Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool are all represented in L’Equipe’s Best XI for 2022.
The French newspaper has listed its highest-rated players for the calendar year. Real Madrid are the most represented club in the line-up with three players. Carlo Ancelotti’s side convincingly won the La Liga title before beating Liverpool in the Champions League final.
Paris Saint-Germain duo Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are unsurprisingly included in the line-up. Messi was the hero in Argentina’s remarkable final victory over France but the superstar was beaten to the Golden Boot by his club teammate, who netted a stunning hat-trick at Lusail Stadium.
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was named in the line-up having won the Ballon d’Or crown for the first time in his career. Benzema had been the odds-on favourite thanks to a sensational 21-22 campaign which was headlined by a Champions League triumph. The Frenchman's remarkable performances helped his side eliminate PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool on their way to winning the competition.
Benzema was joined in the XI by Real Madrid teammates Thibaut Courtois and Luka Modric. Courtois was the outstanding goalkeeper in European football last season, while Modric had another stellar campaign prior to shining again for Croatia as they finished third in this winter’s World Cup.
Manchester City are the only Premier League club who had more than one player named in the line-up as star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne was joined by right-back Kyle Walker, who enjoyed another excellent campaign for Pep Guardiola’s side.
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City’s Manchester rivals United are represented in the XI by midfielder Casemiro, whom they signed from Real Madrid this summer. The Brazil international won five Champions League titles at the Spanish giants prior to his switch to Old Trafford, where he has impressed in his early months.
The line-up also included Liverpool central defender Virgil van Dijk, who was inspirational as his side won two trophies last season alongside reaching the Champions League final and falling just short of winning the Premier League title.
The XI was completed by two impressive World Cup stars as Croatia and RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol, aged 20, was joined by left-back Theo Hernandez, who helped AC Milan win their first Serie A title in 11 years before playing a vital role in France's journey to the World Cup final.
