• Played a prominent role in helping Real Madrid CF wrest the Spanish Liga title back from FC Barcelona after a three-season gap, registering four goals and 17 assists as José Mourinho's squad regained the crown in record-breaking fashion with 100 points and 121 goals.

• Also helped Madrid reach the last four of the UEFA Champions League for the second successive season, but despite his away goal in the first leg they were eliminated on penalties by FC Bayern München.

• Made a positive mark on his first UEFA European Championship final tournament, winning two man of the match awards – against Portugal and Greece – as Germany reached the semi-finals, his penalty against Italy in Warsaw coming too late to affect the outcome.