Andres Iniesta named player of Euro 2012 tournament
- Published
Spain's Andres Iniesta has been named the best player of Euro 2012.
The Barcelona midfielder was selected by Uefa after helping Spain beat Italy 4-0 in Sunday's final.
Uefa praised Iniesta for his "creativity, incisive football and humility". He played every game for Spain in the tournament.
He was one of 10 Spanish players in Uefa's 23-man team of the tournament, with Steven Gerrard the only England player to make the selection.
"Gerrard played really, really well and showed great leadership qualities," a Uefa boss said.
Liverpool midfielder Gerrard and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic were the only selections in the team of the tournament from sides that did not reach the semi-finals.
Others to be recognised for their performances in Poland and Ukraine include Italy's Andrea Pirlo, and Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
Euro 2012 team of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Ita), Iker Casillas (Spa), Manuel Neuer (Ger)
Defenders: Gerard Pique (Spa), Fabio Coentrao (Por), Philipp Lahm (Ger), Pepe (Por), Sergio Ramos (Spa), Jordi Alba (Spa)
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Ita), Steven Gerrard (Eng), Xavi (Spa), Andres Iniesta (Spa), Sami Khedira (Ger), Sergio Busquets (Spa), Mesut Ozil (Ger), Andrea Pirlo (Ita), Xabi Alonso (Spa)
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Ita), Cesc Fabregas (Spa), Cristiano Ronaldo (Por), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Swe), David Silva (Spa)