First-choice 2010 World Cup Lineup
By Tuesday, the names of all 736 players going to the World Cup have to be finalized. Picking a starting 11 from that many players always leads to debates, but here is one lineup no one could argue with, could they?:
GOALKEEPER — GIANLUIGI BUFFON (Italy): The Juventus ‘keeper just looks the part. He is agile, alert, unafraid and adventurous, with safe hands and quick feet. Look for the 2006 World Cup winner to have another memorable tournament.
RIGHT BACK — MAICON (Brazil): Body by Germany, brain by Brazil. What does that mean? Well, Inter Milan’s Maicon has the size and frame and strength and power of an uncompromising fullback as well as the flair, the attacking instincts and the unpredictability that make him dangerous anywhere on the field.
CENTER BACK — LUCIO (Brazil): It seems at times that the giant from Inter Milan is too old and has lost a step or two. Then he wins every title in sight, shows no sign of fatigue, closes down players younger and faster than himself and generally rules the back line. Alongside Maicon, he thrives.
CENTER BACK — GIORGIO CHIELLINI (Italy): Rugged as they come, perhaps a bit prone to yellow cards, but toughness is what you want on defense. His star has been rising for several years, and a move away from floundering Juventus might help put him in the first rank of defenders worldwide.
LEFT BACK — PHILIPP LAHM (Germany): Don’t be fooled by Lahm’s size. The Bayern Munich player might not be physically imposing, but he makes up for it with a keen soccer brain, speed of foot, the ability to play on either flank and a willingness to go forward and either initiate or join the attack.
MIDFIELDER — ARJEN ROBBEN (Netherlands): The man looks too old to be on the field, but looks can deceive. Robben has all the tools of predatory winger, the pace and technical skill to beat defenders and the power to shoot from distance with accuracy. And, yes, the Bayern Munich star is only 26.
MIDFIELDER — XAVI (Spain): Every team needs a brain. Barcelona and Spain are fortunate to have two. Xavi’s passing ability, his vision of the field, his soccer savvy and his obvious enjoyment at playing are an example to players worldwide.
MIDFIELDER — ANDRES INIESTA (Spain): Everything said about Xavi can be repeated, word-for-word, about Iniesta.
FORWARD — LIONEL MESSI (Argentina): No one scored more goals in the season just ended, and no one scored them with more grace, beauty, inventiveness, unpredictability and panache than Barcelona and the world’s most valuable soccer property. The fact that he is only 22 is simply scary.
STRIKER — DIDIER DROGBA (Ivory Coast): The sometimes casual attitude and the sometimes volcanic temper conceal a player of exceptional quality. Chelsea’s iconic striker covers the ground with apparent ease, and his shooting ability makes him feared even from long range. Could make the Ivory Coast a threat.
FORWARD — WAYNE ROONEY (England): Apart from all the goals and the nonstop work rate, the most impressive thing about the Manchester United fireplug is his willingness to track back and help out defensively. Seemingly tireless, he is a lethal finisher with head and foot.
COACH — MARCELO LIPPI (Italy): Calm, urbane, articulate, knowledgeable, witty, ruthless, professional, intelligent. “Looking into his eyes is enough to tell you that you are dealing with somebody who is in command of himself and his professional domain,” Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson once wrote.
