Part II of MAF's World Best XI will reveal the attacking portion of the team as well as the coach that puts it all together or keeps it together. Let us begin with the right side of the formation.

FORWARDS:
On the right side, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Everyone knows about the year he had with Manchester United and the trophies he won. As much as I don't like his attitude, his numbers are undeniable. He singlehandedly carried the goal scoring load while Rooney and whomever else Sir Alex put in the lineup struggled. 42 goals in 49 games all from a right wing position. Can't have a 2008 World XI without Cristiano Ronaldo.

In the middle, Mohamed Aboutrika

The Egyptian playmaker had a great year. He was instrumental in Al-Ahly winning its record 6th African club championship and led Egypt to the 2008 African Cup of Nations trophy as well. Aboutrika scored the trophy winning goal in the final against Cameroon. He is consistently tagged as the best African player playing in Africa despite a poor showing in the FIFA Club World Cup. Aboutrika will have to continue to play well for The Pharoahs in their march toward South Africa 2010.

On the left, Joffre Guerron.

Guerron made his name on the right side but since Cristiano Ronaldo is there and we couldn't leave the face of Ecuador's 1st ever Libertadores champion on the bench, I put him on the left. He's a professional he should be effective either way. Guerron was named the player of the Copa Libertadores as Liga De Quito made history. He was shockingly left off the ballot when El Pais named Juan Sebastian Veron as South American Player of the Year. Guerron was MAF choice for the title of "Rey del Fútbol de América" and an easy selection for MAF World XI.

STRIKERS:
Lucas Barrios


Who? Those who know South America & more specifically Chile know who he his. This year for Chilean super club Colo Colo, the Argentinean striker scored 37 goals in 38 appearances and was the leading goal scorer in both Clausura & Apertura tournaments leading Colo Colo to the Clausura title. He was named by the IFFHS as the Best Goalscorer in the World for 2008 quite easily making him one striker on the MAF World XI.

David Villa

The Valencia striker was the leading scorer of Euro 2008 and for the 07-08 season finished 5th in the Pichichi standings with 18 goals in 27 La Liga appearances. Villa currently sits 2nd on the Pichichi list for 08-09 with 12 goals in 16 games for Los Che. He is the best Spanish striker right now, one of the Top 5 in Spain, and one of the Top 10 in the world. Villa has been rumored with a move to Manchester City to join fellow Spanish striker, Fernando Torres in the English Premiership. Wherever he plays he's gonna be a consistent goal scoring monster.

DT/Coach:
This position was a decision between former Liga De Quito coach Edgardo Bauza, Spain's Euro 2008 winning coach Luis Aragones, and Manchester United's legend Sir Alex Ferguson. Finally, the coach of the WCB World XI is:

Edgardo Bauza

The man known as El Patón was the mastermind behind Liga De Quito's historic Copa Libertadores win. As a player he was best known as a defender for Rosario Central in the late 70s & early 80s and was part of the Argentina 1990 World Cup squad that lost to West Germany in the final. Ironically, he guided Liga past two Argentine squads on his path to the Libertadores title beating Estudiantes in the Round of 16 and San Lorenzo in the quarters. Bauza famously couldn't watch the PK shootout at the Maracana where his keeper Jose Cevallos saved 3 of 4 PKs to seal history as they defeated Rio's Fluminense in the final. Bauza resigned his post after the FIFA Club World Cup where Liga finished 2nd but his icon status with Los Albos is secure.

So the Mad About Futbol World XI formation is:
Casillas
Dani Alves - Vidic - Puyol
Xavi - Battaglia
C.Ronaldo - Aboutrika - Guerron
L. Barrios - D. Villa

So there it is. The Best XI from all over the world for 2008. Its going to be interesting to see who is going to make the Best XI for 2009. Whomever makes the lineup you better believe they are going to be amazing. Enjoy 2009! Peace!

'08 MAF World Best XI - Part II

Okay the Mad About Futbol World XI for 2008 isn't comprised of the men in the picture so lets get to it. Happy New Year to you and may 2009 be as exciting and intriguing as 2008. This past year was witness to some great moments and some truly historic performances from Liga De Quito's monumental Libertadores victory to Spain shaking off their underachievers label with their impressive Euro 2008 title to Argentina repeating as Olympic champions. Many great players kept us suspended to our chairs or sofas or bar stools and made us realize that soccer players are the true sports magicians. As a fan of offense the 2008 MAF World XI will have a 3-5-2 look to it. That said, here are the magicians the 2008 MAF World XI:

Goalkeeper:
Iker Casillas

This is a no brainer, Real Madrid's portero is the best in the world and my choice for Ballon D'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, refer here. He was brilliant in the Euros as he anchored a Spanish defense that was not given enough credit for La Furia Roja's championship.

Defense:
On the right Barcelona's Dani Alves.

The Brazilian defender has been the best & most used of Barcelona's '08 summer signings. He is obviously an attack minded right back (what Brazilian defender isn't) but he is an underrated defender and for all his attacking, he is not a defensive liability.

In the middle is Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic.

Sir Alex's Serbian Minister of Defense, Vidic might be Fergie's best signing since he acquired Ruud Van Nistelrooy from PSV in 2001. It is quite possible that Vidic is Manchester United's most valuable player even more than Cristiano Ronaldo. Not only is he a rock in the back, he's shown a knack for scoring timely goals ask Hull City, Sunderland, and Gamba Osaka.

On the left is another Blaugrana defender, Catalan icon Carles Puyol.

The Barcelona captain is a natural center back but he's so good that he can play any position on the backline and has. His partnership with Valencia's Carlos Marchena in the middle of the Spanish defense was critical in Spain's Euro success. Puyol managed to keep Barca's backline serviceable when Lillian Thuram & Gabi Milito were consistently getting burned during the 07-08 season. You can't have a a Best XI defense without Carles Puyol.

Midfielders:

Let's begin with the central midfield and the men that back up the attacking players. They don't get as much attention as the attacking players but their teams would suck without them.

Xavi

The player of the tournament for Euro 2008 and many people's choice for the Ballon D'Or. He is not spectacular but he does everything well. He has been Barcelona's savior on many occasions and is mainly responsible for Barcelona being able to play in the Champions League despite the drama surrounding the team during the 07-08 season.

Sebastián Battaglia

Boca Juniors were recently crowned Apertura champions after a dramatic 3-team playoff. The fact they made it to that point is a credit to coach Carlos Ischia and Battaglia. Without goal scoring icon Martin Palermo and public bickering amongst teammates, Battaglia helped to keep the team together on & off the pitch. With a young group of talent forced into action, Boca's #5 was the veteran presence in the midfield that helped Los Xeneizes become champions. El Pibe De Oro needs to include him for Los Albicelestes in World Cup qualifying.

In Part II, we'll reveal the guys who get the goals, glory, and the women. The attacking players will be revealed in Part II as well as the DT.

'08 MAF World Best XI - Part I