UEFA have revealed their Team of the Year for 2017… and there is one major shock.
Neymar, who shattered the world record for a transfer fee when he swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in his £198million move last summer, is NOT in the starting XI.
The Brazilian star is arguably one of the greatest players on the planet, but he is kept out of a massively talented front three this time around.
It can hardly be called a fluke, or a biased decision, either, as 8.8million people voted for their preferred XI.
In fact, the voting turn-out was the largest in the history of the Uefa Team of the Year – as just two new faces made it… both from the Premier League.
Check out the full XI, below…
GOALKEEPER
Gianluigi Buffon
ANOTHER phenomenal year, at the ripe, old age of 39-years-old, Buffon is showing no signs of slowing down.
In making the team, the Juventus man extends his record as the oldest ever player to make the Team of the Year.
Italy legend Buffon has now been picked in the starting XI FIVE times… just one appearance behind leading No1 Iker Casillas.
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DEFENDERS
Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Giorgio Chiellini, Marcelo
IT’S a back-four to give any forwards in the world nightmares, with talented wing-back duo Alves and Marcelo getting the nod.
The experienced pair, from PSG and Real Madrid respectively, enjoyed another incredible year.
They are joined by another Los Blancos star in Ramos and Juventus legend Chiellini in a star-studded defence.
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MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric
TWO more Real Madrid stars make the cut here as inseparable central midfield duo Kroos and Modric deservedly make the Team of the Year.
The pair had another sensational year for the Champions League winners and are joined by Manchester City star De Bruyne.
The Belgian has been unstoppable in the past year and justifiably makes the starting XI for 2017 – particularly due to his scintillating form for unstoppable City.
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FORWARDS
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard
IT had to be a fiercely strong trio to keep Neymar out… and that it is.
La Liga superstars Messi and Ronaldo and always the first name on any combined European XI thanks to their exploits in Spain.
But they are joined by Premier League star and Uefa Team of the Year newcomer Hazard up top – who’s enjoyed a sublime year with Chelsea.
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