Premier League vs. La Liga All-Star Teams: Messi, Ronaldo and Nasri
An all-star game between the best La Liga has to offer, and the best the Premier League has would put many of the world's best players on the same pitch in a potentially classic confrontation.
The two teams have been selected based on players performances so far this season.
The Premier League will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, while La Liga will line up in a 4-3-2-1 formation.
GK Joe Hart
1 of 22
Joe Hart has been in impressive form for Manchester City this season. The England international has kept 12 clean sheets so far this season, more than any other Premier League goalkeeper.
The 23 year-old has made a few mistakes, which manager Roberto Mancini has blamed on lapses in concentration. However, Mancini has said he has no intention of replacing Hart with Shay Given, an indication of the performances Hart has been putting in.
Hart is a great shot stopper and is remarkably mature for a 23 year-old. He has received praise from three World Cup winning goalkeepers, Gordon Banks, Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon, something that shows just how good a goalkeeper he is, and how much potential he still has.
LB Ashley Cole
2 of 22
There was plenty of speculation over the summer that Ashley Cole would reunite with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, but England's left-back stayed put.
Cole and Chelsea got off to a flying start this season, but Chelsea suffered a slump in form during November and December. Ashley Cole, however, has continued to go about his job with confidence and skill and must still be considered one of, if not the, best left-backs in the world.
CB Vidic
3 of 22
Manchester United's new captain has been a rock at the back all season, helping Manchester United to go on an unbeaten run that lasted 24 games this season. United have conceded just 24 goals this season, a statistic largely due to the impressive work of the 29 year-old.
In fact, it is Vidic's, and Ferdinand's, performances at the back that allowed a United side that has looked far from unbeatable go unbeaten for so long.
Vidic has also scored four goals this season, as many as Wayne Rooney, although the striker has been injured.
CB Vincent Kompany
4 of 22
Despite costing a mere, in today's terms, £6 million in 2008, Kompany has been one of the true stars for Man City this season. He has been constantly reliable and his performances have seen City concede 22 goals in 26 games, a remarkable record.
At 24 years-old, Kompany is surprisingly mature and it is the gritty performances he has put in that have enabled City to become week in week out top four performers.
RB Bacary Sagna
5 of 22
Arsenal's right-back has been as solid in defence as ever, while his ability in the air, pace and crossing have made him a threat going forwards as well, exemplified by the assist he provided last week-end.
His composure and reliability are the type of qualities the Gunners have lacked in the centre of defence at times this season; another player in defence with Sagna's character would make collapses like the one seen last week-end far less likely.
LM Bale
6 of 22
Seen by many as the next Ryan Giggs(should have played for England), Gareth Bale has shot to prominence this season with some incredible performances in the Champions League, but he has also been impressive in the Premier League. Bale picked up an injury late last month but he has still been the best left sided midfielder of the Premier League season.
His trickery and pace have tormented plenty of defences and it is those attributes that have allowed the 21 year-old to get into excellent positions and score seven goals.
CM Nasri
7 of 22
Samir Nasri has shown Arsenal fans this season that a future without Cesc Fabregas would be bearable and possibly successful. He has been brilliant, delivering consistent performances that his potential has suggested were possible for a while.
He has won the PFA Fans' Player of the Month three times in the last four month, an indication of just how good he has been. Unfortunately, Nasri is out injured for a couple of weeks, making a third consecutive title unlikely, but if he comes back playing as well as he has so far, he could continue to dominate the award.
CM Van Der Vaart
8 of 22
Rafael Van Der Vaart has to be one of the bargains of the season. He cost just £8 million, but he has been one of the best Premier League players this season. He has contributed 10 goals and six assists so far and has been key to Spurs success this season.
The Dutch maestro failed to impress at Real Mardid, but his move to Spurs has turned his career around and given him a new lease of life.
RM Nani
9 of 22
Manchester United's Nani has been a stand out performer this season. With heaps of pace and trickery, Nani is a vital attacking outlet for United. He has contributed 12 assists, more than anyone else, and eight goals so far. His contributions have helped the Red Devils to the top of the table and in the driving seat to win yet another Premier League title.
Nani has begun to fill the hole that Cristiano Ronaldo created when he jumped ship to Real Madrid, an impressive feat given the incredible contribution Ronaldo made.
ST Dimitar Berbatov
10 of 22
Dimitar Berbatov's time at Manchester United had not been considered much of a success before this season. Nine and 12 goals in his first two seasons were far from impressive returns, he even lost his starting position last season, but this season has been an entirely different story. 19 goals in 22 games, including five in a single outing is an impressive return.
Berbatov has benefited from the absence of Rooney for parts of the season, showing that he can take up the goalscoring mantel, helping United to the top of the league.
His style of play draws criticism as he appears to be "lazy," but when he is involved, his contributions are vital.
