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World Sport XI France, Bayern dominate list of season's top players
Updated: Monday July 02, 2001 4:59 PM
ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) -- He has shattered nets all over the world for well over a decade, and last season was no exception for Brazil's Romario, the top vote-getter in attack for the first-ever World Sport XI, a ranking of the best players in the world at their respective positions for the 2000/01 season. Romario scored a club-record 65 goals for Vasco da Gama last season as it won the Brazilian national championship. The veteran forward, who has been linked with a move back to Europe, is the only non-European on our World Sport XI, which was determined through voting at CNN World Sport and CNNSI.com. Joining the 35-year-old Brazilian in attack is Ukrainian sensation Andriy Shevchenko. The striker notched 24 goals in the demanding Serie A with a mediocre AC Milan side. Top players who were edged out in the voting for forwards include Barcelona's Rivaldo, Celtic's Henrik Larsson and Real Madrid's Raul. Every team needs a playmaker; our team has two -- Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo. The world and European players of the year, respectively, dominated our midfield ballots. These artists could be playing together at Real Madrid next season, with Zizou having expressed his wish to move to the Spanish capital. Completing the midfield quartet are Patrick Vieira, the versatile and battling Frenchman who is an anchor for Arsenal and France, and Mehmet Scholl, the German star who helped Bayern Munich win its first Champions League title since 1976. Prominent midfielders who didn't make the cut include Lazio's Juan Sebastian Veron, Boca Juniors' Juan Roman Riquelme, Valencia's Gaizka Mendieta and Manchester United's David Beckham. In defense, the spotlight shines on another Bayern star, Bixente Lizarazu. The speedy left back was the top vote-getter, and it's not hard to see why. He is a picture of consistency, both attacking and defending. Those characteristics could also be associated with another French international defender -- Lilian Thuram. The new Juventus recruit is a "must" in the World Sport XI's back four. He is joined by another Serie A player, Alessandro Nesta, who was ever-present for Lazio and for Italy this past season. Arguably the biggest surprise in our lineup is Sami Hyypia. The classy Finn, who was not booked in the Premiership all season, may not be flashy, but he's efficient, helping lead Liverpool to an unprecedented cup treble. Left in the dressing room on defense were Leeds United's Ian Harte, Man Utd's Jaap Stam and Real Madrid's Roberto Carlos. Keeping goal for the World Sport XI is Oliver Kahn, who saved three crucial penalty kicks in the deciding European Cup penalty shootout, capping a memorable season in which he also won the Bundesliga title. Germany's No. 1 choice since 1998 is our No. 1 pick as well. The runner-up in voting for goalkeeper was Man Utd and France star Fabien Barthez.
The first-ever World Sport XI features four Frenchmen, three Bayern players and one South American, a lineup that reflects who currently has bragging rights in the world of football.
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