Manchester City and Barcelona - Combined XI

Centre Midfield: Xavi

Having broken into the first-team in 1998, Xavi has made over 400 appearances become a Barcelona great in the process. Despite playing in all six fixtures this term, he has been involved in four tackles, two take ons and a single foul. Far from a combative midfielder, Xavi looks after the ball and finds passes that other players cannot see. With Busquets behind him the team has solidity, allowing him to thread the tapestry of tiki-taka together. He is 34 now and entering the twilight years, but his experience and calmness gets him in ahead of younger compatriot Cesc Fabregas and the energetic Fernandinho.

Centre Midfield: Yaya Toure

The former Barcelona midfielder is an absolute colossus in the middle of the park and cannot be overlooked for a spot in this midfield. He brings power, presence and strength in abundance and can drives his team forward yet also get back and defend. Toure possesses the engine to get from box-to-box and on his day is virtually unplayable. Only Kompany can better his pass accuracy of 91% at Citybut the Ivorian has also added goals to his game this year, with one long range strike against Viktoria Plzen to his name so far.

Lionel Messi and Neymar

Right Midfield: Neymar

Barcelona’s summer signing for a huge £48 million is a Samba star in the making. Serious doubts remained over his ability until an excellent showing at the Confederations Cup and he has settled into life at Barcelona well. This campaign represents his first taste of European competition and only Xavi and Andres Iniesta created more than the nine chances he managed, which included two assists. The 22-year-old also netted an impressive hat trick in the 6-1 demolition of Celtic, while his take on success of 64% suggests he has not left his confidence and trickery in Santos.

Left Midfield: David Silva

Another Spaniard makes it into the side, but he wears the sky blue of City. Silva is one of the players assured of a place in Spain’s World Cup squad that plays outside of his homeland. He provided one assist in the group stages and scored the crucial first goal in City’s comeback against reigning champions Bayern Munich at the Allianz arena, which ensured qualification for the first time in the club’s history. At 28 he is approaching the peak of his powers and has the vision to unlock the tightest defence with a stunning through ball. With such a formidable midfield force behind him, his creative talents would flourish.

Forward: Lionel Messi

It seems like he has been around forever but the magical Argentine is only 26. Despite facing an extended spell on the sidelines for the first time in his career earlier in the season, there is still not one better to fulfil the interchangeable free role that he would be afforded in this formation. Despite making just three appearances in the group stages Messi scored six goals, including an opening day hat trick against Ajax and a vital brace against Milan that guaranteed qualification.

Questions have started to be asked of Messi for the first time during his absence, expect him to answer them immediately. While the inclusions and omissions in this eleven may spark debate in some quarters, Messi’s darting runs, exquisite passing, outstanding finishing ability and sheer class makes him the first name on this team sheet whoever you ask.