25 World Football Stars and the NFL Positions They Would Excel in
It's often hypothesised how world football's biggest stars would fare if they were to lace up in another sport, and American football is a universe that shares certain similarities with its 11-a-side cousin.
Granted, the National Football League may be a more physical battleground, but every soccer player still has an identity, giving us a good idea of which position suits them best.
It's obvious that skill sets and positions don't exactly translate between the two genres, but we've examined physical and mental attributes to decide where on the gridiron a star would fit best.
It should be noted that an attacking player in football wouldn't necessarily be an offensive player when moving to the NFL and vice versa.
We've also made a bid to include as rounded a list of players as possible, and the candidates included can all be considered in the conversation regarding the world's finest assets in their respective soccer positions.
1. Xabi Alonso, Quarterback
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A puppeteer past his alleged pomp, Xabi Alonso's move to the Allianz Arena this summer gave the Bayern Munich faithful a veteran addition to rival Peyton Manning's twilight move to the Denver Broncos two years ago.
Orchestrating every aspect of the game from his central hub, the Spaniard rarely feels the need to come out of his comfort zone, and he is once again showing that he's still more than capable of dictating games as part of a star-studded cast.
If Alonso were to have taken up the pigskin, his calmness and coolness under pressure is of a variety that would rarely see him get sacked, his mind and positional awareness being the greatest assets in his arsenal.
2. Lionel Messi, Running Back
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A low centre of gravity, the ability to drive straight at the opposition and a healthy dose of strength at his back—Lionel Messi may well have turned into a running back were he born stateside in another life.
However, the Barcelona talisman has done just fine ripping La Liga defences to shreds over the past decade, winning four Ballon d'Or awards, three Pichichi trophies and the Golden Ball at this year's World Cup.
Messi would rack up yardage in a fashion that a young Jim Brown would be proud of, and his talents are all the more applaudable when taking his unselfish nature into account—he would be happy to take a first down for the good of the team.
3. Gareth Bale, Wide Receiver
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Gareth Bale is an athletic phenomenon and one of the most gifted individuals in football, possessing a rounded game that makes him a perfect fit at wide receiver.
Bale's transition is a fairly simple one, given that he lines up out wide on a football pitch anyway, lurking to find that cut-throat run in behind enemy lines and striking at the the opposition's moment of weakness.
His pace on the ball is close to being unmatched. Given the space and time to think about where his presence will be utilised best by the quarterback, Bale would be unstoppable.
4. Paul Pogba, Tight End
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A tight end needs arguably the most rounded set of skills of any American football position, given they're expected to block when required and help out in receptions if that is their style of play.
Paul Pogba is a prime candidate in this regard, and if asking any respectable pundit who they believe the brightest box-to-box midfield prospect is, the Frenchman is sure to enter the conversation.
Still just 21 years of age, Pogba is 6'2" and may have an couple of centimetres to grow yet, physically monstrous and gifted with a technical grip of the game that often eludes players of his stature.
5. Fernandinho, Offensive Guard
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Coming away from the more glamourous roles, we have Fernandinho lined up at offensive guard. As the name suggests, his capacity is mainly to act as a blockade for the glitzier members of his squad.
To be among our candidates for that position, however, Fernandinho must still be light on his feet and able to react to enemy movement without so much as a moment's notice, lest his team-mates become exposed and unravel.
Every now and then, no matter how rare, the Brazilian might even see the attacking responsibilities fall into his lap, and he's capable of making those moments count.
6. Arturo Vidal, Linebacker
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Physicality is what Arturo Vidal does best, and while his game has evolved to encompass a more attacking aspect in recent seasons, it's the Chilean's no-holds-barred approach that forms his foundations.
Vidal's reputation as one of the best box-to-box midfielders of his generation has come as a result of being so malleable in the engine room, able to push up and pressure opponents with a high line or sit back and protect the defence with comfort.
If he's required to drop deep and cover a member of the opposing team, you can expect him to do a job, and if there's a different tack needed that still requires physical prowess, you can bet he'll challenge with some steel.
7. Philipp Lahm, Cornerback
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The elite cornerback has an understanding of football that resembles Neo understanding The Matrix for the first time, and just like the One, Philipp Lahm sometimes appears to be several seconds ahead of the game.
Whether he's at right-back or anchoring in midfield, the former Germany international often seems to know what the opposition are constructing before they do, and his interception rate ranks highly.
Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis wish they could predict plays like Lahm.
8. Thiago Silva, Defensive End
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One could easily highlight Thiago Silva as the rock in Brazil's defence over recent years and one of the primary reasons the South American nation has developed any sound defensive reputation of late.
