L'Equipe: Journalist Selects Champions League All-Time Best XI, Ronaldo and Salah Miss Out, Messi Included

French journalist Vincent Duluc, one of the main writers for L'Equipe, has selected his own UEFA Champions League all-time best XI, with Portuguese star Ronaldo not included. The Champions League's all-time leading scorer is also not the only Ballon d'Or winner absent from the list.

Duluc's XI brings together many legends from more than 70 years of the Champions League, from the establishment of the European Cup in 1955 through to the modern Champions League era. He hoped to find a balance between the European Cup era before the 1992 format change and the modern competition afterward.

Salah misses out on selection

The two Real Madrid stars are nearing their match against Inter Milan

Goalkeeper: Ray Clemence "Liverpool"

Right-back: Dani Carvajal "Real Madrid"

Centre-back: Franz Beckenbauer "Bayern Munich"

Centre-back: Franco Baresi "AC Milan"

Left-back: Paolo Maldini "AC Milan"

Midfielder: Modric "Real Madrid"

Midfielder: Andres Iniesta "Barcelona"

Left winger: Messi "Barcelona"

Attacking midfielder: Johan Cruyff "Ajax"

Right winger: George Best "Manchester United"

Forward: Alfredo Di Stefano "Real Madrid"

This prestigious top European competition will begin tomorrow, Tuesday. The day's headline match is Real Madrid against Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium; Porto will face Manchester City, and Borussia Dortmund will play Villarreal.

Paris Saint-Germain have won the last two Champions League titles, defeating Inter Milan and Arsenal in the respective finals.