Ballon d’Or 2018: The best starting XI from the shortlisted 30 players

Center Back: Raphael Varane

Raphael Varane

The French defender has won almost everything at a very young age and comes with a level of maturity that is beyond his years. Varane won the Club World Cup and the Champions League with Real Madrid last year, forming a stellar defensive unit who were extremely hard to break down. In the summer, he was an important part of the French defence that lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup with clinical precision.

Varane is technically strong as he is clever in his defending. He is quite fast for a defender and will be crucial for making covering runs. The Frenchman is also extremely good with the ball and will be handed the additional responsibilities of initiating attacks from the back. While Real Madrid have started the season on the back foot, Varane is still one of the best defenders in the world right now and as such, starts as a Center Back in the Ballon d’Or XI.

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Center Back: Diego Godin (Captain)

Diego Godin

Diego Godin is a no-nonsense defender who is a master of the old school defending. His tackles are immaculate and his reading of the game is exceptional. The Uruguayan has been the pillar of both his country and his club Atletico Madrid for years now and is still one of the most talented defenders in the World. He was instrumental in Atletico’s triumph of the Europa League last season and has started the new season quite well.

Godin brings the experience that complements his young central defensive partner and he will be indispensable to the Ballon d’Or XI defence. He will be expected to read the game from the back and shift his team’s play from defence into attack as per the demands of the game. The Uruguayan, with his qualities and abilities, will be the perfect Skipper for this team.