Messi leads way in star-studded Brazil and Argentina combined XI
Ahead of Brazil and Argentina's star-studded international friendly in the Middle East, we have worked out a combined XI between the two nations using our unique rating system.
Only players that have been called up by both nations are considered and they must have made at least five appearances in their respective leagues this season to qualify for the XI. There is also additional information about their Football INDEX share prices.
Goalkeeper: Esteban Andrada (Argentina) - 7.14 rating
As Alisson gets back up to speed following a long-term ankle injury, Boca Juniors shot-stopper Esteban Andrada nips in to take the goalkeeper position. Andrada has impressively kept nine clean sheets in 13 league appearances for Boca Juniors this season, more than any other goalkeeper in the Argentine Superliga.
Left-back: Nicolas Tagliafico (Argentina) - 7.57 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.68
Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico has made an eye-catching start to the season in Holland to fend off competition from Brazil's left-back Alex Sandro for a starting berth in our combined XI. No defender has scored more goals than Tagliafico in the Eredivisie this season (3) and the 27-year-old also has one assist to his name.
Centre-back: Walter Kannemann (Argentina) - 7.03 rating
Walter Kannemann stops a Paris Saint-Germain centre-back pairing for Brazil, edging Marquinhos to a place in our XI. The Gremio defender has completed 34 of the 42 tackles he has attempted in the Brazilian top-flight this season and also averages 1.8 interceptions per game.
Centre-back: Thiago Silva (Brazil) - 7.18 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.44
Thiago Silva has made a thoroughly impressive start to the 2019/20 campaign as was voted Ligue 1's official player of the month for October. The 35-year-old is coming towards the end of his career but he has rolled back the years this season. Silva ranks third for attempted passes in Ligue 1 this season (862), while only one has a better pass success rate than the Brazilian centre-back (95.2%).
Right-back: Danilo (Brazil) - 6.79 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.49
The weakest position across both squads is awarded to Juventus right-back Danilo. The 28-year-old started the campaign well and in the Juventus starting XI but has failed to regain his place in the team since recovering from injury. Danilo has made five league appeareances for the Old Lady this season and earned the WhoScored Man of the Match on his debut after scoring in a thrilling 4-3 win over Napoli.
Left wing: Lucas Ocampos (Argentina) - 7.39 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.10
Lucas Ocampos has made a thoroughly accomplished start to life at Sevilla after signing from French side Marseille over the summer. With Neymar out injured, Ocampos takes his spot on the left wing in our combined XI. The 25-year-old has scored five goals and provided one assist in 12 league matches for Sevilla so far this season. In fact, Ocampos has already bettered his goal tally in the league for Marseille from last season (four goals in 34 appearances), while only one player has attempted more dribbles than the Sevilla ace in LaLiga (67).
Central midfield: Arthur (Brazil) - 7.31 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.61
Arthur has played a direct hand in five goals in eight league appearances for Barcelona so far this season, four more than he managed in 27 league appearances in his debut campaign for the club. The 23-year-old impressively has a 100 per cent dribble rate in LaLiga this season, the joint-best return in Europe's top five leagues this season (15+ dribbles attempted).
Central midfield: Casemiro (Brazil) - 7.57 rating
Football INDEX share price - £0.78
In the team to break up opposition attacks, Casmeiro has done so to great affect this season. In fact, only two players have completed more tackles and interceptions combined in Europe's top five leagues this season than Casemiro (73), while the 27-year-old has also played a direct hand in two goals for Zinedine Zidane's side.
Right wing: Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 8.49 rating
Football INDEX share price - £6.54
Back from a series of niggling injuries at the start of the season, Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is primed to make his first appearance for Argentina after a three-month international ban. Messi has scored or assisted 12 goals in seven league appearances (eight goals, four assists), while winning the WhoScored Man of the Match award four times in that period.
Striker: Roberto Firmino (Brazil) - 7.42 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.90
Roberto Firmino has played an integral part in Liverpool's barnstorming start to the season. Liverpool are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League and any injury to Firmino would be an almighty blow for Jurgen Klopp's side. The Brazilian's work off the ball is in many ways more important than his contribution on it. Firmino has played a direct hand in six goals in 12 league appearances (three goals, three assists) this season but is so crucial to the way Liverpool play.
Striker: Sergio Aguero (Argentina) - 7.40 rating
Football INDEX share price - £1.73
It is remarkable to think Sergio Aguero has only won the Premeir League Golden Boot award on one occasion during his time at Manchester City, though injuries have played their part in that. Aguero is in the mix at the moment, trailing top scorer Jamie Vardy by two goals. Aguero has netted nine times in 11 league appearances so far this season and also has two assists to his name.
