ARNIE GETS THE NOD OVER STAR MESSI IN TOP BOJAN TEAM

BOJAN has named Marko Arnautovic in a best XI made up of his former team-mates – at the expense of Lionel Messi.

Ok, this is a best XI with a catch. The former Stoke City playmaker named his side in an interview with Duck magazine so we can forgive the bias – and he was also asked to include two Stoke players, with Ryan Shawcross also getting the nod.

But it is clear he rates both his old friends very highly and remembers his own time in the Potteries very fondly. He has won trophies at Barcelona and Ajax and turned out for Roma and AC Milan but he classes his first season at Stoke as his peak time.

The 31-year-old, who has just helped Vissel Kobe qualify for the next round of the Asian Champions League, said: “My first year at Stoke was as well as I have ever played. I really mean that. Please thank the fans for all the love that they have shown me. I would love to be back in Stoke one day. If I ever get the chance, I will be over. I love the fans and I want the club to be back in the Premier League soon.” The rest of his best XI isn’t bad.

He said: “Victor Valdes, Dani Alves. I’d have Ryan Shawcross with Gerard Pique at centre-half – they know each other from their Manchester United days – and Eric Abidal at left-back. “In midfield and attack

I would have Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta, plus one of the best players I have ever played with in Marko Arnautovic. I’d have him on the right wing and Ronaldinho on the left and Samuel Eto’o as my striker.

“I know I’ve left Messi out… I’ve put Arnie in instead.” He added on Shawcross: “Ryan is one of the guys who I respect the most in football. From my first day in Stoke he really helped and supported me and is both a great person and footballer. He’s a true leader and a fantastic player. I loved playing with Ryan as my captain in Stoke.” The interview also touches on whether Bojan believes he was as good a player after his awful knee injury, why Stoke’s form dipped after losing in the League Cup semi-finals to Liverpool and being sent to train with the under-18s by Gary Rowett.

The magazine is out now in print and digital form, priced £4. Sellers will be outside the bet365 Stadium from 11am on Saturday. It also features articles about the 30th anniversary of winning the Autoglass Trophy.