A Spurs linchpin, Juve’s midfield master, Barca’s fearsome forwards: Europe’s Best XI

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Ian Hawkey reflects on the European football season and selects his Best XI from across Europe.

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Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)

Atletico Madrid’s astonishing defensive record speaks for itself and speaks volumes about the alertness of the tall Slovenian with the big reach and maximum concentration.

Kenny Tete (Ajax)

The right-back, just 20, is much sought-after by clubs beyond the Dutch Eredivisie following an excellent breakthrough season that just fell short of rewarding him with a league title.

Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)

Back to his best, and part of why Dortmund thrived in 2015-16. The Germany international is now set to bring his leadership, ease on the ball and fine marking skills to Bayern Munich.

Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur)

The former Atletico Madrid player has found his best niche at centre-half rather than as a full-back, with his excellent distribution. A real asset to a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur.

Marcelo (Real Madrid)

When Real Madrid are without their left-back, the absence is conspicuous. One of the best passers in a technically gifted Madrid team and full of positive energy.

Renato Sanches (Benfica)

No sooner had the 18-year-old box-to-box midfielder been named Revelation of the Season in the Portuguese top flight than Bayern Munich, proactive as ever, announced they had signed him.

Paul Pogba (Juventus)

Pogba may not have had the perfect season, but expectations around the multi-faceted midfielder are always high. Without his drive and moments of magic, Juve would not have claimed a fourth successive scudetto.

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)

Not only a brilliant bargain buy, having been trawled from the lower leagues of France, but a player who entertained and made the decisive interventions for Europe’s least likely league champions.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Probably not his greatest season as a Barcelona player and he missed a large chunk of it with injury. But he is still the footballer who does the apparently impossible with the ball more often than anybody.

Neymar (Barcelona)

Faded a little in the later months of the campaign, as fixtures piled up for Barca’s winners of five big trophies in 2015. But the Brazilian grew up last season, shouldered pressure, and scored beautiful goals.

Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)

Edges into the No 9 shirt ahead of Luis Suarez because Higuain scored his goals without Messi and Suarez around him. Brilliant positional instincts, and Napoli’s spearhead for a thrilling tilt at the Serie A title.