With this eleven, I would win the World Cup
En el umbral de un Mundial que promete redefinir el fútbol continental, Arturo Vidal —veterano campeón de Copa América— convocó desde las redes sociales a los mejores del continente en un once imaginario, desafiando a sus seguidores a debatir qué significa la grandeza sudamericana. El gesto, aparentemente lúdico, reveló algo más profundo: la necesidad colectiva de soñar con una unidad que las fronteras nacionales nunca permiten en la cancha. La ausencia deliberada de Neymar no fue un olvido, sino una declaración, y en esa declaración se condensó toda la carga emocional y futbolística de una rivalidad continental que no necesita explicación.
- Vidal publicó un video eligiendo su XI sudamericano ideal para el Mundial 2026, con Messi, Díaz y Martínez como figuras centrales, y declaró sin titubeos que ese equipo ganaría el torneo.
- La ausencia de Neymar encendió la conversación: los seguidores exigieron respuestas y Vidal respondió con una explicación directa, convirtiendo una omisión en el punto más debatido de la publicación.
- El video se propagó rápidamente en redes sociales, desatando el tipo de debate apasionado que solo genera el fútbol cuando alguien obliga a elegir entre ídolos de distintas banderas.
- Lo que comenzó como un ejercicio personal se transformó en un espejo continental: cada comentario era, en el fondo, la defensa del propio once imaginario de quien lo escribía.
Arturo Vidal, mediocampista de Colo Colo y bicampeón de Copa América, publicó un video en redes sociales en el que armó su once sudamericano ideal para el Mundial 2026. La alineación tenía la solidez de un equipo real: Emiliano Martínez en el arco; una defensa con Muñoz, Araújo, Romero e Hincapié; un mediocampo de lujo con Mac Allister, Valverde y James Rodríguez; y una delantera formada por Luis Díaz, Julián Álvarez y Lionel Messi. Al terminar de presentar su equipo, Vidal fue categórico: con esos once, ganaría el Mundial.
Pero fue una ausencia la que dominó la conversación. Neymar no apareció en la lista, y los seguidores no tardaron en preguntar por qué. Vidal no esquivó la pregunta: explicó la omisión de forma directa, dejando claro que no se trató de un olvido sino de una decisión.
Más allá del debate sobre nombres, Vidal había creado sin proponérselo un experimento colectivo: obligar a miles de personas a imaginar una selección que nunca existirá y a defender sus propias elecciones frente a las de otro. El video generó una ola de interacción en redes, recordando que en el fútbol, incluso los equipos imposibles tienen el poder de unir —y dividir— a todo un continente.
Arturo Vidal, the two-time Copa América champion and veteran Colo Colo midfielder, posted a video on social media that did what his posts often do: it started a conversation. In the clip, he assembled what he called his ideal South American XI for the 2026 World Cup—a lineup drawn from the continent's best players, a kind of all-star roster spanning Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and Ecuador.
The team Vidal constructed had the shape of a serious contender. In goal, he chose Emiliano Martínez, Argentina's World Cup-winning goalkeeper. The back line ran from Daniel Muñoz of Colombia on the left, through Ronald Araújo of Uruguay and Cristian Romero of Argentina in the center, to Piero Hincapié of Ecuador on the right. It was a defense built from the continent's strongest national teams.
The midfield was where Vidal loaded the talent. He paired Alexis Mac Allister and Federico Valverde—both Argentines and Uruguayans respectively, both proven at the highest level—with James Rodríguez of Colombia. Three players with the technical skill and work rate to control a match.
Up front, Vidal went for immediate impact: Luis Díaz from Colombia, Julián Álvarez from Argentina, and Lionel Messi. It was a forward line designed not to defend but to finish. Once he had written out his eleven, Vidal made a declaration that was hard to miss: with this team, he said, he would win the World Cup.
The post drew attention, as expected, but one absence became the focus of the conversation. Neymar, the Brazilian star, was not on the list. When followers asked why, Vidal offered an explanation. He didn't leave it as a mystery. The omission was deliberate, and he was willing to say so.
What Vidal had done, whether intentionally or not, was create a thought experiment that forced people to think about what a continental superteam might look like—and to argue about whether his choices were right. The video spread across social media, generating the kind of engagement that comes when you ask people to defend their own selections against someone else's. It was a simple exercise, but it worked.
Citas Notables
With this eleven, I would win the World Cup— Arturo Vidal
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why did you leave Neymar out? He's one of the best players on the continent.
That's the question everyone asked. But when you're building a team, you have to think about balance and fit, not just individual talent. I made my choice and I explained it.
Did you think about the midfield depth? Three players is a lot of responsibility in that area.
Those three can handle it. Mac Allister, Valverde, and James—they've all played at the highest level. They know how to control a game and support the attack.
Messi at 39 or 40 by 2026—is that realistic?
If he's playing, he plays. I'm picking the best players available. Age is just a number if you can still do the job.
What made you confident enough to say you'd win it with this team?
When you put together players of this caliber, from the strongest football nations in South America, you have a real chance. That's not arrogance—that's just looking at the quality.
Did you expect the response you got?
I knew it would get people talking. That's what happens when you make these kinds of lists. Everyone has their own idea of who should be there.