Ayala names his Team of 2006
Tuesday 16 January 2007
e-mail
Print
Digg
Save
Roberto Ayala gave credit to Valencia team-mate David Villa (©Getty Images)
As Europe awaits the results of uefa.com's users' Team of 2006 poll on Friday, Valencia CF's Roberto Ayala has revealed his own personal team of the year.
Villa honoured
The 33-year-old central defender selected Italy's FIFA World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and Chelsea FC's John Terry to be the anchor men in his defence. There was also a place for Valencia team-mate David Villa in the Argentinian's all-star side, deployed alongside Chelsea's Didier Drogba up front.
Roberto Ayala's Team of 2006
Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
He won the World Cup and he played steadily in Italy last year.
Right back - Daniel Alves (Sevilla FC)
Daniel Alves is the best of the typical Brazilian right-backs.
Left back - Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München)
I didn't know too much about him but he astonished me when I played against him. He's really good.
Central defenders - Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid CF) &
John Terry (Chelsea FC)
I chose these two because of their character, because I personally like them and because of their leadership - they were the best central defenders of the year.
Central midfielder - Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
He had a superb World Cup - he did the best that was expected from him.
Right midfielder - Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Franck Ribéry also played consistently well during the World Cup but Leo's performances were excellent for his team.
Left midfielder - Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
His 2006 at Barcelona was great. He did not do a great job at the World Cup but he is the most destructive player in the world - the one who can make a difference above all others.
Attacking midfielder - Juan Román Riquelme (Villarreal CF) He is my choice as he is something else. He did not play at his best during the World Cup, but put Villarreal up among the best teams in Europe.
Forwards - Didier Drogba (Chelsea) & David Villa (Valencia) Drogba does not stop improving, he plays better and becomes more of a goal creator all the time. He has maintained a high level of performance. Villa had a great year with us. He makes the goals he scores himself. He is a major talent.
Coach - Juande Ramos (Sevilla)
He keeps a low profile. Quietly, through patience and hard work, he had a great 2006 at Sevilla and won the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
©uefa.com 1998-2008. All rights reserved.
