Footballers often grow up idolising the very best in the game and hoping to one day emulate them by becoming the best themselves. Marcus Rashford is no different, according to a revelation made by the Manchester United man, himself.
Having been born in Manchester, he grew up watching his boyhood club go toe-to-toe with the finest teams and finest players in Europe. He would go on to make it at Old Trafford, debuting in February 2016 as an 18-year-old.
Rashford has since gone on to have brief spells with Aston Villa and Barcelona, experiencing the game as a player away from Manchester United. The 28-year-old was on holiday in Marbella last summer when he spoke to Spanish YouTube channel XBuyer. He revealed his all-time best XI, and Barcelona and Spain legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta made the list. He would go on to emulate the duo by playing for the Spanish giants in the 2025-26 season.
Here is the XI named by the England international as the best that he has seen.
England Stars Absent, Spain, Brazil Stars Dominate Marcus Rashford's All-Time XI
Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Buffon
Arguably the greatest goalkeeper of his generation, Gianluigi Buffon stands out as a bedrock of reliability between the sticks.
A legend of Italian football, he was the world's most expensive goalkeeper from 2001, when he left Parma for Juventus in a €52.9 million move, until 2018, when Liverpool signed Alisson from AS Roma.
He enjoyed over two decades of elite shot-stopping and retired at his boyhood club Parma in 2023 as a 45-year-old.
He was part of the Italy team that won the FIFA World Cup in 2006 and holds the record for the most games played in Serie A history.
Right-Back - Cafu
Another Serie A icon named by Marcus Rashford, Cafu provided relentless energy, defensive tenacity, and endless stamina down the right flank, offering the ultimate balance between defense and attack.
A legendary Brazil captain, he was the first and only player to play in three FIFA World Cup finals until Lionel Messi this summer, and won two of them, in 1994 and 2002.
Cafu represented AS Roma and AC Milan in Europe, winning the Serie A title with both teams, as well as the 2007 UEFA Champions League.
Centre-Back - Alessandro Nesta
Regarded as one of the best centre-backs of his generation, Italian legend Alessandro Nesta represented Lazio and AC Milan with distinction.
Renowned for his tactical intelligence and flawless tackling, Nesta won the biggest titles in football, including the FIFA World Cup.
Centre-Back - Paolo Maldini
One of the greatest defenders in history, Paolo Maldini was a capable left-sided centre-back and left-back in his playing days.
Maldini brought effortless positioning, composure under pressure, and elite reading of the game throughout his career.
He played 901 times for AC Milan in his career, and was the Serie A's record appearance-maker until Buffon surpassed his appearance tally.
Maldini won the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League, as well as multiple Serie A titles.
Left-Back - Roberto Carlos
Famous for his thunderous free-kicks and blistering speed, Brazilian powerhouse Roberto Carlos added dynamite overlapping runs and endless width on the left.
He was part of the Galacticos assembled by Florentino Perez, representing the club for 11 years between 1996 and 2007.
Carlos finished as runner-up for the FIFA Player of the Year in 1997 and the Ballon d'Or in 2002, after helping Brazil to win the FIFA World Cup.
Central Midfield - Xavi
The engine of Spain's golden generation, Xavi dictated the tempo of games with his flawless passing range, unmatched vision, and supreme press-resistance.
The Netherlands coach was blessed with intelligent pass selection, and his understanding of the game was a cut above the rest of his peers.
Xavi won the European Championship and FIFA World Cup with Spain, and won the treble on two occasions with Barcelona, his boyhood club.
Central Midfield - Andres Iniesta
Another La Masia product, Andres Iniesta brought magic in tight spaces, effortless dribbling, and a proven knack for delivering in the biggest moments in football history.
He played alongside Xavi for club and country, going on to captain Barcelona after Xavi left the club in 2015.
Iniesta scored Spain's winning goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, an enduring moment in the history of Spanish football.
Attacking Midfield - Zinedine Zidane
Sitting just ahead of the Spanish duo is another Galactico, "Zizou" added sheer elegance, sublime control, and big-game decisiveness to link the midfield with the attack as a traditional number ten.
Zinedine Zidane played 108 times for France, winning the European Championship and FIFA World Cup with his country.
He represented Juventus and Real Madrid, scoring one of the greatest goals in UEFA Champions League final history for the Spanish giants.
Now coach of France, Zidane was blessed with pace and power, and had the guile and technical skills to dazzle opponents on the pitch.
Right Winger - Lionel Messi
The Argentine maestro brings unmatched dribbling, deadly finishing, and playmaking genius to the right side of an all-time attacking trio.
Lionel Messi is an all-timer, and his legacy in football can hardly be touched upon in a few sentences.
He enjoyed his time with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami, as well as with the Argentina national team.
Now 39 years old, he has won more titles than any footballer in history, scoring 930 goals in his career so far.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner won the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and the Copa America in 2021 and 2024.
Left Winger - Cristiano Ronaldo
Combining ruthless athleticism with an unmatched goal-scoring record, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo began his career as a left winger.
He was the only player in Rashford's XI to play alongside the Englishman, doing so in his second stint with Manchester United in 2021.
Like Messi, the 41-year-old enjoyed a brilliant career at the highest level for club and country. He is closing in on the singular honour of being the first footballer to score 1,000 official career goals.
Now with Al-Nassr, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has hinted at the possibility of ending his career at the end of the season.
He is the highest goalscorer in the history of the UEFA Champions League and in international football.
Striker - Ronaldo Nazario
Leading the line in Rashford's XI is Ronaldo Nazario O Fenómeno. Blessed with explosive pace, terrifying skill, and clinical instincts, the Brazilian striker completes one of the most lethal frontlines ever conceived.
He remains the youngest recipient of the Ballon d'Or and was the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history until Miroslav Klose surpassed his tally in 2014.
The two-time Ballon d'Or winner plied his trade for a litany of top European sides throughout his career.
At his roaring best, the Brazilian was the best in the world and is regarded as one of the best strikers in history.
He injured his knee several times in his career and never fully recovered his explosiveness that made him possibly the greatest young footballer of all time.
He won the FIFA World Cup and multiple league titles, but never the UEFA Champions League.
