Fatih Terim: My team of 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
Article summary
"Consistency is the key," said Fatih Terim as the Turkey coach picked his best XI of 2013, which features five FC Bayern München players and an exemplary defender.
Article top media content
Article body
FC Bayern München and Real Madrid CF players form the backbone of Turkey coach Fatih Terim's selection for the UEFA.com users' Team of 2013.
The 60-year-old former Galatasaray AŞ boss opted for a 4-4-2 formation (with a hint of a 4-5-1), with Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo deployed more as a left-winger and Arsenal FC midfielder Mesut Özil fielded behind lone striker Lionel Messi.
"The players I picked are the ones who I like and whose international, European and domestic games I follow," Terim told UEFA.com. "When you look, you can see that all of them have been playing consistently for many years. This is crucial for me. Those players always do their job perfectly and always aim for better.
"If I have to single one of them out, I would go for Sergio Ramos. I can't remember a game he has missed, be it a Champions League game, international fixture, friendly or charity match. This is a fantastic and very important quality for a footballer. All players in the world should take him as an example. Cristiano Ronaldo is a similar case."
View Terim'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
Philipp Lahm
Sergio Ramos
Thiago Silva
David Alaba
Arjen Robben
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Gareth Bale
Mesut Özil
Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi
Fatih Terim was speaking to Türker Tozar.