UEFA's 'Ultimate XI' Is Packed With Legends Of The Game

Today UEFA released their the 50-player shortlist so that fans can ultimately vote for the official UEFA Team of the Year - with five goalkeepers, 15 defenders, 15 midfielders and 15 forwards from the top teams in Europe making the cut.

But along with that, the governing body also released their 'Ultimate XI' on UEFA.com and it's pretty incredible to be honest.

The team, which lines up in a 4-3-3 formation, has been put together by using the players who have made the most appearances in the UEFA Team of the Year and unsurprisingly it features all of the big guns.

Real Madrid and Spain legend Iker Casillas is in between the sticks after featuring in the team in six different years in a row from 2007 to 2012.

Then, it's a star-studded back four comprising of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol and Philipp Lahm. The quartet have 23 appearance TOTY appearances between them - with Ramos leading the way with seven in total.

Moving up the pitch and boy do we have a dreamy midfield trio. The irresistible pairing of Barcelona geniuses Andres Iniesta and Xavi, with five and six appearances respectively, are shoo-ins but they are also joined in the middle of the park by Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard has been in the side on three different occasions, from 2005 to 2007, when he led Liverpool to that infamous Champions League final comeback over AC Milan in Istanbul and then reached the final against the same opposition two years later.

Image: PA

Undoubtedly up top is where the team is at it's spiciest. The one and only Thierry Henry, a Champions League runner-up in 2005/06 with Arsenal and then a winner in 2008/09 at Barcelona, plays on the left flank thanks to his five appearances.

And we finish with a pair of five-time Ballon d'Or winners. Lionel Messi has made the side on nine occasions, while Cristiano Ronaldo has been in the Team of the Year three more times than his rival as well as being nominated a record 12 times.

Do you agree with the XI?

Sound off in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Football, UEFA, Champions League

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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