Trent Alexander-Arnold named in World Cup XI but Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo not included

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been named in Fabio Capello's dream World Cup XI but there was no place for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Liverpool right-back hasn't quite got going on the international stage and has struggled to cement himself as a regular under Gareth Southgate, with, Kyle Walker, Reece James and Kieran Trippier also competing for the berth.

Capped 17 times, he missed the Euro 2020 due to injury and there are question marks as to whether he will even be selected for the World Cup in Qatar next month after he was omitted from the squad to play Germany last month.

There were even calls for the 24-year-old to retire from international football after the snub.

But former England boss Capello is a fan and named him in his all-star World Cup side for La Gazzetta Dello Sport, while fellow legendary Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi also opted for Alexander-Arnold.

Phil Foden was also included by Capello, who snubbed Messi and Ronaldo but included Premier League star Virgil van Dijk, Kevin De Bruyne and Casemiro.

Image: Alamy

In attack Capello and Sacchi both went for France pair Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema, who returned to the international stage in 2021 after five years away and won this year's Ballon d'Or award.

The pair agreed on Yashin Trophy winner Thibaut Courtois in between the sticks, though former Italy boss Sacchi did go with Messi and picked Ibrahima Konate, Joao Cancelo, Joshua Kimmich and Pedri in a 4-3-1-2 formation.

Image: Alamy

Here are the two teams in full:

Capello's XI: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Marquinhos, Van Dijk, Davies, De Bruyne, Casemiro, Modric, Mbappe, Benzema, Foden.

Sacchi's XI: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Cancelo, De Bruyne, Kimmich, Pedri, Messi, Mbappe, Benzema.

The showpiece gets underway on Sunday November 20 at the Al Bayt Stadium when the hosts play Ecuador in the opening game in Group A.

Topics: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool, England, Football World Cup, Fabio Capello, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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