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The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) every year announces its Team of the Year and every footballer playing in Europe wish to be a part of it. The players' overall performances in the domestic, European, and international competitions are evaluated and based on it, UEFA announces a list of shortlisted players which were further shortlisted to 11 players through an online voting procedure. The award was started back in 2001.
On 11 January 2019 UEFA announced its team of the year 2018, in which five players made their first-ever appearance, whereas, on the other hand, there are many who have become a regular member of the team.
Here we will look at the six players with most appearances in UEFA Team of the Year.
#6 Carles Puyol
The Barcelona legend was considered one of the best defenders of his generation. Carles Puyol was the product of Barcelona youth academy La Masia.
He made his professional debut for Barcelona on 2 October 1999 against Real Valladolid. At the end of the 2003-04 season he became captain of Barcelona, and during his career, he captained the Spain national team as well. The ex Barcelona centre back was known for his composure on the ball, authoritative presence in the air and leadership quality.
He was selected for the UEFA Team of the Year on numerous occasions for his excellent performances. He was part of 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 UEFA team of the year. Puyol won three UEFA Champions League, six LaLiga and two Copa del Rey with Barcelona.
The 40-year-old former Spain international also won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and made 100 appearances for the national team. Puyol was selected for UEFA Ultimate team of the year published by UEFA in 2015.
#6 Iker Casillas
The former Real Madrid, Iker Casillas, goalkeeper began his youth career with Real Madrid and played 16 professionals season with Los Blancos before leaving for FC Porto in 2015.
He also played 167 games for the Spanish National team. Casillas won three UEFA Champions League, five LaLiga and two Copa Del Rey with Real Madrid. The FC Porto goalkeeper also won the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the 2008 and 2012 Euro Championships.
The 37-year-old shot stopper was selected six times in the UEFA team of the year. From 2007-2012 he was a consistent member of the team. He also got a place in the UEFA ultimate team of the year released by UEFA in 2015.
#6 Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta is one of the best midfielders of the current generation. The former Barcelona man redefined football and made it look so easy and sublime. After spending 16 years with Barcelona and winning 30 trophies, he finally left the club in 2018, joining J1 League side Vissel Kobe. The former Spanish international won the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.
Iniesta was part of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016 UEFA team of the year.
#3 Sergio Ramos
If there is anyone defender who has consistently performed for the club and country, is Sergio Ramos. Ramos was selected in the UEFA Team of the Year for the record eight times (for a defender). He was selected in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The 32-year-old centre back plays for Real Madrid. He joined the Los Blancos from Sevilla in 2005.
He has won 20 major trophies with Real Madrid including four LaLiga, four UEFA Champions League and two Copa Del Rey. Ramos also has three international honours to his name, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the 2008 and 2012 Euro Championships.
The Spanish international has made 161 appearances for the national team, scoring 17 goals.
#2 Lionel Messi
Apart from an International trophy, there is nothing this man has not won in his spectacular career. He has kissed every individual trophy which a player can kiss during his career. Lionel Messi is called the magician of football. The Barcelona man has won a record five Ballon d'Or, equal to Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Argentinian International has been selected in the UEFA team of the year 10 times. Since 2008, he has been a part of the UEFA Team of the Year consecutively. He has made 437 appearances for Barcelona scoring 402 goals in LaLiga.
Messi has won 32 trophies with the club, including nine LaLiga and four UEFA Champions League. The 31-year-old is also a part of UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year released by UEFA in 2015.
He also has an odd record of losing finals with National team. Messi has lost four finals with Argentina, including 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2007,2015 and 2016 Copa America final.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
At number one we have none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. If we are talking about records, we cannot exclude the Portuguese superstar.
Ronaldo has been a part of 13 UEFA Team of the Year, three more than second-placed Messi. His first appearance in the UEFA Team of the Year was back in 2004. Since 2007, every year he has been selected in the UEFA Team of the Year.
Ronaldo currently plays for Serie A side Juventus. After joining Real Madrid in 2009, he spent nine years with the club making 438 appearances and scoring 450 goals.
He joined Juventus in 2018, after the World Cup. The Portuguese captain has also made 154 appearances for his country and scored 85 goals. He is the second highest international goalscorer of all time and the leader among active players. Ronaldo has also won five Ballon d'Or.
