Picking a World Football Best XI for November
In this feature we celebrate the Best XI in world football for the month of November.
Having drawn up a shortlist of more than 350 names, considering leagues across the world, continental competitions and international matches, we have finally settled on the final XI.
The players in this list have been selected due to their consistency, their crucial contributions and the significance of their performances over the last 30 days.
Comment below and let us know if there’s anyone you think we should have included, or if any of our selection don’t deserve a spot in the elite XI.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
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Ignore the dismal all-round defensive display against Olympiakos in the Champions League at the beginning of the month—a match Juventus ultimately won—and a poor showing for Italy, and it’s easy to see why Gianluigi Buffon remains one of the best in the business.
He contributed to four clean sheets, ensuring shut-outs against Empoli, Parma, Lazio and Malmo.
The Old Lady has conceded only four in Serie A so far; no team in any of Europe’s top five leagues can boast of a better defensive record.
The veteran was nominated for the UEFA Team of the Year and was rewarded with a new contract at Juve.
Defender: Kalidou Koulibaly
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The versatile centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly has been one of the breakout defenders in Serie A so far this season.
Excluding one poor performance—in the 3-3 draw with Cagliari—Koulibaly helped Napoli to keep four clean sheets in November, guaranteeing shut-outs against Sparta Prague, Fiorentina, Young Boys and, impressively, AS Roma.
According to WhoScored, he was the stand-out player in that victory over the capital club on November 1.
David Wright of the Express reports that both Manchester United and Chelsea have sent scouts to Naples to assess the Franco-Senegalese defender.
Defender: Sergio Ramos
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While Kalidou Koulibaly is making early impressive steps in the game, Sergio Ramos looks to continuously assert himself as one of the world’s finest in his position.
Having won all there is to win in the game, the Real Madrid man continues to demonstrate his consistency and his enduring class.
The Spanish international conceded only one goal in November (in the rout of Rayo Vallecano) and contributed to an impressive four clean sheets, including two in the Champions League.
He found the net against Rayo but will (as is so often the case) be disappointed with his disciplinary record. Three yellow cards in November takes his tally to nine for the season.
Defender: Nathaniel Clyne
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It was hard for me to leave Stefan Liechtensteiner off this list. The Juventus right-back scored one, contributed one assist and contributed to five victories in November.
However, for Nathaniel Clyne, it was a breakthrough month, and one that, in years to come, people might look back on as his true coming of age.
The Southampton full-back scored the equaliser against Aston Villa, contributed to two clean sheets (against Hull City and Leicester City) and was named Man of the Match on two occasions by WhoScored.com.
He also starred for England on his international debut, and considering Glen Johnson’s inconsistencies, Kyle Walker’s injuries and Micah Richards’...well...it’s feasible that the Saints man is already England’s first choice in that position.
Midfielder: Toni Kroos
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More sustained brilliance from Toni Kroos during the month of November.
The Germany midfielder contributed one goal and one assist but featured in five victories during Real Madrid’s dominant month.
Few talk about the likes of Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso at the Bernabeu anymore, mainly because of Kroos’ consistently superb displays in the heart of the Real Madrid midfield.
Kroos’ composure is world class, and while he may not be stealing the headlines as often of some of his more illustrious team-mates, the World Cup winner is a crucial presence in the midfield.
Kroos has been nominated for the FIFA FIFPro World XI and the UEFA Team of the Year, although reported fatigue (via Goal.com) may reduce his impact in December.
Midfielder: Cesc Fabregas
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Diego Costa’s influence waned in November, and the striker—so explosive at the beginning of the season—has only scored two goals.
Chelsea haven’t missed a step, however, largely due to the presence of the superlative Cesc Fabregas in the heart of the midfield.
The Spaniard exudes class, and his blend of mouth-watering invention and disciplined recycling of possession have ensured that the Blues have kept up their momentum in both the Premier League and Europe.
He contributed an assist against Queens Park Rangers in a tight win over local rivals at the beginning of the month and was also excellent in the victories over West Bromwich Albion and Schalke.
Only one player—Yaya Toure—averages more passes-per-game than Fabregas (according to WhoScored).
He played five and won four in November.
Midfielder: Paul Pogba
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It was another excellent month for Paul Pogba, who played four and won four with Juventus.
The France international scored in Juve’s 3-2 victory over Olympiakos at the beginning of the month. Coming in the 66th minute, it proved to be the match winner, completing the Old Lady’s comeback and giving them valuable points in the race for the last 16.
Against Lazio, he was the key protagonist, dovetailing well with Carlos Tevez to score twice.
He also contributed an assist against Malmo in the Champions League, playing on the left side of a midfield diamond.
His continuing consistency has only raised Pogba’s profile within the world game, leading to Juventus president Andrea Agnelli admitting that Premier League giants might be eyeing a January bid (via Ben Jefferson of the Express).
Forward: Carlos Tevez
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Argentine forward Carlos Tevez continues to thrive in Italy with Juventus.
Both Tevez and Fernando Llorente might be past their best, but they are looking mighty effective in Serie A. After 12 games, they sit in top spot, having scored 28 and accrued 31 points.
Tevez currently sits atop the top goalscorer charts and could certainly stake a claim for being the division’s MVP so far this term.
He scored four goals in November, contributing two assists. He was influential in the rout of Parma and was also effective as Juve beat SS Lazio 3-0 in Rome.
Forward: Sergio Aguero
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Some players in this selection have earned their place thanks to consistency across the month.
Others have been given a spot because of one particularly dramatic or meaningful contribution.
Sergio Aguero did a little bit of both!
In November he scored six goals, but three of those were a little more special than the others.
It’s hard to remember a Manchester City player delivering a finer individual performance than Aguero’s showing against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Down 2-1 and on the ropes, with their progression to the last 16 hanging by a thread, City needed a hero.
Aguero, as he has done before, stood up and scored two late goals, completing his hat-trick and guaranteeing three points (and hope) for the Citizens.
Forward: Lionel Messi
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Rarely has a player been more of a shoo-in for a spot in the world football best XI of the month than Lionel Messi in November 2014.
A hat-trick against APOEL Nicosia towards the end of the month took him to 74 Champions League goals, both matching and surpassing Raul’s record.
Amazingly, Messi broke another long-standing goal-scoring record in La Liga as well this month. Before this month, Telmo Zarra had been La Liga’s top goal scorer for almost 60 years. That record came tumbling down this month as Messi—still only 27—helped Barca demolish Sevilla.
The Argentine superstar managed another hat-trick in this match.
Two games, two hat-tricks, two records broken. Messi can do it all.
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo
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For Cristiano Ronaldo, November has seemingly been a microcosm for much of his career to date.
The Portugal forward was a rampant force, scoring five goals, contributing five assists and, according to WhoScored, being named Man of the Match on four occasions.
However, despite his terrific achievements—including moving to within one goal of Raul’s (previously) long-standing Champions League goal-scoring record—he was eclipsed by Lionel Messi.
As acknowledged in the previous slide, while Ronaldo approached Raul’s record, Messi smashed it.
While Ronaldo bagged a brace against Eibar, Messi notched a hat-trick against Sevilla, breaking the record for La Liga goals.
Naturally, Ronaldo was also nominated for the UEFA Team of the Year...but then again, so was Messi!
