National team all time XIs

[Fortitude]

But that's the beauty of Beckenbauer here. He pretty much always played in a back four. I agree on Sammer though, I rate him the better player as Schweinsteiger, but he really would be overkill if we use him in his best position and Schweinsteiger offers more what a team with Beckenbauer and Matthäus needs.

I always have Beckenabauer in midfield as a CM for Germany in any side I envisage. He was an absolute dream there in '66 and it would be such a waste to have him in the back line even if the idea was for him to dictate play from deep, for me. He was a superb central midfielder as well and I believe that's where he could have the most influence and do the most damage to the opposition whilst also helping out defensively when he had to. I guess it comes down to whether you want a reactive or proactive Beckenbauer. Neither is 'wrong' and it is personal preference.

Germany: 4-3-3

Muller
Overath ------------------- Rahn
Beckenbauer(c) Matthaus
Sammer
Breitner ----- Kohler Forster ----- Vogts

Kahn

The fullback slots are so stacked... Lahm, Schnellinger, Janes, Brehme could all be interchanged dependent on how you'd like your team to play.​

 

[Jagga7]

Holland: 4-3-3

Cruyff Van Basten Robben
Neeskens Gullit
Van Hanegem
Krol Van der Hart Rijkaard Suurbier

Van der Sar​

You're missing the man mountain that was Winston Borgarde! But in all seriousness I think Bergkamp and Koeman should be in the line up.

 

[Fortitude]

You're missing the man mountain that was Winston Borgarde! But in all seriousness I think Bergkamp and Koeman should be in the line up.

Nowhere for Bergkamp to go, I'm afraid.

Koeman, hmm, don't think he's a good enough actual defender to make the xi - I'd have Stam in there in a reshuffle if I were to slot another CB in.

 

[Balu]

I always have Beckenabauer in midfield as a CM for Germany in any side I envisage. He was an absolute dream there in '66 and it would be such a waste to have him in the back line even if the idea was for him to dictate play from deep, for me. He was a superb central midfielder as well and I believe that's where he could have the most influence and do the most damage to the opposition whilst also helping out defensively when he had to. I guess it comes down to whether you want a reactive or proactive Beckenbauer. Neither is 'wrong' and it is personal preference.

Germany: 4-3-3

Muller
Overath ------------------- Rahn
Beckenbauer(c) Matthaus
Sammer
Breitner ----- Kohler Forster ----- Vogts

Kahn

The fullback slots are so stacked... Lahm, Schnellinger, Janes, Brehme could all be interchanged dependent on how you'd like your team to play.​

Yeah, Beckenbauer really is a dilemma. I think I wrote a few times on the Caf that I prefer him in midfield as well if I had the choice, but in the end we can't ignore that he won the World Cup, the Euro, 3 consecutive European Cups and two Ballon d'Ors as a centerback. It's his best position, easily, it's the one he redefined, the one that put him in the all time great tier of footballers.

And Rahn over Rummenigge, really? If it's a World Cup XI, then yes. But there's no way Rahn was the better player.

 

[Fortitude]

Yeah, Beckenbauer really is a dilemma. I think I wrote a few times on the Caf that I prefer him in midfield as well if I had the choice, but in the end we can't ignore that he won the World Cup, the Euro, 3 consecutive European Cups and two Ballon d'Ors as a centerback. It's his best position, easily, it's the one he redefined, the one that put him in the all time great tier of footballers.

And Rahn over Rummenigge, really? If it's a World Cup XI, then yes. But there's no way Rahn was the better player.

Don't think it's fair to lessen Der Kaiser's '66 WC even though I get what you're saying about his career being more well known and/or defined by his feats from a deeper position.

Always seen it as a given that he'd have been a legend either way - he's one of a very, very small pool of players I define as overall footballers first and positional player, second.

As I said though, I don't think there's a right or wrong with regards to him, just a preference that could easily change on a whim.

I think Rahn's big-game nature is invaluable to that team. Big performances and goals when most needed. There's no doubt Rumenigge is the better player, but I'm not sure he's a better fit... besides, he'd be subbed out injured before the half anyway!

 

[Balu]

Don't think it's fair to lessen Der Kaiser's '66 WC even though I get what you're saying about his career being more well known and/or defined by his feats from a deeper position.

Always seen it as a given that he'd have been a legend either way - he's one of a very, very small pool of players I define as overall footballers first and positional player, second.

As I said though, I don't think there's a right or wrong with regards to him, just a preference that could easily change on a whim.

I think Rahn's big-game nature is invaluable to that team. Big performances and goals when most needed. There's no doubt Rumenigge is the better player, but I'm not sure he's a better fit... besides, he'd be subbed out injured before the half anyway!

