UEFA ‘Team of the Year’ Revealed: Bale In, Van Persie & Vidic Miss Out

UEFA have revealed their 2011 ‘Team of the Year’ and Gareth Bale is the Premier Leagues only representative, as Barcelona and Real Madrid dominate.

UEFA.com invited its users to choose their team from a selection of stand out performers in each position, and after over 4.5 million votes the XI has been revealed today.

Unsurprisingly, the side is full of Barca and Real Madrid players but the Premier League will feel disappointed to have only one representative.

Arsenal’s Robin van Persie misses out despite scoring an incredible 35 goals in 2011, but to be fair he was up against arguably the two best players on the planet in Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Man City’s Sergio Aguero and Man Utd Javier Hernandez also missed out.

Namaja Vidic may also feel aggrieved not to be selected after an impressive 2011 at the back for United. While Chelsea’s Ashley Cole and City’s Vincent Kompany were also overlooked. Joe Hart was also on the shortlist of goalkeepers but predictably Iker Casillas won the vote.

Other nominees who missed the cut were Edwin van der Sar, Nani, Jack Wilshere, Y. Toure, Gervinho, Luka Modric, David Silva, Ashley Young and Juan Mata. Liverpool had no players nominated.

But the inclusion of Bale will surprise few after some devastating displays, none more so than when he bagged an incredible hat-trick at the San Siro.

UEFA Team of the Year:

Casillas

(Real Madrid)

Alves               Pique              Silva           Marcelo

(Barcelona)   (Barcelona)   (AC Milan)   (R. Madrid)

Robben             Xavi              Iniesta               Bale

(B. Munich)    (Barcelona)   (Barcelona)   (Tottenham)

Messi            Ronaldo

(Barcelona)     (R. Madrid)

 

Coach: Guardiola (Barcelona)