Champions League Team of the Decade 

Attack

Forward - Lionel Messi

Messi is the all-time leading goalscorer in the group stages of the CL

Lionel Messi's last few seasons in the Champions League may not have been the most successful, but that does not take away from the fact that he is one of the greatest players of all time. The second leading goalscorer in the history of this competition, the Argentine captain has won the CL twice this decade.

Consistently amongst the top goalscorers of the competition, Messi has mesmerised audiences and tormented the best of defences in the world.

Aside from his goalscoring, the forward is an elite playmaker and dribbler - he has created 58 big chances and bagged 23 assists this decade while completing 427 dribbles. At full flight, Messi is the most unstoppable player in the world.

Striker - Karim Benzema

Real Madrid v Club Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final

In terms of pure ability, the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Luis Suarez can make this list. However, as far as the Champions League is concerned, Karim Benzema blows both of his counterparts out of the water.

The French international has over 50 goals in the Champions League and is one of the most prolific goalscorers in the competition's history. A long underrated presence in Real Madrid's attack, some acclaim is long due for Benzema.

He is a selfless striker who plays as the system requires, and it is largely due to him that a certain Portuguese superstar succeeded at Real Madrid. His place here is well deserved.

Forward - Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final

Cristiano Ronaldo is simply the greatest player in the history of the Champions League. In this decade, the Portuguese superstar has netted an astonishing 105 goals in the competition, and he is the all-time leading goalscorer for the same.

Ronaldo has won the competition four times this decade and has scored in three finals - more than anyone else. Regardless of whether he manages to win the trophy again with Juventus, the forward's legacy as the greatest to ever compete in this competition is safe and sound.

A clutch, powerful player, no one has performed in the CL as consistently, and as well as Ronaldo.