XI featuring some of my favorite players. I was asked about this recently and found it interesting to select a team like this:

Di Stéfano
A. James               Messi

  Zidane         Dr. Sárosi         Redondo         Andrade

Maldini                  Nasazzi
Beckenbauer

Neuer

Just as he played several times in 4-4-2 formations at Juventus and Real Madrid, Zidane would not play on the wing like his teammate Figo played, but always centrally and with ample freedom to float around the field.

Alex James and Lionel Messi would not be wingers in the team, but insiders.

The team, in addition, would adjust defensively in the following way:

Di Stéfano
A. James               Messi

Zidane

Dr. Sárosi         Redondo

  Maldini            Nasazzi            Andrade
Beckenbauer

Neuer

In the defensive phase, Andrade would play as right back, therefore Maldini would cover the left side more; being the exceptional left back that he was. Nasazzi and Beckenbauer would make an exceptional duo. The Uruguayan would protect Beckenbauer and the German, on the other hand, would have very high quality to play from behind. Dr. Sárosi and Redondo would be the two defensive midfielders of modern football. Alex James would help in the midfield and Di Stéfano would always be the man to fight anywhere on the field; always helping the team a lot defensively. Messi and Zidane would not have defensive tasks.

I think it is an excellent team, very well structured and tactically consistent.

To conclude, I would like to mention that I was in doubt between Ferenc Deák and Alfredo Di Stéfano. Not in terms of quality as a player, of course, as there is no comparison between the two, but in terms of preference indeed. Ferenc Deák was the first player that made me a fan of Hungarian football. Subsequently, Dr. György Sárosi expanded my mind.