Football Fantasy XI - A dream team with a twist - Team 6

Football Fantasy XI is a new series that has been kick-started 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 club

b) No 2 players of the same nationality/country

c) At least 1 goalkeeper, 3 defenders, 3 midfielders, 1 striker

d) Either Messi or Ronaldo.

e) At least 2 players under 20 years of age

f) At least 1 WC-winning player

g) At least 1 player over 32 years of age

f) 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 no easy task to put forward this team. Comment if you think I should have made any changes.

The team make up is as follows:

3 Barclays Premier league players

2 La liga players

2 Ligue 1 players

1 player each from Ukranian league, Portugal league, Dutch league, Serie A

The team is in a 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper – Gianluigi Buffon

Country – Italy

Age – 36

This man needs no introduction. Widely considered to be one of the most dominant and best goalkeepers of all time, he has been named the goalkeeper of the 21st century. He was also awarded the Lev Yashin award in the 2006 World Cup, where he led his team to victory and conceded just 2 goals, in addition to a record 453 minutes without conceding a goal. He is known for being an excellent shot-stopper, a true captain and leader, and a vocal organizer of the defense.

Rule Satisfied: Over 32 player and World Cup winner

Right Back – Darijo Srna

Country – Croatia

Age – 28

Croatia’s captain has made an amazing 100 appearances for his national team and scored 20 times for the Croatian national team. Playing out in Ukraine for Shakhtar Donetsk means that Srna doesn’t get the acclaim that he deserves but Shakhtar have become regulars in Europe, allowing Srna to show his brilliance on the big stage. He’s certainly the best free kick practitioner on this list and is also regularly seen taking corners for his team. Srna deserves much more praise than he receives, but he’s quietly went about his business and become one of the world’s foremost right backs.

Centre Back – Ezequiel Garay

Country – Argentina

Age – 26

The former Real Madrid man made just 26 appearances in three seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu and while it made sense to offload him when they did, Garay has developed into a top class center half. His influence has helped Benfica top the table in Portugal’s first division as well as reach the Europa League quarterfinals. Garay struggled at Madrid but looks to have found his niche in Portugal, and his presence in the Benfica back-line has been indispensable.

Centre back – Mats Hummels

Country – Germany

Age – 24

Mats Hummels was considered by some to be the best center back in the world. The German international has been a mainstay at the Borussia Dortmund and German defence for sometime and is one of the main reasons for their impressive performances. He has an eye for goal and is essentially the only player that Dortmund target on corner kicks. He averages 3 tackles and 2.8 interceptions per game and has picked up just one yellow this season. He’s even provided three assists, an extremely impressive stat for a center back. It would not be surprising if he moves away from Borussia Dortmund this season for a record fee.

Left back – Lucas Digne

Country – France

Age – 19

Rule Satisfied – U-20 Player

Lucas Digne is already an established member of the first team of Lille OSC, and could be the most obvious candidate to replace Gael Clichy or Patrice Evra for the France national team, in only two to three years ahead. When it comes to defensive qualities, he has pretty much what he needs to succeed; good positioning, good tackling, very good heading and good vision. He has also been touted by some as the next ‘Maldini’.

Centre Midfielder – Fransesc Fabregas

Country – Spain

Age – 26

A hugely talented midfielder, Cesc Fabregas has been in the limelight since he moved to Arsenal as a 16-year-old. Now back at boyhood club Barcelona, he has become the complete player and has fully established himself as an important member of both club and country. He can play at many roles on the pitch but is most effective as the playmaker, where he controls the game and dominates the midfield.

Centre Midfielder – Jack Wilshere

Country – England

Age – 21

Probably the most talented youngster in the whole of Europe. At the age of 19, he dominated a Barcelona midfield containing the like of Iniesta, Xavi. At the age of 16 years and 256 days, Wilshere was Arsenal’s youngest ever player in the league to make his debut. Wilshere plays with exceptional skill and world-class technique. He boasts a delicate touch on the ball and tremendous close control. He possesses something of the Joe Cole in him with that ability to glide past opposition players. He has been described as a player with a Spanish brain and an English heart.

Right Winger – Lucas Moura

Country – Brazil

Age – 20

Rule Satisfied – U-20 Player

A talented youngster from Brazil, who completed a big money move to PSG earlier this season. He is a fast and explosive player who seems to hit top speed instantly and leaves defenders clueless with his acceleration. Be it the right or left foot, his touch is brilliant and the ball is never far away from his feet when he is dribbling. He will soon be one of the best right wingers in the world.

Attacking midfielder – Christian Eriksen

Country – Denmark

Age – 21

He is another prodigy to emerge out of the famous Ajax academy. He is a versatile player, however his best position is when he plays in the hole behind the striker as the playmaker. He runs the game as a traditional number 10. At 20 years of age, he has played 136 games for Ajax, scoring 24 times and assisting on 45 occasions.

Left wing – Gareth Bale

Country – Wales

Age – 23

The man who tormented Maicon is now one of the most valuable and sought after players in the whole of Europe. Every top club in Europe is vying for his signature but it is rumoured that they would have to shell out 80mn for that. Bale has been described as a footballer with “tremendous speed, great crossing ability, a great left foot and exceptional physical qualities, excellent set piece abilities.”

Striker – Cristiano Ronaldo

Country – Portugal

Age – 28

The man who can play anywhere in the front line and torments even the best defenders in the world with his pace and dribbling skills. He is one of the best players in the world and has it all in him.