World football governing body, FIFA, yesterday revealed their 2008 Team of the Year based on a worldwide survey conducted on their website.

Over 46 per cent of the voters selected Iker Casillas as their number one goalkeeper, with only 15 per cent for Gianluigi Buffon, while Edwin van der Sar came third with only 9 per cent.

The defence also had a distinctly Spanish feel to it. Sergio Ramos beat Dani Alves to the right-back slot by just 366 votes, while the twin centre-back slots were equally close fought. John Terry (28 per cent) and Carles Puyol (25 per cent) were the two preferred stoppers, ahead of Rio Ferdinand (22 per cent) and Fabio Cannavaro (15 per cent). Philipp Lahm just edged out Patrice Evra at left-back, winning by a mere 2 per cent.

In midfield, the internet voters went for a highly attacking line-up consisting of Xavi, Steven Gerrard, Franck Ribéry and Kaká, who made up for the lack of Italian players in the team by being the only Serie A representative.

Up front, the two best players in the world were predictably chosen to lead the offence. Newly crowned FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo garnered 52 per cent of the votes to partner runner-up Lionel Messi in what is a dream attacking duo for any fantasy football fan.

FIFA.com Team Of 2008

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid – Spain)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid – Spain), John Terry (Chelsea – England), Carles Puyol (Barcelona – Spain), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich – Germany)

Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona – Spain), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool – England), Kaká (AC Milan – Brazil), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich – France)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona – Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United – Portugal)

KS Leong, Goal.com

 

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid – Spain)
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid – Spain),
Carles Puyol (Barcelona – Spain),
Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona – Spain),
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona – Argentina),

John Terry (Chelsea – England),
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United – Portugal)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool – England),

Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich – Germany)
Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich – France)

Kaká (AC Milan – Brazil),

Based on this, I can say that Barcelona has the best team since most of the players in the list are from there (No surprise)

Spain football has better players than in England

Italy has only one player here, probably because all the players WERE the best long before they become old

 

I wonder how long it'll be before Nemanja Vidic is recognized among the best defenders in the world. He is an absolute rock at the back for United, scores goals, doesn't concede penalties, doesn't have discipline problems, etc. I honestly think he's playing better football than Ferdinand these days.

As for Bonita's comment about Spanish players, I'm assuming you mean in the leagues, not the national team, right? Either way, I think they're VERY well matched, and I'd give the nod to the EPL over La Liga based on the Champions League the last few years.