Who makes the Euro 2016 team of the tournament?
It’s always tough to pick a team of the tournament after so many players represent their countries so well. There are always a number of candidates for each position and good players will inevitably be left out.
But here goes. Looking back over an eventful month of football, here’s my team of Euro 2016.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
There were a number of spectacular performances from goalkeepers in this tournament, but none better than the Germany No. 1. Neuer conceded only one goal from open play the entire tournament, racking up four clean sheets and conceding two goals from penalties.
Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon and Spain’s David de Gea were among a whole host of goalkeepers who played at a high level at this tournament, but Neuer edges it.
Left back: Jonas Hector
Hector was another German playing well at the back. Hector was strong defensively and also caused a number of problems bombing down the left wing. The FC Koln full-back may have earned himself a move to a bigger team this summer.
Center back: Pepe
Pepe isn’t the most popular player in world football, but there’s no denying his talent. At the heart of the Portugal back four, he was rock solid and poured everything into every game. He could barely stand up at the end of the final, which shows just how much he put into the game.
Center back: Leonardo Bonucci
Bonucci is another player linked with a big-money move to the Premier League, and he certainly improved his case at the Euros. Italy love to defend, and Bonucci was outstanding.
Right back: Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich put together a strong body of work in his first major tournament. Both defensively and going forward, he impressed and has a bright future.
Central midfield: Aaron Ramsey
To understand just how much Wales need Aaron Ramsey, watch the semi-final with Portugal, the one game he didn’t play. Ramsey was arguably as important, if not more so than superstar Gareth Bale, and it was a great tournament for the Arsenal man.
Central midfield: Toni Kroos
In a German side that underwhelmed as a whole, Kroos maintained his status as world class in the middle of the park. There aren’t many better central midfielders in world football, and Kroos was once again a key playmaker for the world champions.
Attacking midfield: Dimitri Payet
Payet built on his excellent Premier League campaign with a great Euros. He stole the show earlier in the tournament before Antoine Griezmann turned up the heat, and Payet was instrumental in France’s success.
Attacking midfield: Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann was the best player at the entire tournament, netting six times to win the Golden Boot. He was the star of the show for France, particularly in the knockout stages, and is the player everyone will remember this tournament for.
Attacking midfield: Mesut Ozil
Ozil didn’t light up stat sheets but he was still a joy to watch. He was oftentimes the most dangerous weapon Germany had, working into pockets of space and linking up perfectly with his teammates. Ozil creates chances and fizzes the ball around the park with such precision. A missed penalty and some wasted opportunities held him back, but overall it was another strong tournament for the Arsenal midfielder.
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo is the key man for Portugal, which is why it was so devastating when he went off on a stretcher early in the final. In a tournament without many dominant striking performances, Ronaldo gets the nod for his instrumental role in Portugal’s Euros triumph.
The team (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer (Germany); Jonas Hector (Germany), Pepe (Portugal), Leonardo Bonucci (Italy), Joshua Kimmich (Germany); Aaron Ramsey (Wales), Toni Kroos (Germany); Dimitri Payet (France), Antoine Griezmann (France), Mesut Ozil (Germany); Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Next: Five potential replacements for Roy Hodgson as England boss
Who would make your team?