Best Possible Football XI In The World Right Now

6. Centre Midfield: Thiago Alcantara

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates the first goal
Imaginechina/Splash News/Corbis

2016/17 was the season that former Barcelona man Thiago Alcantara developed into one of the best central midfielders on the planet. A regular at the heart of Bayern Munich's team, the Spaniard was finally able to enjoy a campaign free of the injuries that have plagued his time in Germany thus far, establishing himself as a vital metronome in one of Europe's best sides.

Bayern's season was highlighted by Robert Lewandowski's ridiculous goal haul and carer renaissances from Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, but it was driven by Thiago. His tallies of 8 goals and 8 assists for the season look modest on paper, but Alcantara's quality transcends raw statistic. Almost every Bayern attack goes through him, and while best known for his creativity, the past year has also seen him step things up on the defensive end with big improvements in his interceptions and tackling stats.

Alcantara's ability to maintain his status among the world's best players depends on his fitness. Prior to 2016/17, the most Bundesliga starts he'd ever managed in a single season was just 16. The good news is that he's still only 26 years old, and still has plenty of time to forge a transcendent career.

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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.