During the week Uefa released their all time top eleven players.
Players were picked based on how many appearances they made in the UEFA.com fans’ Team of the Year a competition whic has been going since 2001. Only formations available in the UEFA.com fans’ Team of the Year 2020 were considered when selecting this all-time XI. Youu can vote for 2020 team of the year by clicking this link.
Below is the the full team which will be managed by Jose Mourinho, who was Uefa coach of the year a total of four times, double the amount of his closest rival Sir Alex Ferguson, who is sitting on two.
Many fan’s were upset with the exclusion of their favorites such as Paul Scholes, however the Manchester United playmaker has never been included in a Uefa Team of the year.
Cristiano Ronlado has made the list a total of 14 times and was included for the first time in 2004. Naturally Lionel Messi is his closest rival with 11. The inclusion of Sergio Ramos, who is the third highest capped player at 8, as a right back seems suspect The Spainard acheieved most of his accolades from his years playing centre back with Real Madrid. If he was considered centre back, then he would be the partner to Chales Puyol and Gerrard Pique would not make the team.
As a knock-on effect either Phillip Lahm or Dani Alves would be the teams right back , as both are on 5 appearances. Lahm was put left back in this despite spending most of his career as a right back. The closest left back that would be eligible is Bayern Munich player David Alaba or Real Madrids Marcelo, both have been included three times.
In the middle of the pitch few could argue Xavi and Iniesta’s appearences, both included six time since the teams inception. However it’s the inclusion of one Stephen Gerrard’s hat should be questioned. Gerrard has made the side a total of three time’s , which is one of the highest of all centre midfielders, however other players have also appeared three times and were overlooked. Toni Kross, Luka Modric, Kaka and one Zinedine Zidane all lost out to the Anfield hero.
Thierry Henry pipped Zlatan Ibrahimović to the top striker position, with the Frenchman making the a total of five times, to Zlatans four. Buffon is Iker Casillas closet rival for goal with the Italian appearing five times and Casillas six.
The first tyear the all time xi was released was 2015, and only one player has now been replaced . The AC Milan Legend Alessandro Nesta was one of the top defenders with four inclusions, however Pique has now since surpassed him.
