Fox Au's Ultimate World Football XI revealed: Messi starting, Giggs on reserve
After Barcelona's triumphant 3-1 win over Manchester United on Saturdays' UEFA Champions League match, Fox Sports Australia has revealed its pick of select footballers for its Ultimate World Football XI fantasy team. The team includes players who have performed on their peak in this year's season, and it's no surprise Barcelona's Lionel Messi is one of the starting 11 while Man U's Giggs is picked on reserve.
Fox Australia's ultimate team is a culmination of which players performed the best in the UEFA Champions League season, and it's a clear cut of who's who in soccer domination. With Christian Ronaldo of Real Madrid, Manuel Neuer of FC Schalke, and Andreas Iniesta, Xavi, and Lionel Messi of Barcelona heading the pack, it's any coach's dream team. Other players in the starting 11 include Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United, Wesley Sneijder and Maicon of Inter Milan, Thiago Silva of AC Milan, and Falcao of FC Porto.
The reserve line-up of the World Football XI team is a powerful mix of strong contenders who have done their best but unfortunately weren't enough. Iker Casillas and Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid are picked, as well as Luis Suarez from Liverpool, Xabi Alonso and Iker Casillas of Real Madrid and Moussa Sow from Lille. Rounding out the reserve pack is Barcelona's Gerard Pique and the controversial Ryan Giggs of Manchester United. Messi's extraordinary performance shielded his team's victory, with the ball in their possession 68% of the time. As much as Giggs wanted to remain anonymous due to his recent gagging order, the athlete also became unidentified in the field, only taking control of the ball in less than several occasions. Fox concluded the list with FC Porto's Andre Villas Boas as manager.
The 3 Spanish goals were brought in by Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro, with Wayne Rooney scoring for Man U.