World Cup 2018

[Dan2501]

Paul Breitner nearly got into my team - very highly regarded German defender. Ended up picking Baresi in his place though.

Had Cruyff in as well until CR7 pipped him last minute, just couldn't not pick him.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Actually Baggio is a fantastic shout and would have him in there instead of C Ronaldo and in the line Up instead of Messi

My team i have gone for players who actually performed to a high standard in the WC - whilst C Ronaldo for example is one of the best ever he hasn’t really set a World Cup alight - the others have either won it with their team and been a big part or at the very least to a final

I'm agreeing with you, and most other posters. Loads of great players being mentioned.

How do you fit your choice of manager into your last sentence? Robson is a sentimental choice but surely the manager has to have won or at least reached the final.

 

[Papas1982]

I can't see how either Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo get in any world cup 11.

Both going down alongside the greatest players of all time of course, but on the world stage neither have done enough imo.

For me if they have't won a world cup or had a major impact then they shoudln't make the grade.

Of the players i've watched at world cups i'd go with.

Buffon
Lahm Cannavaro Pique Cafu
Xavi Iniesta zidane
Ronaldo Klose Rivaldo

 

[Orikoru]

I'm agreeing with you, and most other posters. Loads of great players being mentioned.

How do you fit your choice of manager into your last sentence? Robson is a sentimental choice but surely the manager has to have won or at least reached the final.

Only one manager has won it twice, and that was Vittorio Pozzo, so perhaps he should be the manager.

Assistant can be Scolari. Won it with Brazil and then took Portugal to the semis.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I'm agreeing with you, and most other posters. Loads of great players being mentioned.

How do you fit your choice of manager into your last sentence? Robson is a sentimental choice but surely the manager has to have won or at least reached the final.

Robson a Semi Final and a Quarter Final in two world cups - but it could be any of the managers really over the years - I don’t think they are the main choice

And Papas - Messi dragged his country to a Final in 2014 - that’s a major impact for me

 

[Papas1982]

Robson a Semi Final and a Quarter Final in two world cups - but it could be any of the managers really over the years - I don’t think they are the main choice

And Papas - Messi dragged his country to a Final in 2014 - that’s a major impact for me

I didn't actually think he did that well, he managed to score against bosnia, nigeria and iran in the groups and then nowt, i seem to recall him looking almost embarassed when he got the sponors player of the tournament. I don't quite go along with the idea that Argentina have such a terrible squad, i just think that playing to messi's strengths, doesn't play to their best strengths. But that's a different discussion. that being said, i can see arguments for messi being in there, it's hardly a left filed choice to pick him.

All that being said, i still think as an attacker there have been many that have had a greater impact than both messi and ronaldo.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Can you remind us how many World Cups Best played in ?

As for the question my 23 from the World Cups I have seen

GK - Shilton , Buffon , Nueur

DEF - Lahm , Thuram , Cafu , Maldini , Cannavaro , Pique , Baresi

MID - Zidane , Makele , Iniesta , Xavi , Pirlo , Ronaldinho , Mattheus ,

ATT - Henry , Messi , Maradona , Linekar , Ronaldo , C Ronaldo

Manager - B Robson

Team

Buffon

Cafu
Baresi
Maldini
Lahm

Mattheus
Zidane
Ronaldinho

Messi
Ronaldo
Maradona

I think Best played on four world cups.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I think Best played on four world cups.

He played in Four “qualifying comps” - not World Cups - but I can see exactly where your pedantic nature is going to help dig yourself out of not reading the initial post correctly. But I have no doubt you will claim that the “Qualifying” is part of the World Cup as what we see now are the “Finals” -

 

[Orikoru]

I didn't actually think he did that well, he managed to score against bosnia, nigeria and iran in the groups and then nowt, i seem to recall him looking almost embarassed when he got the sponors player of the tournament. I don't quite go along with the idea that Argentina have such a terrible squad, i just think that playing to messi's strengths, doesn't play to their best strengths. But that's a different discussion. that being said, i can see arguments for messi being in there, it's hardly a left filed choice to pick him.

All that being said, i still think as an attacker there have been many that have had a greater impact than both messi and ronaldo.

When Dan brought this up he said "Only rule is that they have to have played in the World Cup since it started in 1930." No implication that they must have set the tournament alight. Thus Cristiano and Messi, as potentially the two best players to have ever played the game, probably need to go in.

