Football

World Cup 2022: Pochettino Names His All-Star World Cup XI

World Cup 2022: Pochettino Names His All-Star World Cup XI

Mauricio Pochettino has named his all-time best World Cup starting XI, with one legendary French player in a rather unusual position which the ex-PSG boss has said is “interchangeable.”

Now in the world of football management, Pochettino has previously represented his nation, Argentina, at the 2002 World Cup held in Japan and South Korea. In his dream team, he has named some big names of the game including Diego Maradona, Pele, Johan Cruyff and Carlos Puyol but surprisingly, the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappe do not make the cut.

Some of Pochettino’s star-studded lineup sees some World Cup heroes placed in rather unorthodox starting positions. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss has placed former England captain David Beckham at right-back despite his reputation as a winger. Even more controversially, French attacking midfielder Zinedine Zidane is placed at left wing-back.

Pochettino named his this team for his regular piece in ‘The Athletic‘ sports magazine. He told readers that only retired players were eligible for his team.

“So, the rule of my team was that only players who had finished playing were eligible – so you understand why there’s no Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Neymar etc,” Pochettino said in the article, “But still you’re asking me if I’m crazy, right?

“Zinedine Zidane as a left wing-back? I would say: ‘Don’t worry.’ The positions will be interchangeable,” he told readers.

“We have three of the greatest central defenders of all time and a brilliant goalkeeper” he continued, “Also, we are going to score so many goals that nobody will catch us.”

Pochettino’s Pre-World Cup Predictions

Pochettino’s Dream Team

In goal for Pochettino’s fantasy side is Cameroon goalkeeper Thomas N’Kono, who played at World Cups in 1982, 1990 and 1994. Cameroon reached the quarter-finals of the tournament in 1990 in Italy where N’Kono grew a reputation for his fantastic saves.

The manager’s back three includes Carlos Puyol, Franz Beckanbauer and Paolo Maldini. Both Puyol and Beckanbauer have won World Cups but Maldini failed to do so, finishing a runner-up with Italy in 1994. Still, the center-back was named part of the All-Star team at two different World Cups.

At a questionable right-back position, Beckham is named in  Pochettino’s team although he never won a world Cup with England. Dane, Michael Laudrup, is another non-World Cup winner to be named in the side although he did make the cut for the 1998 tournament’s All-Star team.

At left wing-back, is Zidane, who may have to familiarize himself with an alien role at this position although he may be relieved to know it is “interchangeable.”

In attack, Pochettino’s side is star-studded with a combination of three-rime World Cup winner Pele and 1986 victor Diego Maradona . The pair are accompanied by Cruyff, who was World Cup runner-up with the Netherlands in 1974 and Bulgarian 1994 Golden Boot winner, Hristo Stoichkov.

Since leaving French Ligue 1 club PSG in June, Pochettino has been out of a job in management although he has been present in the media. The coach was linked with the Manchester United job initially last summer but that role was fulfilled by Erik ten Hag.

Pochettino’s Full Lineup

Mauricio Pochettino’s All-Time World Cup XI: Thomas N’Kono; David Beckham, Carlos Puyol, Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Maldini, Zinedine Zidane; Michael Laudrup, Diego Maradona; Johan Cruyff, Pele, Hristo Stoichkov.


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