Aguero, Hazard & Costa vs Ronaldo, Messi & Suarez.
In an attempt to settle the score between Premier League and La Liga in terms of which is the best league in the world, CaughtOffside takes a player-by-player look at both countries’ all-star XI’s.
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Although there are even tough decisions to be made in picking these lineups themselves, with many big-name players missing from both who could arguably be in, this will hopefully go some way to judging where the world’s very best talent is currently based…
GK: Thibaut Courtois vs Claudio Bravo
With La Liga perhaps short of absolutely world class goalkeepers at the moment due to Iker Casillas’ decline and Victor Valdes’ exit, it is surely Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois who wins this battle.
Vote: Courtois
DR: Branislav Ivanovic vs Daniel Carvajal
Two superb all-rounders at right-back, it is perhaps Chelsea’s big-game player Branislav Ivanovic who edges this one just on experience and proven quality alone, though Carvajal of Real Madrid could catch him up before long.
Vote: Ivanovic
DL: Kieran Gibbs vs Marcelo
A tough call picking the best left-back in the Premier League, with Chelsea rotating in that position this season and few other stand-out candidates, it is surely Real Madrid’s Marcelo who comes out on top here.
Vote: Marcelo
DC: Vincent Kompany vs Diego Godin
Two absolutely superb central defenders, it is perhaps Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin who is closer to top form at the moment, with Manchester City looking suspect defensively this season and last.
Vote: Godin
DC: Gary Cahill vs Sergio Ramos
A very close call again, but Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos is perhaps just slightly above Gary Cahill in terms of his overall contribution and quality, plus with a trophy cabinet at club and international level to the envy of most players around the world.
Vote: Ramos
MC: Yaya Toure vs Toni Kroos
At his best, Yaya Toure of Manchester City would surely win this all day long, but there’s no question his form has dipped this season, while Toni Kroos has been absolutely superb for Real Madrid, following on from his fine form for previous club Bayern Munich down the years.
Vote: Kroos
MC: Cesc Fabregas vs Koke
Two of the finest playmakers on the planet at the moment, but it is perhaps the one who left La Liga in the summer who is the superior player just at this moment, with Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas looking like one of the signings of the summer.
Vote: Fabregas
AMR: Alexis Sanchez vs Cristiano Ronaldo
However good Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez may be, there’s simply no question here that Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has to take this spot on the right-hand side, as he is probably the best player in the world at the moment.
Vote: Ronaldo
AML: Eden Hazard vs Gareth Bale
No room for Angel Di Maria, James Rodriguez, or Neymar, so it’s down to Hazard and Bale to contest this left-hand role. In an extremely close call, it is probably the Real Madrid winger who wins out again for his incredible pace, power and game-changing ability.
Vote: Bale
AMC: Sergio Aguero vs Lionel Messi
Perhaps not his best role, but we had to fit Aguero in somehow! Still, against Barcelona star Lionel Messi he doesn’t stand much of a chance, with his fellow Argentine still utterly world class even if not quite what he was a few years ago.
Vote: Messi
FC: Diego Costa vs Luis Suarez
Another very tough one to call given their respective starts to the season, with Chelsea’s Diego Costa clearly out-shining Barca’s Luis Suarez at the moment. Still, one feels when the Uruguayan is at the top of his game and back to full fitness after a lengthy absence through suspension, he is the more talented and special talent between the two.
Vote: Suarez