We probably really should do a squad and ignore all the positional nonsense . And while I agree that Beckenbauer would have been a legend either way, I'd say he himself prefered to play in defense and that should count as well as his far bigger success. It was really just the conservative decision by Helmut Schön who didn't want an adventurous defender in his back four that forced him to play in midfield in '66 and '70. At Bayern he pretty much always played in defense, already won the cup winners cup in '67 as a defender.

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

is this the best players for said country, or the players who played best representing said country? As they're really quite

 

[Fortitude]

We probably really should do a squad and ignore all the positional nonsense .

Arf!

For the bigger nations, I find the squads more interesting than the xi's because that's where things get really tricky.

 

[Red Ross]

Holland: 4-3-3

Cruyff Van Basten Robben
Neeskens Gullit
Van Hanegem
Krol Van der Hart Rijkaard Suurbier

Van der Sar​

I've always been an Overmars fan myself. Although it's close between him and Robben.

 

[Fortitude]

I've always been an Overmars fan myself. Although it's close between him and Robben.

Robben's been so good and so consistent for such a long time that it's now practically impossible to not give him his due.

Overmars really peaked in '95, and after that, his career became streaky because of all the injuries and down time. If he'd stayed at that '95 level for longer, he'd have a decent shout, but Holland have been absolutely blessed with quality wide forwards, so there's a really strong pool to pick from.

Resenbrink is who I'd put in if not for Robben, personally.

 

[ctp]

I like to build my German all time eleven as a kind of 4-2-2-2:

Müller Rummenigge
Netzer Walter
Breitner Matthäus
Brehme Kohler Beckenbauer Lahm
Maier
​

As for the squad: do you think Neuer makes it over Schumacher now?

 

[Balu]

As for the squad: do you think Neuer makes it over Schumacher now?

Yeah. That's pretty easy by now, in my opinion. Maier, Kahn, Neuer.

 

[Fortitude]

Argentina: 4, something, something, something.

--------------------------Moreno----------------Messi
-------------------------------------Di Stefano
------------------------Maradona
-------------------------------------------------Monti
-----------------------------------Passarella
--Marzolini--------------------------------------------------Zanetti
--------------------------Ayala-------------Ruggeri
-----------------------------------Fillol

Frightening attacking quartet.

 

[Invictus]

As much as I love Seeler, there's no place for him in there anymore . Rummenigge was clearly the better player. In a German World Cup XI, I'd have him in there easily though.

Fritz Walter probably should be in there. The decision for Netzer really is more a favourite player over deserving player thing like I explained above.

Fair enough that explains a lot.

Another thing I'm curious about.. Maybe you can enlighten me.

Do any East German players warrant a berth in first team Unified XI (statistically they seem much weaker but are there zero players worth considering ?)

 

[Gio]

Any other player who should be considered in his country now after the World Cup? Robben for example? Does he deserve a starting spot for the Netherlands now? Thiago Silva probably missed the chance to make the cut for Brazil. Anyone from that Argentina team besides Messi? Mascherano maybe?

On the premise that Silva has been the world's best defender for a few seasons now, I think that's enough to make the cut for Brazil given it's their one weak area. He's certainly better than any Brazilian centre-half from my lifetime, it's just a question of how he stacks up alongside Domingos Da Guia, Mauro Ramos and Luis Pereira.

Robben's a good shout as his increasingly strong CV is pushing him further into contention for a starting spot in a Dutch all-time XI. He would certainly be in there when they were needing pace and width, however I'm not sure who would drop out. I'd still go for a midfield trio of Rijkaard, Davids and Neeskens, with a front three of Cruyff, Van Basten and Gullit.

 

[Fortitude]

On the premise that Silva has been the world's best defender for a few seasons now, I think that's enough to make the cut for Brazil given it's their one weak area. He's certainly better than any Brazilian centre-half from my lifetime, it's just a question of how he stacks up alongside Domingos Da Guia, Mauro Ramos and Luis Pereira.

Robben's a good shout as his increasingly strong CV is pushing him further into contention for a starting spot in a Dutch all-time XI. He would certainly be in there when they were needing pace and width, however I'm not sure who would drop out. I'd still go for a midfield trio of Rijkaard, Davids and Neeskens, with a front three of Cruyff, Van Basten and Gullit.

You think he's better than Lucio?

 

[Gio]

You think he's better than Lucio?

I'd say he's got less errors in him than Lucio.

 

[Red Ross]

You think he's better than Lucio?

I think Lucio is the best Brazilian defender in my lifetime.

