Former England striker Michael Owen has assembled a personal "dream team" of the greatest FIFA World Cup players in history. Writing for Daily Mail Sport, the 46-year-old selected a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring icons like Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario.

A 14-trophy core within a 4-2-3-1 formation

Michael Owen has assembled a hypothetical starting eleven that prioritizes historical dominance and individual brilliance. As reported by Daily Mail Sport, eight of the players in Owen's selection have collectively secured 14 FIFA World Cup titles. By utilizing a 4-2-3-1 formation, the former England striker aims to balance a heavy attacking load with a structured defensive base. The selection is a reflection of Owen's unique perspective, having competed in three different tournaments himself.

The defensive anchor of Banks, Beckenbauer, and Maldini

The defensive unit relies on a mix of English reliability and Brazilian flair. Owen has placed Gordon Banks in goal, citing the legendary keeper's performance during England's 1966 championship run. The flanks are occupied by Brazilian icons Cafu and Roberto Carlos, both of whom were instrumental in Brazil's 2002 success. Cafu, specifically, is noted for being the only player to appear in three consecutive World Cup finals.

In the center of the defense, Owen pairs German libero Franz Beckenbauer with Italy's Paolo Maldini. As the report notes, Owen specifically highlighted Maldini as the greatest defender to ever play, even placing him ahead of England's Bobby Moore. This pairing provides the tactical stability required to support a highly offensive midfield.

A midfield pivot of Zidane and Sir Bobby Charlton

To manage the transition from defense to attack, Owen has selected a highly creative double pivot. zinedine Zidane, the architect of France's 1998 victory, is paired with English legend Sir Bobby Charlton. While this duo offers unparalleled vision, Owen himself raised a tactical question regarding their defensive work rate, wondering who would actually win the ball back in a high-stakes match.

This creative engine is designed to feed an attacking trio consisting of Pele, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi—three players who represent the absolute pinnacle of footballing history. The fluid setup allows these three maestros to interchange positions, creating a nightmare for any defensive line.

The controversial absence of Cruyff and Cristiano Ronaldo

The attacking frontline is headlined by the Brazilian phenomenon Ronaldo Nazario . Owen selected the striker , who won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, noting his historical goal-scoring prowess. While Ronaldo's 15 World Cup goals stood as a record for years,they were eventually surpassed by Miroslav Klose in 2014. This choice highlights Owen's preference for players who defined specific eras of the tourament.

While the lineup is filled with undisputed legends, Owen's choices are bound to ignite debate among football purists. The selection notably excludes several heavyweights, such as Johan Cruyff, Gerd Muller, and Cristiano Ronaldo. This omission leaves fans wondering how Owen would justify leaving out players who fundamentally changed the game. Furthermore, it remains to be seen how much deeper Owen will go into his specific tactical reasoning in his upcoming column for Daily Mail Sport.