What is your country’s all timer national team XI ?

[SportingCP96]

With World Cup season looming following the draw I figured we could have some fun.

In YOUR opinion what is your country’s ALL TIME XI and coach (the coach had to have coached the national team)

Not everyone will have the same opinion for their country so will be interesting to see the differences.

Alright let’s get it started!

My ALL TIME Portugal XI

Formation: 4-1-2-1-2

GK: Vitori Baía: Porto legend who I believe is the greatest shot stopper we ever produced.

RB: Joao Pinto: Hard nose right back who was both a leader and a player who would never stop running, once described as having two hearts and 4 legs because he never stopped.

CB: Ricardo Carvalho - Absolute legend who was a key player in multiple big clubs through out his career.

CB: Pepe - One of the best defenders of the past 20 years Pepe was a key player in Madrid and Portugal for years, was a huge performer in Euro 2016.

LB: Hilário -This was a tough one but I’ve gone with Hilario a Sporting legend, was a key player in a Eusébio led Portugal in 1966 and I felt he was a deserved player for this spot.

CM: Coluna - A Benfica legend who was a tank in midfield. Incredible box to box player who can both shoot from distance and was technically skilled. He was an Engine in midfield.

CAM: Rui Costa - Portuguese prince, elegant in midfield and a maestro. Rui Costa was brilliant. Part of Portugal’s golden generation Rui Costa ia heralded as a king in Florence and a Série A legend.

LM: Paulo Futre - In his time only behind Maradona and Platini Paulo Futre was one of the greatest dribblers the game has ever seen. Dubbed the Portuguese Maradona for their similar style of play and wing wizardry Paulo Futre was the key player in Porto’s 1987 CL win and is and Idol in atlético Madrid. One of the biggest legends for Atlético Paulo Futre also came second in Balon D or voting in 1987 behind Ruid Gullit. Some believe it was rigged by AC Milan’s president after Milan had purchased the Dutch midfielder. Strong case Futre should have won that year. For many the 4th most talented player the country has ever produced.

RM: Luis Figo - Who else but Luís Figo. Balon D or winner, wing wizard and of the greatest players the game has ever and will ever see. Also the cause of the biggest transfer the game has ever seen. Widely regarded as the unanimous third best player in Portugal’s history.

ST: Eusebio - The King, Eusébio was part of the legendary Benfica teams that conquered Europe. Widely regarded as a competitor to Pele they managed to meet one time in the World Cup. Eusébio was the key reason in Portugal attaining their greatest ever finish at the World Cup. For years considered the greatest Portuguese player ever he has since been surpassed by a certain someone, nonetheless the consensus #2.

ST: Cristiano Ronaldo - Who else but the great man himself. I could just leave it at GOAT but that’s no fun. The greatest player in the history of the CL, the greatest goal scorer of all time, the greatest national team goals scorer of all time, 5x Balon D or and the list just gets longer after that. Arguably the greatest of all time, at the very least Ronaldo along with Messi, Maradona and Pele sit at the Mount Rushmore of Futebol. Key figure in Portugal only ever major trophy.

Coach: Fernando Santos - Very hot take but he has so many records and the best winning % ever for Portugal as well as being the Coach that led us to a European title. HOWEVER it is a SUPER close second to Scolari IMO.

Bench:
Rui Patrício
Couto
Nani
Quaresma
Deco
Pauleta


* For the CB position I struggled as I was between Fernando Couto and Humberto Coelho as well but I went with recency bias. For the LB position I also considered Coentrao.

* That front line is incredible. Figo and Futre wing wizardry crossing to Ronaldo and Eusébio with Rui Costa pulling the strings behind. It’s futebol Porn.

 

[Spaghetti]

Foster

Neville
Rio
Pallister
Shaw

Beckham
Scholes
Stiles

Rooney
Cole
Charlton

subs: Dean Henderson, Maguire, P Neville, Butt, Brown, Rashford, Sancho, Kane

 

[Physiocrat]

With World Cup season looming following the draw I figured we could have some fun.

