The intention of this squad is to include the best players, while still keeping it as balanced as possible.
STARTING XI
REMAINING SQUAD MEMBERS
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Dino Zoff was close to making the squad ahead of Neuer. Passarella is probably the most suitable partner for Beckenbauer. Many of the greatest centre-backs of all-time are considered best as 'sweepers', including Passarella. But he would likely be more capable as a stopper in this team than Franco Baresi or Bobby Moore, the latter of whom had to miss out on the squad in favour of more attacking talent. Nasazzi covers as a 4th centre-back and back-up right back, with Sergio Ramos and Lilian Thuram also close to making it in this role. There was also the option to use Maldini as the fourth centre-back, and choose Carlos Alberto or Jose Leandro Andrade as the back-up right-back - both were strong alternative contenders, and could've easily even started in the XI.
Lothar Matthaus is capable as a holding midfielder, with Rijkaard as a more natural back-up. Iniesta is capable in a midfield two, with Didi is his back-up, just ahead of Xavi. I had also considered more makeshift options like Ruud Gullit and Bobby Charlton, but Iniesta and Didi are more natural in the roles, giving licence for the attacking players to venture forward. Garrincha and Best act as cover for the wide positions of Messi and Ronaldo, while Cruyff is Maradona's back-up. Di Stefano and Ronaldo are the remaning striker options after Pele. Ferenc Puskas had a longer spell at the top than Ronaldo, but Ronaldo's peak was difficult to ignore. 5 Best Players not in squad: Ferenc Puskas, Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, Zico, Eusebio. |
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