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.