ST Carlos Tevez
11 of 22
Carlos Tevez looked to be on his way out of Eastlands earlier this season, but City seem to have changed his mind. City are bound to be happy that Tevez is prepared to stay at the club considering that his 18 goals have been vital to their drive to crack the top four so far.
Tevez is a workhorse, constantly running, tackling and giving everything he's got. A 19 minute hat-trick last weekend showed just how deadly Tevez can be. Interestingly, City have never lost when Tevez has scored for them, winning 23 and drawing two.
GK David De Gea
12 of 22
David De Gea has not received much help from those in front of him this season. He has had to make a massive 102 saves so far this season, compared to Casillas' 41 saves, although Casillas has played four fewer games.
It is De Gea's efforts that have kept Atlético Madrid in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Perhaps the best indication as to how good the 20 year-old has been this season is his presence on the short list to replace Edwin Van Der Saar when he retires at the end of the season.
De Gea's team-mates even call him Va De Gea due to his physical similarities, and his goalkeeping ones, to the Manchester United number one.
LB Eric Abidal
13 of 22
Eric Abidal has improved dramatically since arriving at the Nou Camp in 2007. His first season was disastrous, but he has turned into a dependable left-back. He is not an attacking player, switching to centre-back for France when necessary.
The 31 year-old's contract is running out, but Barcelona want him to sign an extension, a seal of approval from a team that is, at the moment, dominating La Liga.
CB Carles Puyol
14 of 22
Carles Puyol has been as good as ever for Barcelona this season. With Puyol at the heart of the defence, the Catalans have conceded just 11 goals in 22 games, a remarkable record.
Puyol is 32 and not as fast as he once was, but he more than makes up for it with plenty of experience, great position and tackling as well as good leadership skills. He is still one of the best centre-backs in the World, not bad for a player who chose to play as a goalkeeper, striker and right-back before centre-back.
CB Carvalho
15 of 22
Former Chelsea player Ricardo Carvalho was snapped up by two time former manager Jose Mourinho and has been impressive in his first season in La Liga.
He may be 32, but Carvalho has plenty of top level experience and has been dependable at the back for Real this season. Madrid have conceded 18 goals this season, largely due to Carvalho's presence in the defensive heart of a youthful side.
RB Dani Alves
16 of 22
Dani Alves has been tremendous for Barcelona so far this season. His pacey breaks forwards allow him to start, or get involved in, plenty of attacks and, usually, recover in time the attack breaks down. Alves' stamina means that he can keep running up and down the pitch for the full 90 minutes, keeping up constant pressure on his opposing midfielder and defender.
Alves and Barcelona are trying to agree a new contract as his current deal expires in 18 months. Barcelona will not want to lose a player of as much quality as their 27 year-old right-back.
LCM Iniesta
17 of 22
Iniesta has been on top of his game this season, spurred on by scoring the goal that won Spain their first World Cup. He has been consistent throughout the season, going about his job without any fuss or drama, just doing what needs to be done.
Iniesta has been central to Barcelona's attacks, his pinpoint passing, inventiveness and instincts have allowed the 26 year-old to be an inspiration for Barcelona this season.
CM Xavi
18 of 22
Xavi finished as runner up in the FIFA 2010 Ballon d'Or behind Leo Messi and he has been typically impressive this season. His role as a deep lying play-maker allows him to control play and has helped him provide five assists so far this season.
The 31 year-old probably doesn't have too many seasons left at the high level he holds himself to, but he has shown no signs of slipping this season.
RCM Xabi Prieto
19 of 22
Real Sociedad were promoted at the end of last season and little was expected of them in their first season back in La Liga. However, Xabi Prieto, who stayed at the club during their time away from La Liga, has been on great form this season.
Six goals and eight assists in 22 games this season have helped Sociedad to tenth position in La Liga, an impressive feat.
LW Ronaldo
20 of 22
Ronaldo has been imperious for Real this season, leading their attack with skill, pace and brilliance. He has contributed 24 goals in 22 appearances, as well as six assists, statistics that put him second only to Messi.
Ronaldo is the only player capable of matching Messi's brilliance; he will have to do just that if Real Madrid are to stand any chance of overcoming Barcelona's seven point advantage.
RW Messi
21 of 22
24 goals and 14 assists in just 19 league games speaks for itself. The FIFA Ballon d'Or winner has been as imperious as ever this season. He has been almost unstoppable this season.
Messi has been impossibly good on the ball, beating just about every defender put in front of him. His passing, as evidenced by his destruction of Real Madrid, has also been superb. In fact, just about everything he has done has been perfect, much like Barca, who Messi has led to a 10 point lead.
ST David Villa
22 of 22
David Villa has slotted right into the Barcelona set up this season, netting 14 times in 21 games, with five assists to boot.
Villa is a consummate finisher, netting two against Real Madrid in Barca's 5-0 win earlier this season. If he can continue to score regularly, there will be little chance of Madrid catching Barcelona.
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