Footballers regularly pick their dream or best XI’s.
And while most are excellent teams, they can sometimes lack balance. Should those hypothetical teams ever play a match, they’d probably resemble Manchester City; a talented team of individuals, rather than a cohesive team.
For example, philosopher Joey Barton’s team of the 2012/2013 Premier League season:
When you get over the shock of seeing Paul Lambert as manager, you realise that Michael Carrick may have a thankless toil in this midfield. As he’s the only midfielder.
However, Roberto Carlos’ dream Champions League XI, in addition to featuring some of the best players of the past 20 years, has possibly the best balanced midfield imaginable, a ridiculous front-line and a stupidly good defence.
The former Brazil and Real Madrid defender, who turns 42 today, opts for Iker Casillas in goal. Cafu at right-back, Fabio Cannavaro and Paulo Maldini at centre-half, with himself at left-back.
‘I had to pick myself; the attacking players need some competition when it comes to taking free kicks,’ said Roberto, who scored a great free-kick, but wasn’t exactly a great free-kick taker. But, you otherwise could argue against him including himself.
In addition to that formidable back-four, with the perfect balance of Italian defensive might and Brazilian attacking flair, Roberto Carlos opts for a brilliantly balanced midfield. Former Chelsea and Real Madrid defensive midfielder Claude Makelele is selected alongside Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf and Zinedine Zidane.
While the forwards aren’t too bad either. Luis Figo plays wide-right, Ronaldinho out left and the original Ronaldo leads the line.
This could be the best dream XI we’ve seen yet.
H/T Daily Mail.
