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For the last decade, football has been dominated by Europe and South America. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil has indeed reinforced that claim. Apart from Costa Rica, Mexico and Algeria to some extent, countries other than European and South American have found it next to impossible to stake their claim on the world stage.
Having said that, here are the respective playing XIs of Europe and South America, should they face each other in years to come.
SOUTH AMERICA XI
Goalkeeper: Claudio Bravo
Gulliermo Ochoa, Keylor Navas and Tim Krul may have stolen the headlines for their breathtaking performances between the posts, however, the performances of Claudio Bravo have not gone unnoticed. His performance against Spain was the perfect summary to the 31-year-old Chilean’s distinguished career.
Despite being knocked out by Brazil in heart breaking fashion, his stellar performance against their South American counterparts in Belo Horizonte earned him a €12 million move to Barcelona. Finding himself in an extremely close race with Columbian keeper David Ospina, Bravo finds himself millimeters ahead.
Defenders: Marcos Rojo – Diego Godin – Ezequiel Garay – Daniel Alves
Before the start of the World Cup, Marcos Rojo was a relatively unknown quantity. However, following an extraordinary run in the World Cup for Argentina, clubs have lined up in a bid to secure his services. In comarison with Marcelo and Patrice Evra, Rojo has a similar attacking mindset. His ability to create chances and confidence going forward has only gone on to enhance his reputation. In contrast to Marcelo, Rojo understands that his primary role is that of a defender, an additional quality he posses in his vast inventory. Left full backs are like rare birds, and Argentina definitely have one in Marcos Rojo.
He may not be the most flamboyant or skillful centre back, but Diego Godin’s commanding figure is sometimes all a manager needs in the heart of central defence. Godin went into the World Cup following a dream campaign with Ateltico Madrid. The World Cup proved to be a harsh reality for him as Uruguay exited the tournament caught in the cross-hairs of controversy.
One of the most important qualities of a centre back is resilience and it is something that Godin possesses in abundance. Apart from being a concrete wall for both club and country, Godin is one of the most dangerous players from set peices. His commanding figure in the opposition penalty area during corners makes him one of the most invaluable players to fill the center back role.
For the past couple of years, Ezequiel Garay has slowly risen as one of the most prolific centre backs in Europe. His physique makes him one of the most formidable defenders in the modern game. Apart from his outstanding performances in helping Argentina reach the final of the World Cup, his exploits in the UEFA Europa league has spoken volumes of his determination and ability. His consistent and resilient defending earned him a place in the 2013-14 UEFA Europa League squad of the season.
One of the most attack minded full backs in the world, Brazil’s Dani Alves has impressed one and all with his attacking prowess. Strength, stamina and speed are perhaps the most important attributes of a full back, and Alves possesses these attributes in abundance. Despite Scolari selecting Maicon ahead of him, Alves is perhaps the best right back in South America.
Midfield: Arturo Vidal – James Rodriguez – Lionel Messi
Since his move to Juventus in 2011, Arturo Vidal’s stock has risen and risen so high that he has been the subject of discussion every time the transfer window opens. Blessed with two fantastic football feet, Vidal is a natural passer of the ball. For both Juventus and Chile, Vidal has served as the connection between the right and left flanks. His role as the midfield linchpin has been performed to such great success that the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid have been reported to be interested in his services. Considered as one of the most complete midfielders in the modern game, Vidal’s ability to perform his defensive and attacking duties with such perfection makes him an important asset to the team.
Prior to the World Cup, Colombia’s James Rodriguez was a short and skinny lad who had cost AS Monaco €45 million. However, his exploits in Brazil forced his critics to eat their words. Winning the golden boot in the World Cup is merely an understatement given his immense talent. Gifted with a magic wand of a left foot, James Rodriguez scored one of the greatest goals in World Cup history against Uruguay. Time just stood still, as the world watched the ball sail into the back of the net. That goal is the very definition of James Rodriguez. Everything about it was extraordinary – finesse, technique, skill, vision and power. Every four years, a star is born in the World Cup. And without a doubt, Rodriguez is that star.
