My Favorite XI

Obviously, if I could put together a dream team, this would be it. As you will be able to tell, I favor younger players who are the future of football. My favorite teams are FC Bayern and Real Madrid, and they will make a few appearances on this list. A few players that I like that didn't make the cut: Ryan Giggs, Didier Drogba, Vinzenzo Fiorillo, Franck Ribery, Philip Lahm.

While I'm at it, a few players I loathe:
John Terry
Frank Lampard
Robbie Keane
Andres Iniesta
Kevin Kuranyi

Goalkeeper

Hugo Lloris - Lyon/France

Lloris is already the number one for perennial French champions Lyon, and he figures to be the future number one for the French national team.

Left Back

Gareth Bale - Tottenham Hotspur/Wales

Already a regular for the Welsh national team, Bale is one of the best young left backs in the game. Lethal on free kicks with his left foot and with great technique as well, Bale should become one of the stars of the Premier League sooner rather than later.

Center Back

Breno - FC Bayern/Brazil

I'm not going to lie - I love FC Bayern and I will favor their players shamelessly. Breno has the body and pure physical talent to be an elite center back. He will learn under another great Brazilian, Lucio, while at Bayern.

Center Back

Jack Rodwell - Everton/England

Rodwell is versatile as he can play center back and defensive midfielder. Jack is finally playing valuable minutes for Everton, even at 17 years of age.

Right Back

Sergio Ramos - Real Madrid/Spain

My absolute favorite player. Can play center back or right back. Lethal in the air. Can get into the offense up the wing. A key cog in Spain's Euro 2008 victory.

Defensive Midfielder

Javier Mascherano - Liverpool/Argentina

This guy is just a true football player. Makes the plays a team needs to wins games. Creates from his position, but most importantly, he can shut down opposing midfielders.

Left Midfield

Bastian Schweinsteiger - FC Bayern/Germany

My second favorite player. Really has cemented his place for both country and club the last two years. A deft dribbler with great power on long shots. Plus, chicks dig the faux-hawk. I approve.

Right Midfield

Lautaro Acosta - Sevilla/Argentina

Although he has yet to make an impact at Sevilla, a team that paid 7 million euros for his services, Acosta has been a key player on the youth teams of Argentina. Small and fast, Acosta should make huge strides in the next few years and make his presence known in La Liga.

Attacking Midfielder

Georginio Wijnaldum - Feyenoord/Netherlands

My third favorite player. Wijnaldum has great speed and once his technical ability matches his physical ability, he will be a force to be reckoned with. Can play all over the midfield. Already has substantial experience at 18 years old.

Striker

Josmer Altidore - Villarreal/USA

The only American to make my list. Possesses a lethal blend of speed and power. Potential is through the roof, will have the ability to take over games soon.

Striker

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Real Madrid/Netherlands

Huntelaar, just recently sold to Spanish superteam Madrid, is a scoring machine. Amazing with the ball at his feet or in the air. Should fill in for van Nistelrooy nicely both on the club and country level.

Honorable Mentions

Marko Marin - Borussia Moengladbach
Toni Kroos - FC Bayern
Roysten Drenthe - Real Madrid
Nemanja Vidic - Manchester United
Kun Aguero - Atletico Madrid