Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher select their own FIFA 23 World XIs…
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher select their FIFA 23 World XIs with Messi and Mbappe chosen by BOTH and Luka Modric running the midfield… but they disagree over Erling Haaland’s strike partner
- Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have selected their world teams of the year
- The pundits agreed on the selection of six players in their attack-minded teams
- Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland were selected by both
- Carragher included Karim Benzema, but Neville chose Robert Lewandowski
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher unsurprisingly found places for World Cup stars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in their team of the year, but the TV pundits clashed over who should partner Manchester City star Erling Haaland in attack.
Neville and Carragher were tasked with selecting their EA Sports FIFA 23 Team of the Year from the 100 nominees selected, with players now able to vote for their own.
The pundits both opted for attacking line-ups, with Neville selecting a bold 4-2-4 formation, while Carragher lined his forward-thinking side up in a 4-2-3-1.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe were both selected after their stunning World Cup displays
Gary Neville (centre) and Jamie Carragher (right) disagreed over five players in the team
Liverpool shot-stopper Alisson Becker was chosen by both, with Neville claiming he remains the ‘best goalkeeper in world football at this moment in time’.
Achraf Hakimi was selected at right back following his outstanding displays during Morocco’s historic run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.
His PSG team-mate Marquinhos was also picked in defence due to the Brazilian’s consistent performances for club and country throughout 2022.
Neville hailed Luka Modric as ‘one of the best we will ever see in that position’ after the 37-year-old was named in midfield in both teams, having helped Real Madrid to Champions League glory and Croatia to a third place finish at the World Cup.
The pundits were in agreement with the selection of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland
NEVILLE AND CARRAGHER PICK THEIR WORLD XI FOR 2022
GARY NEVILLE
GK: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
RB: Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
CB: Marquinhos (PSG)
CB: Ruben Dias (Man City)
LB: Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)
MF: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
MF: Kevin de Bruyne (Man City)
FW: Lionel Messi (PSG)
FW: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
FW: Erling Haaland (Man City)
FW: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
JAMIE CARRAGHER
GK: Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
RB: Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
CB: Eder Militao (Real Madrid)
CB: Marquinhos (PSG)
LB: Joao Cancelo (Man City)
MF: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
MF: Casemiro (Man United)
FW: Lionel Messi (PSG)
FW: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
FW: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
FW: Erling Haaland (Man City)
World Cup displays were influential in the selections, with Messi scoring twice in the final for Argentina before their penalty shootout win over France.
The Argentine received the player of the tournament award following Argentina’s triumph.
Mbappe became just the second man to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final having nearly inspired France to consecutive titles, with the star ultimately receiving the golden boot.
Neville and Carragher agreed Mbappe had to play on the left wing with Haaland selected up front, with the latter claiming the pair are the superstars who could take the place of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the game.
Jamie Carragher selected Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema to play with Haaland
Robert Lewandowski was selected by Neville due to the star outscoring Benzema in 2022
Haaland has enjoyed an explosive start to his Manchester City career, with the Norwegian scoring 27 goals in 22 matches in all competitions.
The pair differed on Haaland’s strike partner, with Neville opting for Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski, while Carragher selected Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
Neville said on Sky Sports: ‘I went with Lewandowski, I just felt that was the right decision, Benzema has been unbelievable as well but I just looked at the goals in the end and who had scored the most between them.
‘I think Mbappe is top and Lewandowski was second, so I went for Lewandowski, he’s a brilliant player.’
The selection prompted Carragher to claim Neville was a ‘stat man’, before expressing confidence fans would back his selection of Benzema.
‘Benzema won the Ballon d’Or, how can you not put the guy who won European footballer of the year, how can he not go in?’ Carragher said.
‘He won the Champions League, Benzema will go in ahead of Lewandowski, the fans will be with me.’
Neville claimed Kevin de Bruyne is the best midfield player in the world after selecting the star
Neville admitted he would have chosen David Alaba and Andrew Robertson to complete the defence, but the pair were not available for selection, with Manchester City’s Ruben Dias and AC Milan left back Theo Hernandez picked instead.
Real Madrid centre back Eder Militao and Man City star Joao Cancelo were Carragher’s final choices in defence.
Modric’s partner in central midfield was also debated with Neville choosing Kevin de Bruyne.
Carragher picked Brazil international Casemiro, who enjoyed success in the Champions League and LaLiga with Real Madrid before starring for Manchester United following his summer move.
‘He is the best midfield player in the world, fact,’ Neville said when justifying his choice.
‘I love Casemiro but I don’t think you can leave Kevin de Bruyne out of a world eleven at this moment in time in midfield, he is the best in the world.’
Casemiro has been vital for Manchester United after his move from Real Madrid
‘There is no bigger fan of De Bruyne than me, but I have not put him in,’ Carragher said in response. ‘He was really really poor in the World Cup. I think in the Champions League in that away game against Real Madrid, I don’t think it was the Kevin de Bruyne we see week in week out.
‘At the highest level I don’t think De Bruyne has shown the level he has done week in week out for City.
‘He [Casemiro] won the Champions League and LaLiga, he’s probably had a good 12 months, and a nice bit of balance there, two players who know each other, Modric and De Bruyne would both get in each others way.’
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