even scored even in the first visit, in 2007/08, in the Champions League, match where the Brazilian also played. Pirlo would return in the Eusebio Cup of 2009/10; Kaka in the 2012/13 edition, but with Real Madrid.

With Barcelona and with Milan. Thus was the passage of Ronaldinho through Estádio da Luz. He played for the Catalans in 2005/06 (Champions League) and for rossoneri in 2009/10 (Eusébio Cup).

Let's end the way we began.. with a Portuguese player ! Luís Figo was present in the first edition of the Eusébio Cup with Inter Milan , but made his debut in the Benfiquista venue in the Euro 2004.

Great names of football, which have remained in Hall of Fame and who have written, in capital letters, a part of the king of sports history. One luxury team!

The choice of the Benfica Official Site:

Goalkeeper: Buffon;

Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro and Marcelo;

Midfielders: Xavi, Pirlo, Kaká, Figo and Ronaldinho;

Forwards: Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Substitutes: Neuer, Lahm, Nedved, Giggs, Iniesta, Thierry Henry and Ibrahimovic.

Other squad members: Ribéry, Nistelrooy, Rooney, Henry, Drogba, Ibrahimovic, Fàbregas, Totti, Torres, Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Benzema, Diego, Maicon, Yaya Touré, Sneijder, Abidal, Piqué, Eto’o, Dani Alves, Muller, Busquets, Sergio Ramos, Xavi, Van Persie, Lahm, Thiago Silva, Pogba, Di María, Bale, Alexis Sanchez, Vidal, Kroos, Griezmann, Aubameyang, Aguero, Godin, Higuaín, Oblak, De Gea, Hummels and Lewandowski.

Text: Marco Rebelo