Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been named in a UEFA ‘team of the century’.
The former Reds captain is one of only two players in the starting XI who have never played for Real Madrid or Barcelona, along with ex-Germany and Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm.
UEFA say they have created “an all-time XI” by looking back on the players who have featured most in their Team of the Year.
Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas gets the nod between the sticks having made the team on six occasions, ahead of Gianluigi Buffon (4) and Manuel Neuer (3).
In defence are two Barcelona representatives – Carles Puyol (6) and Gerard Pique (5) – along with Lahm and Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, who has made the team for the last five years in a row and six in total.
Barcelona also have two players in midfield as Xavi and Andres Iniesta are included in the line-up, having featured five and six times respectively in the Team of the Year.
And Gerrard, who is one of five midfielders who has been selected in the team three times, completes the midfield.
Explaining the decision, UEFA say: “Seven nominations were key to taking Liverpool’s talisman into the ultimate XI at the expense of Kaka (five nominations), Ronaldinho (four), Pavel Nedved (three) and Zinedine Zidane (three).”
There are no surprises up front with the selections of Cristiano Ronaldo (11) and Lionel Messi (8).
And there’s also a place for former Arsenal and Barcelona forward Thierry Henry, who was the only player to be named in the first four selections in 2001, ’02, ’03 and ’04
Source:Skysports
