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.
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.
Comment 111 - 130 of 130
shay givens r u out of ur mind
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!!!!!
just dance ab ,mnfxzZX
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...
Congratulation for TERRY DANIEL HENERY.
I am very happy for you.
where the heck is xavi barca 4 life
Valdes
Alves Vidic Pique A.Cole
Xavi Gerrard Iniesta
Messi Forlan Villa
lampard should be there.
Xavi not In..What about Eto and Slatan?..You are insane and ignorant..you must be English
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.
LMAO.. and no xavi? LMAO what is this.. some american yahoo webdesigner's choice? rofl
How is Xavi omitted from this team? That is borderline insanity.
boo messi that goal was rubish poo and i hate so be quiet and stop doing that your rubish
Dzeko, bosnian striker, is one of the best young players in the world.
The best striker on the planet is Torres, end of!!
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!!!!
black d learn some fkin english boy!!!
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
xavi has played more and better than all
eurosport you have alot to improve
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
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account