To say someone shouldn't go in because they didn't get to the latter stages is a bit harsh on some from lesser countries anyway. Cristiano's Portugal teams have been pretty poor at times, highly unlikely that he ever would have got them into a final I'd say. Take Ashley Cole as a different example on the same point, he was one of the best left backs in the world at his peak, and showed it for his country, but England never got anywhere in World Cups while he was playing. Not really his fault.

 

[User20205]

I’d build a team around roger milla!!!! He was awesome in Italia 90. For 50 year old

 

[PhilTheFragger]

He played in Four “qualifying comps” - not World Cups - but I can see exactly where your pedantic nature is going to help dig yourself out of not reading the initial post correctly. But I have no doubt you will claim that the “Qualifying” is part of the World Cup as what we see now are the “Finals” -

Interesting to have a squad of best players never to have played in the world cup finals

Best, Giggs, Cantona....... Thats a very good start

 

[Dan2501]

Interesting to have a squad of best players never to have played in the world cup finals

Best, Giggs, Cantona....... Thats a very good start

Plus George Weah, Alfredo Di Stefano, and Gareth Bale is yet to play in one either. A lot of seriously good attackers that have never played in a World Cup.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Interesting to have a squad of best players never to have played in the world cup finals

Best, Giggs, Cantona....... Thats a very good start

Good shout

Southall
Rush
Hyypia
Weah
Di Stefano
Ginola
Giles


A few more

 

[Orikoru]

Interesting to have a squad of best players never to have played in the world cup finals

Best, Giggs, Cantona....... Thats a very good start

There's a lot more research involved in that though. :rofl:

Bale can go in it! I doubt he'll ever play in one anyway. Could fashion an XI, with the help of some googled articles...

Southall
Hyypia D.Edwards
Bale Schuster Brady Giggs
Cantona Weah Di Stefano Best

In the classic and ever-popular 2-4-4 formation.

 

[Papas1982]

When Dan brought this up he said "Only rule is that they have to have played in the World Cup since it started in 1930." No implication that they must have set the tournament alight. Thus Cristiano and Messi, as potentially the two best players to have ever played the game, probably need to go in.

To say someone shouldn't go in because they didn't get to the latter stages is a bit harsh on some from lesser countries anyway. Cristiano's Portugal teams have been pretty poor at times, highly unlikely that he ever would have got them into a final I'd say. Take Ashley Cole as a different example on the same point, he was one of the best left backs in the world at his peak, and showed it for his country, but England never got anywhere in World Cups while he was playing. Not really his fault.

That's a fair point, Ashley Cole is a good example as i think even in our performances he did well and also at one point was the best Lb in the world.

But if we simply pick the best 11 players in the world ever that happen to have got to a world cup, then imo that would also mean dropping some of the others have picked who have maybe had their best performances at a world cup. I think most have tried picking teams with players that have generally enjoyed world cup success, players like baggio for example. He doesn't get mentioned as one of the greatest ever but his world cup exploits get him in peoples squads here.

 

[Orikoru]

That's a fair point, Ashley Cole is a good example as i think even in our performances he did well and also at one point was the best Lb in the world.

But if we simply pick the best 11 players in the world ever that happen to have got to a world cup, then imo that would also mean dropping some of the others have picked who have maybe had their best performances at a world cup. I think most have tried picking teams with players that have generally enjoyed world cup success, players like baggio for example. He doesn't get mentioned as one of the greatest ever but his world cup exploits get him in peoples squads here.

I kind of went half an half with mine. I couldn't leave Messi or Cristiano out, but a lot of my spots were filled with guys who won the World Cup at their peaks. Cannavaro, Lahm, Ramos, Iniesta etc. Baggio was just slightly before my time, as I was going with players I remember watching.

 

[Papas1982]

I kind of went half an half with mine. I couldn't leave Messi or Cristiano out, but a lot of my spots were filled with guys who won the World Cup at their peaks. Cannavaro, Lahm, Ramos, Iniesta etc. Baggio was just slightly before my time, as I was going with players I remember watching.

And that's the crux of it really. No right or wrong. Undoubtably they'd be in everyones best 11 ever. But if world cups matter then it's open to interpretation and for me, neither get close. But thats the joy of a forum. We can agree to differ.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Meanwhile in a parallel universe that looks like ours but is different in so many ways - Cristiano Ronaldo transferred to Juve for reported £105m

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I’d build a team around roger milla!!!! He was awesome in Italia 90. For 50 year old

I was trying to remember his name earlier......excellent call.

 

[Slime]

I'd find a way to include Bobby Charlton and Claudio Caniggia.