Big things are expected of Bayern Munich trio Corentin Tolisso, James Rodriguez and Robert Lewandowski at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. - © © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA
Big things are expected of Bayern Munich trio Corentin Tolisso, James Rodriguez and Robert Lewandowski at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. - © © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA

The Bundesliga's Best 2018 FIFA World Cup XI, featuring Manuel Neuer, James Rodriguez and Marco Reus

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The Bundesliga is home to some of the best football players on the planet, but how would they stack up as one star-studded unit against the likes of reigning FIFA World Cup champions Germany, five-time winners Brazil and Spain?

Goalkeeper

Fuelling the fantasy, bundesliga.com presents its very own combined 2018 World Cup XI...

Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich & Germany)

Age: 32
Bundesliga appearances: 346
International caps: 76

It's hard to imagine any Best XI without Neuer between the posts. The Bayern No.1 is quite frankly the finest custodian ever to pull on the gloves, his sweeper-keeper heroics - most notably at the 2014 World Cup - redefining the very notion of football's last line of defence. After nine months out injured, the fact he's even going to Russia - let alone as Germany's No.1 and captain - says it all.

Defenders

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern & Germany)

Age: 23
Bundesliga appearances: 79
International caps: 29 

If you're on the hunt for a hot candidate for Best Young Player of the World Cup, look no further than Kimmich. The Bayern and Germany right-back is probably the best in the land in his position, and is fast building a legacy to rival that of predecessor Philipp Lahm. The similarities are plain to see - the positional awareness, undying commitment and penchant for an overlapping run - but Kimmich is treading his own path to the top. He'll get there, that's for sure.

- © gettyimages / ALex Grimm

Thiago(Bayern & Spain)

Age: 27
Bundesliga appearances: 96
International caps: 27

Banging his own drum as part of the Spain rhythm section, Thiago's no-look passes and silky footwork are worth the entrance fee alone. Like Tolisso, Bayern's midfield matador was in and out of the side in 2017/18, but a strong end to the Bundesliga campaign and a run of six straight games for La Roja should give emergency coach Fernando Hierro one less thing to think about following the unexpected dismissal of Julen Lopetegui just two days before the 2010 winners' Group B opener against Portugal. There's no player quite like him in the squad, after all.

- © imago

Data correct as of 14 June

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- © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA
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