Luís Figo: My team of 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
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Luís Figo picks six participants from last season's final in his selection, but goes with fellow Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo to lead a lethal-looking side in attack.
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A man who knows what it takes to lift the UEFA Champions League, former FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF and FC Internazionale Milano forward Luís Figo has selected a formidable looking lineup for his UEFA.com users' Team of the Year 2013.
With six of the selection coming from last season's UEFA Champions League final, there is a strong FC Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund core. The former Portuguese international has selected a deadly triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimović in attack to spearhead his lethal-looking 4-3-3 formation.
View Figo'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: Of all of those who were nominated I would choose Neuer, because he is quite a complete goalkeeper; he plays well with his feet as well. He also won the Champions League, so I think he deserves to be chosen.
Philipp Lahm: I would choose Lahm because he is a Champions League winner.
Mats Hummels: He has the qualities that are necessary to build play from defence.
Thiago Silva: I also quite like Thiago from Paris Saint-Germain.
David Alaba: These days it is hard to find left-backs. I think he deserves the award for the year he has had. I think he has grown a lot as a player. He is a fast player and he had a great season.
Franck Ribéry: I would choose Ribéry to play in the centre.
Marco Reus: I think he is an extraordinary player, one of the best in Europe at the moment. If I had the opportunity to sign a player it would be Reus because I like him a lot.
Yaya Touré: He brings a bit of balance to the team, so I would also choose him.
Cristiano Ronaldo: I would play Ronaldo on the left.
Lionel Messi: A bit out of position but I would put Messi on the right. Everyone knows him, Cristiano as well. I know they do not need any words. I think big players who have quality can fit together and adapt.
Zlatan Ibrahimović: I would play him in the centre. He is among the three best players in the world, and he has always been a champion for all the teams he has played for. I think he has extraordinary quality, and for Paris Saint-Germain he has been fantastic this last year and a half.
Luís Figo was talking to Alfredo Rodríguez.
