What is the best team of the season? Real Madrid and Liverpool players dominate, AC Milan’s player also made it

The club football season is over, we already know the winners of all the most important trophies. While some footballers are on holiday and some are at the national meetings, we take a look at the best eleven of the season.

According to Ruik, we select the best eleven based on the individual performances of the players, but also on the role they played in the success of the teams.

Goalkeeper – Thibaut Courtois

Is there anything worth adding after Saturday? Those who didn’t follow the Spanish league were thoroughly surprised by Courtois’ superhuman performance in the Champions League final, but Real Madrid fans are used to him. He has kept the Real defensive line in check all season with his incredible saves and there were even rumours after the final that he should win the Ballon d’Or. He is the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment.

Right-back – João Cancelo

An absolutely key man for Pep Guardiola both defensively and offensively. A versatile player, Cancelo can play on both the right and left flank and often has the role of an ‘inverted wingback’, retreating to the centre of the pitch and creating play. The Portuguese has collected 3 goals and 10 assists this season.

Stoper – Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool were worried about the form Virgil Van Dijk would return in after a complicated knee injury, but he handled it brilliantly. He was once again a key leader for the Reds in a defence that, along with City, was the best in the league. Liverpool were within reach of both the Premier League and Champions League titles thanks to Van Dijk, but ultimately fell short of either.

Stoper – Antonio Rüdiger

An absolute rock and probably Chelsea’s best player this season. Rüdiger held Chelsea’s defence tight, scored 5 goals as well and helped the Blues reach both cup finals and the semi-finals of the Champions League, where he put in a fantastic performance at the Santiago Bernabéu. It is at this stadium that he will be playing from the summer, as he will be heading to Real Madrid as a free agent after the season.

Left back – Theo Hernández

A key player for AC Milan in winning their first Scudetto in 11 years. Theo Hernández collected 5 goals and 9 assists this season from the left-back position, while being extremely reliable defensively thanks to his tremendous speed and strength. A big transfer could be in store for the 24-year-old, who has also played for Real Madrid.

Central midfielder – Kevin De Bruyne

If anyone dragged Manchester City to another Premier League title, it was Kevin De Bruyne. With 15 goals, he was the Citizens’ top scorer, adding 8 assists. In the cups, he also racked up 4 goals and 7 assists.

Central midfielder – Luka Modric

Everyone would like to know the cure for Luka Modric’s longevity. At 36, he is still running like he has two lungs, setting the pace and directing the play of Real Madrid. He racked up 12 assists this season, but his greatest asset is not the stats, but the impact he has on Los Blancos’ play and especially the fact that he takes responsibility in the most difficult moments. Like the shayle on Rodry against Chelsea or the solo and subsequent assist against PSG.

Right winger – Mohamed Salah

The Premier League’s top scorer (23) and top assist (13). Added to that 8 goals in the Champions League. According to his personal stats, Salah had a great season, although he had a bit of a weaker spring after the botched barrage against Egypt. He will be especially sorry about the Champions League final, when he promised a big revenge on Real Madrid, but once again failed to deliver.

Spike striker – Karim Benzema

Ballon D’or. Karim Benzema is currently the best player in the world, no one has any doubt about that. He has led Real Madrid to victory in the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga and the Champions League. He was the top scorer in all competitions, collecting 44 goals and 15 assists. Moreover, he saved Los Blancos in the most difficult moments, like when he scored a hat-trick against PSG, another hat-trick against Chelsea, against whom he scored in extra time, two goals against City and again at home in extra time.

Robert Lewandowski, the top striker

In what is probably his last year at Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski set off another goal machine. He shot his way to the Bundesliga’s King of Scorers crown with 35 goals, with a further 13 in the Champions League, where only Karim Benzema was better. He was still a hot candidate for the Ballon d’Or in the winter, but Benzema’s incredible form and Bayern’s early elimination from the LM put the Frenchman on the throne.

Left winger – Vinicius Junior

Much talked about as a talent who is having an amazing season, but many are rather reluctant to talk about a place among the best. Vinícius has been one of the best players in the world this season, which is what his teammate Benzema thinks, as he is currently in the top 5 players in the world. And at the age of 21, he decided the Champions League final with a single goal.

The best eleven of the 2021/22 season

Courtois

Cancelo – Van Dijk – Rüdiger – Hernández

Modric – De Bruyne

Salah – Benzema – Lewandowski – Vinícius

Honourable mention

You have to think about the players who would also deserve a place in the ideal XI with their performances, but unfortunately the squad is not inflatable. AC Milan, for example, were bailed out by a great performance of title-winning Mike Maignan, who collected the most clean sheets in the Top 5 leagues.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who racked up 17 assists, put in a great performance, but defending is a big burden for the Reds right-back and his mistake cost Liverpool the goal Vinícius scored and the Champions League win.

David Alaba, who took over the leadership role from Sergio Ramos, was also excellent at stopper. At the same time, however, Real Madrid’s defensive performance, especially in the knockout phase of the LM, was not always completely in tune.

Bernardo Silva, who helped the Citizens to another title, or Rafael Leão, who shot AC Milan to the title, also had an excellent season.

One of those who would also surely deserve a place in the ideal eleven is Heung Min Son, who netted 23 goals in the Premier League and, together with Salah, became the league’s top scorer. However, his absence from the cups was to his disadvantage, as Tottenham only played in the Conference League, from which they were also eliminated in the group stage due to a missed match.

Not to forget Kylian Mbappé, who dragged PSG all season long, and Sadio Mané, who had another great season at Anfield Road, albeit his last.

Source: Livesport, Transfermarkt, UEFA