In YOUR opinion what is your country’s ALL TIME XI and coach (the coach had to have coached the national team)

Not everyone will have the same opinion for their country so will be interesting to see the differences.

Alright let’s get it started!

My ALL TIME Portugal XI

Formation: 4-1-2-1-2

GK: Vitori Baía: Porto legend who I believe is the greatest shot stopper we ever produced.

RB: Joao Pinto: Hard nose right back who was both a leader and a player who would never stop running, once described as having two hearts and 4 legs because he never stopped.

CB: Ricardo Carvalho - Absolute legend who was a key player in multiple big clubs through out his career.

CB: Pepe - One of the best defenders of the past 20 years Pepe was a key player in Madrid and Portugal for years, was a huge performer in Euro 2016.

LB: Hilário -This was a tough one but I’ve gone with Hilario a Sporting legend, was a key player in a Eusébio led Portugal in 1966 and I felt he was a deserved player for this spot.

CM: Coluna - A Benfica legend who was a tank in midfield. Incredible box to box player who can both shoot from distance and was technically skilled. He was an Engine in midfield.

CAM: Rui Costa - Portuguese prince, elegant in midfield and a maestro. Rui Costa was brilliant. Part of Portugal’s golden generation Rui Costa ia heralded as a king in Florence and a Série A legend.

LM: Paulo Futre - In his time only behind Maradona and Platini Paulo Futre was one of the greatest dribblers the game has ever seen. Dubbed the Portuguese Maradona for their similar style of play and wing wizardry Paulo Futre was the key player in Porto’s 1987 CL win and is and Idol in atlético Madrid. One of the biggest legends for Atlético Paulo Futre also came second in Balon D or voting in 1987 behind Ruid Gullit. Some believe it was rigged by AC Milan’s president after Milan had purchased the Dutch midfielder. Strong case Futre should have won that year. For many the 4th most talented player the country has ever produced.

RM: Luis Figo - Who else but Luís Figo. Balon D or winner, wing wizard and of the greatest players the game has ever and will ever see. Also the cause of the biggest transfer the game has ever seen. Widely regarded as the unanimous third best player in Portugal’s history.

ST: Eusebio - The King, Eusébio was part of the legendary Benfica teams that conquered Europe. Widely regarded as a competitor to Pele they managed to meet one time in the World Cup. Eusébio was the key reason in Portugal attaining their greatest ever finish at the World Cup. For years considered the greatest Portuguese player ever he has since been surpassed by a certain someone, nonetheless the consensus #2.

ST: Cristiano Ronaldo - Who else but the great man himself. I could just leave it at GOAT but that’s no fun. The greatest player in the history of the CL, the greatest goal scorer of all time, the greatest national team goals scorer of all time, 5x Balon D or and the list just gets longer after that. Arguably the greatest of all time, at the very least Ronaldo along with Messi, Maradona and Pele sit at the Mount Rushmore of Futebol. Key figure in Portugal only ever major trophy.

Coach: Fernando Santos - Very hot take but he has so many records and the best winning % ever for Portugal as well as being the Coach that led us to a European title. HOWEVER it is a SUPER close second to Scolari IMO.

Bench:
Rui Patrício
Couto
Nani
Quaresma
Deco
Pauleta


* For the CB position I struggled as I was between Fernando Couto and Humberto Coelho as well but I went with recency bias. For the LB position I also considered Coentrao.

* That front line is incredible. Figo and Futre wing wizardry crossing to Ronaldo and Eusébio with Rui Costa pulling the strings behind. It’s futebol Porn.

I have been watching quite a bit of Eusebio recently and he really doesn't seem like the guy to mesh well with CR7. He drops deep and dribbles a lot and doesn't have that much movement off the ball. Now whilst I'm not saying CR7 needs someone quite a selfless as Benzema but Euesbio and CR7 do not seem a complementary partnership. It might work with CR7 left and Eusebio on the right but you would a good CF who could bring both into play. I don't remember any Portugese striker who was good and could do that well.

