The annual awards for FIFA were announced this week and predictably walking world record Lionel Messi picked up the prestigious Ballon d’Or for a record 4th time but not so predictable was the FIFA World XI side that was honoured at the swanky do.
Believe it or not, and I can’t, every member of the ‘World’s Best Team of 2011/12’ plays in Spain’s La Liga. 6 Spaniards, 2 Brazilians, 1 Portuguese, 1 Argentine and 1 Columbian make up the 11 and even worse than that is the fact there are 5 Real Madrid players, 5 Barcelona representatives and just the one from Atletico Madrid.
For those that can’t guess the team already, here it is;
Iker Casillas;
Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Marcelo;
Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta;
Lionel Messi, Radamel Falcao, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Spanish contingent in the XI make their own case by winning an unprecedented 3rd consecutive major international title as well as the Real Madrid men wrestling the league away from Barcelona.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a combined 133 club goals in 115 goals as they went toe to toe in the fight to be crowned World’s Best Player, once again Messi came out on top despite only lifting the Copa Del Rey.
Radamel Falcao’s goals led Atletico Madrid to Europa League glory but his space is probably the most debatable in the side as Didier Drogba could easily have replaced ‘El Tigre’ with his Champions League heroics in his final season with Chelsea.
The formation for the side could easily have been made 4-4-2 with Juventus and Italian maestro, and sexy man, Andrea Pirlo being drafted in to the midfield to pull the strings. The veteran midfielder dragged a stuttering Italy side to the final of Euro 2012, eventually defeated by Spain and was an integral part in Juventus’ undefeated Serie A title winning season. Also, England fans wont forget that penalty for a while.
Sam Jewell