Every football fan has contemplated it, argued until blue in the face over it and revelled in its unlimited potential for greatness. From the playground to the pub to the office, picking the ultimate World XI is a joyous fantasy pastime. GN Focus takes on the enviable task of selecting from the creme de la creme of the footballing superstars about to take centre stage in Brazil and throwing them together in a formidable formation that would undoubtedly be world-beaters in any era.
Manuel Neuer
Neuer, one of the calmestlooking goalkeepers in football, almost seems uninterested at times. The 28-year-old Bayern Munich man has, however, already made 45 appearances for his country. The 6’4’’ German was voted The World’s Best Goalkeeper last year by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. He is an efficient shot-stopper, and his counter-attacking distribution makes him an offensive threat too.
Dani Alves
Lauded by Brazil’s finest ever right back Cafu as “my natural heir”, Barcelona’s unsung attacking threat from right back has the engine of a jet fighter and the speed to match. Bombing down the right wing to whip over crosses or to get on the end of anything coming into the opposition box from the left, Alves offers any team extra potency going forward, while his speed allows him to get back quickly into defensive mode.
Vincent Kompany
Manchester City’s Belgian captain is a big-game player. Seemingly impossible to get past at times — in the air and on the ground — thanks to his 6’3’’, 85kg frame, Kompany’s ability to pick a pass and outmuscle anyone means the two-time Premiership winner will take to the World Cup stage with the natural aplomb and stolidity that has seen him conquer most Premiership attacks in the 2013-14 season.
Gerrard Pique
Dubbed Piquenbauer by legendary German defender Franz Beckenbauer for his ability to bring the ball out of the defence with the poise of a midfielder, Pique is an aerial threat from set pieces and a bastion of composure at the back. The 27-year-old Spanish World Cup winner’s ability to read the game is possibly his greatest asset. It has been crucial to the four La Ligas and two Champions League titles Barcelona has won with him.
Phillip Lahm
Described by three-time Champions League-winning coach Pep Guardiola as the most intelligent footballer he has ever worked with, the 30-year-old German has 105 international caps to his name. More naturally suited to right back, and having played in a defensive midfield role for Bayern Munich this year, Lahm started his career at left back and has the ability to cut onto his right foot and slam home a stunner into the top corner.
Steven Gerrard (Captain)
England and Liverpool Captain, and all-round legend Steven Gerrard has amassed 111 goals from 472 club appearances and 21 goals from 109 appearances for his country. If there is one man that can possibly lead England past the group stages and into an unexpected run to the finals, it is he. Gerrard is a natural-born leader whose best attributes include precise long passes and powerful long-distance shots.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo doesn’t need an introduction. Having scored 374 goals in 568 club appearances and 49 goals in 110 appearances for Portugal, his fame extends beyond the football pitch. His official Facebook fan page has close to 82 million likes, about 20 million more than Real Madrid, the club he plays for. The powerful and pacey footballer can shoot with both feet, carry any team and turn any game on its head with a flash of brilliance.
Neymar Jr
Despite being compared to the legendary Pele, 22-year-old Neymar insists that he is just a boy while Pele is a king. Besides concentration and constant dedication, Neymar does not share many similarities with Pele. He is much smaller and isn’t as strong. He overcomes his flaws with agility, skill, pace and unparalleled finishing. With 30 goals from 47 appearances for Brazil, this could very well be the start of something great.
Yaya Toure
Mirroring his famed lung-busting runs from deep, the 31-year-old Ivorian exploded onto the scene as part of an all-conquering 2008-09 Barcelona side with a stunning finish in the Copa Del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao. Following a big-money move to Manchester City, he helped the club to two Premier League titles in three years. He is likely to play in front of elder brother Kolo to add steel to the Ivory Coast midfield.
Luis Suarez
With 31 goals and 12 assists, Luis Suarez propelled Liverpool back into the Champions League and a first title challenge in five years and was named player of the season. He is a threat from both wide and up front. A knee injury while training with his Uruguay teammates has the country sweating over his fitness, as no one, except maybe Edison Cavani, offers the devastating runs, versatility and guile Suarez does.
Lionel Messi
Messi has made a career of confounding critics. With some pundits pointing to his small size as a weakness prior to the Champions League Final in Rome against Manchester United, he scored two goals against the defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic with his head. The winner of four consecutive World Player of the Year awards, he was called the Maradona of his national side — by the great man himself.
Manager
Luiz Felipe Scolari
Substitutes
Thibaut Courtois
Sergio Ramos
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Eden Hazard
Mesut Ozil
Arjen Robben
Wayne Rooney