 

[Motorman]

D. Seaman
G. Neville....Ferdinand......Terry.....A.Cole
Scholes....Gerrard
Beckham......Rooney.....Sterling
Shearer
​

Manager: Alf Ramsey

 

[SportingCP96]

I have been watching quite a bit of Eusebio recently and he really doesn't seem like the guy to mesh well with CR7. He drops deep and dribbles a lot and doesn't have that much movement off the ball. Now whilst I'm not saying CR7 needs someone quite a selfless as Benzema but Euesbio and CR7 do not seem a complementary partnership. It might work with CR7 left and Eusebio on the right but you would a good CF who could bring both into play. I don't remember any Portugese striker who was good and could do that well.

It’s a prime Ronaldo and Eusébio so I think we would see a lot of movement their especially with guys like Figo and Futre who can beat 2 guys at a time (pause).

 

[SportingCP96]

D. Seaman
G. Neville....Ferdinand......Terry.....A.Cole
Scholes....Gerrard
Beckham......Rooney.....Sterling
Shearer
​

Manager: Alf Ramsey

Solid team, notably Gazza and Lampard are absent I see. Interesting to see Sterling their as well!

I like it!

 

[Lemon Moon]

D. Seaman
G. Neville....Ferdinand......Terry.....A.Cole
Scholes....Gerrard
Beckham......Rooney.....Sterling
Shearer
​

Manager: Alf Ramsey

Rooney for Sterling & Gazza behind Shearer

 

[paulscholes18]

Banks
Neville Rio Moore Cole
Edwards Scholes
Beckham Charlton Barnes
Kane

Bench
Seaman
Terry
Gazza
Robson
Rooney
Shearer

Manager Sir Alf Ramsey

 

[V.O.]

----------------------Southall
Gunter-----Charles--Ratcliffe---Jones
Allchurch--Speed-----Giggs-----Bale
------------------Rush-----Hughes

We must have had a better right back than Gunter at some point, but I can't name one off the top of my head, so he gets the spot for longevity. Old timers feel free to correct me!

 

[Anekdote]

For Austria I would say,

Koncilla
Happel Pezzey Hanappi
Arnautovic Prohaska Ocwirk Herzog
Sindelar Polster Krankl​

 

[SportingCP96]

----------------------Southall
Gunter-----Charles--Ratcliffe---Jones
Allchurch--Speed-----Giggs-----Bale
------------------Rush-----Hughes

We must have had a better right back than Gunter at some point, but I can't name one off the top of my head, so he gets the spot for longevity. Old timers feel free to correct me!

You wouldn’t throw a prime giggs on the wing with bale on the right and maybe Ramsey in the middle ?

 

[lysglimt]

As a Norwegian - I will only look at players I have seen play live ... so from early 80s onwards. And I will play a 4-5-1

Erik Thorstvedt - the best, and probably only really good goalkeeper we have had. We had a few solid ones like Thomas Myhre and Frode Grodås, but Thorstvedt was class.

Stig I Bjornebye / John Arne Riise - I can't really decide which I prefer out of these two. I genuinely despise Riise as a person but he was a brilliant player. One of the best shots in the P.L during his time there, while Bjornebye had superb crosses.

Rune Bratseth - arguable the best central defender in the Bundesliga in the late 80s. Was at his best when Norway wasn't, and only got to be part of a really good Norwegian side for a few years when he had turned 30

Brede Hangeland - a rock in the Fulham defense for 6 years. Would have walked into most Premier League sides today.

Gunnar Halle - Norways version of Denis Irwin. Always reliable and considered the best foreign player ever at Oldham. Scored 17 goals in 188 matches and was a regular for Oldham for 6 seasons.

Morten G Pedersen - a great career at Blackburn with over 30 goals in total in his first 4 seasons. 17 goals in 83 matches for Norway. Still active and scored 12 goals in division 3 in Norway last year, 40 years old. Will play in division 2 this season.

