Team Of The Year 2004

UEFA have named their Team of the Year 2004. The selection reflects Porto’s success in the Champions’ League but surprisingly overlooks Greece’s triumph in Euro 2004.UEFA have named their Team of the Year 2004. The selection reflects Porto’s success in the Champions’ League but surprisingly overlooks Greece’s triumph in Euro 2004.

The team is compiled with the votes of over 1.2million www.uefa.com users and is the fourth annual selection.

Porto’s representation from their Champions’ League winning squad includes players Ricardo Carvalho and Maniche as well as coach José Mourinho.

Carvalho is one of the four players who are now employed by Premiership clubs. Italy’s Serie A boasts the largest contingent though with five players.

Arsenal’s Thierry Henry maintains his ever-present record since the awards’ introduction in 2001. Six players are named for the first time.

The full line-up is:

Coach: José Mourinho (Chelsea)

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus and Italy)

Defenders: Cafu (AC Milan), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea and Portugal), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan and Italy), Ashley Cole (Arsenal and England)

Midfielders: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United and Portugal), Maniche (FC Porto and Portugal), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Pavel Nedved (Juventus and Czech Republic)

Forwards: Thierry Henry (Arsenal and France), Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan and Ukraine).