Team of the Year 2007 announced
Sunday 11 March 2007
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The uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2007 has been announced, with UEFA Champions League winners AC Milan having the most players involved.
Milan trio
More than 3.75 million votes were cast by 277,985 individual uefa.com users in the poll. The dream dozen contains just two survivors of last year's team along with five newcomers. Milan's trio includes central defender Alessandro Nesta, who was also chosen in 2002, 2003 and 2004, and left midfield player Clarence Seedorf, who featured in the 2002 lineup. Colleague Kaká, with 220,333 votes, received the highest number of votes overall and is picked for a second successive year, this time as an attacking midfielder.
English representation
Also remaining from 12 months ago is Steven Gerrard, who figures for a third time, and is the only player from beaten UEFA Champions League finalists Liverpool FC to register. English clubs are to the fore, though, with John Terry – selected in 2005 – and newcomer Didier Drogba from Chelsea FC joined by Cristiano Ronaldo, whose previous nomination came in 2004. His Manchester United FC manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is perhaps belatedly named as coach for the first time, recognition of his achievement in guiding his side to the ninth Premier League title of his stewardship. An overdue debutant is Real Madrid CF goalkeeper Iker Casillas, while Sevilla FC right-back Daniel Alves, FC Barcelona left-back Eric Abidal and FC Internazionale Milano striker Zlatan Ibrahimović are also starring for the first time.
User involvement
Adrian Harte, uefa.com site manager, said: "User participation is a popular buzz word today but our users have contributed to the success of uefa.com from the start and we are delighted that they have again voted in huge numbers to choose their team of the year. It is a mix of established figures getting overdue recognition and young players on the way up. Indeed, all 12 will be back in UEFA Champions League action next month, further proof that the competition showcases the best players in the world."
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