Midfielders
Moving into midfield and we start to see some of the world's biggest names come to the fore, starting with Lamine Yamal out on the right-hand side. Another Spanish teenager to be named in our semi-final combined XI, Yamal is already one of the most exciting players on the planet, with his frightening dribbling ability, electric speed, and lethal left foot combining to produce a once-in-a-generation talent - that is keeping current Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele out of this team.
At the heart of the team we're pairing another Ballon d'Or winner, Rodri, with England's Jude Bellingham, in a partnership that brings just about everything you could possibly need in midfield. With immense physicality, world-class technical ability, endless energy, and a goal-threat that has Bellingham competing fiercely in the Golden Boot race, this duo would dominate the middle of the park against any opponent, with defensive solidity and attacking quality in abundance. Declan Rice and Pedri can consider themselves unlucky to miss out, but we've gone with arguably the two greatest individual midfielders in world football.
At left-mid, we bring in the World Cup's leading assister in Michael Olise, who has carried his eye-catching form for Bayern Munich into the summer. The 24-year-old has developed into one of the silkiest wide-men in football over the last year or so, showing his class on every stage, and his five assists this summer showcase exactly why he earns his spot in our combined XI, keeping players like Bukayo Saka and Desire Doue out of the picture.
