Vote for UEFA.com users' Team of the Year

Jakub Błaszczykowski and Robert Lewandowksi will vie with the likes of Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernández in the new-look UEFA.com users' Team of the Year 2012 poll, with voting now open.

The Polish internationals join Borussia Dortmund team-mate Marco Reus on the 40-man shortlist, which features no fewer than nine members of Spain's UEFA EURO 2012-winning squad and five players from 2011/12 UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea FC. Real Madrid CF duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas are aiming to figure in the final selection for the sixth successive year while FC Barcelona pair Messi and Xavi could make the cut for the fifth year in a row.

Voting runs until 12.00CET on Friday 4 January, with the final lineup to be announced on Wednesday 16 January on UEFA.com, and in the January edition of Champions Matchday, the official UEFA Champions League magazine.

The format of the poll has changed this year, with users now asked to pick their team in their preferred formation from four goalkeepers, 12 defenders, 12 midfielders and 12 forwards. The nominees were chosen by UEFA.com staff writers on the basis of their performances for a European club or national team in 2012.

The poll, now in its 12th edition, gives UEFA.com users the chance to name a team of players who have impressed in Europe these past 12 months. The UEFA.com Team of the Year is not intended to rival more established awards and does not bear the official UEFA imprimatur. However, it has proved hugely popular with fans since its inception, with five million votes cast last year alone.

For full details of the nominees and to place your vote, visit en.toty.uefa.com