2010 has seen Inter Milan win the treble of Italian league, cup and Champions League. Spain won the World Cup, whilst FIFA awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively. Jose Mourinho went from Inter to Real Madrid, to take on Josep Guardiola’s mighty Barcelona. France went into football meltdown in South Africa and Chelsea lost their aura of invincibility.
So as we look forward to another year of exciting football, here is my 2010 team of the year. There are some difficult choices and absentees, such as Andrés Iniesta, who is probably the best player in the world. But given that he has missed a large proportion of the calendar year, it seems unfair to select him on the basis of one goal in the World Cup, even if it was of unrivalled importance.
Team of the Year
Muslera (Lazio & Uruguay)
The young stopper has had a superb year, playing at the heart of the impressive Uruguayan defence which went all the way to the semi finals of the World Cup. He has also been key as Lazio have performed above themselves in Serie A this season.
Maicon (Inter & Brazil)
Choosing a right back is usually the hardest choice in any side. Maicon was solid and spectacular at times as Inter Milan swept all before them this year, though he may wish to avoid a reunion with Gareth Bale anytime soon. Also a part of Brazil’s impressive defence, though unfortunately for his country, they were let down by a lack of attacking prowess, unusually.
Pique (Spain & Barcelona)
Probably the best centre back in world football, Pique has demonstrated his ability this year on the highest of stages. An impressive defender with the ability to read the game superbly, and not a bad touch either. In the second leg of the Champions League semi final with Inter Milan, he broke through Mourinho’s rearguard and swivelled to put Barcelona in front – a majestic piece of skill for a defender.
Lucio (Inter & Brazil)
Not far behind Pique must be Lucio, who formed a largely unbreakable back line with Walter Samuel at club level this season. Fast, solid and imposing, Lucio is one of the toughest defenders in world football, and he demonstrated that both at club and international level this year.
Bale (Tottenham & Wales)
He’s quick, intelligent and possesses one of the most fearsome shots in world football. Pinpoint accuracy allows him to register on the scoreboard regularly, and he has been key to Tottenham’s rise this year as a force in English and European football. Perhaps even better than Ashley Cole now, Bale’s turn of pace and skill gives him the ability to take on defenders and show them up, as he demonstrated in the San Siro earlier this year.
Xavi (Barcelona & Spain)
The diminutive midfielder has been at the heart of the most successful club and international side of the decade, and it has been a typically impressive year for the Spaniard. Xavi dictates play with his superb short and long passing, enabling Barcelona to dominate physically more imposing teams regularly. With Andrés Iniesta, he forms a duel axis which is perhaps the most influential of its generation, and helped Spain to their first World Cup win this year.
Mueller (Bayern Munich & Germany)
The young German helped Bayern to a domestic double and very nearly a treble, had it not been for Inter Milan in the Champions League final. With an excellent touch and an eye for goal, the athletic and skillful Mueller has demonstrated maturity beyond his years in 2010, not only guiding Bayern to success, but also enabling Germany to run all the way to the World Cup semi finals with some of the most impressive attacking play of the tournament, winning the golden boot in the process.
Conca (Internacional & Argentina)
Dario Conca may be largely unknown to a world audience, and even most of the Argentine spectators, but he was the driving force behind Internacional as they swept to victory in the Copa Libertadores against Universidad de Chile. The attacking midfielder possesses wonderful skill, creativity and intelligence, and he has been probably the outstanding player in South America this calendar year. A call up for Argentina beckons.
Sneijder (Holland & Inter)
Wesley Sneijder came closer than any player possibly has before to winning it all this year. The driving force behind Inter Milan’s successful season as well as Holland’s run to the World Cup final, he has a habit of scoring crucial goals, as shown in his brace against Brazil in South Africa. Without him it is unlikely either his club or national side would have enjoyed such success this year, and for that alone he merits his place in this side.
Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)
The brilliant Lionel Messi barely requires justification for his place. An incredible goals ratio this year in La Liga has propelled Barcelona forward, enabling them to win La Liga with a record points haul (99). The only surprise about Messi is that he is able to excel and beat his own demanding standards. Able to dribble past his man with seemingly impossibly good ball control, he is a scoring machine that can rarely be stopped. If there is a flaw in his game, it has yet to be exposed. Another sensational year for Messi.
Forlan (Atletico Madrid & Uruguay)
Diego Forlan was instrumental in Atletico Madrid’s Europa League success, driving them forward past Liverpool and Fulham with his goals. Forlan is able to carry a team on his own, with his ability to score crucial goals, be they scrappy or sensational. He hit some brilliant strikes in the World Cup as Uruguay went all the way to the semi-finals, and carried his club side as well.
