Vladimir Šmicer: My team of 2014

A goalscorer in Liverpool FC's triumphant UEFA Champions League final success of 2005, Vladimir Šmicer has selected only one of Real Madrid CF's 2014 victors for his Team of the Year – in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo.

A quartet of FIFA World Cup winners and two FC Barcelona talents also make the former Czech Republic midfielder's XI, with his side set up in a 4-3-3 formation.

View Šmicer'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: He has had a fantastic year. I like his technical skills which allow him to try dummy moves in an unpredictable way. He reads the play well and helps his team tremendously, more or less in a role as the last defender. He played excellently at the World Cup.

Philipp Lahm: It is not only that he defends well, he also provides great passes, he never slows down, is hard working and has great technical skills. He was captain of the world champions – it speaks for itself. He is a great team player.

Diego Godín: He had a great season. Winning the Spanish title with Atlético, he was the leader of the defence. He showed that he is capable of scoring with headers. It must be very unpleasant to play against such an uncompromising defender.

Mats Hummels: A reliable, technical player, he would have been even better had the injuries not slowed him down. It was certainly felt by Germany when he was missing from their lineup.

Pablo Zabaleta: He is a kind of discreet player, a non-star type. But that only underlines his teamwork and hard work. He keeps his level up during all the games; he never tires out.

Toni Kroos: He has made a great progress and turned into a world-class player with great reading of the play. He has complete skills. He is even stronger if accompanied by Luka Modrič [at Real Madrid]. They form a perfect duo.

Arjen Robben: I picked him for his consistent top-level performances. He is fast, capable of beating a defender at speed and possesses great acceleration with the ball, as well as having a powerful finish.

James Rodríguez: He won the golden boot at the World Cup. He is young, talented and he coped with high expectations after moving to Real Madrid. He was a great surprise for me this season; I would like to have him in my team, definitely.

Cristiano Ronaldo: It is hard to say something new. He is a goal machine, won the UEFA Champions League and is one of the best players in the world.

Lionel Messi: As with Ronaldo, it is difficult to say anything new. He keeps his performances at a very high level. If he is fit, he is one of the three top players in the world.

Neymar: I like that he amuses spectators with his dummy moves and tricks with the ball. His absence for Brazil in the semis at the World Cup showed how important he is. They would have done much better with him.

Vladimir Šmicer was speaking to Ondřej Zlámal.