Ian Hawkey picks out his best performers of 2016/17 from across Europe's top leagues. Swipe left/right on your browser.
Goalkeeper: Gigi Buffon (Juventus)
Guided his club to the Uefa Champions League final – where he was hardly at fault for the heavy defeat – and a sixth successive Serie A title at age 39. His reflexes remain sharp, his influence huge.
Centre-back: Mattia Caldara (Atalanta)
The young central defender has been a totem for a high-achieving Atalanta, and besides his defensive excellence, chips in with goals. Juventus, shrewdly, have signed him up for 2018.
Centre-back: David Luiz (Chelsea)
Deemed a risky signing when he returned to Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain, a matured Luiz adapted superbly to the back three formation that propelled the club to the Premier League title.
Centre-back: Davinson Sanchez (Ajax)
The powerful, mobile Colombian, only 20, helped Ajax’s youngsters to a Europa League final and if he wobbled at times in that defeat, he usually offered defensive authority in a high-pressing side.
Right wing-back: Nelson Semedo (Benfica)
Dynamic going forward, quick and aggressive, the Portuguese right-back made a good impression in the Champions League and in Benfica’s retaining their domestic title.
Centre midfielder: Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich)
A breakthrough campaign for the 26-year-old Spaniard, formerly of Barcelona. Great vision, astute passing and, with fewer setbacks with injury than in the past, an improved ratio of goals.
Centre midfielder: Fabinho (Monaco)
The Brazilian, converted from full-back, has governed an exhilarating Monaco team from the base of midfield. Suffered a little against Juventus in the Champions League but a star in the Ligue 1 triumph.
Left wing-back: Marcelo (Real Madrid)
After a decade at double-winners Madrid, the Brazilian has had his best season yet. Auxiliary midfielder, winger, and all-round galvaniser, he has few peers in his position.
Right forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Leading scorer in the Primera Liga for the fourth time in his career, Messi ended the season with a lower than usual yield of trophies. But he is more important than ever to Barca.
Centre forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Likely to retain the Ballon d’Or after his match-winning Champions League final, and his leading Madrid to La Liga. Irrepressible, inspiring and thriving in a more central striking role.
Left forward: Dries Mertens (Napoli)
Thanks to the diminutive, alert, inventive Belgian, an exciting Napoli hardly missed the departed Gonzalo Higuain. A revelation, he struck 28 Serie goals; his previous best was 11.
Manager: Leonardo Jardim (Monaco)
The Portuguese, once derided for his cagey football, masterminded a revolution, taking France’s championnat away from PSG for the first time in five years, having nurtured some outstanding young talents. Cagey? Hardly. Monaco, dazzling semi-finalists in the Champions League, scored 138 goals in 54 league and European games.
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