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Full-backs - Gabriel Mercado (Argentina) and Marcelo (Brazil)
The right-back position was the toughest decision to make in this XI but it would have been very easy if Dani Alves was fit and playing for Brazil at the World Cup.
It was a tough call between Danilo of Brazil and Manchester City, Santiago Arias of Colombia and PSV, Maxi Pereira of Uruguay and Porto; and Gabriel Mercado of Argentina and Sevilla. The decision went in favour of the latter after considering their age, experience, the club they play for and their importance at their respective clubs.
Mercado is capable of playing as a centre-back also, but he has predominantly played as a right-back for his country since the Copa America in 2016 taking over from Pablo Zabaleta.
The choice for the other full-back was quite easy because you can’t choose anyone else over the man who has been named in the FIFProXI in the last three years and also played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s recent success.
Marcelo has played 452 games for Real Madrid so far and the 30-year-old has every chance of beating the record held by Roberto Carlos for most appearances for Real Madrid by a foreign player (527).
