Barca make up almost half of UEFA.com team

Five players from European champions Barcelona – Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi – were today named in UEFA.com users’ team of the year for 2011.

Real Madrid trio Iker Casillas, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo made it eight Spain-based players in the line-up.

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale was the only Barclays Premier League representative in the XI.

Bayern Munich’s Holland forward Arjen Robben and AC Milan’s Brazil centre-back Thiago Silva completed the team, chosen by 380,000 uefa.com users, with Barca coach Pep Guardiola selected on the bench.