Champions League Team of the Decade

There are three things in life that are certain - death, taxes, and football fans getting goosebumps when they listen to the Champions League anthem. There can be no debate that the Champions League is the most elite club competition in the world, and it is the highest of privileges when a club wins the trophy.

Known for its entertainment and for pitting the best teams in the world against each other, this competition is followed across the world. The 2010s gave us an exciting decade of CL football. We witnessed historic comebacks, an unprecedented three-peat, and we saw legends in the making as some of the best players ever competed for the crown.

In this list, we compile a list of the best players who have competed in the competition this season. It was not an easy task, given the number of world-class players who have competed in the tournament, but here it goes -

Note - Only performances in the Champions League have been considered. Longevity and consistency matter, so players who retired early on this decade/have never managed to win the competition are excluded from this list.

Goalkeeper - Manuel Neuer

Neuer won the competition in 2013 and was a runner-up in 2012

This decision was a tough one. Keylor Navas was the goalkeeper who did a three-peat of Champions League titles with Real Madrid, as compared to Manuel Neuer's only victory in 2013. However, as far as in-game performances go the German international glides past the current PSG goalkeeper.

Ever since he joined Bayern Munich, Neuer has been a supernatural force who has disturbed the best forwards of this generation. The former World Cup-winner has made 261 saves in the competition this decade, which is more than anyone else in that time-frame. He may not be as good right now as he was in 2014, but his place here is well-deserved.

Defence

Left-back - Marcelo

Marcelo has been one of the best defenders of this generation. He has been named to the FIFPro World XI six times, the UEFA Team of the Year three times, and La Liga's Team of the Season in 2016. The left-back is one of the best fullbacks in the history of the game, and his chemistry with Real Madrid's forwards is second to none.

The Brazilian international has won this trophy four times this decade, and he was an integral part of all of those victories. There is no other left-back that comes close to Marcelo in the Champions League this decade.

Centre-back - Gerard Pique

Pique is one of the most underrated defenders of this era

This was a very close decision. Raphael Varane has won four Champions League titles as compared to Gerard Pique's two (this decade), but the Spaniard has the slight edge over him.

Often underrated and under a lot of criticism due to his personality, Pique's performances in the Champions League are actually quite underrated. His bad games are remembered more than his good games, and the latter is much more frequent than the former.

The Spanish defender has made 410 clearances this decade, which is more than any other player. He was the best centre-back for Barcelona in both of their Champions League victories this decade, and he is still going strong for them in this competition. Even though he just edges out Varane, Pique's inclusion here is warranted.

Centre-back - Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos is one of the greatest defenders to ever play in the Champions League

This one is a no-brainer. In terms of pure defending, the likes of Varane would make this team over him. However, what Sergio Ramos offers, no one else does. He has an X-factor that no one can deny, and he is one of the most clutch players in the history of football - he always steps up at the biggest of occasions.

His header in injury time against Atletico Madrid in 2014 essentially kick-started Real Madrid's Champions League domination. With several brilliant performances against elite oppositions, Ramos easily makes this list.

Right-back - Dani Alves

Alves has performed brilliantly with different clubs in the CL

Philipp Lahm might be the best right-back of this generation, but the German international retired in the middle of the decade and only has won Champions League to his name. Dani Alves, on the other hand, is one of the most decorated players this decade and has won the competition twice with Barcelona.

A sublime passer of the ball who is also adept defensively, Alves could do pretty much everything for Barcelona. Even after he moved on from Spain, the Brazilian international put in some great work with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. His place here is cemented without question.

Also check out:Champions League Schedule Champions League table Champions league top scorers