My Current World XI

I came across an app on the app store named 'Ultimate XI,' whereby you can name your starting XI for both a classic and current world teams. So, after a few tinkering with tactics and my players, I came to a decision who my current world XI would be and I will name and justify my decisions below.

Formation: 4-3-3

GK: Manuel Neuer     Club: Bayern Munich      Nation: German


In my opinion, Neuer has established himself as the world's best
goalkeeper



Manuel Neuer, who has been nicknamed 'Spider-Man' for his wonderful goalkeeping talent is undoubtedly in my mind the best goalkeeper in the world at this present time. His goalkeeping expertise has led to success for both club in country, having helped reach the semi finals in both Euro 2012 and the World Cup 2010 for his national side. He also helped Bayern Munich reach the 2012 Champions League, before agonisingly losing in a penalty shoot out to Chelsea despite saving penalties from Juan Mata and Ashley Cole. At the age of 26, the big German still has at least 10 years at the highest level and will undoubtedly be up there with the best of the best for many years to come.

RB: Philip Lahm      Club: Bayern Munich      Nation: German

The versatile and loyal Philip Lahm fills the right back position for my World XI. Despite standing at 5ft 7 and often dwarfed by his opposition, what Lahm lacks in physical stature he makes up for in ability and pure foot balling intelligence. He also has a knack for going forward and scoring goals, which combined with his defensive qualities, make him an outstanding full back. In his illustrious 11 year career since signing his first professional contract with Bayern, Lahm has been an integral figure for the Munich based side and has been heavily involved in all their achievements for the past decade. However the legendary defender, who became captain of his country in 2010, has never been crowned a champion of Europe. He has fallen at the last hurdle twice for Bayern and twice for Germany in a major final, a shame for one of the best full backs of his generation.

CB: Mats Hummels      Club: Dortmund      Nation: German

The third out of three Germans to make the squad. He came through the youth system at Bayern, and they will be extremely regretful that they let him leave to Dortmund for a nominal fee. Having made his debut for 'the black yellows' in 2008, he has been a key feature in their double title winning campaigns, forming a mean partnership with Subotic to create a mean defence. A defender who's known for his physical strength as well as for his ability to pass out from the back, the talented defender has started to make a name for himself all around the world. At 23, he has his best years ahead of him and he really does have the world at his feet.

CB: Sergio Ramos      Club: Real Madrid      Nation: Spanish



since his transition from right to centre back, Ramos has shown incredible
 consistency and has put in numerous great performances

I was initially very sceptical about including the Spanish 'hot-head' in the side, but ever since his transition from right back to centre back, Real Madrid have developed an extremely strong defence. He's quick, he's strong and he's a big physical presence, and this combined are the qualities needed to be a world class defender. However, the Spaniard, who made the switch from Sevilla to Real Madrid in a £25 million move in 2005, is known for his fiery temper and therefore can be a liability at times. If the former Sevilla man can keep the aggression but control his temper, then Ramos will undoubtedly be the best centre back in the world in my opinion.

LB: Ashley Cole      Club: Chelsea      Nation: English

The trustworthy left back is the only English player/player in the Barclays premier league to make the team. He's not everyone's cup of tea, but for me, he's just an outstanding left back. He has been an ever present for England throughout the duration of his career, and has currently accumulated 99 caps to date; a remarkable achievement for any player. Despite coming towards the end of his career, the Chelsea left back has shown tremendous consistency and has rarely been made to look silly by opposing wingers; even those of the calibre of Ronaldo when he used to play against Chelsea for Manchester United. His defensive awareness, energy down the left, pace and attacking threat are the left backs greatest strengths and in my opinion, is the best left back in the world by quite a distance.

CM: Xavi      Club: Barcelona      Nation: Spanish

Like Iniesta, Xavi was not a regular at the start of his career at Barcelona, and was not the best midfielder in the world by any means. However, since the introduction of Pep Guardiola as manager in 2008, Xavi's former teammate was able to transform him into the best central midfielder in the world. Xavi's passing range will go down in history as one of the greatest ever; the man can make the impossible balls look easy (most Spaniards can nowadays). His influence from central midfield for both Spain and Barcelona is incredible, and if given time and space on the ball; he can cut any defence in half with killer through balls. I don't think we've ever seen a midfielder as talented as Xavi, (Scholes in his prime comes close) and he is one of the main reasons for both Spain's and Barcelona's recent success.

