The second ever FIFA the Best Awards took place last night.
Naturally, the results have sparked mass debates in every filthy crevice of the internet.
Not least David De Dea shocking omission from the shortlist of best goalkeepers in the world.
Here we cast our uneducated eye over the brand spanking new world XI, as voted for by selected national coaches, captains and media representatives, and judge whether justice has been done…
GK – Gianluigi Buffon
Deserving of his place? NO!
Gigi commands the utmost respect from the world of football and the legendary Italian’s age-defying exploits for Juventus last season were certainly worthy of recognition.
But we simply don’t believe he’s the best in the world.
Who should be selected instead? David De Gea or Manuel Neuer
DEF – Dani Alves
Deserving of his place? NO!
Never underestimate the power of an impressive performance in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Last campaign, Alves saved his best form for Juventus’ run to the final of Europe’s premier competition and as a result many claimed he had regained his crown as the world’s best right-back.
But for consistency across the entire campaign, surely Dani Carvajal must be considered ahead of PSG’s enigmatic Brazilian?
Who should be selected instead? Dani Carvajal
DEF – Sergio Ramos
Deserving of his place? YES!
Sure he may pick up a card or two every now and then but he’s a true champion who often saves his very best for the biggest games.
A natural-born winner and leader with shoulders wide enough to carry the weight of expectation that comes with being Real Madrid captain.
Pops up with crucial goals time and time again.
DEF – Leonardo Bonucci
Deserving of his place? YES!
Now of Milan, Bonucci was a titan at the back for Juventus last season.
His qualities in possession set him apart from the traditional no-nonsense Italian centre-back.
He blends culture with discipline and the result is supremely effective.
DEF – Marcelo
Deserving of his place? YES!
Quite clearly the best in his position over the last 18 months.
He’s racked up more assists from left-back than your average winger and has struck up a telepathic understanding with Cristiano Ronaldo that has proved especially fruitful for Real Madrid.
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MID – Andres Iniesta
Deserving of his place? NO!
We love Barcelona’s playmaker as much as the next man but it feels as if he has been included off the back of past glories rather than his achievements in the last year.
Iniesta surely must go down as one of the greatest midfielders to ever play the game but he’s ever so slightly past his peak and his stats reflect that.
Who should be selected instead? Thiago Alcantara, Kevin De Bruyne or N’Golo Kante
MID – Luka Modric
Deserving of his place? YES!
A class act who has been the conductor during Real Madrid’s recent spell of dominance in Europe.
The only man who claim to be on the Croatian’s level over the last year is…
MID – Toni Kroos
Deserving of his place? YES!
The other half of the Real Madrid engine room.
Possibly the best passer in the world and unnervingly consistent.
Has anyone ever seen him have a bad game? Thought not.
ATT – Lionel Messi
Deserving of his place? YES!
You don’t need to be told anymore about the Argentine No10’s abilities.
A superhuman phenomenon.
ATT – Cristiano Ronaldo
Deserving of his place? YES!
The goalscoring machine at the forefront of the Real Madrid juggernaut.
His displays in the knockout stages of the Champions League last season are already the stuff of fantastical legend.
Voted by his peers as the best player in the world… again.
ATT – Neymar
Deserving of his place? YES!
The Brazilian’s inclusion isn’t as straightforward as the other members of this fearsome attacking trio.
The likes of Edinson Cavani, Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all boast impressive records in recent times but Neymar has those extra reserves of talent.
Only Messi frightens defenders more in a one-on-one situation.
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There you have it.
We reckon De Gea, Carvajal and Kante in for Buffon, Alves and Iniesta and this team would be perfect.
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