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The latest My Favourite XI comes today from Ryan Hubbard of Modern Football. In true MFXI fashion, Ryan’s team is a blend of good, bad, iconic, Leicester and superstar. There’s quite a bit of affection for Manchester United too, with inclusions both from the Old Trafford side and based on matches involving them.

Previous Favourite XI: Rupert Fryer
Next Favourite XI: Jude Ellery

Goalkeeper: José Luis Chilavert (Retired - former Velez Sarsfield and Paraguay)

Thanks to Nick Hancock, Jose Luis Chilavert was brought to my attention - along with many others’ - due to the former “They Think It’s All Over” host’s “Football Nightmares” VHS. For a nine-year old, a goalscoring ‘keeper was something of a fantasy, even after seeing Peter Schmeichel bag a last minute header against Rotor Volgograd. Hoping to see Chilavert smash a free kick into the top corner was the reason for me recording every one of Paraguay’s games at World Cup ’98, and he was an essential purchase of mine on Championship Manager 97/98.

Full Back: Bruno Berner (Leicester City and Switzerland)

Did you know that Hitler never invaded Switzerland because he was scared of Bruno Berner? And did you know that whilst Superman may well wear Chuck Norris pyjamas, Chuck Norris actually goes to bed wearing Bruno Berner pyjamas? During Leicester City’s season in League One and their return season in the Championship, the Swiss international became a fans’ favourite with his solid displays at the back, occasionally popping up with a goal or two. His position as a Leicester cult hero was cemented with a goal and an assist in a 3-0 victory against local rivals Nottingham Forest.

Full Back: Roberto Carlos da Silva (Anzhi Makhachkala)

Some people were born to kick a football. Roberto Carlos was one of them. Before I saw Roberto Carlos football was a game. Butt after his free kick against France and then his stunning goal against Tenerife, I realised that football can be art. Football can be beautiful and awe-inspiring. The things he does with a ball are almost magical, they defy logic. But unlike most magic tricks, I still can’t understand how he does them.

Centre Back: Steve Walsh (Retired - former Leicester City)

When I was younger, Steve was my hero. A hard-as-nails defender who, despite his occasional disciplinary problems (13 career red cards), always gave his all for Leicester. In true “Roy of the Rovers” style, 1994 saw Walshie miss most of the season due to a knee injury, return in time for the Playoff final, play as an emergency striker, and then bag the two goals that got us promoted to the Premier League.

Centre Back: Jurgen Kohler (Retired - former Borussia Dortmund and Germany)

I never knew much about German football. That’s why, whilst watching Manchester United fall out of the 1996-97 Champions League, I was surprised that it was to a side that I’d never really heard of. But, in hindsight, Borussia Dortmund weren’t to be underestimated. Any team that goes to Old Trafford and grinds out a 1-0 win deserves its victory and it was Jurgen Kohler’s immense defending display that made me take notice.

Defensive Midfield: Edgar Davids (former Juventus, Ajax and Netherlands)

When Nigel Pearson announced that Leicester were in talks with Edgar Davids, I wet myself with excitement. Not that we were trying to sign an aging Dutch midfielder, but that one of my favourite ever players might add my club to his already illustrious career. As it turned out, he signed for Crystal Palace and was largely rubbish. During his time at Juventus, he was renowned for being the engine room of Marcelo Lippi’s side, but I love him for this:

Centre Midfield: Muzzy Izzet (Retired - former Leicester City and Turkey)

Despite playing for two other clubs during his career, Mustafa Izzet is truly a one-club man. Signing for Leicester on loan from Chelsea in 1996, no-one could have imagined the impact he would have on the club. He was regularly the first name of Martin O’Neill’s team sheet during the club’s most successful period, and scored arguably the club’s greatest ever goal, an overhead kick against Grimsby Town. His outstanding performances caught the eye of Turkish Coach Senol Günes enough for Izzet to be picked for the 2002 World Cup squad. While still a Leicester City player, Izzet became the last English-born player to pick up a World Cup medal as Turkey finished third.

