UEFA unveils the 40 best players in Europe – See full list

THE FORTY BEST PLAYERS ON THE CONTINENT (ACCORDING TO UEFA)

GOALKEEPERS - Petr Cech, Thibaut Courtois, David de Gea, Manuel Neuer

DEFENDERS - David Alaba, Giorgio Chiellini, Dante, Mats Hummels, Branislav Ivanovic, Philipp Lahm, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Filipe Luis, Vincent Kompany, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva

MIDFIELDERS - Gareth Bale, Ilkay Gundogan, Isco, Paul Pogba, Mesut Ozil, Menaja Matic, Blaise Matuidi, Marco Reus, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Yaya Toure

STRIKERS - Sergio Aguero, Edinson Cavani, Diego Costa, Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robert Lewandowski, Mario Mandzukic, Jackson Martinez, Lionel Messi, Thomas Muller, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin van Persie

  The nominees were chosen by UEFA.com staff writers on the basis of their performances for a European club or national side in 2013.