© EuroFootball.com
Official UEFA website held a vote in which about 390 thousand football fans chose the symbolic European team of 2006, dominated by players from the Champions League winner "Barcelona" club and the victorious Italian national team in the World Cup.
Four players selected for the symbolic eleven are from the European champions "Barcelona" team - left back Gianluca Zambrotta, center back Carles Puyol, attacking midfielder Ronaldinho and forward Samuel Eto'o. They were joined by the best strategist, head coach Frank Rijkaard, who received nearly 292 thousand votes. Ronaldinho also became the most mentioned player.
Two footballers made it to the team from the last season's Champions League final defeat against "Barcelona" by London's "Arsenal" team - young defender Cesc Fabregas and forward Thierry Henry, who returned to the symbolic team after being left out last year and was selected for the fifth time.
The Italian national team, the World Cup winners, were represented by defenders G. Zambrotta, F. Cannavaro from Madrid's "Real" and Juventus' goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Also included was the outstanding left back from Germany's hosting the World Cup, Philipp Lahm from Munich's "Bayern".
Alongside his teammate in the Brazilian national team Ronaldinho, "Milan" star Kaka joined the defensive line of the symbolic team, while "Liverpool" leader Steven Gerrard, who was previously selected among the midfielders, this time made it to the team as the best right back.
Four players made it to the team for the second year in a row - C. Puyol, S. Gerrard, Ronaldinho, and S. Eto'o.
"We are delighted that a record number of people cast their votes because we have always believed it is important to let the fans have their say, as they are the ones who support the tournaments. The final team is excellent, including established stars and several talented young European players. All of them, except for one, will participate in the Champions League next month, once again proving that the best players in the world compete in the tournament," said UEFA.com website administrator Adrian Harte.
UEFA.com visitors' team of the year
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Buffon ("Juventus")
Defenders
Philipp Lahm (Munich's "Bayern")
Fabio Cannavaro (Madrid's "Real")
Carles Puyol ("Barcelona")
Gianluca Zambrotta ("Barcelona")
Midfielders
Ronaldinho ("Barcelona")
Cesc Fabregas ("Arsenal")
Kaká ("Milan")
Steven Gerrard ("Liverpool")
Forwards
Thierry Henry ("Arsenal")
Samuel Eto'o ("Barcelona")
Coach
Frank Rijkaard ("Barcelona")
