Van Dijk, Phillips, Rashford, Sancho: World's best XI of players with Caribbean roots is crazy good | OneFootball

The Caribbean is known more for its cricket than its football, however the region has played no small part in producing some of the world’s best talent to date, and a combined XI of current players with Caribbean heritage is insanely good.

Over the years more footballing legends with Caribbean bloodlines have lit up European football than you’re probably aware of.

Of course, John Barnes and Raheem Sterling have both played prominent roles in the England team whilst proudly acknowledging their Jamaican roots.

And many of the Dutch national team across generations are linked to Suriname.

But did you know that Thierry Henry has Antillean heritage? That would place his family roots around the West Indies region.

There are also several elite players across Europe operating right now that you may not be aware have links to that beautiful part of the world, and it seems that Transfermarkt have once again made it their business to enlighten us.

Shared via their Instagram, they’ve outlined what they believe to be the best combined XI in world football of players that have Caribbean roots.

It includes five Premier League stars and multiple high profile individuals from Italy, France, Germany and Spain – check it out below.

Best XI with Caribbean roots

GK – Mike Maignan (AC Milan) – France | Cayenne

RB – Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan) – Netherlands | Aruba CB – Raphael Varane (Man Utd) – France | Martinique CB – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – Netherlands | Suriname LB – Layvin Kurzawa (PSG) – France | Guadeloupe

CDM – Kalvin Phillips (Leeds) – England | Jamaica RAM – Kingsley Coman (Bayern) – France | Guadeloupe CAM – Georginio Wijnaldum (PSG) – Netherlands | Suriname LAM – Jadon Sancho (Man Utd) – England | Trinidad & Tobago

ST – Raul de Tomas (Espanyol) – Spain | Dominican Republic ST – Marcus Rashford (Man Utd) – England | St. Kitts & Nevis

Talk about a team! This lot could go deep into a World Cup they’ve got so much quality.

You’ve got two of the greatest central defenders of their generation in Van Dijk and Varane.

Man City’s soon to be newest recruit and England starlet Phillips – Guardiola was keen enough to get his hands on the imposing midfielder that they’re set to pay out around £45 million for the privilege.

Van Dijk’s Netherlands teammate and former Liverpool favourite Wijnaldum also makes the team. The Dutchman has had a tough debut season at PSG, but he’s always been criminally underrated as a player and we back him to bounce back.

Whilst United’s out of form attacking duo, Sancho and Rashford, would be responsible for bringing some added threat to the defensively solid team. Who knows how good they could be once they get their careers back on track…

All in all, this XI just goes to show what fabulous sportsman the region produces. Hopefully, as football coaching continues to improve globally, and scouting networks expand exponentially, we’ll see many more fine talents from the Caribbean carving out a name for themselves in the beautiful game.