If Manchester United had one billion euros to spend on building a top 11 team made up exclusively of Portuguese and Argentine players from the 2016 era, here's a hypothetical lineup, along with potential transfer costs and considerations based on their performances at that time:
Hypothetical Starting XI (4-3-3 Formation)
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Goalkeeper:
- Emiliano Martínez (Argentina) - While he wasn't yet a top name in 2016, his performances post-2016 have seen him rise to prominence. If we were to consider him, it could be around €15M.
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Right Back:
- João Cancelo (Portugal) - An emerging talent in 2016, known for his attacking abilities. Estimated cost around €30M.
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Centre Back:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - While primarily a forward, he had played a significant role in various positions. Back in 2016, he was heavily influential at Real Madrid. Estimated cost might still be high, around €100M given his impact.
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Centre Back:
- Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) - A solid choice with experience. Estimated cost around €25M.
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Left Back:
- Raphaël Guerreiro (Portugal) - A young and talented left-back who was making waves at that time. Estimated cost around €20M.
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Central Midfielder:
- Éver Banega (Argentina) - A skilled playmaker known for his passing and vision. Estimated cost around €30M.
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Central Midfielder:
- Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) - Although he moved to Manchester United later, in 2016 he was already showcasing his skills in Serie A with Udinese. Estimated cost might be around €25M.
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Winger:
- Angel Di María (Argentina) - An experienced and talented winger who was with PSG in 2016. Estimated cost today would be around €50M, though it might vary based on negotiation and form.
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Striker:
- Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina) - A prolific striker during 2016, he had a great goal-scoring record. Estimated cost around €80M.
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Winger:
- Bernardo Silva (Portugal) - An emerging player at Monaco in 2016, known for his dribbling and creativity. Estimated cost around €50M.
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Forward:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - If not used as a defender, he could feature as a striker as mentioned earlier. As a forward, the valuation would be extremely high but let’s say, considering his value in 2016, around €120M.
Estimated Total Cost:
- Gk: 15M
- RB: 30M
- CB: 100M
- CB: 25M
- LB: 20M
- CM: 30M
- CM: 25M
- RW: 50M
- ST: 80M
- LW: 50M
- FW: 120M
Grand Total: Approx. €570M
Remaining Budget: Approx. €430M
With that remaining budget, Manchester United could reinforce the squad further, look for young talent, or invest in additional players to make up the squad depth or emerge with a strong bench.
This lineup could yield a strong competitive team in any league and is made while considering players' form, reputation, and potential costs in the transfer market during 2016.