Barcelona stars dominate the France Football XI for 2015
Four Barcelona players have been selected in the ideal XI that France Football magazine have selected as the best of the 2015. Unsurprisingly Lionel Messi and Neymar, Ballon d'Or candidates, make the side, along with Andres Iniesta in midfield and Dani Alves at right-back. There is just one Real Madrid player - Cristiano Ronaldo, joining Messi and Neymar in the front line.
The goalkeeper is Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon, with his team-mate Chiellini ahead of him in defence, with Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin. The left-back is Bayern Munich's David Alaba. Kevin De Bruyne and Grezgorz Krychowiak, of Man City and Sevilla, complete the midfield and the side.
The second XI of the year features five Barcelona players - Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano in defence, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic in midfield, and Luis Suarez up front. There are no Real Madrid players.
Alves was hailed for his "character, speed and ability to cross", while Iniesta was conidered "the ultimate historical monument to the Barcelona youth academy". Of Neymar they say he's been "perfect in his roles as a goalscorer, passer and destabliliser in the opposition area". And of Messi? "He's a glutton. In 52 games he has 47 goals and 23 assiss. He is on the way to his historic fifth Ballon d'Or."
