Picking a Star Wars World Football XI

It started as a tweet from World Football Daily's Sophie Nicolaou, transporting the comparisons between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to a galaxy far, far away:

"

Ronaldo is more team than people think. It's like Good vs Evil. It's like Star Wars. Who is the real Jedi Knight though?

"

Sophie got me thinking. Which Star Wars characters best represent Messi and Ronaldo?

While we're there, can we find common ground between a star of the game and, say, an Ewok? Or how about Chewbacca?

With that in mind, here's a story that could only be published on a Friday. Here's my Star Wars World Football XI.

If it works, it could be the start of a new series. If it doesn't, I'll have spent a few hours mulling over my two favorite subjects.

Goalkeeper: Chewbacca (Rene Higuita)

Chewbacca would make a brilliant goalkeeper. He's a little unhinged, fearless and loves to yell at people.

Oh, and he's over seven feet tall.

Aside from his size, there are plenty of similarities to be drawn with former Colombian international goalkeeper Rene Higuita.

Higuita was the archetypal eccentric between the sticks, combining a searing passion with random acts of bravery and occasional stupidity.

What's more, he sported the Wookiee hairstyle for most of his career.

Right-Back: Wicket the Ewok (Dani Alves)

Wicket was the Ewok who bumped into Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi.

You couldn't help but admire his plucky spirit, but there were times when he came across as cocky and precocious.

Take into account his small stature and you've got Star Wars' answer to Barcelona's Dani Alves.

If I remember correctly, Wicket also produces a great dive into the undergrowth at one point to avoid getting shot.

Central Defender: Lando Calrissian (David Luiz)

Lando Calrissian was a flamboyant showman whose weaknesses at first cost his comrades dearly. But Calrissian would ultimately come good and find his redemption.

Is it just me, or does that sound a bit like David Luiz's career at Chelsea so far?

For the Death Star, read Chelsea's upcoming Champions League meeting with Barcelona.

Central Defender: Darth Vader (Pepe)

Outside of loyal Real Madrid circles, there are plenty who view Pepe as a powerful force for football's dark side.

Never far from controversy, the Portuguese international has been accused many times of using his powers for evil, rather than good.

When things get ugly, Pepe gets uglier.

He is football's Darth Vader.

Left-Back: Princess Leia (Philipp Lahm)

Philipp Lahm is the pretty boy of German football. He also carries a huge amount of influence as captain of both Bayern Munich and the German national team.

Oh, and did I mention his nickname is "the magic dwarf"?

All of which brings natural comparison to Princess Leia, who led the Rebel Alliance and did a pretty good job of looking good along the way.

Height is clearly no barrier to power and influence, no matter which galaxy you come from.

Right Winger: Han Solo (Cristiano Ronaldo)

Brash, cocky and transparently self-centered—Cristiano Ronaldo has a lot in common with Han Solo.

Both men face a battle to overcome their selfish desires for the greater good. For Solo, it's the cause of the rebellion—for Ronaldo, the success of his Real Madrid team at club level and Portugal on the international scene.

Do Ronaldo/Solo wish they had the powers of the Force? Not a bit of it. Both are completely satisfied with who they are and where they're going.

Central Midfield: Stormtrooper (Nigel de Jong)

It strikes me (down) that we need an enforcer in central midfield. Who better than a Stormtrooper to indiscriminately destroy anything that gets in his path?

Nigel de Jong is that man in world football.

The Manchester City midfielder, nicknamed "The Lawnmower," never shirks a challenge and will do whatever it takes in the name of the dark side.

Central Midfield: C-3PO (Xavi)

C-3PO is the loyal and selfless droid who is programmed to speak over six million languages and capable of finding an answer to just about anything.

That man in world football is Xavi, who lets his passing do the talking and always puts the interests of his team before his own.

There's no pass Xavi's brilliant footballing mind can't compute.

Left Winger: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ryan Giggs)

What Obi-Wan Kenobi gives up in his advanced years (and from beyond the grave), he more than makes up in experience.

Old Ben Kenobi is clearly the Ryan Giggs of the Star Wars franchise.

Both men possess a guile and artistry that come from years of experience. Both are soft-spoken and seldom flustered.

Only one has suffered the public shame of a highly-publicized affair with his brother's wife.

Striker: Boba Fett (Nicolas Anelka)

One of these men is a bounty hunter, scouring the galaxy for the quickest way to make a truckload of cash.

The other is Boba Fett.

Nicolas Anelka arguably has a better strike rate.

Striker: Luke Skywalker (Lionel Messi)

The Force is strong in that one. It's as if he's been touched by an otherworldly power and tasked with making the world a better place one goal at a time.

It's almost impossible not to pull for Lionel Messi these days.

When you also consider his slight build, childish looks and lead role in Barcelona's quest to spread the gospel of good football, Messi has to be Luke Skywalker.

The big question is whether he is yet to face his demons. When he does, will he win the battle of good vs. evil? Or will he go to the dark side and join Real Madrid?