FIFA’s “All Star” team announced
We published our team of the tournament for games up to the round of sixteen a couple of weeks ago. Now FIFA’s Technical Committee have published theirs, only that rather than select 11 players, they have selected a full World Cup squad compliment of 23. As expected the squad is dominated by the semi-finalists, France (4 players) Germany (4 players), Portugal (4 players) and Italy (7 players).
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Italy), Lehmann (Germany) Ricardo (Portugal)
Defenders: Ayala (Argentina), Terry (England), Thuram (France), Lahm (Germany), Cannavaro (Italy), Zambrotta (Italy), Carvalho (Portugal)
Midfielders: Ze Roberto (Brazil), Vieira (France), Zidane (France), Ballack (Germany), Pirlo (Italy), Maniche (Portugal), Figo (Portugal), Gattuso (Italy)
Forwards: Crespo (Argentina), Klose (Germany), Totti (Italy), Toni (Italy), Henry (France)
In our view there are some surprising omissions: Maxi Rodriguez of Argentina, Ricardo Osorio of Mexico and Lukas Podolski of Germany, who was voted Young Player of tournament. They are more worthy of inclusion than Maniche, Terry and Crespo.
July 8th, 2006 at 10:48
I think the biggest omission in the FIFA World Cup Team was Grosso of Italy: I mean the man only single-handedly won the game for Italy against Australia (by being fouled in the penalty area after a great ride) and Germany (overtime beautiful winning goal). Italy may not have been so lucky in penalty kicks and could have lost in the 2nd round without Grosso.
July 10th, 2006 at 8:54
I agree that Grosso had a great tournament. He is one of the success stories of the WC. He started his professional career quite late, playing for lower division Chieti until 2001 before transfering to Perugia and then Palermo. His penalty in the final was coolness personified…