 

[Invictus]

Right since my country is shit at football : I'll make one for Italy. They've had some incredible players through the years (at par with only Brazil and Germany) so choosing a first XI will be really hard. Formation is 5-3-2 to make my job of picking the defenders relatively easier.

Goalkeeper : First position, first big decision to make. For a long time Dino Zoff was immovable but I think Buffon just edges him out when we compare the entirety of their careers.

Left Back : This has to be relatively easy. Cabrini was exceptional but Paolo Maldini is peerless at the position.

Left Central Defender : Three way battle between Baresi, Cannavaro and Costacurta. Have to go with Franco, just a cut above the others.

Libero : First unanimous vote. Baresi was great as a sweeper but Scirea was the original elder. Franco gets shunted to LCB.

Right Central Defender : Another tough decision. Bergomi vs Nesta vs Gentile. Bergomi wins by virtue of longevity and greater success.

Right Back : Tassotti is a great fallback but Fachetti was on another level.

Left Central Midfielder : The oldest dating player on the the team. Valentino Mazzola (Sandro's father) was arguably the first great modern midfielder who sadly had his life shortened to 30 (in the Superga air disaster parallel to United and Munich where their plane from Lisbon to Turin crashed killing all but one Torino player)..

Regista : Pirlo overcomes Tardelli for a first team spot.

Right Central Midfielder : Sandro Mazzola vs Gianni Rivera. This was inevitable Both of them play one half each. Even the Italy national couldn't come to a decision so how can an amateur like me decide ?

Trequarista : Baggio vs Del Piero vs Piola. Really sad to leave Allesandro and to a lesser extent Piola out but Baggio is an icon.

Forward : Giuseppe Meazza vs Luigi Riva vs Rossi. Again excluding Riva and unexpected hero Rossi is a bitter pill to swallow but Meazza is Italy's greatest ever attacker and a two time World Cup winner.


Final :


-------------------------------------------Buffon-------------------------------------------------

Fachetti------------Bergomi---------- Scirea----------------Baresi-----------------Maldini

--------------------------------------------Pirlo--------------------------------------------------

----------------S Mazzola/ Rivera-----------------------------V Mazzola--------------------

-------------------------------------------Baggio------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------Meazza------------------------------------------------

 

[crappycraperson]

Fachetti was a left back

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Croatia

-------------Ladić

Šimić-----Bilić----R. Kovač-----Jarni

---------------N. Kovač

----Prosinečki----Boban-----Asanović

--------------Eduardo---Šuker


Strange formation maybe but..

 

[Red Ross]

Right since my country is shit at football : I'll make one for Italy. They've had some incredible players through the years (at par with only Brazil and Germany) so choosing a first XI will be really hard. Formation is 5-3-2 to make my job of picking the defenders relatively easier.

Goalkeeper : First position, first big decision to make. For a long time Dino Zoff was immovable but I think Buffon just edges him out when we compare the entirety of their careers.

Left Back : This has to be relatively easy. Cabrini was exceptional but Paolo Maldini is peerless at the position.

Left Central Defender : Three way battle between Baresi, Cannavaro and Costacurta. Have to go with Franco, just a cut above the others.

Libero : First unanimous vote. Baresi was great as a sweeper but Scirea was the original elder. Franco gets shunted to LCB.

Right Central Defender : Another tough decision. Bergomi vs Nesta vs Gentile. Bergomi wins by virtue of longevity and greater success.

Right Back : Tassotti is a great fallback but Fachetti was on another level.

Left Central Midfielder : The oldest dating player on the the team. Valentino Mazzola (Sandro's father) was arguably the first great modern midfielder who sadly had his life shortened to 30 (in the Superga air disaster parallel to United and Munich where their plane from Lisbon to Turin crashed killing all but one Torino player)..

Regista : Pirlo overcomes Tardelli for a first team spot.

Right Central Midfielder : Sandro Mazzola vs Gianni Rivera. This was inevitable Both of them play one half each. Even the Italy national couldn't come to a decision so how can an amateur like me decide ?

Trequarista : Baggio vs Del Piero vs Piola. Really sad to leave Allesandro and to a lesser extent Piola out but Baggio is an icon.

Forward : Giuseppe Meazza vs Luigi Riva vs Rossi. Again excluding Riva and unexpected hero Rossi is a bitter pill to swallow but Meazza is Italy's greatest ever attacker and a two time World Cup winner.


Final :


-------------------------------------------Buffon-------------------------------------------------

Fachetti------------Bergomi---------- Scirea----------------Baresi-----------------Maldini

--------------------------------------------Pirlo--------------------------------------------------

----------------S Mazzola/ Rivera-----------------------------V Mazzola--------------------

-------------------------------------------Baggio------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------Meazza------------------------------------------------

No Albertini?

