Best Possible Football XI In The World Right Now

7. Left-Back: Marcelo

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates the first goal
Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport

Juventus' Alex Sandro ran him close, but in our eyes, there's no better left-back in world football than Marcelo at the moment. The Brazilian had an outstanding 2016/17 season, notching 12 assists in 45 appearances as Real Madrid drove towards La Liga and Champions League success, and while the club just splurged £26 million on Atletico's Theo Hernandez, the 19 year old LB won't be dislodging Marcelo any time soon.

It's difficult to stand out in a team featuring the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, but Marcelo does just that. His vibrancy in attack makes him a potent force on the left flank, with many of Real's strongest moves starting with the ball at his feet, and ending with it in the back of the net.

He's no slouch at the back either. The Brazilian's defensive shortcomings were all too apparent when he first joined Real, but the past few years have seen that side of his game finally catch up with his prodigious attacking talents. Now, the Brazilian truly feels like a player without weakness. He's entering his 12th season with Los Blancos, making him one of the club's longest serving players, and it'll be a long time before he disappears.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.