FIFA World Cup 2018: South American combined XI

Attack

Neymar has been phenomenal this season

The left-wing position in this team, of course, belongs to Neymar. Although not everything looks rosy in Paris these days, with many reports indicating that Neymar is unsettled in the French capital.

The Brazilian has still managed to find the net 28 times in 30 appearances in all competitions and created a further 19 for teammates - not bad considering that he hasn´t played since being stretchered off the pitch against Marseille in February. An instant starter.

Messi got another winners medal against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey

What can we say that hasn´t already been said before? Of course, Messi has to start on the right wing on this team. In the pantheon of being considered the greatest player to ever play the game, Messi not only breaks records but absolutely obliterates them instead.

381 goals in 415 games for Barcelona is simply astounding, as is his current personal record of nine La Liga championships and four Champions League winner medals - unstoppable, unplayable, unforgettable.

Cavani has had one of his best seasons in PSG this season

The central striking position poses a problem, in that there is almost too much-attacking talent in South America to choose from.

Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain have all broken the 20 goal mark this year, and will all end the season with a league winners medal - three outstanding strikers. But for me, Edinson Cavani gets the starting spot.

Cavani was shoehorned out to the left wing when Ibrahimovic was the main man in Paris, and since then has had to deal with the Neymar show, and yet, his numbers keep improving.

An absolute nightmare for defenders with his strength, movement, and ability to turn half a chance into a goal, Cavani´s 38 goals and 12 assists this year mean he is the man to lead the line.

Substitutes - Willian, Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain, Mauro Icardi, Ángel di María

The Team

The back four is pure experience, those four players have been there and done that, and Ederson is showing the maturity beyond his years in goals.

Casemiro may have the biggest job on his hands, as the rest of the midfield is geared towards the more attacking side of the game.

The front three, well, apart from shoving Cristiano Ronaldo in there somewhere, I believe there is no more potent goal threat in the world. There is no doubt that this team would score goals - how many they would concede is another question!