Kjetil Rekdal - had a great career in Belgium with Lierse where he scored 71 goals in 180 matches as a central midfielder. Captain for Norway during the mid 90s when Norway were one of the best teams in Europe. 17 goals in 83 matches for Norway

Tom Lund - perhaps the best Norwegian player never to play professionally. Was so good that Ajax wanted him as replacement for Cruyff, while Lund played in the 3 division in Norway. And Lund turned them down. Ron Greenwood called him the best footballer in the world.

Hallvar Thoresen - left for Twente at the age of 18 and eventually joined PSV where he scored over 100 goals in 180 matches as an attacking midfielder in the 1980s, where he played with stars such as Eric Gerets, Ruud Gullit, Frank Arnesen, Arie Haan, Hans van Breukelen, Soren Lerby and the v.d Kerhof-twins under Guus Hiddink

Martin Odegaard - hasn't really done enough for Norway to warrant it - but has played at a higher level than Bohinen, Mykland and Leonhardsen so I will give him the last position. Captain for Norway, regular for Arsenal. One of the best in La Liga with Sociedad at the age of 20.

Erling B Haaland - one of few Norwegians in history who can be considered close to world class. In a league of his own in todays team

 

[SportingCP96]

For Austria I would say,

Koncilla
Happel Pezzey Hanappi
Arnautovic Prohaska Ocwirk Herzog
Sindelar Polster Krankl​

I can’t say I’m very versed in Austrian legends but surely Alaba deserved a spot no?

 

[SportingCP96]

As a Norwegian - I will only look at players I have seen play live ... so from early 80s onwards. And I will play a 4-5-1

Erik Thorstvedt - the best, and probably only really good goalkeeper we have had. We had a few solid ones like Thomas Myhre and Frode Grodås, but Thorstvedt was class.

Stig I Bjornebye / John Arne Riise - I can't really decide which I prefer out of these two. I genuinely despise Riise as a person but he was a brilliant player. One of the best shots in the P.L during his time there, while Bjornebye had superb crosses.

Rune Bratseth - arguable the best central defender in the Bundesliga in the late 80s. Was at his best when Norway wasn't, and only got to be part of a really good Norwegian side for a few years when he had turned 30

Brede Hangeland - a rock in the Fulham defense for 6 years. Would have walked into most Premier League sides today.

Gunnar Halle - Norways version of Denis Irwin. Always reliable and considered the best foreign player ever at Oldham. Scored 17 goals in 188 matches and was a regular for Oldham for 6 seasons.

Morten G Pedersen - a great career at Blackburn with over 30 goals in total in his first 4 seasons. 17 goals in 83 matches for Norway. Still active and scored 12 goals in division 3 in Norway last year, 40 years old. Will play in division 2 this season.

Kjetil Rekdal - had a great career in Belgium with Lierse where he scored 71 goals in 180 matches as a central midfielder. Captain for Norway during the mid 90s when Norway were one of the best teams in Europe. 17 goals in 83 matches for Norway

Tom Lund - perhaps the best Norwegian player never to play professionally. Was so good that Ajax wanted him as replacement for Cruyff, while Lund played in the 3 division in Norway. And Lund turned them down. Ron Greenwood called him the best footballer in the world.

Hallvar Thoresen - left for Twente at the age of 18 and eventually joined PSV where he scored over 100 goals in 180 matches as an attacking midfielder in the 1980s, where he played with stars such as Eric Gerets, Ruud Gullit, Frank Arnesen, Arie Haan, Hans van Breukelen, Soren Lerby and the v.d Kerhof-twins under Guus Hiddink

Martin Odegaard - hasn't really done enough for Norway to warrant it - but has played at a higher level than Bohinen, Mykland and Leonhardsen so I will give him the last position. Captain for Norway, regular for Arsenal. One of the best in La Liga with Sociedad at the age of 20.

Erling B Haaland - one of few Norwegians in history who can be considered close to world class. In a league of his own in todays team

Nice write up! Will for sure take a look at some of these guys especially Lund abs Thoresen.

