European XI v South American XI
Europe v South America
With the Club World Cup final this weekend, we get a chance to see who is supposedly the best club in the world. Plenty of South Americans will admit that, as they watch boatloads of elite, young South American talent make the trip northeast, European clubs have far better players in their prime - not that they necessarily develop them better or produce more talent. But what if all those boys from Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Uruguay, etc etc etc had stayed home? And what if we compiled an all-star team comprised of players from both continents? Who wins that? FIFA can ask their question on the pitch, we’ll ask it on paper, after the jump.
Historically, this is what the matchups look like between the two continents:
Club WC/Intercontinental: 16-12, South America
World Cup: 9 wins apiece
So, on pretty even terms, slight edge to SA.
Surely we could do the same for Africa, Oceania, Asia, North America and Antarctica, but let’s face it, none of those continents produce the quality and quantity on a consistent basis that Europe and South America do. The biggest loss for me being Africa, which means Michael Essien and Didier Drogba are stuck counting their Chelsea paychecks somewhere with a supercomputer, ditto for Samuel Eto’o, but counting in Spanish (Diarra, Kanoute, Toure, Eboue, Adebayor, etc etc as well). Essien in particular has a spot on any world XI team I ever make.
So who do ya pick? Neither continent has any shortage of great talent, and there would be some world class talent left at home crying into their popcorn bowls as they watch on TV. Ask a group of, say, 10 different people to pick their 22 players and you’d probably need an abacus to count up the number of players picked. There is no universal XI - for either side - but I’ll give mine.
Stipulations:
1. It’s for a real game, not an exhibition.
2. Players can be retired.
3. No limit to players from one country.
4. Played on neutral grounds, somewhere in the South Pacific.
European XI:
——————Gigi—————-
Ramos–Carvalho–Nesta—–Lahm
—-Gerrard—–Pirlo—–Cesc—–
—————Totti——————
——–Zlatan———–Ruud——
South American XI:
—————Ceni—————
Alves—–Milito—Juan—Heinze
—Mascherano—-Cambiasso—
Messi———-Kaka—–Robinho
——-Ronaldinho—————-
(The lines were messed up thanks to WordPress)
Europe: Some were easy, some weren’t. Putting Cesc, Gerrard and Pirlo on was easy, but leaving off a true DM to sit back and clean up was tough. I struggled with all my might to avoid putting Daniele De Rossi on that team, because he is quickly becoming one of the best defenders in the world (watching him make tackles he has no business making week in, week out is an utterly surreal phenomenon), but saved everyone from my Roma/Italian bias - someone else can put him on there. Up top it’s hard to argue with three of the most productive frontmen in Europe. Backline was a little more difficult, and one of those CB spots could probably rotate. Gigi Buffon is there 8 days a week.
SA: The Brazilian-Argentine hybrid. I tried to include others, but right now it’s just too hard to force others in (though Uruguay, Colombia, and Chile may have a couple candidates soon). Nearly impossible to include all the attacking and/or playmakers that should be there. Guys like Diego, Riquelme (for chemistry reasons), Juninho, Tevez and Aguero are watching from home, among many, many others. Back four…real tough. Probably plenty of better options. SA is certainly not my strong suit.
Game: The difference is Gianluigi Buffon alone. The guy saves so many sure goals it’s disgusting. Hard to stop all that firepower, though. The one worry on both sides of the ball is that there is only one ball to play with. In the end, too much well-rounded talent in Europe, guys who can play both sides of the ball. 2-1, Europe.
So let’s hear it, who’s in your XIs and who takes the spoils?
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Comments
By Share | December 15th, 2007 at 9:36 am 
One thing you could mention on the World Cup tally: Europe has hosted the World Cup 10 of those times (so home advantage to them) whereas South America has only hosted it 4 times. Europeans have not been able to win a World Cup outside of Europe… ever. Also, every World Cup (except one of the first few) has had far more European contenders for the Cup than South American contenders.
