Best Team In The World

I would play a 3-4-3 formation with this team, because I think there is more top-quality centre backs to choose from than full backs.

It uses a diamond midfield, which allows for 4 centre midfielders, and the forwards includes 2 wingers.

.........GK
..CB...CB...CB
........CDM
.....CM.....CM
........CAM
...RW ST LW

Iker Casillas

There is really only one choice for the goalkeeper, and it's the Real Madrid shot-stopper from Spain.

With over 100 caps for Spain, keeping keepers like Victor Valdes and Jose Reina out of the team, and over 10 years as Real Madrid's first choice, Casillas has developed into a fantastic, reliable keeper.

Team: Real Madrid

Country: Spain

Nemanja Vidic

Centre Back

The Serbian was unheard of when he joined Manchester United in 2006 but has since risen to become probably the best centre back in the world.

He is a fierce tackler and header of the ball and is willing to put a foot or head in to help his team.

He had formed an extremely solid partnership with Rio Ferdinand in Manchester United's defence.

Team: Manchester United

Country: Serbia

Gerard Pique

Centre Back

A young spanish defender who left Man United due to not being played enough and being homesick for Spain, where he left Barcelona as a youth player.

However allowing him to leave has probably turned out to be one of Sir Alex Ferguson's biggest mistakes, as since then he has become part of perhaps the greatest club team ever and become a vital part of not just Barcelona but also the Spain squad, and won a World Cup and European Championship.

He is a different type of defender to Vidic, he is more of a ball-playing centre back who can bring the ball out of defence and start attacks from the back. He's 6 foot 4 and very good in the air as well as on the floor.

Team: Barcelona

Country: Spain

Thiago Silva

Centre Back

Thiago Silva is slightly less well-known that the other 2 centre backs but is still a very good player. He's a combination of Pique and Vidic's style of play, with Vidic's strong tackling and willingness to fight for his team combined with Pique's ball-playing ability and dribbling.

He is also a very athletic player, 6ft tall, very fast and strong.

Team: AC Milan

Country: Brazil

Yaya Toure

Centre Defensive Midfielder

He could be a surprising inclusion, but the massive Ivorian has proved at Manchester City that he is a top class player.

He is a strong tackling defensive midfielder who has been known to play in centre back so would be good enough defensively for the role.

But he isn't just a defensive player: his powerful, driving runs forward create space for team-mates and put fear into the opposition, and often end with a strike on goal or a pass to put a team-mate through on goal.

Team: Manchester City

Country: Ivory Coast

Centre Midfield

Xavi & Iniesta

The best midfield pairing in world football and the easiest choice to make. Since around 2008, when both Barcelona and Spain became the best teams in the world, these two little men have been at the heart of it all, pulling the strings for players like Lionel Messi, David Villa and Fernando Torres.

Their pass completion is almost always above 90% and they control the game, tiring out opponents before picking them off, as well as chipping in with some goals too.

Team: Barcelona

Country: Spain

Wesley Sneijder

Centre Attacking Midfielder

Wesley Sneijder is a creative attacking midfielder with a great eye for a pass, who, in this imaginary team, would create fantastic service for the front three as well as linking up with the centre midfielders.

Sneijder is just as good with both feet which a great advantage for an attacking midfielder as it means he can switch the play to either wing with ease and play one-touch passing wherever the ball comes to him.

He plays for Inter Milan and the Holland national team, and in 2009-10 had his best season, winning the Champions League with Inter and being a World Cup finalist with Holland.

Team: Inter Milan

Country: Holland

Lionel Messi

Left Winger

Who else could it be other than (probably) the best player ever? He is just a brilliant player in every way; close ball control, dribbling, passing, shooting. Despite his diminutive stature he is very good in the air, as he showed with his headed goal against Manchester United in the Champions League Final in 2009.

The one thing that sets him apart from Ronaldo is he will always look for a player in a better position for a pass rather than take the speculative option and shoot.

Team: Barcelona

Country: Argentina

Arjen Robben

Right Winger

Despite not being as lauded as Messi, on his day he can be just as good as the little Argentinian.

He is left-footed but plays on the right wing, which allows him to cut inside and utilise his powerful shot, as well as using inswinging crosses. A very good dribbler, he can turn a defender inside out with his pace and ball control.

He has had some problems with injuries but I don't think he can be punished for that.

Team: Bayern Munich

Country: Holland

Cristiano Ronaldo

Striker

The reason I made Ronaldo as a striker instead of Messi is because I think he would have the strength needed to bring other players into play as he is taller and more athletic than his La Liga rival.

Again, like Messi, he has everything: shooting, dribbling, blistering pace, free kicks. His 2011-12 season has been possibly his best yet, with over 60 goals and the La Liga title to his name.

Robben and Messi on either side of Ronaldo would be unstoppable for any defence. Except maybe Vidic, Pique and Thiago Silva.

Team: Real Madrid

Country: Portugal

Goalkeepers:

• Joe Hart
• Manuel Neuer
• Gianluigi Buffon
• Julio Cesar

Defenders:

• John Terry
• Ashley Cole
• Patrice Evra
• Dani Alves
• Carlos Puyol
• Phillip Lahm

Midfield:

• Xabi Alonso
• David Silva
• Mario Gotze
• Luka Modric
• Kaka
• Steven Gerrard
• Mezut Ozil
• Juan Mata

Forwards:

• Mario Gomez
• Wayne Rooney
• Robin Van Persie
• Franck Ribery
• Angel Di Maria
• Sergio Aguero
• Neymar