UEFA announced the Champions League squad of the season on their Twitter account, and CaughtOffside has put together the tournament’s team of the season, featuring plenty of stars from the final of the competition.
One Premier League star makes the XI, alongside the world’s superstar players, including Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Have a read below…
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GK – Gianluigi Buffon – Juventus
A tough call to leave Barcelona’s young stopper Ter Steggen out of the XI, but the 37-year-old continues to put in age defying performances between the posts. 13 UCL games and six clean sheets for the Italian in Europe’s elite, and his career still looks far from nearing its end.
RB – Branislav Ivanovic – Chelsea
While a disappointing tournament for Jose Mourinho’s Blues after getting knocked by Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16, the Serbian international would walk into the team of any giant of European football. Surprising, however, not to see Dani Alves make the squad of the season.
CB – Gerard Pique – Barcelona
The 28-year-old has been key in Barca’s Champions League triumph. A formidable force in central defence for the Spanish giants – averaging 2 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per-game, as well as scoring an overall rating in the competition of 7.27.
CB – Giorgio Chiellini – Juventus
Like Pique, the Italian centre-back was imperative in Juve reaching the final and his injury, which ruled him out of the final, was a significant blow. Luis Suarez will have been delighted not to have come against his World Cup nemesis. His reading of the game – highlighted in his average of 2.7 interceptions per UCL game – could have made the difference in halting Barca’s attacking trio.
LB – Jordi Alba – Barcelona
The Spaniard earned himself a new long-term contract at the Camp Nou [Sky Sports] and the 26-year-old deserves his growing reputation as one of the finest in his position. A key player to Luis Enrique’s side.
LCM – Andres Iniesta – Barcelona
The Camp Nou legend came under criticism earlier in the season for his lack of assists, but having set up five in the competition – second highest to Lionel Messi’s six – the playmaker has been excellent in Europe’s elite. The 31-year-old was in commanding form in Berlin – putting in a man-of-the-match display – and it took only four minutes for Iniesta to set up Ivan Rakitic for the opening goal.
CM – Toni Kroos – Real Madrid
No player made more passes in the Champions League than the Germany international. The composed midfielder proved even more of a key signing for Los Blancos following Luka Modric’s problems with injury, but new manager Rafael Benitez will be looking for much improved form in front of goal from the former Bayern Munich star when his first campaign gets under way in August.
RCM – Ivan Rakitic – Barcelona
The 27-year-old made 44 appearances in all competitions for Barca and has eased concerns that the Spanish giants would struggle to replace departing legend Xavi Hernandez. The Croatia international deserved the spotlight after scoring the opener in Berlin and his performances are expected to only improve.
RW – Neymar – Barcelona
The Brazilian forward scored 10 goals in the Champions League – level with superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – and at 23-years-old will only get better and better.
CF – Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
The Portugal captain expressed signs of unhappiness at the Santiago Bernabeu throughout the campaign – despite scoring an incredible 59 goals in all competitions – with 10 of those coming in the UCL. However, the former Manchester United forward remains the most prolific goalscorer in Europe.
LW – Lionel Messi – Barcelona
The Argentine forward, surprisingly, didn’t get his name on the scoresheet in the final, but, unsurprisingly, recorded the highest tally of goals scored and assists registered in Europe’s elite. However, it’s his influence that proves crucial; no player had more shots (48), attempted more dribbles (150) or created more chances (36) than Messi.
