Zinedine Zidane headlines all-time World Cup dream team

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  • Endless iterations can be constructed and no matter the variation, debate would be intense.

    There tends to be a misty-eyed look into past tournaments which does mean modern stars are overlooked, so finding the right balance is tricky, especially given the game’s evolution adds another layer of difficulty.

    Here, though, is our all-time World Cup XI and bench.

    WC BEST IN BUSINESS-NEW-1

    DREAM TEAM: 4-3-3

    GK Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)

    First true sweeper keeper, essentially invented modern goalkeeping and was central to the Soviet Union’s fourth-place finish in 1966.

    RB Cafu (Brazil)

    Most complete full-back of his time and remains the only player to have featured in three World Cup finals – winning two in 1994 and 2002.

    CB Bobby Moore (England)

    Captain of England’s famed 1966 World-Cup winning side and is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of all time.

    CB Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)

    Calm and cerebral, ‘Der Kaiser’ captained West Germany to triumph at the 1974 World Cup and repeated the feat as manager in 1990.

    LB Paolo Maldini (Italy)

    He appeared in four editions with Italy and although he never won, reached the final in 1994. A world-class talent across two decades.

    CM Andres Iniesta (Spain)

    Take your pick from the twin Spanish orchestras of Xavi and Iniesta, ‘Don Andres’ edging it for his winner at the 2010 tournament.

    CM Lothar Matthaus (Germany) 

    Never has a nickname been more appropriate – Der Panzer. Appeared at five different World Cups and is the ultimate complete midfielder.

    CM Zinedine Zidane (France)

    A once-in-a-generation talent, Zizou is France’s finest export and a national hero. He won the 1998 edition with two goals in the final.

    FW Pele (Brazil)

    No Brazilian has scored more and no other player has won more than his three World Cups. The game’s greatest-ever goalscorer.

    ST Ronaldo (Brazil)

    At his peak, the most frightening forward on the planet. Sensational in 1998 and irrepressible in 2002 despite his knee injuries.

    FW Diego Maradona (Argentina)

    “El Pibe de Oro” – The Golden Boy. Iconic performance against England in 1986 and single-handedly guided Argentina to success that year.

    BENCH

    Dino Zoff (Italy), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Daniel Passarella (Argentina), Garrincha (Brazil), Gerd Muller (Germany), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Bobby Charlton (England)

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