His attributes are numerous and include stopping plays through interception or simply tracking his man so the opponent doesn't have that option on the field anymore.
Silva is also a swashbuckling centre-back by nature, though and has good control in his arsenal, which only serves to further illustrate his inclination to get up the pitch and restrain the opponent's main men.
9. Center, Daniele De Rossi
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By definition, a center gets play underway by snapping the ball to one of his backs, the more creative, impacting players, and what better way is there to summarise what it is Daniele De Rossi does?
But don't for a second mistake that offloading of possession for a jettisoning of responsibility, as there's nothing the Italian icon likes more than making his presence felt most without the ball.
Crunching tackles and disposing of enemy momentum, much like what a center's blocks do for his quarterback, are what De Rossi prides himself upon.
More than anything, though, De Rossi has the gruff of a center, a position most commonly occupied by aggressive characters—leaders who are able to take control of matters and make their voices heard.
10. Manuel Neuer, Safety
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Manuel Neuer brought the sweeper 'keeper back into the global spectrum with his performances at the 2014 World Cup, during which he pushed up higher than usual to allow his defence more space to shove on.
It's a tactic that worked with mixed results, but one that nonetheless has us convinced his combination of vision and excellent handling skills makes him the ideal figure to have in pass coverage.
11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kicker
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There's an argument to have Zlatan Ibrahimovic in any one of the positions on the field that require more prominence in attack, but if you want something kicked far, with accuracy, he's the man for the job.
The Swede has made a habit out of scoring ridiculously good goals during his club and international career, and whether it is far or close, open or narrow, there just doesn't seem to be a distance or angle the striker finds out of range.
12. Arjen Robben, Punt Returner
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Punt returners are mobile assets capable of flash-in-the-pan brilliance and often running at speeds that could send them flying if the slightest nudge were to set them off balance. Sound like anyone in particular?
Arjen Robben is regarded as one of the most explosive dribblers of a football, and when it comes to a case of getting from Point A to Point B in as little time as possible, he doesn't beat around the bush.
Dribbling tends to slow players in what's simply a natural part of the game, but there are those whose control in possession is so finely tuned that a ball doesn't affect their pace quite so substantially. Robben appears to be among those who are immune.
13. Andrea Pirlo, Quarterback
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Much like the aforementioned Alonso, Andrea Pirlo is a man whose best years might be behind him, but he lets his feet do the talking as his legs may no longer be as vitalised as they once were.
In 30 Serie A appearances last season, the Italian made 68 scoring chances for Juventus, at least 10 more than any other player in the squad, despite playing significantly fewer minutes than the majority of their first-team stars.
The modern NFL has seen running one's way out of trouble become a sought-after commodity among quarterbacks.
Pirlo is not of that variety.
14. Luis Suarez, Running Back
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He may not be eligible to play until later in October, but Luis Suarez's reputation hasn't been hurt enough to take him out of the world's elite just yet, and running back is without doubt the home for him.
Some might argue the forward's finishing makes him a more natural talent at wide receiver, but when the Uruguayan is so capable of taking the ball up himself, his dribbling pedigree would be wasted anywhere else.
Just like the aforementioned Messi, Suarez is bound to become a Barcelona figure Camp Nou onlookers can look forward to seeing pick up the ball from seemingly innocuous areas before conjuring up magic.
15. Diego Costa, Wide Receiver
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Building on the fine reputation as a finisher of opportunities he carved out for himself with Atletico Madrid, Diego Costa looks capable of moving on to new heights with Chelsea.
And there's no more succinct way of describing what it is the Spain international does—provide him with even the slightest chance to score, he'll find a way to at least contend.
Aerially, it's difficult to impose oneself on the Brazil-born bruiser, whose combination of strength, guile, agility and temperament make him one of the deadliest figures in football right now.
With nine goals in his first seven Premier League appearances, he's giving us no reason to think otherwise.
16. Mats Hummels, Defensive Tackle
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Unlike the defensive end, the defensive tackle may not require as much versatility to go about their business, they are more concentrated on the physical dog work through the core of the pitch.
Enter, Mats Hummels.
The German centre-back delights in restraining opposition movements, whether that be through preventative means or by taking on players directly, while also in taking the fight back to where it came from.
Hummels' priorities, first and foremost, are to ensure playmakers can't reach their target men up top, and his mixture of ability in the air and on the turf makes him our defensive tackle of choice.
17. Yaya Toure, Linebacker
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As far as physical specimens go, Yaya Toure is about as daunting as they come in world football, and the truth is his assets make him suited to lace up just about anywhere in the positions discussed.