I can imagine if all goes as planned Odegaard and Haaland will be the two greatest Norwegians ever.

Pretty crazy perderson is still playing ! Good for him.

 

[V.O.]

You wouldn’t throw a prime giggs on the wing with bale on the right and maybe Ramsey in the middle ?

Yeah, that would be what I'd probably do if I was doing a team of only players I've seen, but I think Ivor Allchurch (along with John Charles) needs to be in an all-time Wales team on reputation the same way Moore and Charlton are in England versions - and Giggs in the middle seemed slightly less daft than shunting Bale to left back.

 

[FortBoyard]

Ok I will do Republic of Ireland, using players I have seen play (I was born in 1990).

GK - Shay Given - Great PL shot stopper and very effective for the national team.

LB - Dennis Irwin - United legendary left back

CB - Steve Staunton - A fine player for Liverpool, but certainly not in his prime in my time.

CB - Richard Dunne - won player of the year almost every year for his clubs, great for Ireland.

RB - Seamus Coleman - could have played at a higher level in his prime


CM - Roy Keane - nothing needed to be said

CM - Matt Holland - his partnership with Keane was effective for us

CAM - Wes Hoolahan - he was just mustard for us, especially in 2016 Euros

LF - Damien Duff - in his short peak he was one of the world's best

CF - Niall Quinn - A goalscorer and target man designed for this system

RF (Free role)- Robbie Keane - one of the leading international goalscorers, I would have him playing in and around the right side of the pitch. He had a great ability to link play as well as an out and out scorer, a little Rooneyesque in this sense.

Manager - I guess it has to go to Mick Mcarthy

 

[Oranges038]

Ok I will do Republic of Ireland, using players I have seen play (I was born in 1990).

GK - Shay Given - Great PL shot stopper and very effective for the national team.

LB - Dennis Irwin - United legendary left back

CB - Steve Staunton - A fine player for Liverpool, but certainly not in his prime in my time.

CB - Richard Dunne - won player of the year almost every year for his clubs, great for Ireland.

RB - Seamus Coleman - could have played at a higher level in his prime


CM - Roy Keane - nothing needed to be said

CM - Matt Holland - his partnership with Keane was effective for us

CAM - Wes Hoolahan - he was just mustard for us, especially in 2016 Euros

LF - Damien Duff - in his short peak he was one of the world's best

CF - Niall Quinn - A goalscorer and target man designed for this system

RF (Free role)- Robbie Keane - one of the leading international goalscorers, I would have him playing in and around the right side of the pitch. He had a great ability to link play as well as an out and out scorer, a little Rooneyesque in this sense.

Manager - I guess it has to go to Mick Mcarthy

I'd put McGrath in for Coleman, but Stan at left full and Dennis at right back. I'd also have Giles and Brady in for Hoolhan and Holland. And Hougthon for Quinn.

I'd go for a kind of 442 to 4411 with Brady off Keane.

Given
Irwin McGrath Dunne Staunton
Houghton Keane Giles Duff
Brady
Keane​

 

[Physiocrat]

...................Banks.................
Armfield...Rio...Moore...A.Cole
...................Scholes...................
...........Robson.....Charlton..........
Matthews.........................Finney
....................Shearer.....................

 

[Thelongsleevesofblomqvist]

Sweden

Ronnie Hellström
Goalkeeper. One of the top goalkeepers in the world of his era, high status in his club Kaiserslatuern and an international peak during WC 1974 where he was chosen for the the World team.


Orvar Bergmark
Right back. Twice chosen as the best right back in the world (1960 and 61) . World Cup runner-up 1958.

Patrik Andersson
Center Back. After many years as the anchor of the Mönchengladbach defence he crowned the career with two years and seven titles for Bayern, including a treble and winning the Bundesliga for Bayern with the last kick of the season. Spent a shorter injury prone period in Barcelona before winning the Swedish league with Malmö FF. The most important defender in
Swedens Third place campaign in WC 1994. A world class center back.

