Football Fantasy XI: A Dream Team with a twist

Football Fantasy XI is a new series that has been kickstarted here at Sportskeeda. The aim of the article is to make up a dream team of active football players, but with a twist.

There is a limit to the number of players based on various rules.

The rules are as follows:

a) No 2 players from the same clubb) No 2 players of the same nationality/countryc) At least 1 goalkeeper, 3 defenders, 3 midfielders, 1 strikerd) Either Messi or Ronaldo.e) At least 2 players under 20 years of agef) At least 1 WC-winning playerg) At least 1 player over 32 years of agef) No more than 3 players from the same domestic league

After the end to an electrifying season of football all over the world, the time has come to keep a note of the best players in all positions. It was a herculean task to put together this team which looks lethal from back to front.

Here’s my world XI in a 4-3-3 formation:

The Team make up is as follows:

3 EPL players

3 Bundesliga players

2 Serie A players

2 La Liga players

1 Ligue 1 player

GK: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich, Bundesliga)

Nationality: German

Age: 27

The Bavarian shot stopper has had a season to remember after the invincible Bayern Munich side won a cup treble with some refulgent performances. With his brilliant reflexes and diving skills coupled with his classy goalkeeping stature, he proved to be the best this season and most probably for many years to come.

RB: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City, EPL)

Nationality: Argentina

Age: 28

The Argentine has been extremely authoritative on the Manchester City right flank, controlling the defense and attack as well. More importantly, he stepped up and took up responsibilities when the team needed him to. Quoted as an average player the season before, he has improved a lot to show his class and to shut up his critics.

CB: Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga)

Nationality: Serbian

Age: 24

He has been one of the “heroes during the dark times” for Borussia Dortmund this season which went down as a trophy-less one. He has been rock solid at the back and he, along with his defensive partner Mats Hummels, looked impenetrable against the many lethal attacks throughout the season.

CB: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United, EPL)

Nationality: English

Age: 34

He played an important role in Manchester United’s 20^th league title this season. As most other English players, he has been tactically brilliant and was the most technical defender in the Premier League for sure. His movement and marking made it hard for most of the opponents to find a way through to the box.

LB: Michal Kadlec (Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga)

Nationality: Czech

Age: 28

This Czech Republic leftback has had a good season after his Bayer Leverkusen team finished third in the Bundesliga. He played well for his club and also looked unfazed when expectations were high on his shoulders and gave a new look to the left flank of Bayer Leverkusen with the likes of young Andre Schurrle also playing in the left flank.

RCM: Arturo Vidal (Juventus, Italian Serie A)

Nationality: Chilean

Age: 26

This charismatic defensive midfielder would be present in any world XI after putting down some fabulous football this season with the Serie A giants Juventus. The first choice penalty taker for Juventus was a pivot at the back for his team. Spectacular defending and superb passing marks him as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. He stood out in a team that is well known for its defense.

LCM: Xavi Hernandez (FC Barcelona, La Liga)

Nationality: Spanish

Age: 33

Rule satisfied: World Cup winning player and over-32 player

The Catalan midfielder has had a really good season after the Catalan giants Barcelona won the Liga BBVA on the back of Spain winning the European Championship; Xavi played an integral role in both. He kept possession of the ball for which he is best known and played a lot of key passes in many crucial games throughout the season with a good enough goal tally as well.

CAM: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool, EPL)

Nationality: Brazilian

Age: 20

Rule satisfied: Under-20 player

If anyone was waiting for a surprise package, this youngster has exactly been that. After signing for Liverpool for around 8m pounds, he has been worth every penny spent on his services as he executed some brilliant passes, through balls and scored some important goals some which were match winners too. He gelled into the team really well and he could well be a legend in the making.

RW: Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Mlan, Italian Serie A)

Nationality: Italian

Age: 20

Rule satisfied: Under-20 player

The 20-year old speedster from AC Milan has to be in the top 5 upcoming players in the world. His goal tally and his assists and passes speak for themselves. He has been the fuel that kept Milan running and helped them make a push for a good finish after one of their worst starts in their history. He has proved to be a menace for opposition defenses with his pace and movement.

ST: Radamel Falcao (Monaco, Ligue 1)

Nationality: Colombian

Age: 27

The Colombian forward has stolen the limelight for most part of the season with some clinical and spectacular finishes. He was the “Fox in the Box” on many occasions, both for his club and country. Goalkeepers and defenders had to be on full alert whenever he had the ball in and around the box and no one could say what his next move was.

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, La Liga)

Nationality: Portuguese

Age: 28

Last but never the least; he has been a winger on top of his form and on top of the opposition in most of the games as well. His splendid finishes and magnificent free kicks and some clairvoyant dribbling have left oppositions clueless in the league and on the international stage. He arguably should be one of the best players in the world.

What do you think about this team? Do you have a better team in mind? Make your own Football Fantasy XI and let the world see your Dream Team!