The REAL World XI:

Centre Back: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid, Spain)

The only one of the FIFA FIFPro back four that I include in my team. The Real Madrid defender has been impressive for club and country in 2012 winning La Liga and Euro 2012. A right back turned centre back he looks more than comfortable when partnering Pepe at the heart of the Real Madrid defence or Pique at the heart of the Spain defence. He is prone to picking up a yellow card or two but as a centre back it can often come with the role when putting in a lot of tackles.

Left Back: Jordi Alba (Valencia/Barcelona, Spain)

The little left back has been a star in 2012 with his impressive attacking from the full back position. He is in my team over Marcelo because I feel his performances in 2012 for Valencia before his move to Barcelona, his performances for Barcelona and for Spain have been some of the best from a full back I’ve seen. His terrific outing in the Euro 2012 final was outstanding and was one of the players of the tournament. He also scored one of the goals of the tournament in the final when he latched onto a ball from Xavi after good team play to slot the ball into the back of the net.

Centre Midfield: Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona, Spain)

What can be said about the little magician that hasn’t already been said? His eye for a pass is one of the best that’s ever been seen and his ball retention percentage is one of the highest in the world. A vital cog in the Barcelona style, he’s been a big part of Lionel Messi’s incredible form. Nobody can argue with his inclusion in the FIFA FIFPro team of the year.

Centre Midfield: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona, Spain)

One of the most underrated players in the world at the minute, Busquets is an important part of the Barcelona midfield trio as well as the Spain midfield. He gets bad press because of his play-acting but judging him purely on his footballing skills you don’t get many better holding midfielders. A regular in the Spanish international side, his role is one that is under rated because he does the dirty work and isn’t flashy. People will argue that Andrea Pirlo should be in the side ahead of him and they may have a point that Pirlo should be in the team and there’s also an argument for Xabi Alonso who was selected in the FIFPro World XI, but Busquets is my pick for the role.

Centre Midfield: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona, Spain)

Making up a full Barcelona and Spanish midfield, Andres Iniesta is someone who deserves a Balon D’or to recognise his talent. The pint sized midfielder has been a standout for both Barcelona and Spain for a long time and was voted third best player in the world by his fellow pro’s in 2012. Along with his Barcelona midfield partner Xavi, he is regarded as one of the best passers of the ball to ever play the game.

Centre Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)

The Portuguese forward was the last player other than Messi to win the Balon D’or and is, along with Messi, regularly included in peoples top five best players to play the game.  The world’s most expensive player has a goal scoring record that Messi would be proud of and is another who suffers from being disliked due to previous play-acting and misdemeanours. He was a vital part in Real Madrid’s La Liga victory, and also Portugal’s run to the Euro 2012 semi-final where they were beat on penalties by Spain.

Centre Forward: Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid, Colombia)

In the side ahead of Dutch striker Robin Van Persie, the Atletico Madrid striker was banging in the goals for his club in La Liga and the Europa League. He grabbed two goals in the final of the Europa League finishing as the tournament’s top scorer on 12 goals. He also got 24 goals in La Liga, although that is 26 behind top goalscorer Lionel Messi. A terrific year for the Colombian ends with a place in the team of the year.

Centre Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain)

Does anyone deserve a place in the team any more than this guy? His fashion sense isn’t great but his footballing skills are great. The greatest player who I have ever seen play the game scored 92 goals in 2012 with 50 of those coming in the league. People criticise him for not performing on the international stage but in 2012 he improved on that by banging in 12 goals for Argentina in 2012.

So what do you think? Should Van Persie be a striker in the team? Alonso or Pirlo in midfield? Marcelo or Alves at full back? Buffon in goal? Let me know what you think.

You can let me know what you think by tweeting me @McDougall1994.

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