The Euro 2016 Best XI

The Euro 2016 Best XI is in the books. Portugal won. Here are our best XI players in the tournament. We’ll use a back three in tribute to Italy.

Cristiano Ronaldo [F – Portugal] CR7 had a rough start. He got injured in the final. But, his tally of three goals and three assists cemented a place in this XI.

Antoine Griezmann [F – France] Griezmann lived up to his billing. He won the Golden Boot. He did not quite have enough left in the tank to push France across the line in the final.

Gareth Bale [F – Wales] Bale scored three goals and led Wales to an incredible semifinal run. He was bested by Ronaldo, though Ronaldo had much better teammates.

Toni Kroos [M – Germany] Germany had issues up front. They had none in central midfield where Kroos was an indomitable, all-around force in every match Germany played.

Moussa Sissoko [M – France] He was relentless, a veritable font of energy and creativity. Nothing motivates someone quite like wanting to get the heck out of relegated Newcastle.

Aaron Ramsey [M – Wales] Wales missed that oomph in the semifinal against Portugal. That oomph was Ramsey who replicated his best Arsenal form and had four assists.

Dimitri Payet [M – France] Payet finally got his chance and made the most of it. No player looked as dangerous as consistently with the ball on his feet in the final third.

Samuel Umtiti [D – France] The 22-year-old came on for his first France caps in the knockout stages. He was brilliant on and off the ball. He showed exactly why Barcelona bought him.

Pepe [D – Portugal] Pepe remains an inveterate heel. But, he was a rock at the back for a defensive Portugal team and redeemed himself for his disaster of a 2014 World Cup.

Leandro Bonucci [D – Italy] No Pirlo. No problem. A veteran, savvy defender and an incredible passer. He was Italy’s best player at Euro 2016.

Hugo Lloris [GK – France] The one Spurs player who isn’t Spursy. Lloris gave a masterful performance and bailed France out of some iffy situations.