World Cup Dream Team – The 2010 All-Star Starting 11
With the 2010 World Cup tournament right around the corner, billions of soccer fans around the globe will tune in to watch the best in the world participate in the month long event. Hundreds of millions of wagers will be placed on World Cup betting, but for those not interested in the final outcomes of the game, there is the option to partake in the phenomenon that has swept the sports world since the beginning of the millennium, as soccer takes the spotlight for fantasy sports as it does every four years. Picking the right players to lead a World Cup fantasy team can come down to picking the right match ups, and those that will have the easiest road to the finals, but if players are to build an all-star team based solely on talent and skill level, the following line up includes players every manager simply must have in their World Cup predictions.
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Buffon – ItalyUndoubtedly the top goalkeeper in the world, Gianluigi helped his Azzuri squad on to its 2006 World Cup victory, making several outstanding saves to keep the traditionally slow starters alive in the early going of the tournament, before coming up big in both the semi finals against host nation Germany, and again in the final against France. A member of the UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Year, and a four-time IFFHS Best Goalkeeper award winner, Buffon has won both Serie A and UEFA cup titles with league club Juventus. Now his attention turns back to the grandest stage of them all, in what could be his final starting role with an Italian World Cup squad.
Runners Up: Iker Casillas – Spain
Defenders
Fabio Cannavaro – Italy
Awarded the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year for his efforts guiding his Italian side to a World Cup championship, the 36-year old veteran’s presence was sorely missed at the 2008 Euro Cup, where the Azzuri fell to eventual tournament winner Spain in a shootout. A multi-time Serie A Defender of the Year award winner, Cannavaro’s experience and talent will help stabilize the Italian sides back four, while his leadership and desire make him one of, it not the best defender in the world.
John Terry – England
Although not for his character given the revelations concerning his extra curricular activity over the past year, which has resulted in him being stripped of his role as captain of the England squad, Terry remains the undisputed leader of the Three Lions’ squad defense, which is the only reason he is still on this team. A four-time UEFA Team of the Year player, and member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament, Terry will attempt to shift the focus from his personal life with excellent play as England attempts to reverse a trend of disappointing results in recent years.
Carles Puyol – Spain
A national team member since his time with the Spanish U-18 team, the five-time UEFA Team of the Year award winner has been a mainstay on the back line for both club team Barcelona, and on the international stage with Spain. The 32-year old was one of the keys to Spain’s run through its 2008 Euro Cup victory, as the team allowed only two goals in five games, and was eventually named to the Team of the Tournament roster.
Lucio – Brazil
When Lucio was one of three players to play all 630 minutes of the tournament during Brazil’s World Cup 2002 run, he became a central figure on the team’s back line, a role he has since failed to relinquish. A key member of defending Series A champion Inter, the 32-year old could be making his final appearance as a starter for Brazil at a World Cup.
Runners Up: Rio Ferdinand, England (injured)
Midfielders
Kaka – Brazil
The 2007 FIFA World Soccer Player of the Year has had success at every level he has played at, and is a big reason why. A league championship, UEFA Champions League title, and FIFA Club World Cup title are among his notable achievements while with AC Milan in the Italian league Serie A. On the international stage, Kaka has helped lead Brazil to a pair of Confederations Cup wins in the days since he won a World Cup with his home country in 2002.
Michael Ballack – Germany (injured)
The German captain has patrolled the central midfield for his soccer betting country for the past decade, over which time he has been named to the FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament and the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament in all four events Germany has participated in.
Andrea Pirlo – Italy (injured)
A mainstay on the Italian midfield, Andrea Pirlo’s creativity and prowess from set pieces have been a driving force in the Azzuri’s offensive success, including both the goal that gave Italy the lead against Germany in the 2006 World Cup semi final, and the goal that tied the game in France in the final.
Runners Up: Frank Lampard – England, Bastian Schweinsteiger – Germany, Steve Gerrard – England, Deco - Portugal
Strikers
Lionel Messi – Argentina
Named the World Soccer player in 2009 for his incredible accomplishments with club team Barcelona of the Spanish La Liga, which completed a magnificent sweep of the La Liga title, the Champions League championship, and the UEFA Super Cup, Messi has established himself among the premier strikers in the game. 47 goals in 53 total appearances through the 2009-10 season is something to behold.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal
After leading Manchester United to three straight league titles from 2007-09, as well as a Champions League title in 2007-08, Cristiano Ronaldo made the move to Real Madrid, where he currently holds the distinction of being the most expensive player in football history after his record transfer deal worth $132 million. The 2008 World Soccer Player of the Year will take on the task of being Portugal’s captain at the 2010 World Cup.
Fernando Torres – Spain
The Liverpool striker was a key reason for Spain’s Euro Cup title in 2008, and will have to be at his best again to help his country show that sort of tenacity on the online sports betting World Cup stage.