 

[Invictus]

@crappycraperson

I know but I really wanted him in the first team and can't leave Maldini out so he had a fight with Cabrini and can play as an inside-right back...

@Red Ross

Sadly no spot for Demetrio or Conti in midfield.

Pirlo, Mazzola father son duo and Rivera have it covered.

 

[crappycraperson]

@crappycraperson

I know but I really wanted him in the first team so he can play as an inside-right back...

I would have gone with this back 5 --

Fachetti--Maldini--Scriea--Baresi--Burgnisch/Bergomi

 

[Invictus]

I would have gone with this back 5 --

Fachetti--Maldini--Scriea--Baresi--Burgnisch/Bergomi

That's very good and maybe the logical thing to do. But I just really (maybe irrationally) wanted Paolo at left back.

Ditto with Valentino who just had to be in the starting XI. Very under-appreciated player.

 

[Balu]

I would have gone with this back 5 --

Fachetti--Maldini--Scriea--Baresi--Burgnisch/Bergomi

Yeah, that's the one for me as well.

 

[Jagga7]

Fachetti was one of the best attacking left backs. How can you play him on the right? It's Maldini or Fachetti, can't have both!

 

[Fortitude]

Nooooo!

You cannot leave Nesta out of an Italian xi!

 

[Raul Madrid]

It shows how many great defenders that Italy had that cannavaro and nesta are being left out of the elevens for some people.

 

[jason93]

England
---------------Seaman
G. Neville - Moore - Campbell - A. Cole
Beckham - Scholes - Robson - Gascoigne
---------------Charlton
----------------Linekar

 

[Bwuk]

Going to do a Scotland one with players I can say I've seen/remember playing.

Gordon
Hutton Hendry Weir Alexander
Brown Morrison Ferguson Fletcher McFadden
Miller​

That's just depressing.

England side;

Seaman
Neville Ferdinand Terry Cole
Beckham Scholes Carrick Gerrard
Rooney Owen​

 

[Moriarty]

England
---------------Seaman
G. Neville- Moore - Campbell - A. Cole
Beckham - Scholes - Robson - Gascoigne
---------------Charlton
----------------Linekar

---------------Banks
Newton - Moore - Charlton, J. - A. Cole
Ball -Peters - Robson - Gascoigne
---------------Charlton
---------------Greaves


Subs. Shilton, Butcher, Lineker, Chivers, Mullery, Stiles

 

[BigDunc9]

Going to do a Scotland one with players I can say I've seen/remember playing.

Gordon
Hutton Hendry Weir Alexander
Brown Morrison Ferguson Fletcher McFadden
Miller​

That's just depressing.

England side;

Seaman
Neville Ferdinand Terry Cole
Beckham Scholes Carrick Gerrard
Rooney Owen​

Carrick in the all time English 11 ?

 

[Bwuk]

Carrick in the all time English 11 ?

Was between him, Barry and Hargreaves for the holding role, and Carricks the best of the three imo. Played well with Scholes for United too.

 

[Gio]

Going to do a Scotland one with players I can say I've seen/remember playing.

Gordon
Hutton Hendry Weir Alexander
Brown Morrison Ferguson Fletcher McFadden
Miller​

That's just depressing.

England side;

Seaman
Neville Ferdinand Terry Cole
Beckham Scholes Carrick Gerrard
Rooney Owen​

It's depressing that not a single player born since 1965 would get into a Scotland all-time XI.

 

[Eila]

I'll try to do Mexico:
----------------Campos---------------
Carmona---Marquez---Suarez---Salcido
-----------Pardo-----Galindo----------
Vela----------------------------Giovani
--------------Blanco------------------
--------------------Sanchez-----------
Not the most amazing team, is it? But they always manage to place consistently among the best 16 teams in the world. Also, These players are only from the 90s and above.

 

[Annahnomoss]

Sweden:


---------------Nordahl-------Zlatan---------------
Skoglund----Liedholm-------Gren--------Hamrin
------------------------Thern----------------------
-----------Mellberg---Hysen---Andersson-------
----------------------Hellstrom------------------

No balance at all as all the best in history for us played in the offensive positions.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Vatican State (4-2-3-1):

 

[Bwuk]

It's depressing that not a single player born since 1965 would get into a Scotland all-time XI.

I was born 92 so there could be others but I'm just putting from what I've seen. I think the best side I've seen was our euro 08 failure.

 

[Annahnomoss]

Vatican State (4-2-3-1):

No way a Vatican team would be so modern and contemporary, they'd play a WM or a Metodo quite clearly. You could try to persuade them it doesn't make sense with the modern offside rules but they'd claim they are right to have their beliefs and you should keep your nose out of it...and convert.