Franco Baresi: My team of 2013

Widely considered one of the best defenders in football, AC Milan great Franco Baresi picks five 2012/13 UEFA Champions League finalists in his UEFA.com users' Team of the Year 2013, which also includes an "amazing" midfielder and a striker who "wins wherever he goes".

Baresi, 53, spent his entire playing career at Milan, amassing 719 appearances over two decades and lifting the European Champion Clubs' Cup three times and the Scudetto six. Part of Italy's 1982 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, he went close to repeating the feat in 1990 and 1994, with the Azzurri finishing third and runners-up respectively. He hung up his boots in 1997 and two years later Milan retired his No6 shirt.

View Baresi's choices below and submit your own selection before 13.00CET on Thursday 9 January.

Vote for your Team of the Year 2013

Manuel Neuer: He has proved to be a great goalkeeper, not just for his performances but also for what he has won with Bayern. He has personality and gives a lot of confidence to his team.

Philipp Lahm: He defends and attacks well. He has been outstanding with Bayern this year. He is very good technically and has shown great consistency down the years.

Thiago Silva: Along with Sergio Ramos, one of the strongest centre-backs in the world. He is a world-class defender.

Sergio Ramos: He has a lot of experience despite his age. He is good technically and also knows how to score goals.

David Alaba: He is young but very resourceful. He already performs like an experienced player.

Yaya Touré: He is an amazing midfielder who has been playing at the top level for several years now. He is very strong in the defensive role, but he can also start moves and score a lot of goals. 

Franck Ribéry: He is certainly one of the best in his position. He is a complete player.

Marco Reus: He caught the eye with Dortmund even if he didn't win the UEFA Champions League. He has excellent technical ability and is very quick.

Diego Costa: He has impressed everybody with his attacking talent and physical strength. He combines quality and quantity.

Cristiano Ronaldo: There are no words to describe him. This year he did even better than last, scoring lots of goals and helping his country reach the World Cup.

Zlatan Ibrahimović: Wherever he goes, he wins. He is unique in his way of playing. He can change an entire team with his performances.

Franco Baresi was talking to Alessandro Massimo.