CM: Andrea Pirlo      Club: Juventus      Nation: Italian


Pirlo is still showing his class, despite his age



Pirlo is a magician. He's built in a very similar mould to Xavi, however what he lacks for in mobility he makes up for with his exquisite technique. Pirlo is most effective when sitting in front of the back for, with his precise long passing and ability to spray balls all over the park something that sets him apart from the rest. In addition to this, he is a huge threat from set plays, with his expert delivery able to scare the life out of defenders and goalkeepers whenever he steps over the ball. Pirlo was the main reason why Italy were able to reach the final of Euro 2012, and he also held an integral part in Italy's 2006 World Cup winning side. Despite being 33, Pirlo is still one of the most feared midfielders in the world and is still going strong despite coming to the end of his playing days.

CM: Andres Iniesta      Club: Barcelona      Nation: Spanish

The third central midfielder in my world XI is another Spaniard who goes by the name of Andres Iniesta. Iniesta has formed a successful partnership with Xavi in recent years and is also arguably responsible for Messi's incredible goal scoring record. Like Xavi, Iniesta was not an ever present for Barcelona since his debut in 2002, but has flourished ever since Guardiola showed faith in him. However what sets the Spanish playmaker apart from the rest is his agility and intelligence on the ball, being able to pick holes in the opposition defence which has benefited Messi so well over the years. At 28, Iniesta has won it all and could still perform at the top level for at least another 5 years.

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo      Club: Real Madrid      Nation: Portuguese

The Portuguese wing man has commanded the highest transfer
fee ever paid for a player in football history, £80 million

The best, second best player in the world, ever. We always knew Ronaldo was going to be a star since he burst onto the scene for Manchester United and initially was handed the task of emulating the success of David Beckham. But he didn't just emulate it, he exceeded it. Ronaldo scored goals for fun in the Premiership and then he scored even more goals in La Liga. In fact, the £80 million price tag that sent him from Manchester to Madrid says it all about the talent of the man. His skills are mesmerising and his power leads to defenders cowering in fear as he motors past them with ease. But most importantly, is his goal scoring record. In all competitions, for Real Madrid he has scored 167 goals in as many games. Need I say more.

ST: Falcao      Club: Athletico Madrid      Nation: Colombian

The greatest Colombian of all time? I can't think of any better. The former Porto star fully justifies his place in the world XI due to the sheer amount of goals he has scored in the past few seasons for Porto and now Athletico Madrid. Known for his ability in the air as well as being equally talented with his feet, Falcao has been a revelation in both Portugal and Spain. In his past 4 seasons, the Colombian has bagged an incredible 122 goals in 150 games, whilst also being the integral figure for Porto in their quadruple winning season in the 2010-2011 season. He has expressed a desire to play in the Premier League at some point in his career, with Chelsea and Manchester City looking likely destinations for the Colombian. With his quality and goal scoring ability he will undoubtedly be a success wherever he goes and I'm sure if he comes to the Premier League he will continue his success.

RW: Lionel Messi      Club: Barcelona      Nation: Argentinian

Lionel Messi, is he the best player ever?

The best player we have ever seen grace a football pitch? You will see my opinion in an upcoming post. But what can this little genius not do? He's quick, he's agile, he's intelligent, he's strong despite his small frame, and most of all; he can produce magic with his left foot. We've seen time and time again of his talent, where he has single handed destroyed teams and won games for his team, providing an incredible amount of goals which have propelled Barcelona to success in recent years. He has currently scored 84 goals this year, 1 off the all time record set by German legend Gerd Muller. He's scored 281 goals in 351 games in his Barcelona career, with 239 of those coming in his past 5 seasons. In addition to this, he has also won 3 consecutive Balon D'or trophies, which is an indication of just how good he is. What's best of all is that Messi has achieved all of this despite only being 25. He’s the pinnacle of world football and with that being said, it's frightening thinking about how much more Messi can achieve with at least a further 10 years at the highest level.

And those that didn’t quite make the starting XI.....

Goalkeepers:
Joe Hart
Iker Casillas
Gianluigi Buffon

Defenders:
Thiago Silva
Dani Alves
Vincent Kompany
Nemanja Vidic
Jordi Alba

Midfielders:
Gareth Bale

Bastian Sweinsteiger

Xabi Alonso

Mesut Ozil

Steven Gerrard

Forwards:

Angel Di Maria

Karim Benzema

Zlatan Ibrahimovich

Wayne Rooney
Robin Van Persie