My Greatest XI

Every football fan has their opinion who they would regard as a true world great. No two however ever really agree with one another with arguments forming around particular players, formations approaches and mentalities to the game. This is what makes football as beautiful as it is; everyone has an opinion and differs from that of others. In this piece I present my Greatest X; a team that I believe would be simply unbeatable. I should make it clear at the outset that there will players that I have missed out that others would regard as jaw dropping and I have as much as is possible just tried to include players from this generation as opposed to players some of the older ones.  So we are really talking about the game over the last 20+ years. 

At the outset I have chosen a 4-3-3 formation which plays a single holding midfielder and two strikers wide of one central figure. 

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Parma, Juventus, 105 International Caps). 

In my opinion one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time alongside the likes of Schmeichel, Zoff and Banks and the clear stand out selection from all those that I have seen. A man mountain of a shot stopper standing 6'3'' and at the age of 33 still one of the best in the World who has one it all; Serie A titles, Coppa Italias, the World Cup as well as countless individuals awards. He began his career as a youth at Parma at the age of 13 in 91 and spent the next decade with the club making more 150 appearances for the club. Buffon was signed by Juventus in 2011 for a still world record for a goalkeeper fee of £32.6million and has remained with the Old Lady since making almost 300 appearances. He has changed the way in which goalkeepers are perceived being a hugely imposing figure and yet quick and agile with the leadership the likes of which we had not previously seen. 

Right Back: Cafu (Brazil, Sao Paulo, Roma, Milan, 142 International Caps).

Marcos Evangelista de Moraes, or better known to footballing fans as Cafu, is one of the greatest right backs of all time and not just the brief time I've been a student of the game. A man who combined phenomenal stamina with a genuine passion for playing the game. A man who has literally won every thing that a footballer could wish to win has revolutionised the way in which a right back is expected to play and blazed a trail for the likes of Dani Alves, Maicon and Sergio Ramos. Brazil's all time cap winner has lifted the World Cup twice, captain in 2002, and an obvious choice for the right side of the defence. 

Centre Back: Jaap Stam (Netherlands, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester Utd, Lazio, AC Milan, 67 Caps)

A no nonsense footballer and one of the few mistakes that Sir Alex admits to making in his departure, Stam was a hugely underrated defender. It was hardly a coincidence that as soon as Utd signed him, the side went on to win the Champions League. He had a presence and power about him that led all those around him to feel a lot more comfortable with him in the side.A quality defender both on the pitch and in the air is the rock in my back four. 

Centre Back: Gerard Pique (Spain, Manchester Utd, Barcelona, 33 International Caps and counting)

At the outset this choice might seem somewhat ridiculous. Pique is after all 24 and has only just reached 100 top flight appearances but for me he is the best ball playing centre back since the great Franz Beckenbeauer. A defender who is as comfortable playing the ball 5 yards as he is 50 yards has made a huge difference to both Barcelona and Spain which is evident from the trophies that both sides have won. Very few times since establishing himself in 2008 has the Spaniard looked uneasy being calm and poised with the ball at his feet or in the air. There is no doubt that he is a future Barcelona and Spanish national captain and will go from strength to strength.  

Left Back: Paolo Maldini (Italy, AC Milan, 126 International Caps). 

No one man in the modern game has embodied a single club more than Paolo Maldini who spent his entire career, almost 25 years at the Milanese giants playing an amazing 647 games for the Italian side. As a defender he possessed a phenomenal brain as to make up for his perceived lack of pace. A natural leader who was the first defender ever to win World Soccer's annual 'World Player of the Year Award'. 5 Champions Leagues, 7 Serie A titles highlight just how much of a rock he was for various Milan sides and the Maldini legacy looks set to continue with his two boys in the youth ranks. 

Midfielder: Patrick Vieira (France, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan, 107 International Caps)

Arsene Wenger signed Patrick Vieira in 1996 for £3.5 million and it will go down as one of the biggest bargains of all tine. I tall, beanpole of a footballer who had a huge presence on the field with his storied rivalry with Roy Keane going down in Premiership history. He led the Gunners to the domestic Double in 1998 with whom he won 3 League titles and 4 FA Cups. He won countless titles with Juventus and Inter Milan in Italy as well as being a true national leader winning the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships. I magnificent holding midfielder who would not be afraid to get his foot in and protect his back four.

Midfielder: Xavi Hernandez: (Spain, Barcelona, 101 International Caps and counting)

At the age of 31 and in his prime Xavi Hernandez has one everything and when he does finally decide to retire will go down as a true midfield maestro; a midfielder for any occasion. A product of La Masia he has already played almost for 400 times for the Catalans winning 6 La Liga titles and 3 Champions Leagues. A style that dictates every game, he has formed a partnerships alongside Andres Iniesta that will go down as one of the greatest midfield duos of all time. His legacy when he does retire is already written as the central cog of a side that has revolutionised football both at club and international levels. 

Midfielder: Zinedine Zidane (France, Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid, 108 International Caps)

A phenomenally gifted footballer who always seemed to be a step or two ahead of everybody else on the football pitch. It was almost as thought it was unfair that the other 21 on the pitch did not have a ball to play with of themselves. He moved to Juventus for just over £3million in 1996 and led the Italian giants to Serie A and Champions League titles. He was then snapped up by Real Madrid for £45million and turned himself into a superstar with countless performances and goals including That one in the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen. Internationally, he led France to World Cup  and Euro winners medals and will go down as possibly the greatest footballer of his generation. 

Right Forward: Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona, 59 International Caps and counting)

If Lionel Messi were to retire today, at the age of 24 he would go down as one of the greatest players of all time joining the likes of Zidane, Maradona, Pele and Van Basten. At a time when sides were looking for big and physically imposing players, along came Messi, 5'6'' and proved that if you are good size does not matter. When running at players it is clear to see the fear and genuine terror that embodies them as they literally have no idea what to do; how to stop the freight train. Last three seasons of 38, 47 and 53 goals despite not being a traditional number 9 and sharing the front line with the likes of Etoo, Villa and Ibrahimovic highlights just how good a player he is. With a work ethic and humility that matches his skill and talent, he is simply one of the greatest and fit for any side. 

Centre Forward: Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina, River Plate, Boca Juniors, Fiorentina, Roma, 78 International Caps)

A phenomenal finisher with a right foot like a gun. Whilst he does have the medals and trophies that others do, this was because he decided to stick with Fiorentina, a club that he loved, when big money and lucrative offers were coming in for him from across Europe. Argentina's all time top goal scorer with 56 goals in 78 games is in my opinion an often overlooked great and will for me always be remembered by the goal he scored for Fiorentina against Arsenal during their spell at Wembley Stadium which fizzed fast a despairing David Seaman at his near post. A single Serie A tite with Roma and two Copa America championships simply do not do justice to the man they call Batigoal. 

Left Forward: Ronaldo (Brazil, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan, 98 International Caps)

Simply the most naturally gifted finisher I have ever seen. In his prime a player that struck fear into defenders hearts as he ran at them. An amazing season at the Nou Camp saw him move to Inter Milan where his career was hampered by injuries but he scored 49 goals in 68 appearances nonetheless. A big money move to Madrid saw him play alongside Figo, Zidane and Raul as one of the galacticos winning two La Liga titles along the way. 3 FIFA World Player of the Year and 2 Ballon D'ors as well as the fact that he is the leading World Cup finals goalscorer highlight just how clinical a finisher the real Ronaldo was. 

There are certainly a few selections here that would raise more than an eyebrow but that after all is the beauty of football. Every fan has his own opinion and this is just mine.