Football World XI

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) - A close call between Buffon and the Chelsea keeper Peter Cech. I went for Buffon not just because of his excellent shot stopping but also because of his lack of mistakes. Back in the Seria A and the Champions League, after Juventus were expelled from the league for match fixing allegations, he has not lost any of his sharpness.and pulled of one of the saves of the Euro 2008, with an acrobatic penalty stop against Romania. The 2006 World Cup winner started his career with Parma before moving to the Turin giants in 2001 and has added 4 Seria A titles to an incredible 6 Italian Goalkeeper of the year awards.

Defenders

Right Back
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) - The versatile Seville born defender gets the nod due to his consistent displays since moving to Real and his winning turn in the Spanish 2008 side. At the tender age of 22 he has already amassed a commendable 42 caps for his country, and his strength, speed and positional sense will surely mean more. Signed for €27m from Seville to become one of the worlds most expensive teenagers, his hunger and dependability should see him add to the 2 La Liga titles he has already won.

Left Back
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich) - Attacking full back Lahm has made a consistent impression with the German national team and Bayern over the last few seasons. Fast, great going forward and a decent tackler too, he was a vital element to Jurgen Klinsmanns new look German side during the 2006. He has an eye for spectacular goals and is a great crosser, adding this to his solid defensive game. He is already a hero at the Baverian club, helping them to two titles since resigning from Stutgart. Impressively, he has gained 50 international caps at the age of 24.

Centre Half
Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) - Ferdinand has improved remarkably over the last few seasons. Always a player who was tipped for the top due to his athletic frame and ability to calmly play the ball, question marks still remained over his ability to fully concentrate for the 90 minutes. He was involved in high profile move from West Ham to Leeds, before an outstanding World Cup persuaded Man Utd to part with some £30m for his services. Since then he has established himself as and England regular (70 caps) and built up a great partnership with the more robust Nemandja Vidic. His speed, passing and great positional sense make him an automatic choice for any world XI.

Centre Half
Allesandro Nesta (Milan)-Like Ferdinand, an excellent 2002 World Cup earned him a move to his countries premier team. After years of supreme form at Lazio, Nesta took his cultured game to Milan. He has a World Cup winners medal, 2 Champions League medals and 2 Scudettos to his name. Injuries have started to take their toll on the 32 year old, precipitating his early retirement from the national team after 78 caps. Anyone who watched the defender over the last decade will attest to his supreme positioning and commitment to defensive positioning. His partnership with the equally phenomenal Fabio Cannarvaro at Italys sucessful 2006 World Cup is rightly regaurded as one of the most effective in recent years. A class act.

Midfielders

Right Wing
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)- Purchased from Sporting Lisbon in 2004 initially as a winger, Ronaldo has gradually become more of a forward for United. Skillful, fast and with a huge bag of tricks, the Portugese international developed his game considerably over the years. As a younger player he struggled to have a final product to put with his constant step overs but gradually added goals to his game, culminating in a haul of 42 as Manchester United won a League and Champions League double in 2007-08. At the age of 23, he has scored over 100 goals for club and country, and despite constant rumours of a move to Real Madrid, seems set to stay in England for another year.

Left Wing
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)- The diminutive Argentinian forward sprung onto the scene with spectacular goal after spectacular goal for Barcelona between 2005-2007. The inevitable comparisons with Diego Maradona reached fever pitch when he scored a goal to rival his 1986 solo effort versus England. Those gaols combined with his low centre of gravity, supreme passing, pace, dribbling and finishing has marked him out as one of the most exciting players of recent years at the Nou Camp. Disharmony in the Barcelona camp has stunted somewhat his progression, but those who watch him week in week out will be full aware that at 21 he has more than the potential to become the worlds greatest footballer.

Centre Midfield
Micheal Essien (Chelsea)- Selected because of his unbelievable combination of physique, stamina and speed, Essien is a versatile midfielder who can play almost anywhere, even defense, as he did on occasion last year due to injuries at Chelsea. It was the Ghanians unlimited energy and ferocious tackling which persuaded then Chelsea boss Jose Mourinhno to complete a protracted transfer of him from Lyon. Since arriving in London he has been a committed and vital part of a successful Chelsea squad, often scoring memorable goals for the blues. There is perhaps no other midfielder in Europe with his range of abilities and sheer power.

Centre Midfield
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)- Fabregas broke into the Arsenal team at a mere 17, covering in a midfield decimated by injuries to key players. Despite his inexperience he look completely at home and dominated against more established household names. He was a squad player at Euro 2008, despite his constant impact from the bench, but was awarded a place in the starting line up. Emblematic of Arsenals attractive, passing side, he has a knack for scoring key goals and setting the tempo from the middle of the park. That he has achieved this level of sophistication at 21 is only slightly less terrifying than the prospect of what he may go on to do in the future.

Attackers

First Forward
Didier Drogba (Chelsea)- A comparatively late bloomer, Drogbas goals in Marseilles Uefa cup run in 2003-2004 brought him to the attention of leading European clubs. His uncompromising style and strength earned him a transfer to Chelsea, where, after a difficult first season, he emerged as the countries top forward. The Ivorians ability in the air combined with has propensity for unnerving the calmest of defences makes him an impossibility to defend against on his day. Recently he has struggle with injury and form since the departure of his mentor Mourinho from Chelsea, though a run of games under new boss Fillipe Scholari should see him back tormenting Premier League defends and scoring the spectacular goals that made him his name.

Second Forward
Kaka (Milan) - Not strictly a centre forward, but not really a midfielder, Kaka plays in the position behind the front man. Probably the greatest current forward in the game, his technique is unrivaled. Kaka is a player that can do anything. Beating players with his close control, destructive short or long passes, impeccable positioning and near clarivoyent reading of his team mates, and a stunning range of finishing make him the most feared forward in the modern game. Signed from Sao Paulo at a young age, he has been the leading light in an ageing Milan side for who he almost single handily won the 2006-07 Champions League. Heavily linked with a move to Chelsea it is surely only a matter of time before either Milan begin to step up to his level again or he seek pastures new. The complete player.