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The symbolic team of the best players of the World Championship has been announced. FIFA's technical research group selected 23 footballers - three goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders, and five forwards.
Seven players from the Italian national team, which played in the championship final, made it to the best team, along with four players from the other finalist, France, and players from the semi-finalist teams Germany and Portugal. The remaining players represent teams that were eliminated in the quarterfinals - two Argentinians, one Brazilian, and one English player.
The team does not include the Brazilian forward Ronaldo, who broke the World Cup record, and only former champions, including full-back Ze Roberto. Overall, the team does not have any players from Asia or Africa, with 20 out of the 23 players being Europeans.
Symbolic team of the 2006 World Cup
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Jens Lehmann (Germany), Ricardo (Portugal)
Defenders: Roberto Ayala (Argentina), John Terry (England), Lilian Thuram (France), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal)
Midfielders: Ze Roberto (Brazil), Patrick Vieira (France), Zinedine Zidane (France), Michael Ballack (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy), Luis Figo (Portugal), Maniche (Portugal)
Forwards: Hernan Crespo (Argentina), Thierry Henry (France), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Francesco Totti (Italy), Luca Toni (Italy)
