Picking an XI to Beat the FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2015
Is that the best you'd got, world?
The FIFA/FIFPro World XI was revealed at the Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich on Monday night (when only 10 of the 11 players showed up), but what if we were to create an all-powerful team to take them on at their own game? Who'd be in it?
Just for confirmation, here's the World XI for 2015:
- Manuel Neuer
- Dani Alves
- Thiago Silva
- Sergio Ramos
- Marcelo
- Luka Modric
- Andres Iniesta
- Paul Pogba
- Neymar
- Lionel Messi
- Cristiano Ronaldo
Now, let's find an XI to beat them.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
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We kick off with Manchester United's David De Gea between the sticks, following a 2015 in which he demonstrated his emergence from just a great young goalkeeper into just a great goalkeeper.
His expected transfer to Real Madrid didn't materialise last summer when plenty thought that the move was inevitable, but Los Blancos' loss has proved to be United's gain as he stayed at Old Trafford to act as the last line of defence for Louis van Gaal's underwhelming team.
What lies in the 25-year-old's future remains to be seen, but the World XI will be coming up against one of the safest pairs of hands around.
Right-Back: Philipp Lahm
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After being injured at the start of 2015, the seemingly evergreen Philipp Lahm returned to the Bayern Munich side in March and has stayed there pretty much ever since.
The World Cup-winning captain is at home in a number of positions, but right-back is arguably his best, and even at the age of 32, he'll be able to bomb forward and help in attack as well as getting back to cover when needed.
Lahm may have retired from international football, but he's still going strong on the club scene, where he appeared 24 times in all competitions in the first half of the season as Bayern have once again dominated in the Bundesliga.
Centre-Back: Jerome Boateng
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Perhaps a surprise name for some, but Germany and Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng deservedly takes his place in our team as one of our centre-backs following quiet improvement which marks him out as one of the best in his position.
Powerful and strong, the World Cup winner is a presence who leaves forwards in no uncertain terms about his physicality and ability to read a game.
He's going to be crucial as Bayern continue their assault on the Bundesliga and bid for Champions League glory in 2016.
Centre-Back: Gerard Pique
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Perhaps a touch unfortunate to miss out to his Spain partner Sergio Ramos in the "official" World XI (he came sixth in the overall defenders' vote), Gerard Pique could establish himself as the leader of our defence and a player that our team could rely on.
The Barcelona favourite was imperious as his side swept to the treble last season, and he will be a crucial figure for Spain at UEFA Euro 2016 in France.
One of the classiest centre-backs in the world game, we're backing him to keep the FIFA World XI's forwards in check.
Left-Back: David Alaba
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The player who just missed out on a place in the FIFA XI (he came fifth in the vote for defenders), David Alaba ensures that three-quarters of our defence play for Bayern Munich.
The Austrian is just as much an attacking influence as he is a defensive one, bursting forward to join in with Bayern's regular attacks and being capable of firing in the odd spectacular goal.
Dani Alves, the right-back for the FIFA XI, will have a hard time stopping him.
Defensive Midfield: Sergio Busquets
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Slotting just in front of the back four and protecting them like he would with something he'd hold dear is Sergio Busquets, Barcelona's brilliant midfielder who is such a destructive influence in the centre of pitch even though he keeps this incredibly simple.
What Busquets does might not make it onto many highlight reels, but he was absolutely superb for Barcelona in 2015, often appearing to cruise through matches while shuttling around midfield to great affect.
Another player who was very unlucky to miss out on the "real" XI, we're delighted to have him here.
Central Midfield: Yaya Toure
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We're going to need power and presence in our midfield if we are going to counteract Paul Pogba on the other side, so we're going to plump for Yaya Toure in the centre and hope he can play at his destructive best.
The Ivorian is still one of the best players to watch when he is at full flow, and he's going to be a crucial influence if Manchester City are to win what has turned into a remarkable Premier League title race.
Toure possesses the ability to pick up his team and take them to new heights on his own, and that is going to be crucial in our battle with the World XI.
Central Midfield: Mesut Ozil
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We're picking this side on form, and there are few attacking midfielders in Europe who are demonstrating the type of form that Mesut Ozil is now.
The German's grace and style has helped Arsenal reach the top of the Premier League and, like Toure, you sense that his performances are going to be crucial to his side's hopes of winning it in the latter half of the campaign.
We just want him on board for his assists, though, and he's got a great front three to set up.
Wide Forward: Gareth Bale
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Gareth Bale currently on a hot streak which includes 10 goals in his last seven games, and that kind of form is more than welcome in our side.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man continues to defy his critics at Real Madrid, where he often took up a central role under previous manager Rafael Benitez and could do so again under new boss Zinedine Zidane.
He's dangerous wherever he plays, though, and he promises to be a key player at Euro 2016 in the summer, when he'll be playing for his beloved Wales.
Wide Forward: Luis Suarez
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Given who we can't pick in this team then Luis Suarez is probably the first name on our teamsheet, with the Uruguayan taking pride of place in our attack as one of our premier goal threats.
The former Liverpool forward's game reached new heights during 2015 as he helped Barcelona to five trophies, while he's also managed a stunning 26 goals in 28 games during this campaign.
Incredibly unlucky to miss out on the top three in the Ballon d'Or voting in his own right as well as the FIFA Team of the Year, we're more than happy to take Suarez in our XI.
Centre Forward: Robert Lewandowski
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This man guarantees goals, and Robert Lewandowski makes our team as a centre-forward who will give the World XI's defenders nightmares.
The free-scoring Pole has had a remarkable season so far, scoring 29 goals in 30 appearances for both club and country as he's established himself as one of the top marksmen in the world game.
Another player who is unfortunate because of the talent he is up against in the official World XI, Lewandowski will be the man to score our goals and the one we'll back to shoot down our opposition.
