The All Non-World Cup XI

February 12th, 2010 | by: chris | View Comments

There was a very real chance in recent months that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably possibly the two best players in the world, wouldn’t be making the trek to the football’s greatest showcase this summer. What would’ve been a huge blow to the tournament – a huge blow to the game – was narrowly averted and both will be dazzling.

Others, however, weren’t so lucky and South Africa will be devoid of some big names and, in the case of a few, bigger personalities. Their loss is our loss.

Obviously these aren’t the XI best players who won’t be going to South Africa – that will only be determined oncee squads are announced – and they likely aren’t even the best XI players whose country didn’t make the World Cup. But we tried…

The All Non-World Cup XI:

Petr Cech
Vedran Corluka, A Belgian, Cristian Chivu, Yuri Zhirkov
Darijo Srna, Mohamed Aboutrika, Seydou Keita, Luka Modric
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrei Arshavin

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech. It was largely a toss up between Akinfeev and Cech, but Petr gets the nod for form and for continuing to rock the helmet with style.

Rightback: Vedran Corluka. Slaven Bilic once called him the best rightback in the world. He’s not, but he’s good enough.

Centerback: A Belgian. It was Thomas Vermaelen but, despite the goals, after watching Jan Vertonghen this year, Arsenal may have bought the wrong Belgian centerback from Ajax. Strong at the back and silky smooth through the middle, which should land him on Barca or Real’s roster soon enough. Then there’s Vincent Kompany, phenom since, oh, the beginning of time, finally in form at Man City. Pick a Belgian – you probably can’t go wrong.

Centerback: Cristian Chivu. Sami Hyypia so nearly pipped this spot for shepherding Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the table, but Chivu is, when on his game, a world class defender.

Leftback: Yuri Zhirkov. Now that Ashley Cole’s ankle is cooked, Yuri will finally have his chance to shine in London. And by shine, it means ‘run faster than everyone else’. South Africa will miss his blurry runs from the back.

Rightwing: Darijo Srna. Free kicks: check. Crossing: check. Armband: check. Like Beckham’s right foot on a footballer who can do a bunch of other stuff, too.

Central mid: Seydou Keita. Good enough for Barcelona, good enough for us.

Central mid: Mohammed Aboutrika. The best player in Africa should be at the biggest tournament in Africa, simply.

Leftwing: Luka Modric. One of the smartest footballers in all the world – perhaps the biggest ping of disappointment given all he brings to the game for connoisseurs.

Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. There’s every chance he’s right behind Lionel and Cristiano on the list of the world’s best players. And there’s every chance he would’ve disappointed for Sweden, again. But there’s also every chance he could’ve pulled off something like this, which would’ve made it all worth it.

Striker: Andriy Arshavin. It is a tragedy on par with the death of a loved one that Andriy’s skills won’t be in South Africa. That he won’t be fielding media interviews daily makes one question the very will to live.