FIFA World Cup 2010: The XI that matter!

On the pitch, the men who matter!

As the European season draws to its thrilling finale with league titles still undecided in England, Italy and Spain, I take a look at those players who have shined for their clubs this season and should be making all the headlines in South Africa. Let’s take a look at my XI of the year.

Goalkeeper -Hugo Lloris (Lyon and France)

Probably the hardest choice simply because no shot stopper has performed at the top of their game, but I am plucking him from Lyon and Les Bleus as he has bags of potential and is the only Frenchman with any sort of form going into the World Cup.

Ashley Cole makes the cut.

Left back – Ashley Cole (Chelsea and England)

Cheryl Cole might not want him anymore but he would walk into my team. On form the best left back in the world before he suffered a broken ankle in February. His performances have been even more impressive when you consider how much the tabloids have earmarked him as public enemy number 1.

Centre back- Gerard Pique (Barcelona and Spain) The 23-year-old Catalan oozes class and is the closest thing we have in the modern game to Beckenbauer. His goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League Semi Final was worthy of a top striker. Future Spain captain.

Centre back – Lucio (Inter Milan and Brazil) His containment of Didier Drogba against Chelsea in the Champions League was a master class in defending, like Pique excellent on the ball.

Right back – Maicon (Inter Milan and Brazil) Brazil can count on not one but two truly stellar right backs in Dani Alves and Maicon. Both fantastic going forward but like Dunga I am selecting the Inter Milan man as he is the better defender.

Midfield – Xavi ( Barcelona and Spain)

Wesley Sneijder has had a life-changing season at Inter.

Simply the best passer of the football in the world, instrumental in setting the tempo for both his club and country. For Barcelona, he loads the bullets which allow Messi to fire.

Midfield –Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan and Holland) Real Madrid cast off who has fitted seamlessly into Jose Mourino’s side and is the team’s heartbeat. Can show Madrid President Florentino Perez just how foolish he was in offloading him when he takes the field in the European Cup final.

Left midfield – Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich and Holland) Another Real Madrid reject after he was deemed surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu. Seems to have finally escaped his injury nightmare which has plagued him throughout his career. His 20 plus goals have taken the German giants to the brink of a treble and like Sneijder can embarrass his former employers in the Madrid showpiece. Still only 26.

Ronaldo will walk into any Best XI that anybody will choose.

Right Midfield –Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid and Portugal) The world’s most expensive player has been somewhat overshadowed because of a certain genius from Argentina (see later) but the Portuguese winger has excelled in his first season in Madrid scoring 32 Goals and pushing Barcelona all the way in La Liga. Will hope to steal the headlines this summer.

Forward –Wayne Rooney (Manchester United and England) Has truly come of age this season as his 34 goals have carried a rather uninspired Manchester United. Will need every inch of his broad shoulders to carry the hopes of a nation in South Africa.

Forward – Lionel Messi ( Barcelona and Argentina) What else is there to say? 42 goals for his club, greatest player of his generation…now he has to go and do it for his country!

Edited By: Arpit Kumar