Christian Ziege: My team of 2014

A EURO '96 winning left-back with Germany, Christian Ziege has selected four countrymen in his 2014 Team of the Year, while five of those who made the cut are from his former club FC Bayern München.

All three players on the FIFA Ballon d'Or shortlist – Manuel Neuer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – take their places in Ziege's side, while Vincent Kompany and Sergio Ramos provide a rock-solid base in central defence in the former AC Milan, Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC defender's 4-3-3 formation.

View Ziege's choices below and submit your own selection before 13.00CET on Tuesday 6 January.

Vote for your Team of the Year 2014

Manuel Neuer: The best goalkeeper in the world because he is the most complete one.

Philipp Lahm: He has played at a world-class level for years in various positions.

Vincent Kompany: A robust and quick centre-back who has played to a high standard for years.

Sergio Ramos: A great leader – one of the best central defenders in the world.

David Alaba: He can be deployed anywhere and has developed incredibly.

Toni Kroos: He has continued to develop to an unbelievable level. Everything goes through him for Real Madrid and Germany.

Xabi Alonso: One of the cleverest and best midfielders in the world, he rarely makes mistakes.

Arjen Robben: He is one of the best players in Europe, if not the best.

Lionel Messi: Has been among the best attackers in the world for years. No one else is at his level, except Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Exactly like Messi. No one else is at their level.

Thomas Müller: Always good for a goal and performs consistently well. A great player for Bayern and Germany.

Christian Ziege was talking to Axel Ruppert.