The “World’s Best Eleven”, by Bobby Charlton

In 1960, Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest players in the history of English football, was asked to name his “World’s Best XI.” His answer was as follows, in a 3-4-3 formation:
Bert Trautmann (West Germany), Djalma Santos (Brazil), John Charles (Wales), and Nílton Santos (Brazil); Josef Bozsik (Hungary), Dave Mackay (Scotland), Raymond Kopa (France), and Dragoslav Sekularac (Yugoslavia); Julinho (Brazil), Di Stéfano (Argentina), and Gento (Spain).

Modestly, Bobby Charlton did not include himself. But what was truly remarkable about his “World’s Best XI” is that he did not pick either Garrincha or Pelé—the two greatest “sacred monsters” in the history of Brazilian football, who, in that year of 1960, were both at the peak of their form and the top of world renown.

Brazil was the country with the most players (three) in Bobby Charlton’s “World’s Best XI.” Yet it is notable that, for Garrincha’s position, Bobby Charlton chose another Brazilian, Julinho. And for Pelé’s spot, he went with the Yugoslav Sekularac.