FIFA World Cup 2010 World 11(Dream Team)

-Anand Prakash

For the next one month, South Africa will be home to 32 teams all competing for the tag of being ‘world champions’! These teams will be relying on their star players- the big guns carrying big reputations, bigger salaries and most importantly the weight of their nation’s expectations.

Here we look at a team of such players by breaking the boundaries between the nations they belong to.

Goalkeeper:

The goalkeeper’s spot in most dream teams made in recent history has been occupied by Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon and there is absolutely no reason to discontinue the trend. The shot-stopper oozes pure class and has no match when it comes to making match winning saves. A big reason behind Italy’s world cup triumph four years ago, Buffon is like a bus parked in front of the goal.

Defenders:

At right back I have Germany skipper Philipp Lahm. Solid at the back and marauding in attack, Lahm pips Brazilian right backs Daniel Alves and Maicon to make it into the dream team on account of his versatility which comes from his ability to play on either flank.

At centre back, I have England’s John Terry and Brazil’s captain Lucio. Both are uncompromising to the core and any top striker’s nightmare. Both have been really successful at club level this year with Terry’s Chelsea winning two titles and Lucio’s Inter winning three.

At left back, France captain Patrice Evra pips England’s Ashley Cole on account of being more consistent at club level with Manchester United in the last year. Though a defender himself, Evra looks best when going past defenders on his typical zigzag pacy forward runs.

Midfielders:

At the critical position of defensive midfield I have Argentina’s captain Javier Mascherano. Mascherano is best at what his job is i.e. to protect the defense by being a shield in front of the back four. Not known for his attacking skills, this man is all about work-rate and hard tackling.

The dream pairing of Spain’s Xavi Hernandez and England skipper Steven Gerrard occupies central midfield in this team. Xavi’s orchestration and Gerrard’s dynamism mean that this duo would grace any dream team. The quality of these two is such that they would walk into the starting eleven of any football team in the world.

Forwards:

Going forward on the wings I have Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi. No amount of words can describe these two geniuses and I am not even going to try. Constantly competing with each other for the tag of being the best player on the planet, these two have left all others far behind by the sheer audacity of the magic they do on the pitch. They surely are the brightest stars in this galaxy (team). As I said again anything in praise of the two is an understatement.

Choosing a striker for this team was the toughest job. However, looking at the balance of the team and the presence of plenty of flair, I have gone for Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba. Drogba adds an extra dimension to this team. Lethal finish and brute force is what describes Didier Drogba. He won the golden boot in the recently concluded season of the English Premier League beating stiff competition from England’s Wayne Rooney. Well, he pips Rooney to this team too.

So the final team is:

Gianluigi Buffon (GK)

Philipp Lahm (LWB)

John Terry (CB)

Lucio (CB)

Patrice Evra (LWB)

Javier Mascherano (CDM)

Xavi Hernandez (LCM)

Steven Gerrard (RCM) (C)

Cristiano Ronaldo (RF)

Lionel Messi (LF)

Didier Drogba (ST)

Those who just missed out due to factors like recent injuries etc. despite being equally good have been included as substitutes. They are:

1) Iker Casillas (Spain)

2) Wayne Rooney (England)

3) Arjen Robben (Netherlands)

4) Fernando Torres (Spain)

5) Nemanja Vidic (Serbia)

6) Andres Iniesta (Spain)

7) Daniel Alves (Brazil)

The team would have Guus Hiddink as its coach, Steven Gerrard as its captain and would play in a 4-1-2-2-1(4-1-2-3) formation.

This is a pre world cup dream team. After the world cup I would make a world 11 comprising of players who dazzled the crowds at South Africa. You make yours too and lets see if we match up! I wonder if it was noticed that this team comprises of 11 players from 9 different nationalities. Does it make you wonder: What if there were no boundaries?