UEFA announce 2021/22 Champions League Team of the Season

UEFA have revealed the 11 players selected for the 2021/22 Champions League Team of the Season, with Real Madrid and Liverpool unsurprisingly dominating with four picks each.

Los Blancos won the European Cup/Champions League for the 14th time in Paris, downing Liverpool 1-0 in the final thanks to Vinicius Junior's second half goal.

He makes UEFA's best XI for the season, alongside Real teammates Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois and Luka Modric - all of whom have been brilliant at various stages of the competition.

Liverpool quartet Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson and Fabinho also make the cut, as do Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger, Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and PSG's Kylian Mbappe - who sensationally turned down a move to Los Blancos recently to remain at the Parc des Princes.

Real Madrid striker Benzema also picked up the Champions League Player of the Season award after bagging 15 goals during 2021/22.

The French talisman was utterly superb in the knockout stages, almost single-handedly keeping Real in the competition as he saw off PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City with some sumptuous forward play and finishing.

Full details below.

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season

GK: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) - A 10/10 performance in the final silenced any doubters of Courtois' ability. A big-game player for the biggest of stages.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - Alexander-Arnold's performance in the final left a little to be desired, defensively anyway, but he was again a sensation going forward. Has possibly the best delivery into the box in world football.

CB: Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea) - It's been a remarkable 16 months for Rudiger, who went from Chelsea outcast to one of Europe's most coveted defenders. Was outstanding at times during the Blues' run to the quarter-final.

CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - Unable to get Liverpool over the line in the final, but Van Dijk was rock solid during the eight Champions League games he featured in.

LB: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool) - Like Alexander-Arnold, Robertson was a tremendous attacking threat for Liverpool as they racked up the goals en route to the final.

CM: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - The best player in the Premier League remains one of Europe's top stars too. Unable to guide Manchester City to the final but De Bruyne was brilliant throughout their campaign.

CM: Fabinho (Liverpool) - The anchor of Liverpool's midfield, Fabinho was the rock solid foundation that fired Jurgen Klopp's side to the final.

CM: Luka Modric (Real Madrid) - 36 years young but still operating at the peak of his powers. Modric was sublime in Real's midfield. Sees the game so well and is still a cut above technically.

RW: Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - Perhaps a tad surprising to see Mbappe make the team given PSG went out in the last 16, but he did score six times in eight games - including a thrilling last-minute winner against Real Madrid.

CF: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) - A scorer of 15 Champions League goals during 2021/22, it's no surprise that Benzema is not only in the team of the season, but he's also been named the best player. Outrageous contributions against PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City.

LW: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) - The Brazilian arrived on the world's stage after a wonderful season in Madrid. Capped off by scoring the winning goal in the final against Liverpool.