Despite the number of achievements over the last few years, it is next to impossible to describe how important Lionel Messi is to a team’s cause. In recent years, although Messi has become slightly more predictable, he still comes up with the goals and performances when called upon to do so. Even though his World Cup winning dreams were quashed in heartbreaking fashion, he went on to win the Golden Ball – a fitting yet not so perfect tribute to the legend that he is. His leadership qualities were there for all to see as he led Argentina to the final, only for Mario Goetze’s goal to keep him away from the glory that he so richly deserves.
Forwards: Angel Di Maria – Alexis Sanchez – Neymar
Argentina’s Angel Di Maria announced his arrival in South Africa in the 2010 World Cup. Soon after, he was snapped up by Real Madrid and has not looked back ever since. Physically, he may not be the most appealing player; but what he lacks in terms of physique, he makes up for in finesse, pace and stamina. His performances for Real Madrid leading up to the 2014 World Cup have been nothing short of outstanding. His passing ability, intensity and speed on the ball definitely makes it impossible to leave him out of the starting XI.
Despite going from hero to villan in a matter of 120 minutes, Alexis Sanchez was an integral member in Chile’s World Cup campaign. He may not be the tallest player on the pitch, but he certainly is the strongest. Gifted with superhuman strength, dazzling skills and pace, he can play multiple positions including the number 9 role. Apart from that, Sanchez has also been recognized for his prolific goal scoring prowess. Following Chile’s World Cup exit, he was snapped up by Arsenal for a reported fee of £32 million.
Neymar has often lived up to the mountain of expectations on his shoulders and despite a quiet season with Barcelona, Neymar showed up at the World Cup full of promise. With Fred misfiring, and the Brazilian defence leaking goals, Neymar stepped up to the plate scoring goals and providing his side with the energy necessary to go all the way to the semi-final.
A serious back injury forced Neymar to sit on the sidelines and watch on helplessly as Brazil were absolutely blown away by a rampant Germany. However, Neymar found himself in the All Star XI, and certainly will be looking to make amends in the following World Cup in 2018.
Substitutes: David Ospina, Thiago Silva, Javier Mascherano, Edinson Cavani, Enner Valencia, Oscar
Europe XI, Key Battles and Prediction on Page 2
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EUROPE XI
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
Germany has been credited with producing some of the best goalkeepers of all time, and Manuel Neuer certainly is up there among the best of them. Apart from pulling off stellar, impossible and extraordinary saves, Neuer has been renowned for his role as a “sweeper keeper”. Not one to shy away from charging at an attacking striker, Neuer played as a sweeper for a good part of the match against Algeria in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
With Algerian striker Islam Slimani leaving Per Mertesacker in shambles, Neuer charged down the pitch many a time, matching Slimani’s pace to great effect. Despite all these fantastic attributes, Neuer is known to have a strong arm, with the ability to throw the ball more than halfway down the pitch. Having won the Golden Glove at the World Cup, Neuer is without doubt the best goalkeeper in the world by a country mile.
Defenders: Philipp Lahm – Vincent Kompany – Mats Hummels – David Alaba
If there is one place the captain’s armband belongs, it is on the left arm of Philipp Lahm. Regarded as the best full back of his generation, Lahm was deployed in center midfield by German coach Joachim Loew, where the former revelled, showing his adaptability to new roles thrust upon him. Despite his inferior height, Lahm has been renowned all over the world for his precise tackling and amazing dribbling skills that has thus earned him the name “Magic Dwarf”.
For the last couple of years, the German defensive unit has become nearly impenetrable, and Mats Hummels is one of the few men responsible for that. Apart from being strong, athletic and a concrete wall in front of the goal, he is a danger from set pieces. Both his goals in the world cup came from set pieces, and his performance in the final against Argentina showed why he is considered one of the best in the world. His defensive prowess and high intensity passing ability have made him as a strong transfer target across Europe.
He may not have stamped his authority on the World stage or amongst Europe’s finest, but Vincent Kompany has certainly stamped his authority in the Englsih Premier League. Having won the title for the second time with Manchester City, Kompany is the heart beat of the City defence. His strength coupled with his hunger and desire for the ball, makes him one of the most complete centre backs in Europe. His disciplinary record may be horrific, but given his impact on a game, any manager will be willing to take a risk and put him on the team sheet.
The 2011-12 season saw the emergence of David Alaba. Despite not having taken part in the World Cup, Alaba has been one of the most promising in the left back poistion. Having already made a name for himself in Europe, the Austrian international will be hoping that his side secure qualification in the following World Cup.
