Euro 2016 best XI: Lothar Matthaus reveals his dream team from the tournament after France’s 1-0 final win over Portugal
German 1990 World Cup winner picked winning captain Cristiano Ronaldo in attack with two Welshmen in support
SunSport columnist and Germany legend Lothar Matthaus watched the curtain come down on Euro 2016 and has picked his best XI from the tournament Portugal poached from hosts France in the dying seconds.
The 1990 World Cup winner and competition icon with 25 games played across five finals between 1982 – 1998 has squeezed eleven jewels in a diamond formation – with no room for a single Englishman.
GK: Hugo Lloris
Tightly contested position during the tournament but for me Hugo Lloris just edges it past Rui Patricio, Gigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer.
Right Back: Joshua Kimmich
The young 21 year old Bayern Munich player was one of Germany’s stand out players for the tournament. Defensively and attacking wise he improved each game and has a very bright future ahead of him.
Centre Back: Jerome Boateng
Boateng was a key figure in the German defence. The Bayern man scored a great goal against Slovakia in the last-16, however he gave away a silly penalty against Italy.
Centre Back: Leonardo Bonucci
Bonucci was Italy’s player of the tournament, leading a defence that only conceded two goals all tournament. Stepped up to score a penalty against Germany, but would then miss in the shootout.
Left Back: Raphael Guerreiro
Guerreiro has been fantastic all tournament and is a threat on attack and solid in defence. Another mention should go to Jonas Hector from Germany who also had a great tournament.
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Defensive Midfield: Blaise Matuidi
The most consistent defensive midfielder during the tournament. He hardly put a foot wrong and provided energy in the midfield alongside either N'Golo Kante or Paul Pogba. Matuidi helped to provide additional cover to a relatively weak French defence, but could not help to guide them to winning the title.
Right Centre Midfield: Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey had a great tournament and was at the heart of Wales’ attack, creating opportunities for those around him. He was sorely missed in the semi-final against Portugal and who knows the result if he would have played. Ramsey finished the tournament with four assists and one goal.
Left Centre Midfield: Renato Sanches
Sanches in his first major tournament made a huge impact and while he didn’t have the best of games in the final he was certainly the breakthrough player of the tournament. Showed great creativity and pace which overall helped Portugal reach the final and win the tournament. I am a big fan of Sanches and he has a very bright future ahead of him with my former club Bayern Munich.
Centre Attacking Midfield: Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann was the stand out striker even though he played just behind Giroud in the French team. Griezmann finished top goalscorer with six goals and became the first player since Michel Platini to score more than five at the European Championships. However Griezmann was n’t able to make the difference against Portugal.
Right Striker: Gareth Bale
Bale contributed three goals and an assist, and appeared to inspire the rest of the Wales line-up. Bale was Wales go to man up front and helped Wales reach the semi-final. Bale showed that he is world class but couldn’t quite beat his Real Madrid team mate Ronaldo.
Left Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo contributed three goals and three assists for Portugal. He was influential in the semi-final game against Wales and we all saw how much it meant to Ronaldo being substituted in the final. Ronaldo was a great leader and captain for the Portuguese team and ultimately helped them to win their first major tournament. Fantastic player who deserves to be in my Euro 2016 XI.
LOTHAR MATTHAUS is a SunSport columnist and ITV Sport pundit.
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