Gaizka Mendieta: My team of 2014

An icon for Valencia CF in the latter half of the 1990s, Gaizka Mendieta has picked a line-up oozing talent for his UEFA.com users' Team of the Year 2014. The former Spain midfielder has drawn heavily on players that featured in the UEFA Champions League final and has also chosen two of Germany's World Cup winners.

View Mendieta's selections below and make your own choice before 13.00CET on Tuesday 6 January.

Vote for your Team of the Year 2014

Manuel Neuer: The perfect modern goalkeeper. He reads the game from his area, is very good with his feet and very quick at reaction saves. He is also very strong in one-on-ones and is secure coming out of his goal. He transmits a lot of security and leadership.

Pablo Zabaleta: A great full-back with a long career and a lot of experience. He is robust in defence and joins attacks with ease and purpose.

Sergio Ramos: Physically very strong and quick, he anticipates the play well and is excellent in the air. He is a leader in defence and has spent many years playing at the highest level.

Diego Godín: A centre-back with a huge physical presence, is uncompromising and very good in the air. Has scored very important goals for his club and his national team.

Phillip Lahm: Surely the most complete defender in the world. He can play in every position in defence and even in midfield because of his intelligence and reading of the game.

Xabi Alonso: A midfielder with a great understanding of the game and a great passing range. He dictates the rhythm of the game, as well as helping out with defensive work.

Koke: Despite his age he has grown and matured a lot as a player and is becoming a vital player for club and country. He has great technique, is strong physically, and reads the game well and has a perfect passing ability.

Ángel Di María: An unpredictable player with a rare ability to decide games on his own. He has speed, an eye for goal and a knack for providing assists. Links between the midfield and strikers like few other players and can play in various positions.

Lionel Messi: The true fantasy footballer. He is immensely talented and capable of doing anything on a football pitch. The amount of records he has beaten at his age is incredible. An astonishing player.

Cristiano Ronaldo: He has an incredible capacity to score goals. He is quick, great in the air and scores with both feet. Has begun scoring goals with incredible ease since playing closer to the penalty area.

Neymar: Represents Brazilian football perfectly, just as Ronaldo, Romário and Rivaldo did in their day. Scores lots of goals and has all the resources to win games. In spite of his youth, he assumes responsibility and leadership effortlessly.

Gaizka Mendieta was talking to Daniel Huerta.