Roberto Carlos: My Team of 2003

uefa.com Team of 2003 nominee Roberto Carlos of Real Madrid CF selects his own Team of the Year. Voting for the uefa.com Team of the Year ends on Friday at 1700CET.

I'm feeling very happy and proud knowing that uefa.com has chosen my name for the Team of the Year shortlist. At Madrid, I believe we have the best players in the world so it may come as no surprise that my team of 2003 is full of Madrid players.

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
I would have picked Iker Casillas as the best European goalkeeper right now, but as he is not nominated Buffon comes a close second. Our games against Juventus FC in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League in 2003 were very tough and in the end they were too strong for us and knocked us out of the competition.

Right-back: Míchel Salgado
Míchel has been at Madrid for five years and he is in his prime right now. He is a fantastic right-back and also a very versatile player. We are all very happy that he has signed an extension to his contract.

Left-back: Bixente Lizarazu
I will not pick myself for this position, instead I will choose Lizarazu. He is a great player for FC Bayern München and is also a FIFA World Cup winner so what else can I say!

Centre-back: Iván Helguera
People always talk about strikers and forward men at Madrid, but we could not have achieved our successes if it wasn't for our defence. Iván is a rock for us at the back and sometimes he doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Centre-back: Paolo Maldini
Maldini is a legend. He has played for so many years at the top and to still be in Serie A and performing well in the Champions League at 35 is an example to all young players.

Right Midfield: Luís Figo
I've played with Luís for a few years now and not only is he of the highest class on the pitch, he is also a great person off the pitch. Luís is a very generous, funny and talented guy and the kind of player that anyone would want.

Centre Midfield: David Beckham
Although I have not played with David for long, I knew before he arrived what a great player he was. He has adapted so quickly to the Spanish game and has already achieved so much for us this season. David has a big profile around the world but he is just a normal person who works very hard at his talent.

Attacking Midfield: Zinedine Zidane
What can I say about Zizou! I don't think there will be many uefa.com readers who will not be voting for this special man. As a player he is amazing and it is only right that he has achieved so much in his career.

Left Midfield: Ryan Giggs
I've always been a big fan of Giggs and I was very impressed when I played against him in the Champions League quarter-finals last season.

Forward: Ronaldo
Ronny needs no hype. He is the best striker in the world, it's as simple as that. For me he is like a fine wine that gets better and better with age.

Forward: Raúl González
Yes, another Madrid player, but who can argue with me? Raúl has been a key player for Madrid for so many years and he repays the love the fans give him with great performances year-in, year-out for his club.

Coach: Marcello Lippi
Any coach that can beat this Madrid side has to be very special and that is exactly what Lippi did last season in the Champions League semi-final.