Is This Football’s Perfect XI?

With so many brilliant players to have played the game, it is a challenge to pick a perfect XI. Let alone come to a consensus. My perfect XI must be an offensive-minded team capable of attacking with a lot of variety. A dynamic 433-team with plenty of movement and positional changes.

Furthermore, I prefer intelligent players whose technique, elegance and skills are a pleasure to watch. At the same time, I like hardworking team players who have a desire to get better.

So, considering those criteria, who is included in my all-time favourite XI? And what do the stats say?

Neuer: sweeper keeper

Manuel Neuer has good shot stopping abilities, a goalkeeper’s most important task. While also having the passing skills and sweeper abilities to act as an 11th field player.

Between his debut in 2006/07 and 2023/24, Neuer conceded on average 0.87 goal per game. Keeping a clean sheet 44 percent of the time. The German has conceded slightly less goals in the Bundesliga since 2017/18, then would be expected based on post-shot statistics. In four out the seven seasons he outperformed expectations, which can be attributed to shot stopping abilities.

Manuel Neuer’s record

Neuer’s passing and sweeping skills are his strengths. Since 2017/18, 86.8 percent of his passes are successful in the Bundesliga. This is over 5.6 percent points more than Thibaut Courtois (who has slightly better shot stopping stats). The difference lies in long passes (over 30 yards), with Neuer completing 66 percent of such passes versus Courtois’ 51 percent. He also attempts more passes per 90 minutes (41.1) than many of his contemporaries.

Neuer also makes more defensive (sweeping) actions outside the penalty area per 90 minutes (2.69 since 2017/18) than for example Courtois (0.93) or Marc-André Ter Stegen (1.05).

Lahm: consistency and versatility

Philipp Lahm was an intelligent, consistent and versatile player. Playing as right back in this XI, the right-footed German could just as well play on the left. 44 percent of the more than 700 matches Lahm played, he played as right back. While he lined up on the left 40 percent of the time. During his international career (113 caps), he even played more often on the left side (56 percent) than on the right (36 percent).

A real team player with the stamina and pace to go up and down the flank for 90 minutes. Whilst he played as a right back behind Arjen Robben, he had the willingness to make overlapping, often dummy, runs to draw defenders. With Robben then able to perform his trademark trick of cutting inside and shooting. This skill combined with his work rate and defensive capabilities makes him ideal to play behind Messi.

Pep Guardiola once hailed Lahm ’the most intelligent player I’ve ever coached’. Believing he had the intelligence and skills, Guardiola used Lahm as a holding midfielder during his first season at Bayern. When the club bought Xabi Alonso, Lahm gradually returned to his ‘natural’ position. Yet, when he captained Germany to the 2014 World Cup, he played four out of the seven matches as a defensive midfielder.

Beckenbauer: Der Kaiser

Franz Beckenbauer was a complete player who changed defending. A leader, dominant, yet fair (only four yellow cards in 582 games at Bayern), he had the elegance and skills to play in any position.

Having played as a midfielder early in his career, Der Kaiser could orchestrate attacks from the back with great accurate passing (into space) and interplay. He would roam into midfield and play one-twos with teammates creating a surplus and evade opponents. While never foregoing his defensive duties. Using his game intelligence, timing and pace he tackled upcoming danger.

Would he go up into midfield, I believe the other defenders in this XI would have the tactical intelligence to reposition themselves and dismantle possible dangerous (counter) attacks.

Baresi: work ethic

Franco Baresi succeeded Beckenbauer as the ideal defender. Not the tallest (1.76m), the Italian knew the art of defending. His ability to read the game and his defensive positioning were second to none. At the same time, he had the concentration and tenacity to dismantle opponents’ attacks. Including using the offside trap or if needed with fearless tackles. Lauded for his defensive capabilities, Baresi had the elegance and passing skills to start attacks.

During his 20-year career, he only played for Milan. Captaining I Rossoneri for 15 seasons. He led his team by example with a great work ethic, noting: ‘For people to look up to you, your behaviour needs to be beyond reproach. Training, hard work and an excellent relationship with supporters are guiding principles that should never be taken lightly.’

Maldini: longevity

Like Baresi, Paolo Maldini was a one-club man. With the Milanista one of relative few players to have played over 1000 matches. Mostly playing as a left back, Maldini had the defensive capabilities to play centrally as well. Which he did for at least a quarter of his 126 Italian caps.

He captained Italy in more than half of those matches and led by example. Receiving only three red cards, despite being a tough defender when needed. One of his most famous quotes is that ‘if I have to tackle, I have already made a mistake’. His ability to read the game would often make tackles unnecessary. When Sir Alex Ferguson saw him go 90 minutes without a tackle, he described it as ‘an art. And he is the master of it’.

Maldini clearly aimed to improve himself. After switching from the right to the left back position, he put extra effort into improving his left foot. He also successfully adapted and improved to keep up with the game changing and facing world’s greatest attackers from different generations. His longevity at elite level is highlighted by his two Ballon d’Or top three finishes being nine years apart (1994 and 2003).

Rijkaard: holder

In his prime, Frank Rijkaard was a fast, strong and complete defensive midfielder. He had great tactical insight and decision making. Not always guaranteed a starting place or praise early in his career, criticism propelled him to improve his game. Especially physically.

After arriving at Milan, Rijkaard became an aggressive holding midfielder. A strong tackler who read the game superbly. His ball winning ability and off ball positioning were a standard. While he had the efficiency and skill to adjust his game to the on-field situation.

