Two FotMob staffers have spent the day challenging each other to a fantasy game of 5-a-side. In other words, it’s been a very busy here at the virtual office.
Both sides must contain a player from each of Europe’s Top 5 leagues and we’ve agreed that neither of us can pick either Messi or Ronaldo. Because that’s boring. They’d hog the ball and ruin the game for everybody else, simply by being too good.
That’s it, those are the rules. Let us know who you think would win via the poll at the end of the article!
BILL – SOCIAL MEDIA AND SUPPORT:
GK – Predrag Rajković, Stade De Reims (?? Ligue 1)
The thought process here is that Rajković is going under the radar a bit this season, so Curt may not be aware that the Serbian has kept 12 clean sheets and saved 4 of the 5 penalties that he’s faced.
DF – Alphonso Davies, Bayern München (?? Bundesliga)
No one really likes to sit back in the small sided game, so I would have no problem with Bayern’s Canadian sensation doing his normal thing and rampaging all over the pitch! He’s made our Champions League and Bundesliga teams of the season already and still had the time to do one of the best TikToks we’ve ever seen.
LM – Jorginho, Chelsea (??????? Premier League)
Another left-field choice maybe and I don’t know what rules you play where you are but usually, you’re limited to one step when taking penalties in 5-a-side. The Chelsea man has basically perfected that big hop, and as this clip shows – he’s often imitated but rarely beaten. My secret weapon.
RM – Joaquín, Real Betis (?? La Liga)
The mans a legend at Betis and well, old boys always turn out to be excellent on the small pitch. Just search the internet for clips of the retired, Francesco Totti. And Joaquín’s not even done yet – he even scored an 18 minute hat-trick in La Liga just before Christmas.
FW – Ciro Immobile (?? Serie A)
Everyone wants their striker to have a ruthless streak and Lazio’s captain has that in spades. Top scorer in Serie A, he’s banging one in for every 81 minutes he’s spent on the pitch – totalling 27 goals in 26 games. And any striker who can literally steal food out of the mouth of his own child is okay with me.
CURT – HEAD OF BRAND:
GK – Gianluigi Donnarumma, Milan (?? Serie A)
I went for Donnarumma in goal because, well, he’s 6’5”. I imagine his limbs will cover about 80% of the goal, should anything get past the rock I have as my defender.
DF – Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Manchester United (??????? Premier League)
AWB made Raheem Sterling look absolutely ordinary in United’s league double over City this year. He is going to gobble up whatever Bill throws at me. Plus, his calm head under pressure is going to come in handy as a lone defender, because let’s be honest, no one tracks back in 5-a-side.
LM – Dimitri Payet, Marseille (?? Ligue 1)
I went with Payet as my Ligue 1 pick simply because I miss him so much. Unless you’re watching Marseille every week, you likely haven’t seen him lately. He’s averaging nearly a goal every other game this season, but again, this is about sentimentality. What a player. Just watch…
RM – Martin Ødegaard, Real Sociedad (?? La Liga)
The Norwegian’s premonition for attackers’ future place in time and space means that my sole striker is going to find the ball exactly where he wants it. This pick is going to look great in 10 years when Ødegaard has won 4 Champions League trophies at the heart of a reborn Real Madrid.
FW – Robert Lewandowski, Bayern München (?? Bundesliga)
By picking Lewandowski, I feel like I’m starting 3-0 up already. He’ll be perfect for the tight confines of 5-a-side — he’s scored 25 in 23 Bundesliga matches this season, with 24 of those being inside the box. And remember when he scored 5 in 9 minutes against Wolfsburg? This is going to go well for me.
So, which team are you backing to win?
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