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World Cup Winners XI 2018 Edition

Week 38.0 — 16th July '18

As a fan of Football, the 1994 World Cup Final is my earliest memory of a big tournament (I remember England beating San Marino 7-1 but not qualifying for the tournament too) but the 1998 World Cup in France is the first one I really paid attention to. The 2018 World Cup came to an end yesterday and while it's been on for the last month I've been thinking about who I'd take to the finals.

I thought about it so much and I have so many memories of various World Cups, I decided to put together a squad with players from the last 7 World Cup winning teams. So here's my World Cup Winners XI. My heart played a crucial part in putting this squad together and all but one of these players played in their respective finals.

# Name Position Year Opponents
1BarthezGK1998Brazil
2BuffonGK2006France
3CasillasGK2010Netherlands

4ThuramDF1998Brazil
5CafuDF2002Germany
6MaldiniDF2006France
7CannavaroDF2006France
8NestaDF2006France
9ZambrottaDF2006France
10PiqueDF2010Netherlands
11LahmDF2014Argentina

12ZidaneMF1998Brazil
13RivaldoMF2002Germany
14PirloMF2006France
15TottiMF2006France
16AlonsoMF2010Netherlands
17XaviMF2010Netherlands
18IniestaMF2010Netherlands

19RonaldoFW2002Germany
20RonaldinhoFW2002Germany
21Del PieroFW2006France
22Fernando TorresFW2010Netherlands
23Antoine GriezmannFW2018Croatia

The Captain

It just so happens that I've picked X of the last 6 captains in my squad so it's not so straight forward picking a single person to lead the team. For me it's Fabio Cannavaro that gets the nod. A fantastic leader during the 2006 World Cup where Italy triumphed against France. Had it been my heart making the choice the honour would have fallen on ex-Roma right full back, Cafu. i still have a Brazil shirt from the final of the 2002 World Cup although it features top scorer Ronaldo's name and number.

4-4-2

  1. Buffon
  2. Cafu
  3. Maldini
  4. Nesta
  5. Cannavaro
  6. Alonso
  7. Zidane
  8. Xavi
  9. Ronaldo
  10. Totti
  11. Griezmann
4-4-2 formation of World Cup winners XI

Cafu's extensive playing time in Italy and the fact he played alongside Maldini and Nesta at Milan means he's the natural choice to slot in at right back in a 4-4-2 system. The midfield is packed with creative talent to feed the front two. Griezmann just gets the nod ahead of Torres and I've stuck Zidane out on the wing giving him the freedom to come in and join the attack. Not sure how he or Totti would do as a wide players, but with Cafu (Totti's former team mate at Roma) and Maldini behind them, this side would either be a real threat or completely vulnerable down the wings... I'd take that chance though knowing Xavi and Alonso were there to help keep things in check.

5-3-2

  1. Buffon
  2. Cafu
  3. Maldini
  4. Nesta
  5. Cannavaro
  6. Pique
  7. Zidane
  8. Alonso
  9. Ronaldo
  10. Totti
  11. Griezmann
5-3-2 formation of World Cup winners XI

Switching to my preferred 5-3-2 formation, Xavi makes way for Pique who gives a bit of security at the back, allowing the wingers freedom to get forward and create. I put Pique in the squad ahead of Puyol because I love a defender who's so comfortable playing with the ball at his feet. Totti moves inside and I'm drooling at the prospect at what this side could do against anyone they came up against. The 5-3-2 formation was my go to in the Football Manager series of games and served me well so I'd be very confident putting this side out with little instruction other than to destroy the competition!

Who would make your squad and your starting XI? Let me know on twitter.

More from 1 Thing A Week
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Notable

Quick links and commentary on interesting articles, videos and more throughout the week.

  1. 38.1 – Monday
    1. AS Roma's World Cup Winners XI ASromaEn on mobile.twitter.com
    2. The Louvre congratulates the French National team on their World Cup triumph MuseeLouvre on twitter.com
    3. Funko POP! Home Mugs theawesomer.com
    4. Sushi towels toxel.com
    5. The chaotic clouds of Jupiter kottke.org
  2. 38.2 – Tuesday
    1. 100 useful things kottke.org
    2. Winners of the 2018 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest theatlantic.com
    3. High res photos of the moon from the 1960s kottke.org
    4. Tempo email client yourtempo.co
    5. Aerial videos of the Kilauea volcano erupting kottke.org
  3. 38.3 – Wednesday
    1. 3D LED table lamp theawesomer.com
    2. The World Cup's most watched moments Guardian Football on youtube.com
  4. 38.4 – Thursday
    1. World Cup 2018 ball designs babooncreation.com
    2. First look at Who Is America? SHOWTIME on youtube.com
  5. 38.6 – Saturday
    1. GLASS trailer GlassMovie on twitter.com
  6. 38.7 – Sunday
    1. SHAZAM! trailer Warner Bros. Pictures on youtube.com

Jump to notable items for Week #37, Week #39 , view the notable archive or my favourites.

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