Adidas and Nike are the biggest names in the world of football sponsorships. A competition that grows stronger and stronger every season. Both sides are very proud of their achievements and they make sure that the football fans know about each and every one of them. They spend millions on getting contracts from these players and they spend millions more in making sure that we, the football fans, know who is wearing what.
Our friends over at TheOffside.com came up with a very interesting idea of compiling two teams, Adidas XI and Nike XI, and trying to figure out who would win. Undoubtedly, it will be a match that every football fan in the world will be keen to watch.
Now lets check out what line-ups they came up with…
Adidas XI
Based on the tried and proved Barcelona 4-3-3 (4-1-2-3) formation, with the team being centered around Xavi:
GK: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United & Holland)
RB: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool & England)
CB: Kolo Toure (Manchester City & Ivory Coast)
CB: Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan & Italy)
LB: Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich & Germany)
RWM: Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)
RCM: Xavi (Barcelona & Spain)
CDM: Daniele De Rossi (Roma & Italy)
LCM: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool & England)
LWM: Kaka (Real Madrid & Brazil)
ST: David Villa (Valencia & Spain)
Bench: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan & Brazil), Luis Suarez (Ajax & Uruguay), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid & Uruguay), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid & Spain), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan & Argentina), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City & Holland), Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors & Argentina).
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea).
Nike XI
Probably the most stable and sound 4-4-2, with a hardworking midfield. A team with a stronger defense and a faster team overall.
GK: Victor Valdes (Barcelona & Catalonia)
RB: Daniel Alves (Barcelona & Brazil)
CB: Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus & Italy)
CB: Carlos Puyol (Barcelona & Spain)
LB: Patrice Evra (Manchester United & France)
RWM: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal)
CM: Michael Essien (Chelsea & Ghana)
CM: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona & Spain)
LWM: Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich & France)
RF: Didier Drogba (Chelsea & Ivory Coast)
LF: Fernando Torres (Liverpool & Spain)
Bench: Ricardo (Real Betis & Portugal), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United & England), Yaya Toure (Barcelona & Ivory Coast), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal & Spain), Alexis Sanchez (Udinese & Chile), Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal & Russia), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona & Sweden).
Manager: Guus Hiddink (Russia).
In our opinion the Nike XI will win this match simply because they have more pace. Surely Adidas XI’s front three are very lethal but Nike XI has Iniesta and Essien controlling the center with Cristiano and Ribery on the sides and Torres and Drogba for the final touch. On top of that, Dani Alves and Evra will support the wings from the back whereas Puyol and Canni might be slower than the rest of their team but both of them are sound center-backs. Valdes in the goal will do just fine. Although Hope Solo could also be a good option for Nike XI.
On the other hand, Guardiola’s formation for Barca will have Messi, Villa and Kaka right up front. Gerrard and Xavi will be feeding the ball and Gerrard will be testing Valdes from long range as well. De Rossi behind them to collect anything that skips the two play-makers. Overall, the defense is weak. Lahm will be taking care of his wing and tracking back to do his defensive duties as well. Frankly speaking, I trust Nesta way more than I would ever trust Kolo Toure and Carragher is just ok. Van der Sar is getting old so we better get this match done with quickly.
Before you start with disagreeing with our friends, take a look at the list of all Adidas sponsored players and the list of all Nike sponsored players. Take your time, make your own team and tell us about it in your comments. Plus, let us know who would win out of the two teams selected by TheOffside.
We, at Soccerlens, think that Nike XI will take the match after a tough competition.
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