Glenn Hysén
Center Back. For a period conisidereda world team centre back, even once or twice mentioned as the best in the world. Anchored IFK Göteborg to two UEFA cup victories as well as a Europa Cup semi final. Famous in Sweden for single handedly giving Sweden a clean sheat against England at Wembley, as well as a partly sucessful three year spell with Liverpool winning the English league.

Erik Nilsson
Left back. Included in the World Cup all star team 1950 where Sweden finnished third, as well as winning a Olympic gold medal for Sweden 1948 and bronze 1952. Captained the National team for many years and won 5 Swedish championships. Oldie, but with merits not comparable to later players on the same position.


Thomas Brolin
Offensive midfielder/number 10/free floating winger. Somewhat controversial since his short career and unsuccesful spell at Leeds (after the leg break that he never re-eastablished himself from). But the best player of the best national team during modern times, in Swedens third place World Cup campaign 1994 where he was included in the xi of the tournament. Also took Sweden to a Euro semi final 1992 as well having some superb years in Parma. Great player at his peak.

Bo Larsson
Central midfielder. Sometimes mentioned as the best Swedish player of all time, but at least the most allround. Took Malmö FF to Swedens only Europa Cup final and captained the national team for many years. Defensive midfielder, playmaker and goal scorer. Won five Swedish championship, four Swedish cups and spent a spell in Stuttgart.

Nils Liedholm
Central midfielder. Often mentioned in AC Milans best XI:s of all time, one part of the famous Gre-No-Li trio. Won for Scudettos in his 12 years in Milan and Olympic Gold and World Cup silver for Sweden. Deep lying playmaker known for his vision and passing, as well as never getting booked.

Kurt Hamrin
Winger. Fiorentinas all time greatest goal scorer and the eight greatest goal scorer in the Serie A with 190 goals. Also had spells with Juventus and AC Milan, winning the Scudetto with the later as well as the Cup winners cupp scoring two goals in the final. World Cup silver with Sweden 1984 where he scored one of the finest goals in the WC history in the semi final against West Germany ( HAMRIN - against west germany 1958 - YouTube).


Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Forward. The greatest Swedish player of all time. His status in his home country is larger than his own confidence. Never won the CL, but a unique career redfining the career path of a modern footballer. As a Swede you have followed his cockiness from underdog breaking the glass sealing of conformist Swedish football culture via dominance to the ongoing swan song of proving himself once more in AC Milan and coming back to the national team without the need of ego more than spreading the confidence to a younger generation. Sometimes underrated, sometimes overrated - but still unclear if the general public (othert han the fetishizing fan boys) understand HOW good of a player he is.

Gunnar Nordahl
Striker. Third highest goal scorer in Serie A History winning the Capocannoniere as Serie A:s best goal scorers five times and the Swedish league four times. Included in AC Milan hall of fame, as well as Olympic Gold winner 1948.


Bench

Thomas Ravelli
Goalkeeper. Somewhat a cult hero, with his peak during the World Cup 1994 as well as the goal keeper of IFK Göteborgs domestic and European success during the 90s.

Björn Nordqvist
Center back. for a long time Swedens most capped player as well as at the time the most capped player in the world. Captain and defensive anchor as centre back in three WC:s during the seventies, as well as havinga successful spell in PSV Eindhoven.

Roland Nilsson
Full-back. World Cup 3rd place 1984 and a stable, allround full-back for Helsingborg IF, the National team and in the Premier League. Somewhat underrated. Swedish player of the year 1996.

Jonas Thern
Central midfielder. Captained Sweden in WC 1994 and had a club career including Malmö FF, Benfica, Napoli, Roma and Rangers winning the Swedish, Portuguese and Scottish league and reaching a Europa Cup final with Benfica.

Gunnar Gren
Offensive midfielder. Third part of the Gre-No-Li trio, as succesful as the other two and part of AC Milan hall of fame. World cup finalist, Olympic gold winner and Scudetto winner.

