You often come across such “Top Players” or “Ultimate Team” selections and you rarely agree with all of
them, nor do you get universal consensus on the selection. Having said that, today I came across the one below for the ultimate World Cup team of all time, and I can honestly say I virtually agree with almost all the positions. I mean sure, there is always a position here and there that you can change, but the core is as solid as it gets, based on their World Cup history and contributions.
I guess some may want a Spanish player to be represented, given that they won the World Cup after all. But honestly, if we were to choose Iniesta, for example, yes he is a great player, but in terms of World Cups, he only had one good tournament (2010). Even then, other than scoring in the final, it’s not like he had a generational performance that will be remembered for decades to come. The players represented in the midfield here not only did it over multiple World Cups, they each actually reached the final twice; Matthäus actually three times!
Attacking-wise, I wouldn’t change a thing.
As for defence, that is the one area where some may argue for removing Passarella and including an Italian like Baresi, Maldini, or Cannavaro. But then again, Passarella played a part in winning not one but two World Cups. It doesn’t get better than Baresi and Maldini in defence, but the knock against them is not having won a World Cup, despite coming close in 1990 and 1994.
them, nor do you get universal consensus on the selection. Having said that, today I came across the one below for the ultimate World Cup team of all time, and I can honestly say I virtually agree with almost all the positions. I mean sure, there is always a position here and there that you can change, but the core is as solid as it gets, based on their World Cup history and contributions.I guess some may want a Spanish player to be represented, given that they won the World Cup after all. But honestly, if we were to choose Iniesta, for example, yes he is a great player, but in terms of World Cups, he only had one good tournament (2010). Even then, other than scoring in the final, it’s not like he had a generational performance that will be remembered for decades to come. The players represented in the midfield here not only did it over multiple World Cups, they each actually reached the final twice; Matthäus actually three times!
Attacking-wise, I wouldn’t change a thing.
As for defence, that is the one area where some may argue for removing Passarella and including an Italian like Baresi, Maldini, or Cannavaro. But then again, Passarella played a part in winning not one but two World Cups. It doesn’t get better than Baresi and Maldini in defence, but the knock against them is not having won a World Cup, despite coming close in 1990 and 1994.