For avid Premier League fans of a certain generation, Sandro will be a familiar name. Between 2010 and 2014, his fierce performances in the middle of the park made him a bit of a cult hero for Tottenham Hotspur.
Arriving from Brazilian side Internacional in 2010, the midfielder steadily proved himself to be a dependable option in the middle of the park. On occasion, he even delivered the odd spectacular goal, enadeing himself to Spurs fans with a stunning 35-yard volley vs Chelsea, as well as a 25-yard screamer vs Manchester United – with the latter described by opponent Wayne Rooney as "a great strike."
In this period, Harry Redknapp's men were regularly competing for Champions League football. As such, Spurs had some pretty handy players at the time. Sandro performed well enough to represent Brazil too, making 17 appearances for his national team in total.
With that in mind, he played with some fine footballers across his career. Speaking to FourFourTwo, he once named a dream XI of his greatest teammates, and it was absolutely stacked.
Heurelho Gomes
Goalkeeper
To kick things off, Sando named a Brazilian compatriot who also played for him at club level at Spurs. Heurelho Gomes was another Premier League regular and cult here of that era, with the goalkeeper making 195 appearances in the top flight for Tottenham and then Watford, keeping 53 clean sheets.
Of his teammate, Sandro said: “Your goalkeeper must be fearless and good at fighting for aerial balls. He was exactly like that at Spurs. He made the whole team feel safe in every dead-ball situation, which is important in English football. A born leader.”
Kyle Walker
Right-back
Kyle Walker is one of the best right-backs in Premier League history, so it's no surprise that the former Spurs man gets the nod here. They shared the pitch 67 times together, and Sandro was full of praise for the Englishman who would later go on to achieve big things with Manchester City:
“Kyle’s incredibly strong and fast. It felt like almost every time he was dribbled past at Spurs, he got the ball back after a few seconds and began the build-up of an attack. A threat for the opposition whenever he goes up the pitch.”
Michael Dawson
Centre-back
Another ex-Tottenham teammate, Sandro named former captain Michael Dawson. Although not the most glamorous name here, the centre-back was pretty reliable when fit and even picked up four international caps with England.
“Michael was our captain, our leader, and he won almost every aerial duel at White Hart Lane," Sandro said. "That gave strength to defensive players like me. He was very strong and efficient at marking, and on the ball he had an excellent long pass – Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon know what I’m talking about!”
Jan Vertonghen
Centre-back
Jan Vertonghen can consider himself in a similar realm as Walker when it comes to Spurs' best defenders of the Premier League era. The reliable Belgian spent eight years in north London between 2012 and 2020 and was part of the side to make the Champions League final in 2019.
“A left-footed centre-back with great build-up play, who speeds up a team’s game with good passes or composure on the ball," Sandro recalled. "Jan also attacks well when he finds space, and even scores using that skill – he did it once for Tottenham against Manchester United. He’s a very tough marker, too.”
Marcelo
Left-back
The first non-Tottenham player, but another icon fullback, Marcelo was a star for Real Madrid. He, of course, was Sandro's teammate with the Brazilian national team as they played 13 games for La Selecao together – although Marcelo snubbed the Spurs star when picking his own best teammates XI. Sandro said:
“Very quick, skilful, and he has an unbelievable first touch. Marcelo is really calm under pressure and doesn’t let emotions affect him whether his team are ahead or behind. He might be a left-back, but he attacks like a winger and is one of the best full-backs in the world. A complete package: he can cross, he can assist and he can score. Brilliant.”
Pablo Guinazu
Centre-midfield
Moving into midfield, in this 4-3-3 set-up, Pablo Guinazu is probably the least familiar footballer in this XI. He played with Sandro at Internacional and must have been good as he is the only Argentine to make this Brazil-heavy side. He earned 16 caps fo his nation and spent most of his career playing in South America.
“My old Internacional team-mate was a warrior – he always gave everything for the team," Sandro said. "When I was tired, I’d just look at him in front of me running and fighting. That would push me forward.”
Luka Modric
Centre-midfield
It's hard to imagine many of Luka Modric's former teammates would leave the Croatian genius out on an XI such as this. After all, he is a Ballon d'Or winner, lifting the game's biggest individual prize in 2018. He was Sandro's partner in the middle of the park for Spurs on 45 occasions, earning the Brazilian's admiration:
“Whichever pass I gave him, Luka had an absurd first touch. He could receive the ball while turning around and still go past his opponent. That’s ridiculous! He also reads the game incredibly well and can see everything – the full-backs going up or the forwards’ movements. A maestro who makes the game tick.”
Oscar
Centre-midfield
Oscar is a name in football perhaps best known for wasted potential. After all, he was just 25 when he left Chelsea as one of the most talented players on the planet and controversially joined Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG.
He was earning around £400k-p/w, so it's hard to blame him. At the very least, Sandro didn't forget Oscar's quality, noting of his former Brazil teammate: “An amazing long-range shooter who has scored many beautiful goals from outside the box – he’s sensational. He helps in the build-up and gets assists, too. How could I not pick him?”
Gareth Bale
Right-winger
As one of the greatest wingers to ever play the sport, Gareth Bale just had to make this XI. The Welsh wizard truly announced himself as a top talent during his years playing alongside Sando at Tottenham. His former teammate was so in awe of Bale's quality, he even started singing:
“The player who has won more games for teams I’ve played in than any other. He scores however he wants: free-kicks, outside the box, inside the box. Gareth has it all: speed, skills, shooting and heading ability – he’s phenomenal! [Starts singing] Bale! Bale! Bale!”
Jermain Defoe
Forward
With Bale on the flank, Sandro opted for another Spurs forward in attack. Jermain Defoe might not quite have had the career others in this team had, but he was a fine striker in his own right. He is, after all, one of just 34 players to score 100 Premier League goals – and Bale only managed 53.
Sandro praised the English forward, saying: “Explosive speed and extremely quick, even over shorter distances. Jermain’s great at shooting with a good blend of power and accuracy. He isn’t tall, but he never gives defenders a moment to rest as he moves between the lines.”
Neymar
Left-winger
Finishing this absurdly good XI is perhaps the most naturally talented player on the list. Indeed, Neymar is up there with the very best to represent Brazil in the modern era and as a fellow countryman, Sandro was also going to include him. He wasn't shy when it came to praising the former Barcelona icon either, as he said:
“It’s very difficult to stop Neymar because he’s so skilful, light and keeps the ball remarkably well while he runs. Wherever he shoots, with either foot, it usually results in a goal.”
Tite
Manager
Sando even had time to pick his greatest manager in this XI. He overlooked the likes of Redknapp, Andre Villas-Boas, Mauricio Pochettino, Roberto De Zerbi, and Neil Warnock to choose Tite. While best known for his time in charge of the Brazilian national team, they actually worked together at Internacional.
“My first coach at Internacional," Sandro explained. "Tite led the dressing room so well – he had control of everything. He was very wise and rational, so you always paid attention to what he had to say. Tite is really clever tactically, but above all he’s a great man.”