Torbjörn Nilsson
Forward. The best player of IFK Gothenburgs highly succesfull 1980s with two UEFA cup victories and Europa Cup semifinal (losing to Barcelona after winning 3-0 at home). Europa Cup top scorers twice. Sven Goran Eriksen gave him a place in the all time XI of players he coached, which might be suprising for an internation audience but was World Class when in form (struggled with confidence in parts of his career).

Henrik Larsson
Forward/winger. One of the tidiest careers in world football with his God status in Celtic rounded up with spells in Barcelona and Manchester United winning La Liga twice, Premier League and assisting the two goals giving Rijkaards Barcelona the CL title. WC Bronze 1994.


Also considered as part of the Squad:

Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa, Juventus, Olympiacos), Stefan Schwarz (Benfica, Arsenal, Fiorentina, Valencia, Sunderland) , Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal), Lennart Skoglund (Inter Milan), Ove Kindvall (Feyenoord)

 

[1988]

4231: Schmeichel; Helveg, Kjær, Agger, N. Jensen; Gravesen, Højbjerg; B. Laudrup, M. Laudrup, Eriksen; Dahl Tomasson.

T. Sørensen, Sand, A. Christensen, Schöne, Rommedahl, Grønkjær, Tøfting, C. Poulsen.

I have to admit I only barely remember seeing the Laudrups.

 

[diarm]

I'd put McGrath in for Coleman, but Stan at left full and Dennis at right back. I'd also have Giles and Brady in for Hoolhan and Holland. And Hougthon for Quinn.

I'd go for a kind of 442 to 4411 with Brady off Keane.

Given
Irwin McGrath Dunne Staunton
Houghton Keane Giles Duff
Brady
Keane​

I'd be more inclined to go:

Given
Irwin McGrath Hurley Carey
Houghton Keane Giles Brady
Stapleton Keane
​

Toughest decision was who partners McGrath at CB, with Hurley, Moran and Dunne all outstanding candidates.

 

[harms]

Streltsov
Arshavin - Ivanov - Chislenko
Netto - Voronin
Zhirkov - Shesternyov - Onopko - M. Fernandes
Yashin​

Subs: Dasayev, Ignashevich, Karpin, Cherenkov, Mostovoy

Probably something like this. It's really hard to make judgments on many players that have played for USSR on which country should they represent, so I went with a city of birth unless they have played for a specific NT after the collapse of the Soviet Union (like Onopko who have been born in Luhansk, which is Ukraine, at least de jure, but played for Russia).

Fernandes feels a bit odd there but he does play for the NT...

 

[Rozay]

Vincent Enyeama

Victor Moses
Joseph Yobo
Taribo West
Celestine Babayaro

Sunday Oliseh
Jay-Jay Okocha

Finidi George
Nwankwo Kanu
Emmanuel Amunike

Victor Osimehen

Subs:

Peter Rufai
Mobi Okparaku
Uche Ukechukwu
Taye Taiwo
Wilson Orunma
Wilfried Ndidi
John Obi-Mikel
Peter Odemwinge
Julius Aghahowa
John Utaka
Rashidi Yekini

Yekini is record goalscorer and would feel hard done by not to make the starting XI, but Osimehen is the first potential world class number 9 we’ve had and is on a different level for me, so makes the team despite it’s youth.

 

[Lay]

Vincent Enyeama

Victor Moses
Joseph Yobo
Taribo West
Celestine Babayaro

Sunday Oliseh
Jay-Jay Okocha

Finidi George
Nwankwo Kanu
Emmanuel Amunike

Victor Osimehen

Subs:

Peter Rufai
Mobi Okparaku
Uche Ukechukwu
Taye Taiwo
Wilson Orunma
Wilfried Ndidi
John Obi-Mikel
Peter Odemwinge
Julius Aghahowa
John Utaka
Rashidi Yekini

Yekini is record goalscorer and would feel hard done by not to make the starting XI, but Osimehen is the first potential world class number 9 we’ve had and is on a different level for me, so makes the team despite it’s youth.

No Yakubu?

