Pulse List 2017: Best South American XI of the year

In 2017, a host of South American stars continued to thrill us, from these talented stars, we chose the best XI of the year.

It’s a hard job to pick out the South American XI of the year.

I struggle with words to describe the kind of football talents that have come out of South America, the continent of some of the best footballing country.

Since the inception of professional football, players from South America are blessed with the most skills, working with the ball in the most bonkers ways we have ever seen.

In 2017, a host of South American stars continued to thrill us, from these talented stars, we chose the best XI of the year.

Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker (Brazil/Roma)

 

Since leaving the shadows of Wojciech Szczesny, Alisson Becker has gone on to establish himself as the number one goalkeeper at FC Roma.

Since the beginning of the season, he has impressed, topping Squawka’s statistical list of Serie A goalkeepers this season. His average of 2.75 saves a game and his 88% success rate on crosses have made him a very reliable goalkeeper. With seven clean sheets in the Serie A so far this season, Becker has truly established himself as the new guardian of Rome.

He is also the first choice goalkeeper of the Brazilian national team who finished top of the CONMEBOL 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Right-back: Dani Alves (Brazil/Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain)

 

Dani Alves over the years has owned the claim as the best right-back in world football and in 2017 he didn’t give it up. The 34-year-old in 2017 continued to add to his insane trophy cabinet helping Juventus to win a Serie A and Coppa Italia double.

He was also part of the Brazilian team that qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with ease.

After missing out on another Champions League title, Alves joined Paris Saint-Germain where he has continued to impress.

At 34, he has started to lose a bit of his pace and energy down the right wing, but Alves seems to have more to keep dominating in this position. 

Centre-defence: Miranda (Brazil/Chelsea)

 

Miranda has had a good year with Inter Milan especially towards the end of 2017. Although Inter Milan failed to qualify for European competitions, Miranda was one of the stand-out players in Inter Milan.

This season he has been immense in the back for Inter Milan who have started the 2017/2018 Serie A season in brilliant form.

Inter Milan have lost just one league game so far this season and sit in third on the table.

For Brazil he has also been impressive, playing a key role in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Centre-defence: Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina/Manchester City)

 

Nicolas Otamendi is finally delivering on his promise on becoming one of the best defenders in world football. His 2017 has been fantastic, putting his consistent performance for Manchester City.

Otamendi is one of the crucial pieces of Pep Guardiola's revolution at Manchester City who are dominating the Premier League.

In 2017, the defender also helped Argentina to book a place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Left-back: Marcelo (Brazil/Real Madrid)

 

2017 has been the best year yet to for Real Madrid left-back Marcelo who played a critical role in their La Liga and Champions League double.

In the La Liga last season, Marcelo had 10 assists and created 43 chances, it’s hard to think about a defender with similar numbers.

His influence wasn’t just in attack, in defence he was also impressive.

He was also part of the Brazilian squad that had an impressive 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Midfield: Casemiro (Brazil/Real Madrid)

 

Casemiro in 2017 proved to be one of the best defensive midfielders in world football. Since earning Zinedine Zidane’s trust at Real Madrid, the 25-year-old has been a consistent performer at the club, providing a shield for the defence and turning up with some important goals.

His goal and performance against Juventus in the 2017 Champions League defined this year. In 2017 he won five trophies with Real Madrid and also became helped Brazil to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Midfield: Arturo Vidal (Chile/Bayern Munich)

 

Although currently some miles off that imperious midfielder that dominated games, Arturo Vidal is still one of the world’s best on his day.

In 2017, he had lots of good days winning the 2017 Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich and also helping Chile to the final of the 2017 FIFA Confederation Cup.

Midfield: Philippe Coutinho (Brazil/Liverpool)

 

One of the most exciting midfielders in world football, Philippe Coutinho has continued to show his brilliance. In 2017 he helped Liverpool to finish in the Champions League and has continued to shine for the Premier League side.

Barcelona put in several bids for him in the summer which was turned down by Liverpool but with his form, it’s inevitable that the Brazilian will make the move to Spain.

Forward: Lionel Messi (Argentina/Real Madrid)

 

No player had a better year individually than Lionel Messi as he continues to lay his claim as the greatest footballer of all time. Messi only lost the top individual awards to rival Ronaldo because of the number of trophies the latter won in 2017.

Messi led Barcelona to Copa del Rey glory and is also responsible for taking Argentina to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Striker: Edinson Cavani (Uruguay/Paris Saint-Germain)

 

Edinson Cavani’s numbers this year are just crazy. His strike against Caen in a Ligue 1 3-1 win for Paris Saint-Germain was his 50th club goal of 2017, the most by any player in world football.

That’s how good he has been in the year which saw Paris Saint-Germain win domestic French cup trophies after losing the league to Monaco.

It is unlikely that Paris Saint-Germain will be beaten to the title by any side this season due to Cavani’s insane form again along with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Cavani also in 2017 helped Uruguay to book a place at 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Forward: Neymar (Brazil/Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain)

 

Considered to be the best player after Ronaldo and Messi for years, Neymar in 2017 continued to be the third best player in world football.

After winning the Copa del Rey with Barcelona, Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain in a world record transfer deal where he has continued to impress.

He was also part of the Brazil national team that had a superb 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.