Fan Voted UEFA Team of the Year Announced

By: chris | January 22nd, 2009

Surely millions of fanboys and fangirls couldn’t have shown half a noggin? Surely not. Surely there was lots of bickering between who has the better hair, sweeter smile and sexier thigh before clicking on whichever stars happens to kiss the badge of their favorite team this week. Or whose name is spelled with their initials.

There’s no way this may fans could’ve selected a halfway decent team of the year? Right? Wrong.

Ladies and gents, your Sexy XI of 2008:

GK: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF & Spain)
RB: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid CF & Spain)
CB: John Terry (Chelsea FC & England)
CB: Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona & Spain)
LB: Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München & Germany)
RW: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC & Portugal)
CM: Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona & Spain),
CM: Cesc Fàbregas (Arsenal FC & Spain)
LW: Franck Ribéry (FC Bayern München & France)
FW: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
FW: Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC & Spain)

Gaffer: Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United FC).

Or:

Casillas
Sergio Ramos, Terry, Puyol, Lahm
Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Cesc, Ribery
Messi, Torres

Or:

This team has all sorts of balance issues (and they’ll need at least 4-5 balls), but not too shabby.

The majority of wiggle room is in the back where John Terry could probably find a capable replacement (well when you’ve had a summer off…). Dani Alves probably deserves a shout – or several hundred thousand – but that Spanish back line was truly something special this summer and it’s impossible to fault the selection of any Spanish defenders after their Swissaustrian masterclass – this is a UEFA list, after all, and Brazil ain’t in Europe (fyi). Lahm? Biggest game of the year aside…

Midfield the only true argument is against Cesc, but he was so undeniably brilliant for Arsenal in the EPL last year it’s hard to fault his selection. Plus, you know, he’s Spanish: +10%.

The rest? Gold. There may be better across the board, but only marginally so – and even that’s still up to debate. Pretty much the theme with any selection here: there aren’t any real enormous snubs nor are there and mind-boggling inclusions. A solid year end team, which is probably the best we can ask for.

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Category: World Football

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imad

tanx very mah
Gopal

good team...
but maybe Clichy or Evra could've made the leftback slot instead of Lahm...

http://soccerzlife.wordpress.c...
Ben Roger

The most ridiculous thing is there is no Lampard!!?? The bloke has been the best player in the world since signing a new contract, justifying the best wages in the world. I think he's well and truly back to his best after a rather ordinary, still scored 20 but by his standards, last season laden by injuries and a major bereavement. Lampard is credit to himself, gerrard could do a lot worse than learn from Lampard both on and off the pitch
Jack

No Super Frank? Get this team outta my face.
Charles

Were people from outside of Spain allowed to vote? Six of the best players are all from Spain? Really?
Laurie

I shouldn't repeat this joke here, but I'm going to anyway, because Jan opened the door:

A sobbing politician weeps: "They said three Brazilians were killed in Iraq today." More weeping. "Wait. Dick, how many is a brazilian?"
Jan

"And its funny, I know someone who actually thought Brazil was in Europe…"

Well, at least he's no longer in office.
andrea

CL- It's just that basically, the voting was majorly influenced by Euro 2008 and well there was no tournament for the America's so we didn't really see those players in action much.

And its funny, I know someone who actually thought Brazil was in Europe...
CL

I don't understand this comment:

"this is a UEFA list, after all, and Brazil ain’t in Europe (fyi)."
Johonna

I expect them all to get calls from Manchester City this week.
mele419

I agree Lamp.
Besides that pretty solid team. Would never actually work on the pitch, but nice to look at.
Rob

Cesc isn't a bad inclusion at all. Amazing last season.
Drabik

I think its kinda weird that the best team in england/europe/world only has one player in this 11. I think that amplifies why that team has Sir Alex as the manager.
Adam

Yeah, Lahm? And no Vidic?
Andrea

You mean, the voting wasn't based on looks? What is this footballing ability that you're hinting about?

Anyways, Ribery has to be happy this time. The only complaint that he might have is that he wasn't chosen captain...
Hawk

3 Barca players! Wooh!
Lamp, Xavi is a better player then Sneider PLUS Sneijder is a more attacking (AM as opposed to Xavi's CM) midfielder PLUS Xavi did much more then Sneijder during 2008-09 for both his club and Int. Team.
Aaron

Lahm over Evra? That's ridiculous.
Lamp

I would have selected SNeijder over Hernandez.