However, we've utilised the Ivorian international in a role where his physicality is put to use—his intellect simply comes in as a rare addition that would undoubtedly help any linebacker get the read on their opposing man.
Admittedly, Toure's offensive ability might may be put to some waste at linebacker but, such is the extent of his imposing frame, it'd be difficult to pick anyone else you'd rather have blocking for you.
18. Wayne Rooney, Tight End
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Probably to the decline of his own career trajectory, Wayne Rooney's versatility has seen him played in a multitude of positions as his playing days have progressed, both a gift and his greatest burden.
However, it does make the forward-cum-midfielder a seamless addition at tight end, where his splicing of pace, physicality and defensive acumen can be utilised at its optimum.
Tracking back and helping out with the workload off the ball would be no issue for the Englishman, but as one of the highest scorers ever to represent England or Manchester United, he'd also be a keen asset to have with ball in hand.
19. Eden Hazard, Running Back
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Eden Hazard is progressing to the extent that there is now talk of potential Ballon d'Or nominations over the years to come, and it's no coincidence he compares to fellow running back Messi in some aspects.
Like the South American, Hazard has also crafted a career based on his dribbling ability, and his tendency to take the fight directly to the opponent often ends in goals.
Short in stature, perhaps, but a titan among men when it comes to striking fear into enemy defences.
20. Cristiano Ronaldo, Wide Receiver
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Again, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of those players one could see slipping into just about any position on the pitch and causing havoc; put him in at cornerback and you'd undoubtedly see just about every pass flung within 10 metres of his whereabouts clutched out of the heavens.
However, it has to be an offensive position the maestro occupies to make full use of his athleticism, and his extraordinary jumping technique sees him take up the role of wide receiver in our outfit.
Motoring down the flanks with a speed that even the quickest defenders would fall victim to, finding space wouldn't be an issue, and the only sticking point in this case may be his hands.
In his fairly one-dimensional line of work, they don't get used too often.
21. Dani Alves, Cornerback
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It's the prerogative of a cornerback to not only stop enemy probes in their tracks but also provide a threatening offence of their own when in possession.
Dani Alves isn't under the brightest of lights at Barcelona, but a few months of decline aren't enough to ravage the years of world-class work the Brazilian has displayed.
Alves is a terror for wingers to run against, knowing full well that if they cough up the ball, they do so against a player who has the pace to punish such an offence within seconds.
Turning defence into attack is what the full-back has thrived upon down the years, and his defensive credibility often goes underestimated by many who fail to realise his fine work at the back.
22. Sergio Ramos, Defensive End
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Sergio Ramos is an athlete first and a footballer second, and in another world we may have seen the Real Madrid staple end up somewhere outside the defence, but it's there he calls home.
And as a defender, Ramos is a fairly rare commodity in an athletic sense, his past as a right-back doing him no disservice in his move to central defence, but one can bet he'd do a job on the flanks.
As such, defensive end is very much a task that fits his bill—a physical enough position to make use of the Spaniard's frame but still allowing for his agility to be of some use in making his way toward the quarterback.
23. Cesc Fabregas, Quarterback
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He's gone from relative fringe star at Barcelona to the man very much held in high esteem at Stamford Bridge. As such, Cesc Fabregas deserves his spot as one of football's in-form puppeteers.
Unlike our other two quarterback contenders, however, Fabregas is capable of the more extravagant, and having been reared in Catalonia, his control with a ball at his feet is fine to say the least.
That being said, as one of Jose Mourinho's pivots, the Spanish international has thrived in a more rigidly outlined program; find space for those weapons around him, and he'll most certainly exploit it.
24. John Terry, Offensive Tackle
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While one wouldn't be out of place arguing that John Terry no longer sits among the cream of the crop in world football, he nonetheless sits as a player well versed in his job.
Week in and week out, Terry displays a high level of play in the Premier League and in Europe. It is largely thanks to his stopping power that Chelsea continue to enjoy fine defensive records.
One of the last remaining survivors of the "old English hard man" that the pub regular likes to reminisce about, Terry gives those around him space to breathe, and that in itself says everything one needs to know about his influence.
25. Gianluigi Buffon, Holder
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The modern football fan might opt for Thibaut Courtois in a goalkeeping debate at present, but Gianluigi Buffon is a more proven candidate with leather in his mitts.
As a kicker, wouldn't it give you an immediate sense of calm to look over and see Juventus' long-term guardian was the one teeing the ball up for you?
It would for us at least, and Buffon's hands are the ones chosen for holding responsibilities, that briefest of moments when all that's needed is reliable gloves.
All statistics come courtesy of WhoScored.com and Squawka.com.
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