Centre Midfield: Robert Prosinecki (Retired - former Red Star Belgrade and Croatia)

The heart of Croatia’s 1998 third-placed World Cup squad, Robert Prosinecki was one of the greatest dribblers of the ball that I have ever seen. Sometimes I think he wore Velcro boots, as the ball just seemed to stick to his feet. That’s why I was amazed when, although coming towards the end of his career, he signed for Division One strugglers Portsmouth in 2001. Almost single-handedly the 33-year-old Prosinecki saved Pompey from relegation, ensuring his place in Portsmouth’s all-time first XI.

Attacking Midfield: Zinedine Zidane (Retired - former Juventus, Real Madrid and France)

There’s something about Zinedine Zidane which set him apart from any other world-class midfielder. Despite his obvious talents, he had a temper that could often prove to be his downfall, but it made him human. And it was his flawed genius which made me like him. Some say that his World Cup Final sending-off was sheer stupidity; I’d say it was a fitting final curtain on Zidane’s career.

Striker: Iwan Roberts (Retired - former Leicester City and Wales)

Iwan is a Welshman; he wears a Welshman’s hat. He lives next door to Joachim in a Leicester council flat. He scores them with his left foot; he scores them with his right. And when we play the Derby, he scores all f**king night!

Enough said, really.

Striker: Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina)

Leo Messi annoys me. His touch is perfect, his movement is exceptional, his passing is phenomenal and his finishing is beautiful. He is quite simply the best football player in the world. And yet he was born just two months before me. I have a lot of catching up to do. He may have previously been dubbed the “New Maradona”, but in a few years Argentina will be keeping its eyes open, looking for the “New Messi”.

Substitutes:

Zeljko Kalac (Retired - former Leicester City, AC Milan and Australia)

You may wonder why I have picked possibly the worst keeper in Leicester City’s recent career. How the Aussie shot-stopper ever played for Milan, I’ll never know. But if you want a substitute goalkeeper to make an impact, look no further than Zeljko “Spider” Kalac.

Andy King (Leicester City and Wales)

Kingy is already well on target to becoming a Leicester legend, despite only being 22 years old. 2010-11 is the third season in a row where his goals tally has reached double figures, having scored 14 so far this season. His knack of popping up in the important games to score the winner is remarkable. I - along with many Foxes fans - now have a man crush on Andy King.

Yuki Abe (Leicester City and Japan)

Never has a player endeared himself to the Leicester City fans like Yuki Abe. Signed during the reign of catastrophic manager Paulo Sousa, the Japanese international came to the club with a weight on his shoulders. Unable to speak a word of English, Abe’s early performances under Sousa failed to impress, however that could have been said about any Foxes player. But under current boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, Yuki has become the player that Leicester fans most want to succeed. A couple of Man of the Match performances has led to him becoming a real fans’ favourite at the Walkers Stadium, and mixed with his amazing enthusiasm and child-like smile, it’s hard not to like the man.

Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)

Playing on the left-wing as a child and sharing a first name with the Manchester United star, it didn’t take long until I was given the nickname “Giggsy” by friends. Unfortunately, the one thing I didn’t possess was his amazing skill. He will always be remembered, if not due to his fantastic career at Old Trafford, for his wonder goal in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Retired - Former Manchester United and Norway)

In the late nineties I regularly watched Manchester United games in the hope that Solskjaer would be named as a substitute. The Baby-Faced Assassin’s habit of coming on from the bench to bag a late winner seemed almost to be a regular tactic of [then without a "Sir"] Alex Ferguson’s. Despite being a Leicester fan, even I let out a massive scream when he bagged the winner in Barcelona.

Tags: Andy King, Bruno Berner, Edgar Davids, Iwan Roberts, Jose Luis Chilavert, Jurgen Koehler, Lionel Messi, Muzzy Izzet, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Robert Prosinecki, Roberto Carlos, Ryan Giggs, Steve Walsh, Yuki Abe, Zeljko Kalac, Zinedine Zidane