Midfield: Andrea Pirlo – Paul Pogba – Toni Kroos
Amid all their misery in conceding 7 goals to a rampant German side, the Brazilians nicknamed Toni Kroos “garcon”, the French word that translates to waiter. The precision of his passing and set piece taking ability has made him one of the best midfielders in Europe. Even Joachim Loew went on to say: “How Toni distributes the ball, how he receives it, is very good. He's technically excellent.“ Following a fantastic World Cup campaign, Kroos was eventually signed by Real Madrid.
Despite Italy having a wretched World Cup campaign, Andrea Pirlo remains one of the brightest stars in the Azzuri lineup. With his eagle eye vision and his unparalleled passing ability, the 35-year-old veteran and set piece master has proved time and again that he is the deciding factor and someone who can turn the game on its head. Apart from this, Pirlo is a great reader of the game and always makes a telling impact especially in important fixtures.
Prior to the start of the 2014 World Cup, Paul Pogba was one of the biggest starlets at Juventus, Apart from winning a penalty and providing two assists for Karim Benzema, Pogba scored his first World Cup goal in the 2-0 win against Nigeria to ensure the qualification of Les Bleus to the quarter final. Despite not making an impact in the game against Germany, Pogba received the Best Young Player award for his efforts.
Forwards: Arjen Robben – Cristiano Ronaldo – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
If there is one word that will perhaps fit Arjen Robben’s description, it is “speed”. We almost feel a sense of sympathy for the defenders chasing him, in the hope that one day they may just catch him. Leaving aside his controversial on field theatrics, Robben is blessed with terrific ball control. With the ball sticking to his feet, his pace and his accurate shooting results in a goal more often than not. He is without a doubt a defender’s worst nightmare. The biggest downside to his game however, is the fact that he does not make the important passes. But, on the other hand, given his goal scoring consistency, any manager will be more than inclined to add Robben’s name to the team sheet.
Despite having an extremely poor run in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the name Cristiano Ronaldo is impossible to leave out from the team sheet. Apart from winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or, Ronaldo played a crucial part in helping Real Madrid secure their first UEFA Champions league title since 2002. His work rate, goal scoring touch and not to forget those eye-catching step-overs make him one of the best attackers in the world. The arrival of Gareth Bale has only gone on to improve Ronaldo’s goal scoring efficiency, with the latter finding the back of the net 51 times in all competitions.
"One thing is for sure, a World Cup without me is nothing to watch so it is not worthwhile to wait for the World Cup.” Remember this quote? Whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic would have made an impact in the World Cup will never be known. However, here is something we do know. He is Zlatan. Blessed with immense upper body strength, the vision of a sniper and the goal scoring touch of a genius, he is perhaps the one of the greatest centre forwards to play the game. His unbelieveable overhead kick against England in a friendly was the epitome of his greateness as a player and a legend.
Substitutes: Hugo Lloris, Daniel Carvajal, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Karim Benzema, Jan Verthongen
Key Battles
Manuel Neuer vs Neymar
The semi-final of the World Cup did not get to witness the epic battle between Manuel Neuer and Neymar courtesy of an injury to the latter. However, it definitelty will be entertaining to watch the world’s best goalkeeper square off against one of the most feared attackers in the world. The X-Factor of this battle will be Neuer’s pace when he rushes out of the penalty area.
Neuer has been known to actively perform the role of a sweeper when his defence is left stranded. However, should Neymar get the better of Neuer, he would definitely be one of the first people to do so. With the odds even, an exciting battle is on the cards should these two find themselves in each other’s path.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Diego Godin
It is a well known fact that Diego Godin is a tough nut to crack. Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the other hand is one of the best strikers in Europe, whose precise strikes sends shivers down the spine of defenders. Godin however is from the fearless breed and will be unfazed of Ibrahimovic’s reputation. Having not met previously, it will indeed be interesting to see what this mammoth battle will have in store for us.
Prediction
Europe XI 3 - 3 South American XI
Europe Goal scorers: Ibrahimovic, Robben, Hummels
South America Goal scorers: James Rodriguez, Messi, Neyamr
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do no reflect those of the website. Please feel free to give your views and make your predictions in the comments section below.
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