You could throw in the debacles like 1966 and 1986 (HoG), but let’s not get started on THOSE 
Posted from 
United States
By PDP | December 15th, 2007 at 10:45 am man i love stuff like this
For Europe I’ll take a 4-3-3, with Frank the Tank at the top. Sure, he was born a CAM, but that guy has been so prolific as an out-and-out striker. Plus, to top a 3-pronged attack, you need a well-rounded forward.
—————Gigi——————
—-Zambrotta–Gallas–Nesta–Lahm—-
——–Gattuso–Pirlo–Iniesta———
——-C.Ronaldo——-Mutu———-
—————–Totti—————-
VS.
————–Cesar——————
–Maicon–Cordoba–Milito—-Alves—–
——–Mascherano–Gilberto———-
——Messi—–Kaka—-Ronaldinho—-
—————-Cruz—————–
At the moment Julio Cruz is the hottest S.American striker. He’s an underrated finisher anyway. If Ronaldo was healthy, there’s no question i’d take him. But i think his career won’t be the same anymore. I’d rather play Alves like Zambrotta played on Juventus. I also like Alex on Chelsea, but i haven’t seen him play enough to know just how good he is. He has a vicious free kick though..
Gilberto is still the man imo…
Special mention to Ruudboy Van Nistelrooy, Cambiasso, Cech, Trezeguet, Henry, Mancini, Cesc (that guy is amazing, but i have to pick Iniesta over him), Diego, Robinho, Jimenez, Terry…
Anyway, like romachris said, europe should take it. the team has more all-round forwards and midfielders. And thats before we even mention Gigi. 3-2 Europe.
Posted from 
Canada
By Laurie | December 15th, 2007 at 10:52 am I find Buffon disgusting for all kinds of other reasons than number of saves.
But that’s just me.
Posted from United States
By Messay | December 15th, 2007 at 3:46 pm this is awesome.
the only player i think must be included is Riquelme. imagine having a team of Messi, KAKA, Riquelme & Cruz(tevez, Aguer0, Robinho, Crespo…..)
Posted from United States
By Brian | December 15th, 2007 at 6:38 pm Europe: (trojan horse)
GK - Green - so ridiculous right now
LB - Evra - potential alone
CB - Terry - we’re talking healthy, right?
CB - Nesta - do I have to justify this one?
RB - Arbeloa - Just watch him, you wouldn’t even know he plays right back
LW - Vicente - would flourish on such a side
CM - Hamann - older than dirt and still better than Gattuso
CM - Gerrard - who else?
RW - Cristiano Ronaldo - no explanation necessary
F - David Villa - magic
F - Fernando Torres - fekkin’ magic
South America: (the diamond)
GK - Ceni - not necessary
LB - Heinze? - seriously, no clue, I’d take Aurelio though (surprise)
CB - Milito - hey, I’m different
CB - Alex - gotta keep the Premiership bias alive
RB - Alves - Liverpool awaits? Apparently not.
LW - Ronaldinho
CDM - Mascherano - best.. in.. the.. world
CAM - Kaka
RW - Messi
F - Tevez - grunt work
F - Fabiano - call me crazy
South Americans, 3-2.
Posted from United States
By Tomislav Chagall | December 16th, 2007 at 4:22 am europe:
яшин (yashin)
maldini — beckenbauer — thuram
cruijff — platini — prosinečki — popivoda
eusébio — šuker — puskás
south america:
fillol
zanetti — passarella — figueroa
sócrates — zico — maradona — di stéfano
garrincha — pelé — francescoli
the winner will play against
africa:
n’kono
mwepu — يوسف (youssef) — kunde
essien — okocha — kanu
مادجر (madjer)
yeboah — milla — weah
Posted from 
Germany
By fips | December 16th, 2007 at 11:18 am —————Kahn——————-
Baresi——Beckenbauer–Maldini——
Cruiff—-Platini—-Puskas—–Zidane
–C.Ronaldo–Van Basten—-Henry——
versus
—Ronaldinho–Ronaldo—Pele———
Di Stefano–Maradona—Zico—Socrates
—–Zanetti—Lucio—–Cafu———
————-Chilavert—————-
Posted from 
Hungary
By john | December 16th, 2007 at 12:15 pm Great teams all around.
