Today @1:30AM NST Messis South American all-stars or Ronaldos European dream team - who would win? 18-Nov-2014 14:30:00 As Lionel Messi prepares to tangle with Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford with national pride on the line, we ask which continent would win a fantasy match-up Tuesday sees World Cup finalists Argentina take on Portugal at Old Trafford with captains Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo again pitted head-to-head. The Clasico duo are most accustomed to facing each other for Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively and this game is a rare opportunity to see Messi and Ronaldo lead their sides out against each other in international colours. The eyes of the world will be drawn to this intercontinental battle as one of South Americas best sides face one of Europes elite. The level of South American performances at the recent World Cup, combined with the strong field set for competition at the Copa America next summer in Chile, means that South America could have a big claim right now to producing better players and teams than their European counterparts. World champions Germany are of course the standard-bearers but with the likes of Messi, Alexis Sanchez and James Rodriguez starring at leading clubs, South American sides are growing ever stronger. With that in mind, we ask which team would come out on top - a South American dream team led by Messi or a European one led by Ronaldo. The South Americans boast an incredible wealth of attacking options with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Falcao, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani only good enough for the bench. Messi leads the attack alongside Barcelona old and new in the shape of Alexis Sanchez and Neymar. Behind that all-star trio is World Cup superstar James Rodriguez. A solid midfield base is provided by the explosive Chilean Arturo Vidal and Argentinas Javier Mascherano. South America boasts a strong defence too with Pablo Zabaleta, Thiago Silva, Diego Godin and Marcelo marshalling the backline in front of Claudio Bravo. Ronaldo leads out another all-star attack with Eden Hazard and the Bayern Munich duo Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben alongside him. In midfield, Paul Pogba and Toni Kroos provide the balance to the side. The back four is led by Philipp Lahm at right-back, with Sergio Ramos partnering World Cup-winning centre back Mats Hummels and David Alaba at left-back. The goalkeeper is Manuel Neuer, the best in the world. There is a German spine to the team, representing their pre-eminence, but there is enough space for players from other sides to shine.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 11:32:40 +0000
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