 

[Charles Miller]

Taffarel
Cafu Bellini Aldair Roberto Carlos
Falcão
Ronaldinho Zico Pelé
Romario Ronaldo​

Subs: Marcos, Marcio Santos, Carlos Alberto Torres, Socrates, Junior, Gerson, Rivelino, Tostão, Leonidas, Garrincha, Kaká, Rivaldo.

 

[Rozay]

No Yakubu?

 

[Rozay]

Taffarel
Cafu Bellini Aldair Roberto Carlos
Falcão
Ronaldinho Zico Pelé
Romario Ronaldo​

Subs: Marcos, Marcio Santos, Carlos Alberto Torres, Socrates, Junior, Gerson, Rivelino, Tostão, Leonidas, Garrincha, Kaká, Rivaldo.

Feck off.

 

[Lay]

Still surely a better forward than Odemwingie!

 

[Charles Miller]

Feck off.

Can't defend though.

 

[V.O.]

Taffarel
Cafu Bellini Aldair Roberto Carlos
Falcão
Ronaldinho Zico Pelé
Romario Ronaldo​

Subs: Marcos, Marcio Santos, Carlos Alberto Torres, Socrates, Junior, Gerson, Rivelino, Tostão, Leonidas, Garrincha, Kaká, Rivaldo.

Seeing as you don't need him, can Wales have Carlos Alberto off your bench please?

We might be able to give Socrates, Rivelino, Garrincha, Kaka and Rivaldo the odd run out as well...

 

[Rozay]

Still surely a better forward than Odemwingie!

Odemwinge was very good for us and rarely let Nigeria down. He also often played from the left. Yakubu was more up against Osimehen and Yekini.

 

[Rozay]

Can't defend though.

Don’t know about Bellini but I’m surprised Lucio doesn’t make it into your team.

 

[diarm]

Not my country, but I was born there and it's so much fun:

Van der Sar
Surrbier Stam Koeman Krol
Rijkaard
Gullit Neeskens
Cruyff
Van Basten Bergkamp

De Boer, Van Dijk, Van Bronkhorst, Van Hanegem, Seedorf, Robben, Kluivert, Van Nistelrooy​

 

[Withnail]

I'd put McGrath in for Coleman, but Stan at left full and Dennis at right back. I'd also have Giles and Brady in for Hoolhan and Holland. And Hougthon for Quinn.

I'd go for a kind of 442 to 4411 with Brady off Keane.

Given
Irwin McGrath Dunne Staunton
Houghton Keane Giles Duff
Brady
Keane​

Can't argue with much there. I'd have O'Leary ahead of Dunne, though.

 

[do.ob]

Taffarel
Cafu Bellini Aldair Roberto Carlos
Falcão
Ronaldinho Zico Pelé
Romario Ronaldo​

Subs: Marcos, Marcio Santos, Carlos Alberto Torres, Socrates, Junior, Gerson, Rivelino, Tostão, Leonidas, Garrincha, Kaká, Rivaldo.

No Neymar? 7:1 goals and 52 assists in 1 1:7 caps, fantastic output even though he's playing with one of the worst Brazil sides ever.

 

[Rozay]

Not my country, but I was born there and it's so much fun:

Van der Sar
Surrbier Stam Koeman Krol
Rijkaard
Gullit Neeskens
Cruyff
Van Basten Bergkamp

De Boer, Van Dijk, Van Bronkhorst, Van Hanegem, Seedorf, Robben, Kluivert, Van Nistelrooy​

No Persie?

 

[diarm]

No Persie?

Can add him on the bench as well.

 

[Withnail]

No Neymar? 7:1 goals and 52 assists in 11:7 caps, fantastic output even though he's playing with one of the worst Brazil sides ever.

Yeah but he's a prick. Seriously thought who would you take out of that team to put him in?

 

[Rozay]

Can add him on the bench as well.

 

[do.ob]

Yeah but he's a prick. Seriously thought who would you take out of that team to put him in?

Kaka I guess?