adidas XI

This is the second half of my first-ever two-part post! Following on from the Nike XI, it's time for the adidas half of the Nike vs adidas battle. The teams are surprisingly well-matched, and I really hope that some day we do get to see an all-star game of sorts. It would be a perfect way to raise money for charity... I know I'd pay if they played over here.

But before I start the list, take a look at Luis Suarez in the photo above... I find it hilarious that they asked him to pose that way. Biters gonna bite I guess.

GK: Manuel Neuer

Manuel is without a question the best goalkeeper in the world right now. A runner-up for the UEFA Player of the year 2013/14 (after losing out to Cristiano Ronaldo), he has finally started getting all the attention he has deserved for years.

Defence

CB: Philipp Lahm

Another World Cup winner, Philipp is one of the best defenders in the world (and he has been for years). A man that can play virtually wherever his manager tells him to - Pep doesn't hesitate to use him as a midfielder - he constantly shows why he is held in such high regard.

CB: Mats Hummels

It's no secret that I love Mats Hummels. The important thing is that I have a good reason for loving him, he is the best German centre-back I've seen in a while. He's tall, commanding in the air and he knows how to lead a line... he's also not slow. All you need in a CB and so much more.

CB: Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba is one of my favourite players in the world, and I hate saying that because of how much I love Real Madrid and dislike Barcelona - but credit where credit is due. He's technically gifted and filled with blistering pace, more importantly, he has excellent stamina. He is a consistent and reliable player, and that's what you need/want from a defender.
You just have to try and ignore the fact that he looks like Louis Litt from Suits.

Midfield

CDM: Xabi Alonso

He could be included in this list for that beard alone...

...but he is here because of reasons that were shown to the world during last season. Madrid only started to look serious after he returned from injury, and his absence in the Champions League Final was felt. Madrid really struggled without him, and it looks like they're struggling without him already.

CM: Ángel Di María

Oh look at him, smiling like someone that doesn't have to face the pressure of winning a league title this year... oh wait. Enjoy United, Angel.

Man of the match in the Champions League Final, most assists in La Liga last season, one of the most gifted players in the world. I still don't know why Madrid didn't pay Angel as much as he wanted, he's worth it. Since money was more important to him, he left and I hope he doesn't regret it.
Despite all of that, and the fact that he plays for the wrong Mancunian team, he is still one of the best midfielders in the world.

CAM: Mesut Özil

Mesut is one of the most underrated players in the world, even though he's absolutely perfect.
He's been my favourite footballed for years and I have never felt the need to justify that. I still don't.
I believe Arsene Wenger apparently - it might just be some people on facebook with their false quotes again, but it is true in my opinion - said it best when he said,

"If you don't enjoy watching him play, you don't like football."

LM: David Silva 

One of the most consistently underrated players in the world, David Silva is a man that can't even hold down a place in his national team's squad (when he really should). He's had to settle for dominating the Man City field with the help of Yaya Toure, kind of like a buddy-cop film. 

Toure and Silva, the crime solving pair of footballers. I'd watch that. 

Anyway, David has the ability that Mesut has too, the ability to seem invisible while actually keeping the entire attack together. 

ST: Luis Suarez

must.. resist.. urge... to... make... bite... joke..

Luis is arguably the best striker in the world, a man who could fit in at any team. Sure, he has done some insanely stupid things, but we all have.

With Luis it's important to remember to judge him on his footballing and not the kind of things he does, because let's face it... that won't take him far.

CF: Lionel Messi

Arguably the greatest footballer of all time (I myself am more of a Cristiano fan), Leo could walk into any team in the world. 

I don't even know why I'm trying to justify his inclusion, I think I'll just sto

RM: Gareth Bale

When he first arrived at Madrid I was against him signing, but he definitely changed my mind. Vital goals and wonderful stats all-round, The Prince of Wales changed everyone's minds,

Not only does he score and assist, but he does it beautifully and with so much power. A true beast.

Using lineupbuilder.com, I made a representation of how this team would look on the field. Here you go:

I don't have an adidas ad to leave here like I did with the NikeXI post. adidas haven't made an amazing ad for a while now.

