Best XI of this decade (2010-2018)

Imagine a
Imagine a team with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on either wing

Defence

Right-back: Dani Alves

Brazil v Peru - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers
Alves is still fairly regular for the Brazilian national team

Alves might already be 34 and nearing the end of his career, but for what he has achieved at Barcelona, he will go down as one of the best attacking full-backs in history.

He joined Barca for around £23 million in 2008 and went on to win an astounding 23 major honours with the Catalans, 17 of which came in this decade. Not to mention the three trophies he has with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain since leaving Spain.

When you're a left-back playing in the Spanish top flight, there are few sights more terrifying than Dani Alves dovetailing with Leo Messi and running at you.

His high intensity attacking play was perfectly suited for Pep Guardiola's philosophies at Barca, as the Spanish boss went about building one of the greatest club sides in history. The fact that clubs like PSG and Juventus would have him as a first choice at his age is proof of his class and talent.

Centre-back: Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final
Ramos scored a crucial equaliser in the UCL final against Atleti en route to La Decima

Ramos had had one good season with boyhood club Sevilla before Florentino Perez swooped in to make him a Galactico and the most expensive Spanish teenager of all time.

In his 13 seasons at Real Madrid, Ramos has won everything the game has to offer, including the World Cup in 2010 with Spain. Centre-back is one position that Los Blancos have had no problem with, in no short thanks to him.

He's also one of the best goalscoring defenders in the world right now. Last season was his most productive one yet, with his 7 goals in La Liga going a long way in helping Real break Barca's stronghold on the league title.

This season has been a difficult one. With Real struggling for form and lagging 19 points behind Barca, Ramos has probably never faced a more difficult situation in his career at the Bernabeu. But it is under pressure that he performs best, and you can bet your money on him to do his best to revive his team.

Centre-back: Gerard Pique

FC Barcelona v Real CD Espanyol - Copa del Rey
Pique along with Messi, Iniesta and Busquets is among Barca's longest-serving players

Pique joined Manchester United even before he went professional, given that Barca's star-studded academy was producing world-class graduates with a lot of competition for first team places.

He eventually ended up making only 12 senior appearances for Alex Ferguson's team, and in what was one of the Scottish tactician's rare errors in judgement, joined Barca for €5 million in 2008. Ever since, he's been the first choice at the back, forming solid partnerships with Puyol and Mascherano.

He recently even extended his contract till 2022, with a buy out clause of €500 million, proving just how much everyone at the club value him. He's won almost every single trophy available at club level, and also the Euros and the World Cup with Spain.

Barca have experienced a few ups and downs in the years following Pep Guardiola's departure, but Pique's commitment and passion for the club have never been in question. While Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi hog the limelight, Pique deserves credit for being just as consistent and dependable for the Blaugrana as they have been.

Left-back: Marcelo

Real Madrid Training
Marcelo has lived up to Roberto Carlos' legacy

It's not really surprising that most of this team is made of Barcelona and Real Madrid players, considering the duopoly of Spanish dominance they've established in Europe over the years.

In the last decade, Marcelo has been named in the FIFPro World XI 4 times, but interestingly, only once in the La Liga team of the season. Considering Real's domestic struggles before Zidane took over, that shouldn't come as a shock.

But based on performances alone, Marcelo is a cut above the rest. He has everything you would need in your typical left back - pace, dribbling, strength and a sweet left foot. After all, when you have a legacy like that of Roberto Carlos' to fill, you have to pretty good if you're still considered one of the world's best.

In the 12 seasons since he joined Real, he's been so phenomenal that you don't even look beyond him when you think of the best left back in the world. The only ones who come close to him are Jordi Alba and David Alaba, but even they fall short compared to the Brazilian.

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Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh