twofootedtackle.com

The latest twofootedtackle.com My Favourite XI comes from one of the blogosphere’s very finest writers, the excellent Chris Mann from The Equaliser. If you read Chris’ stuff regularly, you won’t be surprised by this eclectic selection. If you don’t…do.

Previous Favourite XI: Simon Head
Next Favourite XI: Theo Delaney

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

I first became aware of Iker Casillas in 2000 when he played in Madrid’s 3-0 win over Valencia in that season’s Champions League final. I was only 11 at the time, but I remember being in awe of this teenager who seemed so calm and composed in goal, his ability to handle high pressure situations having continually amazed me throughout his career. Blessed with superhuman reflexes and nerves of steel, Casillas has deserved all of the success that has come his way in recent years.

Right-back: Cafu (Retired)

An incredibly dynamic defender, Cafu was everything we have come to expect from South American full-backs since his emergence in the early 1990s. A likeable character and tireless worker, his attacking threat was the equal of – if not better than – his significant defensive talents. A two-time World Cup winner with Brazil and member of some of the best Serie A sides of the 21st century, Cafu’s impeccable record speaks for itself.

Centre-back: Gerard Pique (Barcelona)

He may be one of the less celebrated members of the current Barcelona side, but Gerard Pique embodies the qualities I love to see in centre-backs. Physical, cool, intelligent and technically excellent on the ball, Pique is arguably the most complete defender in the game today. The man dubbed ‘Piquenbauer’ has a very, very illustrious future ahead of him.

Centre-back: Lilian Thuram (Retired)

The first international tournament I was old enough to fully appreciate was France ’98 and it was the hosts and eventual champions who really caught my imagination. Their defence was nigh on impenetrable, conceding just two goals during the entire tournament, and at the heart of it was Lilian Thuram. A peerless man-marker with flawless positional awareness, Thuram was one of the finest defenders of his generation and achieved great things in the game before retiring as a Barcelona player in 2008.

Left-back: Paolo Maldini (Retired)

Quite simply the greatest defender I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing. Unbeatable in the air and on the ground, Maldini’s consistency of performance over such a long and distinguished career was phenomenal. A leader and a fine example to his fellow professionals both on and off the field, Paolo Maldini represented (and still represents) everything that is great about Italian football.

Midfield: Marcel Desailly (Retired)

I couldn’t quite fit him into the back four, but in my hypothetical 4-3-3 Marcel Desailly would sit just in front of the defence, arguably the position in which he played his best football for AC Milan. An uncompromising marker and impeccable ball winner, Desailly was one of the most important components in Fabio Capello’s 1994 Champions League-winning side. He may get stick these days for his ever-alternating allegiances to France and Ghana, but Desailly’s enthusiasm for the game is infectious and he will be remembered as one of the finest defensive players of his time.

Midfield: Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)

Arguably the most ideologically influential player the game has ever seen, it could justifiably be said that Xavi has been the man behind the triumphant revival of possession football in recent years, the player who represents the culture and philosophy of Barcelona and Spain more than any other. Racking up logic-defying passing statistics week after week, the Catalan midfielder is the creative genius that allows others to reach their full potential and the humble embodiment of a great footballing dynasty.

Midfield: Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors)

A player belonging to a bygone age, I fell in love with Juan Roman Riquelme during his years with Villarreal and have followed him closely ever since. Seemingly inhabiting a different space/time continuum to those with whom he shares the field, Riquelme’s ability to unlock a defence with a single nonchalant pass is rivalled only by Xavi. An engaging character and a modern great, Riquelme is perhaps the last of the old-fashioned playmakers.

Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

The best in the world? Yes. The best of all time? Possibly. There’s not a lot I can say about Lionel Messi that you won’t have already heard, but 40 goals in 33 games this season tells its own story. A phenomenon.

Forward: Ronaldo (Corinthians)

Some may strongly disagree, but I’m quite happy to say that Ronaldo is the greatest striker in the history of the game. At his best he was an absolutely unplayable combination of pace, power and devastating finishing ability. It is one of modern football’s most profound tragedies that his career has been so badly disrupted by injury, but the magic he provided for those ten years between 1996 and 2006 will stay with us forever.

Forward: Marian Pahars (Retired)

As a young Southampton fan it was always Pahars rather than Le Tissier that I used to look forward to seeing the most. A technically superb forward with the pleasant habit of scoring beautiful goals against the bigger clubs, the Latvian was one of the best strikers to have played for The Saints in recent memory and always came across as a great bloke to boot. He remains a cult hero on the South Coast.

Substitutes

Jorge Campos (Retired)

Acrobatic, colourful and totally mental, just as all good goalkeepers should be.

Lucio (Internazionale)

He regularly gets painted as a defensive bruiser, but Lucio is so much more than that. Always efficiently organised and doggedly determined, the Brazilian captain is an inspirational leader and an immovable object. His performance against Barcelona at the Camp Nou last season was incredible to witness.

Ali Dia (Retired)

Say what you like about the guy, but pretending to be a footballer and calling up Graeme Souness to blag a trial takes some serious balls.

Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)

In his prime he was one of the most electrifying players around. Quick, tricky and effortlessly cool, Thierry Henry is for me the player who best represented the unique qualities of the Premier League.

Matthew Le Tissier (Retired)

The most technically gifted English player since Glenn Hoddle and the producer of some of the most breathtaking moments I have ever witnessed on a football field. Unbelievable, Jeff.

Tags: Ali Dia, Cafu, Gerard Pique, Iker Casillas, Jorge Campos, Juan Roman Riquelme, Lilian Thuram, Lionel Messi, Lucio, Marcel Desailly, Marian Pahars, Matt Le Tisser, Paolo Maldini, Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Xavi