After 3.75 million votes were cast by 277,985 users, the
uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2007 has been revealed.
Take an in-depth look at the selections.
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF)
Often nominated but not selected till now, Iker Casillas has been
one of Europe's best keepers. Only 26, he has 73 Spain caps and has
appeared 84 times for Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. He was
in stellar form in 2007, playing a key role as Los Merengues
regained the Spanish title. He finished more than 10,000 votes
ahead of Petr Čech, with whom he shares a birthday, polling more
than 90,000 votes.
Right-back: Daniel Alves (Sevilla FC)
After just missing out on the 2006 team, archetypal attacking
full-back Daniel Alves edged out the more defensive-minded Sergio
Ramos in this year's lineup. Alves is to the right flank what
compatriot Roberto Carlos is to the left. Always looking to attack
without shunning defensive duties, Alves was a central figure in
Sevilla's second successive UEFA Cup triumph and also scored in
Brazil's Copa América final victory.
Central defender: Alessandro Nesta (AC
Milan)
After sitting out Italy's 2006 FIFA World Cup win, Alessandro Nesta
may have had a point to prove on his return and he did so with an
excellent display for Milan in the UEFA Champions League final. He
then helped the Rossoneri triumph in the UEFA Super Cup and the
FIFA Club World Cup, where he scored a goal in the decider.
Central defender: John Terry (Chelsea FC)
John Terry topped the poll for central defender despite the fact he
missed a lot of the year through injury. However, when he was
playing, Terry showed enough to confirm his status as one of the
best stoppers around. He scored the first international goal at the
new Wembley in June and also led Chelsea to FA Cup and English
League Cup glory as well as to the semi-finals of the UEFA
Champions League for the third time in four seasons.
Left-back: Eric Abidal (Olympique Lyonnais/FC
Barcelona)
The France defender pipped last year's winner Philipp Lahm by less
than one per cent of the vote. Yet there is no doubt that Abidal is
one of the finest full-backs around. He started the year with Lyon
and his partnership with Florent Malouda was one of the strongest
left sides in the game as he claim a third straight Ligue 1 crown.
He has since impressed with Barcelona and is France's undisputed
No1 at left-back.
Right midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United
FC)
Undoubtedly the finest winger in the world, Ronaldo was in stunning
form in 2007. He scored 29 goals for Manchester United in all
competitions as they regained their Premier League title and
reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. In addition, he
netted five times as Portugal qualified for UEFA EURO 2008. He was
chosen as Footballer of the Year by both journalists and his fellow
professionals in England and was also voted Portuguese Player of
the Year.
Central midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool
FC)
The Liverpool talisman may have lost out to Milan in the UEFA
Champions League final, but Gerrard finished well ahead of
second-placed Andrea Pirlo in the voting in this category. He also
received more votes as captain than any other player, over 40,000.
He led Liverpool to a second final in three years and late in 2007
scored in seven successive matches, including the last three UEFA
Champions League fixtures as Liverpool made the last 16.
Attacking midfield: Kaká (AC Milan)
With 220,333 votes, Kaká topped the poll overall after a brilliant
year which underlined his status as the best player in the world.
Top scorer with ten goals as Milan won the UEFA Champions League,
Kaká also lifted the UEFA Super Cup scoring in the final and
was picked as best player when Milan claimed the Club World
Cup.
Left midfield: Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan)
The most successful player in UEFA Champions League history shone
again in 2007 with his fourth final victory. He finished more than
6,000 votes ahead of Ricardo Quaresma to be selected for a second
time, five years after his previous inclusion. His campaign was
highlighted by crucial strikes against FC Bayern München and
Manchester United in the quarter and semi-finals en route to
another European success, and also by his 100th UEFA Champions
League appearance against Celtic FC in December.
Forward: Zlatan Ibrahimović (FC Internazionale
Milano)
In the last 12 months, the mercurial Swedish international has
added the consistency to the ability and self-confidence he has
always possessed. He was leading marksman for Inter as they secured
the 2006/07 Scudetto and he continued in that vein in the final
months of the year, finishing as joint top scorer in the UEFA
Champions League with five goals from six games.
Forward: Didier Drogba (Chelsea FC)
Belated recognition for the Ivory Coast striker after he played
such a crucial part in Chelsea's Premier League title triumph of
2006. He top-scored in the English championship in 2006/07 with 21
goals, netted twice in Chelsea's 2-1 League Cup final victory over
Arsenal FC, and forced in the winner in the first FA Cup final at
the new Wembley in extra time against Manchester United. He also
hit four goals in four outings as Chelsea advanced to the last 16
of the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League.
Coach: Sir Alex Ferguson
The Scottish manager who led Manchester United to UEFA Champions
League glory in 1999 gets a long overdue award after guiding the
Red Devils to the ninth title of his remarkable two-decade reign at
Old Trafford. He has built arguably his third great United side and
after contesting the semi-finals in 2007, he will be hopeful of
another UEFA Champions League triumph in 2008.
