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Football fans across the globe can start voting today for the UEFA.com fans’ Team of the Year 2018. 50 of Europe’s elite players have been nominated for the 18th edition of the annual vote, with users asked to pick their team in their preferred formation from five goalkeepers, 15 defenders, 15 midfielders and 15 forwards.
The nominees were chosen by the UEFA.com editorial team, including seasoned reporters and expert correspondents, on the basis of players’ performances for a European club or national team in UEFA competitions in the 2018 calendar year. Voting on UEFA.com began on Monday and runs until 11 January, with the final line-up to be announced the same day.
UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid provide an impressive nine nominees, including current UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Luka Modrić and captain Sergio Ramos, who received the most votes last year. UEFA Champions League runners-up Liverpool and UEFA Europa League winners Atlético Madrid each have six players involved.
A total of 14 clubs appear on the shortlist – including cases where players have played for two in 2018 – while 20 nationalities are represented. In all, 17 of the 50 hopefuls are nominated for the first time.
Meanwhile, the UEFA.com fans’ Team of the Year donation is part of UEFA’s partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which dates back to 1997, when UEFA pledged its backing to the ICRC’s anti-landmine campaign.
Last year Kevin De Bruyne, who became the first Manchester City player to feature in the XI, was given the honour of presenting a €100,000 cheque on behalf of UEFA to the ICRC.
UEFA will set aside €100,000 this year too to support an ICRC programme, which focuses on helping people affected by conflict and armed violence.
The UEFA.com fans’ Team of the Year is picked by fans and therefore does not bear the official UEFA imprimatur. However, it has proved hugely popular with fans since its inception, with almost nine million votes cast last year alone.
For full details of nominees and to place your vote, visit UEFA.com.
