Qualifiers are over, and 32 teams are preparing to challenge for the most coveted prize in soccer. But when it comes to the ultimate Dream Team, which players and teams make the cut?
We analyzed Google search volumes of almost 3,000 players to find out who would make the cut for the US’ ultimate fantasy soccer team. We’ve also identified the US’ favorite player from every international team.
The US’ Ultimate Fantasy Soccer Team
Top of the crop for US fans is Portugal team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, with an incredible average of 1,000,000 searches per month. One of the all-time greatest players, he scored his 700th club goal in early October. A sign of things to come?
Next up is Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, who rakes in an average of 301,000 searches per month. His stats are some of the most impressive in history, scoring 781 times and assisting 339 times in his career so far.
Christian Pulisic is the next player to make the lineup, with 165,000 average monthly searches. The Chelsea midfielder is nicknamed "Captain America" by fans and teammates. Let's see if he can lead the team to success this winter.
Barcelona center-back Gerard Pique joins the team with 135,000 average monthly searches. Though he retired from the Spain national team in 2018, US fans would clearly like to see him back.
Poland captain and Barcelona striker, Robert Lewandowski, follows closely with 110,000 average monthly searches, and following behind him is French midfielder Paul Pogba, with 74,000 average monthly searches. He's had a difficult year, but Pogba is known for his positive attitude and fun hairstyles. He's joined by Man United midfielder Casemiro, widely considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, who racks up an average of 60,500 searches a month.
Joining them on the pitch are Spanish center-back Sergio Ramos (74,000 average monthly searches), Canadian left-back Alphonso Davies (49,500 average monthly searches), England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold (33,100 average monthly searches) and Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas (27,100 average monthly searches).
As for the rest of the squad, here’s who else would be joining their fellow teammates in the US World Cup Dream Team:
- Neymar – 301,000 average monthly searches
- Gareth Bale – 110,000 average monthly searches
- Sadio Mane – 90,500 average monthly searches
- Karim Benzema – 90,500 average monthly searches
- Harry Kane – 74,000 average monthly searches
- Eden Hazard – 60,500 average monthly searches
- Jack Grealish – 60,500 average monthly searches
- Kylian Mbappe – 60,500 average monthly searches
- Weston McKennie – 60,500 average monthly searches
- Christian Eriksen – 49,500 average monthly searches
- Phil Foden – 49,500 average monthly searches
- Lisandro Martínez - 40,500 average monthly searches
- Virgil Van Dijk – 33,100 average monthly searches
- Thibaut Courtois – 22,200 average monthly searches
- Manuel Neuer – 18,100 average monthly searches
Who are the US’ favorite players?
As well as finding out the ultimate dream team, we also identified the US’ favorite players from every international team, based on average monthly Google searches.
Here’s what we found...
Take Home Message
No matter how the US performs at the tournament, we’re behind them all the way. Whether you plan on following the tournament intensely with friends and some gameday high-protein snacks or just want to watch some of the world’s best soccer players, there’s plenty to be excited about.
Keep calm and stay fueled with our range of protein bars, foods and snacks, or prepare to replenish your energy supplies after the big game with our collection of vitamins and minerals.
Methodology
We examined the US Google search volumes of over 3,000 soccer players, before arranging them into teams based on their position.
Star players were determined by the highest searched player in each qualifying international team, based on US average monthly searches.
Improve Your Functional Fitness with These Six Nutrition Tips
Boost your performance and smash your goals with these top tips.
