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Reactions: World Sport XI

CNNSI.com unveiled the first-ever World Sports XI, a ranking of the best players in the world at their respective positions for the 2000/01 season. Users gave their opinions of the selections, and a sample of the responses we received follows:

How could you possibly leave David Beckham off your list? Love him or hate him, you can't deny the man's ability to cross the ball, or be spot-on in free kicks, two qualities your team needs on the right side.
Mark Thomas, Savannah, Ga.

Why is David Beckham not on the list? I believe he has proven time and time again that he is the best midfielder in the world. He deserves to be on this list.
Brian, London

I like the list but what happened to a top goal scorer like Batistuta? And are those the best players in Europe only? What happened to players from Asia and Africa?
Sam, Portage

Like every other "world" poll, the World Sport XI is totally Eurocentric. Only one South American? A 35 year old Brazilian? Come on. Where are Crespo, Batistuta, Veron, Riquelme, Samuel, Saviola, Simeone, Vivas? And who is Sami Hyypia? Obviously those who voted have never watched the Argentine football league.
Robert Rodriguez, Lawrence, Kans.

While these are all good players, I doubt that it would win. Some positions aren't covered. There are no wingers, and no passing player at the back. I'd replace Patrick Vierra with either Overmars or Zenden, and Sammi Hyppia with someone like F. De Boer. Simply selecting the best 11 players doesn't always yield a good footballing team.
Marcel, Leiden, The Netherlands

How can Francesco Totti not be one of the World Sport Best XI? He gave Roma their first title in 18 years while leading Italy to an undefeated qualifying campaign. He is certainly one of the world's top midfielders.
Antonio Catalano, New York

Romario and Shevchenko for strikers? What great performance have they done for that? How about Batigol, Raul and Crespo? They add passion, style and heart to their plays. They are much better than those two players.
Leonardo Aritonang, Jakarta, Indonesia

Your selection is pretty good, but what surprised me was that Roberto Carlos and Rivaldo are absent. Both have played brilliantly throughout the season, even though Rivaldo hasn't been rewarded for his efforts. Roberto Carlos' variety has helped Real a lot this season.
Rahul, Hyderabad, India

Romario is a shoe-in for this team, however, leaving out Raul from the selection as opposed to choosing Shevchenko will spark several debates. Also, Roberto Carlos being left out of this team as a fullback deprives the World XI of probably the best free-kicker in the world today.
Roni Pizarro, Manila, Philippines

I do not disagree with every player that all you have chosen for the World Sport 11. In my opinion it sort of disappoints me that you did not even consider Hernan Crespo in attack who is considered to be the hottest in the world at the moment. Also instead of Lizarazu, you could have either R.Carlos or Gregoris Georgatos of Olympiakos.
Kirk Foussekis, Athens, Greece

I think that Thuram and Shevy did not merit being in the team. I prefer Sammy Kuffour and Batistuta or Raul ahead of them. Kuffour is the unofficial defender of the last season. All the games he played in attest to it.
Henry Assah-Akuffo, Accra, Ghana

I don't know why people were surprised that Sami Hyppia was chosen. He is the best defender in Europe. If he were French or Italian he would be a superstar.
David Burton, Cebu, Philippines

I don't believe that Romario deserves to be on the best team in 2001. Although he has been on form in the Brazilian league he has not shown the form at the international level. Unlike players such as Crespo and Larsson who recently put in a three-goal game for his nation.
Daniel Crisp, Hong Kong

Despite the fact that the team is efficient, some players such as Larsson should have been included after scoring phenomenal 60+ goals in a single season. Not everyone gets the European top goalscorer award.
Yaphet Kifle, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

I think the voting is all right, because all those players who were voted played a big season. It's very cool, that Oliver Kahn from Bayern Munich was voted, because he worked so hard for his success. In my opinion, this voting was very good and it made the right decisions.
Astrid Kerscher, Regensburg, Germany

To think of a team which doesn't feature Gabriel Batistuta is unimaginable. That's exactly what is the case here. It is not fair to pick Romario as one of the forwards at this stage of his career. Other than that flaw, the team looks pretty unbeatable!
Sheldon Williamson, Mumbai, India

Although your selection is the best there is, I would like to replace Scholl with Mendieta. Mendieta plays soccer with his heart and soul and doesn't give up.
Vesa Rautio, Oulu

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