Im still working on mine but I must say if your bringing players out of retirement I cant imagine the Divine Ponytail Roberto Baggio not being there, both in Europe and in the All time best squad.
By fips | December 16th, 2007 at 1:13 pm yes,Baggio,he should be in there.And also Roberto Carlos at left-back for South America.
Posted from Hungary
By gianfranco | December 16th, 2007 at 2:25 pm I am not a big fan of things like this because it is always based on perspective and favorites, my team would be heavy on Italian/French/Dutch players, but with that being said Maldini has to be on this squad, he is easily one of the best defenders EVER, and if retired players are going to make it onto the list than you have to seriously consider Baresi as well.
The ‘89 Milan squad as it was set up, was easily, and actually voted the greatest team in history. Slot in guys like Zidane and Pirlo and you easily have the best Euro IX.
Posted from United States
By RomaChris | December 16th, 2007 at 2:28 pm Ah, I meant international retirees, not anybody who has ever played, because this team would look a lot different - my bad.
But good teams nonetheless.
By fips | December 16th, 2007 at 4:58 pm OK,here are my teams of international retirees:
Europe:
——–Schmeichel———–
Baresi—Beckenbauer—Bobby Moore
Cruyff—-Platini—-Puskas—–Zidane
–Eusebio–Van Basten–Gerd Müller
versus
South America:
—-Garrincha––Batistuta—–Pele—
Di Stefano–-Maradona—-Zico—Socrates
Rivelino–Dunga–Passarella–Jorginho
————Chilavert————
Posted from Hungary
By fips | December 16th, 2007 at 5:01 pm oops,
just noticed that I got carried away and actually listed 12 players each there!!
Well,consider one of each team as a sub! sorry!!
Posted from Hungary
By MB | December 17th, 2007 at 12:48 am Europe:
4-4-2
GK Buffon
RB Ramos
CB Terry
CB Gallas
LB Abidal
RM Cristiano Ronaldo
CM Fabregas
CM Gerrard
LM Ribery
ST Zlatan
ST Trezeguet
Subs:
GK Cech
D Nesta
D Lahm
M De Rossi
M Beckham
F Totti
F Benzema
vs.
South America
3-1-4-2
GK Dida
RB Dani Alves
CB Juan
LB Heinze
CDM Mascherano
RWM Ronaldinho
CAM Riquelme
CAM Kaka
LWM Messi
ST Robinho
ST Tevez
Subs:
GK Rogerio Ceni
D Roberto Ayala
D Zanetti
M Diego
M Cambiasso
F Vagner Love
F Hernan Crespo
what are your thoughts?
Posted from United States
By Pseudinho | December 17th, 2007 at 1:32 am Europe XI
GK Buffon
RB Sergio Ramos
CB Puyol
CB Gallas
LB Lahm
RM C. Ronaldo
CM Gerrard
CM Cesc Fabregas
LM Arjen Robben
ST Wayne Rooney
ST Z. Ibrohimovic
South American XI
GK Dida
RB Zanetti
CB Lucio
CB Milito
LB Heinze
CDM Mascherano
RAM Messi
CAM Kaka
LAM Ronaldinho
ST Robinho
Posted from United States
By Os Davis | December 18th, 2007 at 7:48 am You gotta love Fips’ all-star teams; szep munka volt!
But RomaChris, dude, you gotta do justice to this excellent piece by chasing it with the North American, African and Asian teams. Hell, Tomislav Chagall up there gave you a good start with Africa. And maybe you could put Becks on the North American team — he’s officially a Yank by now, isn’t he?
Posted from Hungary
By Daryl | December 18th, 2007 at 5:09 pm By RomaChris | December 19th, 2007 at 3:17 am I was born in the US and can’t name more than 5 guys on the US NT, nevermind Canada or Mexico (can we just throw XI Gio Dos Santos’ onto the field?). That’s asking a ton.
Asian I can look into though…
By Daryl | December 19th, 2007 at 6:28 am I’ll put together a North American XI if you’ll do an Asian XI Chris…
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