Champions League - European Team of the Season

Eurosport - Mon, 01 Jun 15:03:00 2009

The domestic European season has finished, and it is time to select the elite performers from across the continent in our Team of the Season.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Champions League Barcelona Manchester Messi - 0

Our team selection is based on all club performances in domestic and European competitions. The side lines up in a fashionable 4-3-3 formation, allowing the brilliant Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery to play wide in front of a three-man midfield.

There might not be too many tacklers in there, but the inclusion of Nemanja Vidic at the back should ensure opposition attacks are thwarted by fair means or foul.

Seven divisions are represented, with recognition for the surprise league titles won by Wolfsburg, Bordeaux and AZ Alkmaar.

We are sure you will have your own ideas, so feel free to leave your Team of the Season at the bottom of the page!

TEAM OF THE SEASON

Goalkeeper: Shay Given (Newcastle United/Manchester City)

If he had stayed at St James' Park in January, Newcastle would still be a Premier League side. His phenomenal shot-stopping gave City some much-needed security.

Right-back: Maicon (Internazionale)

The marauding Brazilian just edges Barcelona's Dani Alves as he is a slightly better defender. A key part of Inter's Serie A title-winning effort.

Centre-back: Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

Uncharacteristic nightmares against Liverpool and Barcelona aside, Vidic hardly put a foot wrong all season. Strong, brave and uncompromising - every team needs a Vidic.

Centre-back: Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar)

Louis van Gaal's Alkmaar side conceded just 22 goals on their way to a first Eredivisie title since 1981, with the old hand Jaliens playing a major role.

Left-back: Aly Cissokho (Vitoria/FC Porto)

The Frenchman arrived at Porto in January and immediately made a stunning impact as his new side won a domestic double and impressed in the Champions League.

Midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

The inspirational Anfield skipper continues to get better. He scored a career-best 24 goals, and it seemed half of those were stoppage time screamers.

Midfield: Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux)

Countless players have been called the 'new Zidane', but in Gourcuff's case the comparison might just be right. Starred as Bordeaux knocked Lyon off their perch.

Midfield: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

His performance in the Champions League final alone might have been worth a place, but the Spain midfielder sparkled throughout Barcelona's treble campaign.

Right wing: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Outshone Cristiano Ronaldo in Rome and will probably be elected the world's best player. Messi's astonishing dribbling ability makes him a joy to watch.

Centre-forward: Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg)

The giant Bosnian went from obscurity to stardom with a superb 26-goal campaign in tandem with strike partner Grafite, as Wolfsburg won their first league title.

Left wing: Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)

Lit up an otherwise disappointing season for Bayern and might retain his player of the season award. Wanted by Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Eurosport

Comment 111 - 130 of 130

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  1. shay givens r u out of ur mind

    From lala_116, on Tue 16 Jun 6:13PM
  2. Come on no Kris Boyd??? If it wasnt for his goals the­ Rangers wouldnt have lifted the title!!!!! Seriously­ what does Boydy have to do to get recognition!!!!!

    From davidmc2230, on Mon 15 Jun 6:31AM
  3. just dance ab ,mnfxzZX

    From kierantom99, on Wed 10 Jun 6:50PM
  4. Shay Given the best keeper in Europe you must be­ joking......

    And no offense to Dzeko and all but where­ is Eto'o or Forlan heck even Rooney could be­ considered the award...

    And NO Xavi no way you must be­ having a laugh...

    From carlos c, on Tue 9 Jun 6:03AM
  5. Congratulation for TERRY DANIEL HENERY.
    I am very happy­ for you.

    From Nani, on Sun 7 Jun 4:57PM
  6. where the heck is xavi barca 4 life

    From adrian, on Sat 6 Jun 8:21PM
  7. Valdes
    Alves Vidic Pique A.Cole
    Xavi Gerrard­ Iniesta
    Messi Forlan Villa

    From wevegotelnino, on Sat 6 Jun 4:45PM
  8. lampard should be there.

    From Carlos, on Sat 6 Jun 12:20PM
  9. Xavi not In..What about Eto and Slatan?..You are insane­ and ignorant..you must be English

    From Ricky, on Sat 6 Jun 2:43AM
  10. well the european team of the season is Fc barcelona.­ full stop., i actually dont know why euro sports wastes­ so much energy to come up with nothing.

    From Phobia, on Fri 5 Jun 6:18PM
  11. LMAO.. and no xavi? LMAO what is this.. some american­ yahoo webdesigner's choice? rofl

    From moon2309, on Fri 5 Jun 1:24AM
  12. How is Xavi omitted from this team? That is borderline­ insanity.

    From Burt H, on Wed 3 Jun 8:35PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    boo messi that goal was rubish poo and i hate so be­ quiet and stop doing that your rubish

    From gabriel, on Wed 3 Jun 4:21PM
  14. Dzeko, bosnian striker, is one of the best young­ players in the world.

    From nerolkaric, on Tue 2 Jun 8:53PM
  15. The best striker on the planet is Torres, end of!!

    From Daniel, on Tue 2 Jun 5:09PM
  16. For all those manchester united fans out there that­ are­ still
    clinically depressed about the result at­ the­ Champions League game
    a special helpline has been­ set­ up by sir alex ferguson
    simply call
    0800­ 2-02-02-0

    THE LINES ARE RED HOT pmsl!!!!

    From hamiltonsteve64, on Tue 2 Jun 2:18PM
  17. black d learn some fkin english boy!!!

    From Alex, on Tue 2 Jun 2:17PM
  18. getachew44 for the first time i agree with you
    boy you­ were stupied couple of days ago now you look so­ genius
    have you make brain surgery?
    I' 100% with­ you for team of the year and i admire you
    but tell me­ why do you say messi is gay that was the negative of­ you analysis

    From black, on Tue 2 Jun 11:43AM
  19. xavi has played more and better than all
    eurosport you­ have alot to improve

    From getachew44, on Tue 2 Jun 10:25AM
  20. i will make 2 best teams from europe for this­ year
    ____________julio ­ cizar____________
    alves____vidic____puyol____a.cole
    ___­ ___________gerard______________
    messi______gorckuf_____­ __iniesta
    ________eto'o______forlan_________
    team­ 2
    ____________van..sar______________
    maicon___pique__te­ rry___sisoko
    ______________xavi________________
    ronaldo­ _____lampard______ribery
    ________roney___ibrahimovic___­ __
    both teams are equaly balanced
    this 2 teams are the­ true team of the year
    i didn't find place for the­ names eurosport have putten most are 2nd divission­ players

    From getachew44, on Tue 2 Jun 10:13AM
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