Riyad Mahrez has named Lionel Messi in his dream five-a-side team as speculation links him with a possible union at Barcelona.
As a forward-thinking player, it comes as no surprise that the Leicester City winger has squeezed plenty of creative talent into his selection.
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He has also merged iconic heroes from past and present into the same side, with Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon a reliable presence between the sticks.
Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante is asked to fill an unfamiliar role at the back, but as a holding midfielder should have no problem slipping in there, while Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane and Barca star Messi provide the attacking spark alongside Mahrez.
Playing SurfaceAlgeria international Mahrez was named PFA Player of the Year in 2016 as he helped Leicester City to a remarkable Premier League title triumph.
He was talked into sticking around for another year, as the Foxes embarked on their first Champions League adventure, but informed the club of his desire to move on in May.
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Mahrez has since been linked with the likes of Barca, Arsenal and Monaco, with his creative talents having won him plenty of admirers despite seeing his standards slip in 2016-17.
He will be hoping to put those abilities to good use next term, wherever he may be, and they would also come in useful if he was ever to bring his ultimate five-a-side team together.
Mahrez told Unscriptd of his selection, with Kante asked to drop a little deeper than normal: “I need someone who will stay. I will say N’Golo because he’s my friend as well. Not a defender, but I know he’s going to stay.”
He added on picking Messi as his strike partner: “Left foot, left foot. Zidane is going to give us the ball and N’Golo stays behind. Safe. And we’ll kill everyone.”