Here is my dream team of the year 2012. A nice little 4-3-3 formation rather offensive. Pure quality.

Gianluigi ‘Gigi’ Buffon, is a FIFA World Cup-winning Italian goalkeeper who is currently the Captain for both Serie A club Juventus and the Italian Football Team

Buffon: It could have been Casillas or Cech – who was outstanding in the Champions League with Chelsea. But I’ve always loved the Italian goalkeeper, who returned in full light with the wonderful Squadra Azzura to the Euro. This is a great goalkeeper, and his fervor when singing the Italian anthem is admirable.He will remain in any case  one of the greatest footballers in the world.

Alves: Even if he is not very prominent with Barca since the beginning of the season – especially due to injury -he is so much ahead of all his competitors, as a right back  his presence is obvious. When you play on the left wing and Alves is facing yout, you know you’re going to spend your evening running around. And often in vain. I love this player.

Sergio Ramos-He was outstanding at the Euro, and has really something more- the passion and flamboyance.

Sergio Ramos: It does not get much better today axis. He was outstanding in Euro, and it really is something more: the passion and flamboyance. It was already very good in the right side. It is still best in central defense.

Thiago Silva: He has all I like in football: intelligence, technique, passing skills. But I chose him also because he has one generation a little weak in the world to the axial position of defender. Terry and Ferdinand have just disappeared from circulation, Vidic, Pique and Puyol were often injured …

Alba:  He is probably not the best defensively – Ashley Cole is far ahead in this area – but  he made an outstanding Euro with La Roja and a great season with Barca. The Blaugrana have found in him a left-footed Daniel Alves, just as offensive and a lot of fun to watch.

Andrea Pirlo, (born 19 May 1979), is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Serie A club Juventus and for the Italian national team.

Pirlo: What about the Italian maestro? It is one of those players who has the “bad luck” to evolve at the same time as Ronaldo and Messi – two guys who are not with us, you know. He also made a beautiful Euro and is primarily responsible for the triumphant return of Juventus. Nothing to add.

Xavi:  What can I say about Xavi? He is 33 years … 33 years! He always runs – but not that much, finally – and never loses the ball. Ever. He “is” the Barça. It is the ultimate incarnation of Barça, more than any other player. And I really love to see play in this team.

Iniesta : He’s a Xavi, more offensive, with a little more risk taking a little more waste. This is a man of great nights, a decisive man. A fabulous footballer who, like Pirlo, will remain as one of the best in the world behind the infernal duo Messi-CR7.

A lot has been said about Lionel Messi. This time, it comes down to a number – 91. As the number of goals scored in the last 12 months. Here we are in the supernatural.

Messi: For so many years, everything has been said about him. This time, it comes down to a number: 91. As the number of goals scored in the last 12 months. Here we are in the supernatural. While there will always be people to tell me: “What would Messi do without Barcelona?” I want to tell them two things: first look at Argentina since the team was designed for him on the model of Barcelona. And most importantly: what would Barca do without Messi?

Falcao: Two goalss in the final of the Europa League, a European Supercup hat-trick against Chelsea, a fivefold against Coruña early December and 17 goals in 15 games in La Liga: No doubt, Falcao is now part of the exclusive club of very special strikers. Outstanding finisher, he is targeted by all the big teams in Europe and it is not surprising: this guy is a killer.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored so many goals,and he is so fast, powerful, skilled … What I like most about him is that he does not cheat. He has the will to win and never gives up.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Whether or not his fault – the blame is shared in my opinion – he is not totally happy at Real. But he scored so many goals,and he is so fast, powerful,  skilled … What I like most about him is that he does not cheat. He has the will to win and never gives up.

So, happy new year to you all and let’s see what 2013 brings!