The World Cup and Economics 2010 The World Cup 2010 Dream Team (as selected by you!) Gianluigi Buffon (ITA) Juventus The Italian keeper was selected for the second time—quite an achievement—leaving Casillas trailing some distance behind. Lucio (BRA) (Lucimar Ferreira da Silva) Internazionale The stylish Brazilian defender was an easy choice for a position in the team. Dani Alves (BRA) Barcelona Nobody came even close to matching the claim for Alves at right back—one of three Brazilians in the team. John Terry (ENG) Chelsea Chelsea fans may find this not unusual—but the ex-England skipper is back in the Dream Team, as 5th-most-voted player! Ashley Cole (ENG) Chelsea Some of us Man Utd (and Arsenal?) fans regard this selection as outrageous, but the Chelsea star narrowly held off Munich’s Lahm and United’s Evra (18th-most- voted player but 3rd-most- voted left back!). Xavi (ESP) Xavier Hernandez i Creus Barcelona Sixth-most-voted player and perhaps surprisingly the only Spaniard in the team. Both Iniesta and Fábregas would seem at home alongside him, but what would you do with Kaka? Kaka (BRA) (Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite) Real Madrid Third-most-voted player, which is tough to disagree with, making him the favourite Brazilian player in the squad. Lionel Messi (ARG) Barcelona Surprise, surprise. Easily the most popular player—an astonishing 2,183 people voted for the Argentine star. No pressure there, then? Wayne Rooney (ENG) Manchester United The 3rd player that made the Dream Team for 2006 and 2010. Let’s hope this time he is fit enough to deliver. Man United fans simply hope he’ll go back to Old Trafford in rude health. Franck Ribery (FRA) Bayern Munich The Munich star from France just edged out Iniesta and Fábregas. Some might think there was mass German voting involved here—or a token gesture for France? Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) Real pleting the star trio up front, and the 2nd-most- popular s
