My personal preferences are in bold. Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon (better than Yashin, Banks, Zoff, Kahn, Schmeichel, Van Der Sar and Casillas). If you want a sweeper keeper, Neuer. Right back Cafu, Zanetti, Thuram or Carlos Alberto are all correct answers depending on what you want from your right back. Cafu (offensive one-man wing), Zanetti (two-way footballer, versatile), Thuram (defensive), Carlos Alberto (playmaking defensive rock). Left back Paolo Maldini (can also pair him alongside any great centreback in history and it would be formidable). Facchetti if you want an unstoppable force on the left flank. Centrebacks (A) Nesta and Figueroa are the very best stopper/ball playing centrebacks. (B) Kohler, Desailly and Stam are the best defensive stoppers/man-markers. (C) Beckenbauer is the best/most influential libero of all time (perhaps utilised as a box-to-box playmaker in today's game). Baresi and Scirea are the best defensive liberos. Moore and Krol are two mighty ballers too. For balance, you could field (A)/(B) + (C) Defensive/central midfielders next...
Goalie Yashin Banks Kahn (HM: Maier, Buffon, Neuer) Sweeper Who cares? (Beckenbauer could sort of be considered one) RB Lahm Thuram (HM: Cafu, D Santos, Dani Alves) CB Beckenbauer Baresi Franklin Moore Nesta (HM: Scirea, Cannavaro, Desailly, Passarella) LB Maldini Facchetti (HM: Cabrini, N Santos) CDM Tardelli CM Matthaus Didi (HM: Platini, Socrates) CAM Pele Maradona Zidane (HM: ) RW Messi (HM: Jairzinho) CF Cruyff Di Stefano Ronaldo (Brazil) G Muller Manuel Moreno (HM: Eusebio, Puskas, Romario, Rivaldo) LW (Honestly, who cares?) Garrincha (obvs) C Ronaldo (HM: Zagallo, Suarez (spain), Ronaldinho, Rivelino) New XI Yashin Lahm Beckenbauer Baresi Maldini Pele Tardelli Maradona Messi Cruyff Garrincha
Roberto Carlos Can someone tell me though, why is Buffon better than Kahn, Neuer, Banks and Yashin (Other than consistency)? Have him at 5th.
Well, Rivellino was not a LW. His position in Brazil 1970 was somewhat improvised to fit only then, however he was basically a CAM/SS who had a lot of freedom to move (similar to Maradona with Napoli). Depending on the system used I think there would be better options: Best, Blokhin, Cristiano Ronaldo, Džajić, Gento, Giggs, Neymar, Orsi, Ronaldinho... or adapt some all-timers in a similar position, like Cruyff or Maradona. If I had to choose: Buffon I think the greatest, safe and consistent of all-time. Neuer Probably the most technically complete. Yashin The most legendary. Djalma Santos He seems to me the most impressive to ensure the defensive. (I could doubt it because Vogts and Thuram) Dani Alves I think he has the scrolls to be considered the best offensive option. (Andrade, Carlos Alberto and Cafu make me doubt in general terms) Beckenbauer Inevitable, the sweeper model. Baresi Amazing defender capable of being the anticipatory or act last man. Figueroa Centre-back just as complete and versatile as Baresi's. Maldini One of the best defenders in history and capable of occupying the centre-back position. Roberto Carlos An offensive marvel capable of taking over the entire flank. Rijkaard In my opinion, the most imposing defensive/box-to-box midfielder ever. Matthäus An absolutely impressive box-to-box for everything, a dynamo. Falcão The most elegant orchestrator who acted as deep-lying playmaker and contributed defensively. Maradona Pure magic and versatile in attack. Di Stéfano Enormously multifunctional, orchestrator, attacker and of enormous deployment. Cruyff Exceptional, super versatile attacker and orchestrator. Pelé One of the greatest football geniuses, perhaps the greatest. Messi Able to play as RW, but a complete attacker and orchestrator, perhaps the greatest. Garrincha Legendary and abusively dribbler. (Although I'd hesitate between him and Best) Cristiano Ronaldo The highest scoring wing-forward in history. Puskás One of the most complete and consistent attackers ever. Ronaldo The phenomenon, always thinking about his peak. Gerd Müller A scoring machine never hurts.
Garrincha invert, Messi enters Edit: Also Pele drops to a 10, Tardelli falls out, Di Stefano enters. And Cruyff for Muller
