The team looks back at players who have featured the most over the past 14 years with more Spanish players than any other nationality.
Barcelona are the highest represented club while Real Madrid cloesly follow with Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane making the cut.
Goalkeeper
- Iker Casillas (Real Madrid, Porto, Spain) Featured 6 (2007, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12)
Spain's captain at UEFA EURO 2008 and 2012 who also lifted the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Defenders
- Carles Puyol (Barcelona, Spain) Featured 6 (2002, 05, 06, 08, 09, 10)
Claimed the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2006, 2009 and 2011, along with the UEFA EURO 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.
- Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich, Germany) Featured 5 (2006, 08, 12, 13, 14)
As one of Europe's most consistent performers of the past decade Lahm has been in the last three Teams of the Year having made his mark in 2006.
- Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid, Spain) Featured 4 (2008, 12, 13, 14)
Another defender to appear in the last three Teams of the Year and a player that has developed into an icon at Madrid.
- Alessandro Nesta (Lazio, AC Milan, Italy) Featured 4 (2002, 03, 04, 07)
A classic Italian centre-back who was at the heart of Milan's 2007 UEFA Champions League success.
Midfielders
- Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona, Spain) Featured 5 (2008, 09, 10, 11, 12)
Suprisingly it wasn't until 2008 when Xavi first made the cut but since then it proved almost impossible to dislodge the elegant playmaker as he was named in the side for five consecutive years.
- Andres Iniesta (Barcelona, Spain) Featured 4 (2009, 10, 11, 12)
Xavi's partner in crime Iniesta has always played a pivitol role for club and country.
- Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, England) Featured 3 (2005, 06, 07)
The only Englishmen on the list was in contention for six straight seasons from 2004–09 before making the Team of the Year three times and going on to inspire Liverpool to the Champions League title.
Forwards
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Real Madrid, Portugal) Featured 9 (2004, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Nominated a record 11 times the Portuguese sensation has been one of the world's greatest players for much longer than you would think, 11 years.
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina) Featured 6 (2008, 2009, 10, 11, 12, 14)
Messi collected his first Team of the Year award when he was categorised as a midfielder but now the Argentine is one of the most feared forwards on the planet.
- Thierry Henry (Arsenal, France) Featured 5 (2001, 02, 03, 04, 06)
Arsenal's deadly front-man pulled the Gunners through when they needed him and he was one of the most ruthless finishers in the early 2000 years.
Substitutes
Gianluigi Buffon
John Terry
Kaka
Zinedine Zidane
Pavel Nedved
Ronaldinho
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
