FIFA have unveiled their starting XI of 2008, with Spain clearly headlining this year’s edition of the football elite.

FIFA, the world football governing body, has announced their 2008 Team of the Year based on a global poll which was featured on their webpage.

Slightly less than half voted Iker  Casillas as their Number One (46%), with 15 percent supporting Gianluigi Buffon, while Edwin van der Sar garnered only nine percent of the votes.

The Spanish theme extended to the back four as well, with Sergio Ramos edging Brazilian Dani Alves by 366 votes for the rightback position. The centrebacks position was won in a close fight as John Terry (28%) and Carles Puyol (25%) just knocking off Rio Ferdinand (22%) and Fabio Cannavaro (15%). Philipp Lahm rounded out the defence with a two percent win over Patrice Evra.

The global community opted for a high octane midfield as their choices included Xavi, Steven Gerrard, Franck Ribery and Kaka as their starting midfielders.

FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and runner-up Lionel Messi were paired upfront to spearhead the fantasy team of a lifetime.

Here's a recap of how the voting went:

FIFA.com Team Of 2008

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid - Spain)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid - Spain), John Terry (Chelsea - England), Carles Puyol (Barcelona - Spain), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich - Germany)

Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona - Spain), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool - England), Kaká (AC Milan - Brazil), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich - France)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona - Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United - Portugal)