Pochettino names all-time World Cup XI and includes Zidane in defence

Ex-Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has included England hero David Beckham in his all-time World Cup XI and France legend Zinedine Zidane in an unfamiliar position

By Tom Blow

Mauricio Pochettino has named his all-time World Cup XI… with Zinedine Zidane at left-wing-back in an “interchangeable” role.

Pochettino, who represented Argentina at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, has included the likes of Diego Maradona, Pele, Carlos Puyol and Johan Cruyff in his team – but there’s no room for Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe or Neymar.

The former Tottenham manager’s team will no doubt cause some debate, seeing as France legend Zidane was an attacking midfielder. Pochettino has also put former England skipper David Beckham, a winger by trade, at right-wing-back in his questionable XI.

“So, the rule of my team was that only players who had finished playing were eligible – so you understand why there’s no Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Neymar etc,” Pochettino told The Athletic. “But still you’re asking me if I’m crazy, right?

“Zinedine Zidane as a left wing-back? I would say: ‘Don’t worry’. The positions will be interchangeable. We have three of the greatest central defenders of all time and a brilliant goalkeeper. Also, we are going to score so many goals that nobody will catch us.”

Pochettino’s team starts with goalkeeper Thomas N’Kono, who represented Cameroon at the 1982, 1990 and 1994 World cups. N’Kono became a household name for his stunning displays at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where Cameroon reached the quarter-finals.

…Notable absentees from Pochettino’s side include the Brazilian Ronaldo, Bobby Moore, Eusebio, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Miroslav Klose, Fabio Cannavaro, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Paul Gascoigne, Phillip Lahm, Romario, Luka Modric and Just Fontaine.

Mauricio Pochettino’s All-Star World Cup XI: Thomas N’Kono; David Beckham, Carlos Puyol, Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Maldini, Zinedine Zidane; Michael Laudrup, Diego Maradona; Johan Cruyff, Pele, Hristo Stoichkov.