Although primarily a defensive midfielder, he could play in any midfield role. Having the passing ability and linkup play to set up (counter) attacks. He also had the pace and insight to make late runs into the box. His attacking output was also better than most defensive midfielders. Scoring 26 goals across 201 matches for Milan (0.13 per match). To compare, Sergio Busquets scored 19 goals in 727 matches for Barcelona (0.03 per match).

His height (1.90m) and physicality would give an extra asset to this team for both offensive and defensive set pieces. It would probably also allow him to adapt to the modern game. Having played as a defender during his career as well, he slots right into a team with many positional changes.

Zidane: elegance

Zinédine Zidane was a playmaker known for his first touch, elegance, and vision. His statistics of 156 goals and 170 assists across almost 800 career matches do not tell the true extend of his capabilities. A great passer, especially in transitions or with through balls.

The Frenchman could make the players around him better and let a team tick. Lacking true top speed, his game intelligence made up for it and allowed him to control speed and create space for himself and others to receive the ball. His ability for late runs into the box would also allow for an extra attacking threat in this team by finishing other playmakers’ passes and crosses.

Zizou led by example with his work ethic and sense of the collective. He could solve problems on the pitch. Something which has been apparent from his managerial career as well. As a player he could deliver at critical moments, while he had the grit and nastiness in him that teams need to win games.

Iniesta: press resistant

Iniesta was extremely press resistant. Even when dribbling, often using La Croqueta to bypass opponents, he was difficult to dispossess. During the 2017/18 La Liga season, he attempted 3.79 take-ons per 90 minutes. 81.8 percent were successful. Better than Messi’s 72 percent that season, who is considered an excellent dribbler (7.72 attempted take-ons per 90 minutes).

The midfielder is not the most prolific goal scorer, despite making the winning goal during the 2010 World Cup final. His strength lies in his vision, combination play and passing. During 2017/18, he recorded an 86.6 percent pass completion rate. With short (92.8 percent) and medium (88.5 percent) passes especially accurate. With his skillset he can be instrumental in setting up attacks and is therefore more likely to give pre-assists than assists.

These skills together with his game intelligence and constant scanning makes him a master of La Pausa, the ability to momentarily pause to draw in opponents and make an informed decision. Having played in every position apart from defence, makes him ideal for a team with many positional changes. His tendency to wander to the left, also allows for the left winger to end up more centrally.

Messi: creativity

Messi sees passing lanes few others can see, let alone can execute. His vision, tactical intelligence and skills allow him to find solutions others cannot. The Argentinian can draw in opponents to create room for teammates but also has the dribbling skills to outplay them by himself. Between August 2012 and June 2023, he had the highest number of total take-ons in the Big Five leagues. Which came down to seven attempts per 90 minutes. With a 58.4 completion percentage, 4.1 of his take-ons per 90 minutes were successful.

In addition to his dribbling and passing skills, Messi has always had great goal scoring contributions. Across his career he has recorded over 850 goals and 370 assists. His most prolific season came at Barcelona in 2011/12, when he scored 73 goals in 60 games. He assisted another 29 goals bringing his total goal contributions to 102. The following season he was an even more efficient goal scorer, needing only 67.7 minutes per goal (2011/12: 71.5 minutes).

Messi has the individual quality and creativity to find a solution against even the most defensive and organised opponents. Something he regularly did at Barcelona. In this XI, his vision could pick out a Cristiano making runs into the box. While he could also combine with shorts passes with Iniesta or Zidane to set himself up for a goal attempt.

Ronaldo: O Fenomeno

Ronaldo Nazário was the complete striker, having skills, intelligence and technique, that made people fall in love with football and want to come to the stadium. He had a great shot and scored on average a goal every 123 minutes. Despite playing against some of football’s best defenders. With his excellent and pacey dribbling skills and vision, he could also assist others.

For Brazil (99 caps), he had a goal contribution every 83 minutes. He won two World Cups (1994 and 2002), scoring eight goals at the 2002 tournament. O Fenomeno won the Ballon d’Or twice (1997 and 2002), while he was chosen the best FIFA men’s player while at three different clubs (1996, 1997 and 2002).

Unfortunately for himself and fans, he was plagued by injuries throughout his career. Before serious injuries hit, he almost scored a goal per match. With around 600 official matches, he has played half of the games Cristiano Ronaldo has played so far. However, he had the desire to return from injuries and still shone despite being far from his prime.

Cristiano Ronaldo: hunger

Cristiano Ronaldo’s individual skills and career stats speak for themselves. He inspires many when it comes to work ethic and hunger to improve, to win and to be the best.

With so many playmakers in this XI, having an extra finisher with a drive for the goal would be an asset. Ronaldo has scored over 900 goals during his career, which translates into around 0.73 goal per match. The pace during his prime would make it possible to create depth to stretch defences and make runs behind the last line. While he could also beat a man one-on-one as a winger.

His transformation from a right winger to a left winger to a striker shows his ability to adapt. He can cover more central space when for example Ronaldo Nazário or Iniesta would wander to the left. The system can also be adjusted to a 442, with Ronaldo as a second striker. With his jumping and timing skills (record of 2.93m) he is another threat at set pieces and for crosses.

These eleven players have the flair, elegance and skills to lure me to the stadium. They have the creativity and ability to create great and varied attacks. While also having leadership and game intelligence to set up a dynamic team and make midgame adjustments, even if no manager is present.

Data sources:

1. Transfermarkt
2. FBref
3. Goal