If you think I've made a mistake, let me know and I'll get back to you.

If you have any suggestions for the blog or future posts, feel free to comment or you can even tweet me at @MSMasoet.

NIKE XI

I was sitting in a garden a few days ago when a friend of mine asked which brand had a better all-star team: Nike or adidas? Thinking about it made me excited. I felt as if I had to blog about it.

As a brand, I prefer adidas, but when it comes to boots I think it's very difficult to come close to Nike (except adidas' Lethal Zones  - but that's a story for another blog post). I am also aware that Puma would be able to make a team of their own, but I really don't think it's fitting for the epic battle that these teams could have, so for now it's Nike v adidas... and Nike's up first.

GK: Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut is one of my favourite young players at the moment, even though he happens to be on the wrong Madrid team. He's so good that Petr Cech has to worry about his spot at Chelsea and he is only 22 years old! Definitely one for the future, I'm pretty sure he'll become the best in the world some day.

Defenders

CB: Sergio Ramos

It's no secret that I love Sergio Ramos. I think he's been on almost every list I've made on this blog (yes, I know there are only five posts). I promise that he didn't make this list because of that love; he made this list purely on merit and fabulousness. Easily, the second best defender in the world.

CB: Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva is a player that you can't hate. The best defender in the world (sorry Sergio!) and a true leader, one of the most well-rounded players to ever grace the pitch. If you don't know what I mean, watch him play... you'll see. He is definitely needed in this team, especially to balance how erratic his fellow defenders are.

CB: David Luiz

David is a player that is always worth watching. You never know when he's going to take a shot at goal, and you never know if it's going to be horribly wide or a goal-of-the-year candidate. The level of excitement, coupled with the fact that he is one of the funniest players you'll ever watch, makes him a must-have.

Midfielders

CM: Andrea Pirlo

Andrea is the classiest player I have ever seen. He drips class. I'm sure his sweat could be used to clean wine glasses, reading spectacles, a yacht or other classy people things (as in the things classy people own). He's really sophisticated. 

He is also one of the best midfielders of all time, so there's that I guess.

CM: Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta has the unique ability to look like an old man but also a baby at the same time. Seriously, just look at his face. 

On a technical side of things, Andres must have been taught how to play the beautiful game at Hogwarts, because every touch of his on the field is pure magic. 

Ten points to Ravenclaw! (he just has that Ravenclaw vibe to him).

CAM: Eden Hazard

Eden is the PFA Young Player of the season for 2013/14 and Chelsea's player of the year (not that they had many candidates - let's be honest) and it's well-deserved. He is one of the best dribblers I have ever seen. He has a few things in common with Courtois: both Belgian, both belong to Chelsea FC and they are two of the best young players in the world.

Eden also reminds me of a faun. 

No, I can't explain why, he just does.

Forwards

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo

He is the best player in the world, one of the greatest of all time and the face of Nike - there's no way he wouldn't make this team. 

I don't even need to justify this selection.

(I am aware of how sassy that makes me sound, thanks.)

CF: Neymar

A young player with so much potential, all he needs is to toughen up a bit. 

Once you get over the fact that he goes down like he's made of wafers and glued together with icing sugar, he is a great player (I think). Sometimes I can't get over the ease with which he goes to ground, but that's only when he plays against Real Madrid.

ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic 

Zlatan needs no explanations. 

RW: Franck Ribery 

He might not be the best sportsman (for so many reasons), but you cannot deny that he is an amazing player. Technically the third-best player in the world (which I disagree with), he does deserve this spot though.

Using lineupbuilder.com, I made a representation of how this team would look on the field. Here it is:

I strongly suggest that you watch this advertisement, I think it might be the greatest soccer ad of all time:

Well done, Nike.

Yes, I left Wayne Rooney out of the team. I find him incredibly overrated, and he sure as hell doesn't deserve a place ahead of any of the players in this team.

If there's anything you want to say, or if there's any topic you'd like me to blog about - comment.