The best team of players competing at this summer’s tournament.
With the 2014 World Cup in Brazil on the verge of starting CaughtOffside thought it would be an appropriate time to pick out the finest starting XI from those starring at the tournament.
GK – Thibaut Courtois, Belgium
Despite the fact he is still just 22-years-old, we think Chelsea’s Courtois deserves his place between the sticks in this side after winning La Liga goalkeeper of the year for two of his three years on-loan at Atletico Madrid.
Spain captain Iker Casillas struggles to get into the Real Madrid team, Gianluigi Buffon is no longer the force he once was at Juventus and Manuel Neuer was somewhat exposed in the sweeper ‘keeper role for Bayern Munich.
RB – Dani Alves, Brazil
Although FC Barcelona didn’t have a great year this Brazilian is still the best attacking full-back in the game at 30-years-old.
In offensive sides at both the Nou Camp and for his country, Alves flourishes and expect to see the Barca star play a big part in this summer’s tournament.
LB – Philipp Lahm, Germany
Although often deployed in defensive midfield by Bayern head coach Pep Guardiola in 2013/14, Lahm is naturally a full-back.
It’s testament to his astounding talent however that whether on the right or left of defence, or in midfield, the 30-year-old never looks uncomfortable.
CB – Gerard Pique, Spain
It wouldn’t be an ultimate World Cup team if it didn’t have at least one representative from the hosts and for all their attacking talent, it is in defence where the Spanish have shone in recent times.
In the knockout games at both Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup the nation didn’t concede a single goal and that is largely thanks to Pique.
CB – Thiago Silva, Brazil
A second from the host nation now and despite the Brazilians not being considered defensively solid, Silva is now considered to be among the finest centre-backs in world football.
The Paris Saint-Germain captain is also the skipper for his country and will play an important part in any success they may have.
RM – Arjen Robben, Netherlands
Now 30-years-old and often accused of being a one-dimensional player, Robben continues to dominate for both club and country cutting onto his left foot from the right flank.
The winger still has superb pace despite his age and in a relatively weak Dutch side the Bayern man will be looked to for creativity.
LM – Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
It’s time for the current Ballon d’Or holder and therefore the best player in the world currently and the Madrid forward will need to show that if the Portuguese are to get anywhere.
Ronaldo essentially dragged them to this competition via the playoffs and the 29-year-old will be heavily relied up this time around.
CM – Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast
In a year when Manchester City won the Premier League title for a second time in three years Toure became recognised as the complete midfielder.
The 31-year-old netted an impressive 20 league goals from midfield and will be hoping to finally help the Ivorians live up to their billing on the international stage.
CM – Arturo Vidal, Chile
If Toure is one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world then this Juve man is the best, having had another brilliant year in Turin and lifting a third Serie A title.
To many the Chileans are the dark horses of this tournament with stars such as Vidal and Alexis Sanchez in their ranks.
ST- Luis Suarez, Uruguay
Another from South America now and a striker who won the PFA Player of the Year on the back of netting 31 league goals in just 33 games.
Suarez is a concern going into the tournament with a knee injury and the Uruguayans will need the 27-year-old at his best in order to succeed.
ST – Lionel Messi, Argentina
Finally it’s an Argentine who has not quite achieved the same success for his country as he has with Barca and if Messi can win the World Cup the 26-year-old will go down as one of the greatest ever.
The Argentinians are many peoples’ favourites to lift the prestigious trophy due to an attack that also contains Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain.
SEE ALSO: The 50 best players at the 2014 World Cup.