In the same week that the 2014 World XI was announced, we bring you the new-look 2020 team…
Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, David Luiz, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Angel di Maria, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Arjen Robben – this was the team voted as the FIFPro World XI for 2014.
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Just three days later, Purely Football have taken on the unenviable task of naming a predicted side that will represent the global game in 2020. With football inevitably difficult to predict, it will be interesting to see just how accurate a prediction this proves to be, if at all.
Notable exclusions from the football website include Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling – the 2014 winner of the Golden Boy Award – as well as several other emerging talents beginning to shine around the game… where will Adnan Januzaj or Luke Shaw be in five years time?
But this is the team they’ve gone with – and you can see our full analysis of their choices in the pages below:
GK) Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Finish third in the voting for the 2014 Ballon d’Or after establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers around. In five years he’ll be 33, still a decent age for a keeper, but with Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea already breathing down his neck there will be plenty of competition.
RB) Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
A bit of a surprise inclusion perhaps? He’s already 25, and will therefore be just into his 30’s by 2020. But having established himself as a regular in Chelsea, and with him now getting his chance on the international stage, who knows.
CB) Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
He’ll only be 26 in 2020, and in the prime of his footballing years. Considering the start he’s already made to his career with the European champions and the French national team, it’s hard to see him not pushing on from here.
CB) Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate)
Already a regular in the Colombian national team, and impressed plenty of people at the World Cup in the summer. He’ll need to seal a move to a major European team in order for his career to continue progressing, but such a move can’t be far away.
LB) David Alaba (Bayern Munich)
A decent shout considering the lack of world class full-backs around at the moment. The Austrian will only be 27 in 2020, and has the versatility to be slotted into the back four, despite claiming his preferred position is in central midfield.
CM) Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
After firing Germany and Bayern Munich to major honours, the midfield maestro is now plying his trade in Spain, and is continuing to impress. He’ll be 30 by 2020, but could adapt his game to match the likes of Xavi and Iniesta at Barcelona, controlling the game with his passing and vision.
CM) Paul Pogba (Juventus)
The powerful French midfield is already regarded among the world’s elite, and could be in contention for the Ballon d’Or itself by 2020. The former Manchester United star is the main man for club and country right now, and could still get even better.
CM) Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich)
The man who scored the goal that won the 2014 World Cup final. According to Purely Football, they were undecided between the German and Real Madrid man Isco, but eventually went for Gotze due to his form for both club and country.
RW) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Has already been on the verge of becoming a truly world class player for a couple of years, it seems only a matter of time before he enters Ronaldo-Messi territory. Still only 24, he has time to develop and improve at Stamford Bridge.
ST) Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
This one seems to be based more on his current form than anything… half a good season doesn’t necessarily you’re going to be the best striker in five years time. But his form his very, very good to be fair. Having already netted 22 times this season, he’s attracting interest from across the continent.
LW) Neymar (Barcelona)
In five years time, Neymar will hope to have replaced Lionel Messi as the focal point of Barcelona’s attack, while he will have had another shot at attempting to lead Brazil to World Cup glory. He is capable of being one of the best ever.
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