Football first originated in the 19th century in Britain was played traditionally in schools or colleges. The sport then gained recognition when Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was founded in 1904. Different championships were then established and the sport expanded all over Europe. Many talents started emerging and the rest is history. It is very difficult to choose an all-time world best playing XI since many legends have touched the sport, but if there had to be a team made out, it would look something like this:
World Best Playing XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Lev Yashin
Defenders: Cafu, Paolo Maldini, Franz Beckenbauer, Roberto Carlos
Midfielders: Zinedine Zidane, Lothar Matthäus, Diego Maradona
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Pelé, Cristiano Ronaldo
Substitutions: Casillas, Buffon, Lahm, Thurram, Ramos, Iniesta, Modric, Cyruff, Garinccha, Ronaldinho, Muller, Ronaldo, Puskas.
The Defense
The dream team consists of the legend of Lev Yashin at the goal. The Soviet player is considered the greatest goalkeeper of all time. He is known as ‘black panther’ and ‘black spider’ for his amazing acrobatic saves. Yashin was named goalkeeper of the year nine times and is the only goalkeeper ever to be awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1963.
The defensive unit is packed with four legends of the game. Cafu played as a right-back for the Brazilian national team and went on to conquer Italian football later on. He is the most internationally capped Brazillian player of all time. The center backs are Paolo Maldini and Franz Beckenbauer. Maldini spent all of his career playing for AC Milan and the Italian national team. Besides, he was also named World Soccer Player of the Year in 1984. Franz played 13 years for Munich. He earned the name “Der Kaiser” (The Emperor) for his elegant style of play and leadership on the field. Franz won the Ballon d’Or two times. On the left, we have, Roberto Carlos, a Real Madrid legend who won 13 trophies at the club. Moreover, He won the Bola de Prata three times.
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The Midfield
The midfield trio has Zinedine Zidane, another Real Madrid legend both as a manager and player. Zizou won 11 trophies as a player and the Ballon d’Or In 1998. Besides him, we have Lothar Matthäus who captained West Germany to World cup glory in 1990. The German legend had a remarkable career at Borussia and Bayern winning the Ballon d’Or in 1990. To complete the midfield, we add the legend of Diego Maradona, the golden boy who played for the Argentine national team winning the world cup in 1986. Maradona said of Matthäus, “he is the best rival I’ve ever had. I guess that’s enough to define him”.
The Attack
The forwards are one of the finest to ever grace the game. World best playing XI is not complete without including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. They are the best players the sport has seen in recent times. The two players have dominated the Ballon d’Or award for 10 consecutive years. Both playing for rival clubs, upon coming together will make one of the best attacks ever. To complete the attack we have Pelé who has won the world cup with Brazil three times. He scored 77 goals for his national team in 92 appearances.
The bench constitutes Casillas, Buffon, Lahm, Thurram, Ramos, Iniesta, Modric, Cyruff, Garinccha, Ronaldinho, Muller, Ronaldo, Puskas.
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This dream team will be led by Beckenbauer as the captain playing attacking football. Messi will play in a false 9 role along with Ronaldo and Pele as the two strikers upfront. Zidane and Maradona will be controlling the midfield with Matthaus marshaling the role of CDM. The centerbacks Beckenbauer and Maldini will form a solid defensive partnership with the offensive duo of Cafu and Carlos. Such a legendary team with such tactics is sure to make the world best playing XI of all time
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