Credit: Twitter/UEFA
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IT HASN’T BEEN the best of weeks on the awards front for Lionel Messi after he lost out to Cristiano Ronaldo in Monday’s Ballon d’Or.
Today, UEFA.com released its Team of the Year 2013, which is voted on by users of the European football governing body’s website, with the Barcelona star nowhere to be seen.
In fact, while La Liga rivals Real Madrid were represented by three players and Champions League winners Bayern Munich had four, not one of Barcelona’s squad made it in.
Messi, missing for the first time since 2007, was beaten to the second forward spot by Paris Saint-Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The only non-European player in the XI is Ibra’s clubmate Thiago Silva.
Here’s the team: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Philip Lahm (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid).
What do you think?
where the hell is bendtner
Sergio Ramos and defender in the same sentence is just wrong.
Not really sure what you mean. He’s done alright I think. 3 Leagues, a cup, and a key member of the greatest international team of all time.
Ramos is a head banger, he has gotten more red cards than any player in the history of the Spanish League.
He has won more than most of the players in Spanish League history also.
Roy Keane was well known for a red card or two. Does that mean he’s a head banger? Ramos didn’t get them honours for nothing.
But we love Roy because he is a head banger!
What a load of sh!te. Shows how much these voters are affected by media hype than actual ability and contribution to a team. No Barca player even though they won the league and got to semis of Champs League? No Van Persie despite him practically winning United the league last season with a fairly average squad?
Yet Ramos makes it – cause people recognise him and know he’s a centre-half, and Bale, with his half-a-season contribution to Spurs’ UEFA Cup place and few months being photgraphed in Madrid? Joke.
Seamus – Where do I start?
“No Barca players? Even though they won the League and made the semi final of Champions League?” – The same Champions league semi final they lost 7-0 to Bayern Munich in a record defeat. No Iniesta, Xavi or Fabregas may be a touch harsh considering Özil was picked on the basis of his early Arsenal form and another solid season of laying on goals for Real Madrid. You can hardly argue that Ribery doesnt deserve his place! He won a treble for Chrissake.
“No Van Persie?” – No, no Van Persie. The award is based over all of 2013 not 5 months of the season. Certainly not better than Ibra or Cristiano. Or after that Messi or Suarez. Maybe then you’d pick him.
“Sergio Ramos?!” – Why not? Not many better in Europe, certainly won enough to put to bed any myth that he’s not good enough, has a fairly decorated trophy room to back that up. He became the Captain of Real Madrid as they ran to the semi finals of the Champions League and played well throughout the season.Wouldn’t personally be my choice, but there you are.
“Bale for half a season with Spurs and getting photographed for Madrid a few times?” – You don’t watch many Madrid games I take it? Has one of the highest number of assists in the La Liga and has scored more than a few times. Coupled with his 5 months wih Spurs where he singlehandedly nearly got them into the Champs League. Well worthy of his place.
Suarez should be there before zlatan
Suarez and Messi should be in that team
At centre half? Or would you play Suarez at Left Full and Messi in goal?
A much better team than the FIFA XI
Not to get all tactical but I don’t even see any central midfielders in that team, seems to be about 4/5 wingers
And has hardly played the other 7 months…….as for Suarez,he has barely played in Europe all year and if ur picking a UEFA XI,surely that has to be a pre-requisite……
RVP excluded?? Won the league on his own
Wouldnt say on his own
2013 not Jan to May 2013
No Robin Van Persie?
No Robin Van Persie.
No
How isn’t Richard Dunne not there????
Messi short listed for ballon Dor but not included in the team! Bs
A part from Messi not being there I can’t argue with that team.
Wouldn’t have Ramos there, not sure about Oezil or Neuer, not a bad side though
Neuer best keeper in the world by far. Who do you rate better?
Pick a second eleven with messi in it, who would your money be on. It’s like our press representative not voting for him in the ballon D’or, and jimmy McGee placing him 3rd I think last year, it’s this inverted snobbery, they know more than the ordinary fan. If their lives depended on that team I’d say he would be in it .