Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Bukayo Saka names dream 5-a-side team with two Brazil stars and Messi included

mirror.co.uk, 9 November 2022, 14:58
The Arsenal star has already played with and against some of the world's best players throughout his fledgling career and has picked a vast array in his dream side for a kickaround

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has named a star-studded five-a-side line-up ahead of the World Cup.

The young Gunners star looks a certainty to be included in Gareth Southgate 's England squad for the upcoming tournament in Qatar and will be hopeful of writing himself into Three Lions' folklore having previously starred for the Three Lions as they reached the Euro 2020 final.

Ahead of the World Cup, Saka was tasked with naming his dream five-a-side team and predictably picked some of the planet's best players of all time, whilst also selecting a number of members from Brazil's iconic 2002 title-winning squad in Japan and South Korea.

The Arsenal winger, speaking as part of Beats by Dre's Defy the Noise campaign, said: "I'll go R9 [Brazilian Ronaldo], Cr7 [ Cristiano Ronaldo ], Messi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho."

Whilst Portuguese forward Ronaldo and Messi are the only members of Saka's squad to have never won the World Cup, Saka still believes the former played his part in one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history with a memorable treble against Spain four years ago.

"A moment that comes to mind is Cristiano Ronaldo against Spain [ Russia, 2018]," Saka continued. "He got a hat trick that game as well, crazy performance!"

What would your dream World Cup XI be? Share your thoughts in the comments below

The Manchester United forward, now 37, is likely to be playing at the final World Cup of his career. He has previously made 17 appearances in previous finals - a run that stretches back to the 2006 edition in Germany.

Ronaldo has netted seven goals in that time and will certainly be hopeful of adding to that record later this month.

Whilst he is edging close to the twilight of his career, the same cannot be said of Saka who is embarking on his first World Cup. It will be different to any before with it being played in the winter but the 21-year-old has claimed that he is not approaching it any different.

He said: "My preparations haven't changed, I am focused on the games ahead with Arsenal right now but at the same time it's in the back of my mind that I'll have a chance to play at a World Cup in November. Personally, it will be my first World Cup too so it's quite exciting when you think about it."

Saka has two further opportunities to impress for Arsenal ahead of the World Cup with the Gunners taking on Premier League rivals Brighton in the Carabao Cup, whilst they round off their domestic commitments by travelling to Wolves at the weekend.

Saka will then turn his attentions to England's group opener in Qatar against Iran.

Read more

Mirror Football's top stories

UEFA have not held back here...

Ferdinand honoured for his efforts

Mane's injury scare before the World cup

Southgate's squad reveal imminent

Top News

15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erik ten Hag's chances of keeping the managerial position at Manchester United beyond the end of the 2023-24 campaign are reportedly 50-50. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi has revealed that he is planning to keep hold of Marc Casado amid the recent speculation surrounding the midfielder's future. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly willing to offer £55m for Jarrad Branthwaite this summer, but Everton value the in-demand centre-back closer to £80m. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is hopeful that Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford will all be available for the FA Cup final against Manchester City. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly reached a decision over a new asking price for Romelu Lukaku. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich are reportedly planning to hold talks with Thomas Tuchel over the possibility of the German remaining as head coach beyond the end of the campaign. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich are reportedly planning to hold talks with Thomas Tuchel over the possibility of the German remaining as head coach beyond the end of the campaign. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has claimed that the Blues have been 'making investments', rather than spending money, in the transfer market. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have allegedly been in touch with Kieran McKenna's representatives to discuss the possibility of the Ipswich Town head coach replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has given every indication that the club's hierarchy have the 'patience' to keep Mauricio Pochettino as head coach. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Some Manchester United players are allegedly 'reluctant to pass the ball' to Rasmus Hojlund, with a number of the first-team squad having concerns over the Denmark international. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sofyan Amrabat's agent was reportedly in Manchester on Tuesday to hold talks with Manchester United over the future of his client. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly in line to secure a welcome financial boost ahead of filing their next accounts. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has been announced as the new head coach of Red Bull Salzburg ahead of his exit from Anfield. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United could surpass a record currently held by the Premier League's worst-ever team when they take to the field for their final two matches of the 2023-24 campaign. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aaron Wan-Bissaka will reportedly say goodbye to the Manchester United supporters following Wednesday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bringing the curtain down on another top-flight campaign, Famalicao will welcome top-half chasers Casa Pia to Estadio Municipal 22 de Junho on Friday night in the Primeira Liga. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The culmination of the 2023-24 League One campaign takes place under the famous arch of Wembley Stadium when Bolton Wanderers lock horns with Oxford United in the playoff final on Saturday afternoon. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly considering making a move for Aston Villa centre-forward Ollie Watkins during this summer's transfer window. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that one Chelsea player will be "much better" next season. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A trio of England internationals are reportedly among seven players whom Arsenal are prepared to entertain offers for in the summer transfer window. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of Liverpool's first-team goalkeepers has confirmed that he is eyeing a move away from Anfield in the summer transfer window. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sint-Truiden and Leuven meet on Friday evening merely playing for pride having already missed out on European qualification. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by just one place and two points in the Serie A rankings, Fiorentina and Napoli square off at Artemio Franchi in Friday's fascinating contest. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bruno Fernandes is reportedly expected to remain with Manchester United this summer despite the recent speculation surrounding his future at Old Trafford. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid set a club clean sheet record on Tuesday evening, as the capital giants continued their excellent form with a 5-0 success over Alaves in Spain's top flight. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has firmly denied a claim that some of the club's injured players are ducking matches in the latter stages of the 2023-24 campaign. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An apoplectic Ange Postecoglou professed that the foundations of Tottenham Hotspur are "fragile" after the Lilywhites missed out on Champions League football with their 2-0 loss to Manchester City on Tuesday. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 15 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Domestic leagues across Europe have now entered the business end of the season, with battles at the top and bottom of standings now close to reaching their conclusions.