UEFA names 40 best players in Europe

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

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Chelsea), Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid), David De Gea (Manchester United), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich).

Defenders: David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Dante (Bayern Munich), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain).

Midfielders: Gareth Bale (Tottenham/Real Madrid), Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund), Isco (Malaga/Real Madrid), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid/Arsenal), Nemanja Matic (Benfica), Blaise Matuidi (Paris-Saint Germain), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Yaya Toure (Manchester City).

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Edinson Cavani (Napoli/Paris Saint-Germain), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid/Monaco), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain), Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund), Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Jackson Martinez (Porto), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Robin Van Persie (Manchester United).