Following the conclusion of this year's Champions League, Sports Mole picks out 11 of the best performers as part of our Team of the Season for 2014-15.
The side, set out in a 4-3-3 formation, is dominated by players from finalists Barcelona and Juventus, but there is no room for certain big-name stars.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona)
He may have been used sparingly at the Camp Nou in his maiden campaign, featuring in just European and domestic cup competitions, but there is no denying that the German keeper has already left his mark at the club. Ter Stegen boasted the joint-best clean-sheet record, alongside another strong contender for this position in Gianluigi Buffon, ending the campaign with seven shutouts in all and plenty of impressive saves to look back on.
Dani Alves (Barcelona)
It looks increasingly likely that the speedy full-back will be on his way out of Barcelona this summer, and there is little doubt that his absence will be firmly felt down that right-hand side. His recent hairstyle may be questionable, but his ability to defend and attack in equal measure make him arguably the hottest free agent in world football right now.
Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich)
When Boateng was turned inside out by Lionel Messi in the knockout stages, social media sites exploded with countless memes mocking the defender. The Bayern stopper can be more than happy with his overall showings, however, having contributed three goals and a further couple of assists from the back, with his own net being breached just 10 times up until the Bavarian club's semi-final exit.
Giorgio Cheillini (Juventus)
The loss of the experienced Italian centre-back in the build-up to last night's final was a real blow to Juventus's hopes of keeping out Barca's on-form front three, with his calmness and no-nonsense defending a vital aspect of this Bianconeri side. Chiellini helped his team on their way to seven clean sheets, while only two other players boasted better passing stats.
Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Working in perfect tandem with Alves on the opposite flank, Alba was another important cog in Barcelona's treble-winning side. The Spaniard is perfectly suited to the Catalan outfit's style of play, growing into the world's best left-back since making a move back to the Camp Nou in 2012.
Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)
It was his goal that put Barcelona ahead in Berlin, but it is so often the work that he does away from the final third that helps the La Liga giants tick. Rakitic may not receive quite the same plaudits as the more illustrious names alongside him, yet he has proved this season that he can provide some additional balance in the middle of the park.
Paul Pogba (Juventus)
The in-demand Frenchman has caught the eye of many over the past couple of seasons, but it was in this year's Champions League that he really began to show exactly what he is all about. Pogba played a part in three goals throughout the competition, although it is his all-round ability that makes him stand out as one of the world's best.
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
A Team of the Year would not be complete without Iniesta being included, with the Barca string-puller again proving to be a key asset despite now being in his third decade. The World Cup winner's five assists, including one in last night's showpiece final, goes a long way to highlighting his ability to carve open even the tightest of defences.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Despite a disappointing final-four exit for Madrid, Ronaldo can still be happy with his personal stellar campaign on the European stage. A whopping 10 goals and a further four assists played a huge part in Los Blancos even making it as far as the semis, with two goals against Schalke helping the then-holders avoid a shock defeat. The Portuguese may have scored plenty of penalties, but it is tough to argue against him earning a place in this team.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
With each passing matchday, Messi and Ronaldo appeared to have their own personal goalscoring battle going on. The world's two best players ended the European campaign with an identical record - 10 goals and four assists - but it is Messi who will be sporting the bigger smile of the two due to Barcelona's trophy-winning success. The Argentine schemer, like all the sport's greatest ever players, truly came to life when the going got tough by scoring a brace against Bayern to keep his side's historic campaign on track.
Neymar (Barcelona)
Messi and Ronaldo may be some way ahead of the chasing pack in terms of being crowned the world's best, but Neymar is certainly among those vying it out at the top end of the 'best of the rest' category. Again, the Brazilian showed all the hallmarks of a top-class talent by producing the goods on the biggest stage in club football, scoring in both legs against Paris Saint-Germain, both legs of the aggregate victory over Bayern, and also against Juventus in the final. There may be even more to come from Neymar in the coming years, but he has certainly lived up to his early reputation thus far.
