Just seven clubs are represented in UEFA's Champions League breakthrough team of the year, with Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona players making up nearly half of the side.
Using the in-vogue 3-4-3 formation, Bayern Munich also have two representatives while there has also been a nod to Portugal's Euro 2016 success and to French football with two Ligue 1 players making the XI.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane completed a remarkable first year in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu by winning the Club World Championship in Japan, and is unrivalled as coach of the year.
GOALKEEPER
Alphonse Areola (Paris Saint-Germain)
Areola was drafted in against Arsenal in the opening gameweek of the Champions League and the Frenchman has not looked back, keeping seven clean sheets in the process of keeping Kevin Trapp out of the side.
The 23-year-old has played in all six of PSG's Champions League games as Unai Emery's side finished second behind the Gunners to qualify for the knockout stages, while the Frenchman has also become his preferred choice in goal in Ligue 1.
DEFENCE
Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)
Since Brazilian Dani Alves opted for a new challenge late in his career by leaving the Nou Camp for Juventus, Roberto has taken full advantage by making the right-back berth his own.
The 24-year-old has provided four assists in his 13 La Liga games so far this season, while the Spaniard has been used in four of Luis Enrique's Champions League group games as the Catalans cantered into the knock out stages.
Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona)
Another Barcelona defender to have made the breakthrough team of the year is Umtiti, although he arrived in Catalonia with a big reputation having completed his £21million move from Lyon in the summer.
The France international joined Sergi Roberto in making four Champions League appearances as Enrique rotated his squad with qualification sewn up early.
The 23-year-old can reflect on a successful year having made his country's squad for Euro 2016 and won the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla in August.
Victor Lindelof (Benfica)
Lindelof may not have been able to guide his native Sweden to the knockout stages of Euro 2016, but having won his second Portuguese Primeira Liga title with Benfica, the defender's performances have attracted the attention of Manchester United.
The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, although the club are yet to bid, contrary to reports of talks on a deal worth £38million.
Jose Mourinho is wary of losing Eric Bailly to the African Cup of Nations at such a crucial stage and is keen to add a new defender, while Lindelof's composed displays have earned him the nickname the 'Iceman'.
MIDFIELD
Thomas Lemar (Monaco)
Lemar has been part of Monaco's first team set-up for the past two and a half seasons, but he has taken to the Champions League like a duck to water this term.
The 21-year-old scored in both of his side's victories over Tottenham, making it eight goals in all competitions as part of the highest-scoring team in Europe's top five leagues this campaign.
Lemar has also broken into the France team, and made his international debut coming on as a substitute in the goalless draw with Sweden in November.
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Kimmich's stock continues to rise with each passing week as the 21-year-old showcases his array of skills as a box-to-box midfielder at the Allianz Arena.
The former RB Leipzing player has added goals to his game under Carlo Ancelotti, with the German scoring seven already this term - with three coming in the Champions League as the side finished second in the group behind Atletico Madrid
Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich)
It has been some year for Sanches, who completed his initial £29million move from Benfica to Bayern Munich prior to Euro 2016 but after winning the domestic league in Portugal.
The 19-year-old received the European Golden Boy award for his displays at the Championships as Portugal went all the way by beating hosts France in Paris.
Sanches has made an instant impact at the Allianz Arena, making 15 appearances as the side collectively battled back to be take the title of the Bundesliga's 'Winter Champions'.
Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
Another of Portugal's Euro 2016-winning side, Guerreiro was born in France and began his career at Caen, but it was his performances at Lorient across three seasons which drew the attention of suitors across Europe.
The 23-year-old - used predominantly this seasons as a midfielder at Borussia Dortmund - already has 16 Portugal caps to his name, helping Fernando Santos' men win their first major piece of silverware and he has gone on to help his new club finish group winners in the Champions League ahead of Real Madrid.
ATTACK
Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)
Pulisic looks set to have a very bright future in the game having become the youngest foreigner to score a goal in the Bundesliga back in April 2016 and his rapid rise for Dortmund is mirrored in the international set-up with USA.
The 18-year-old became the youngest player to represent the senior national team in March and he has gone on to form an integral part of Thomas Tuchel's squad both domestically and in Europe, where he played in all six of his side's group games.
Andre Silva (Porto)
Silva has the remarkable record of having scored four goals in his five caps for Portugal, with all of his appearances coming after last summer's landmark triumph at Euro 2016.
The 21-year-old is a vital component of Nuno Espirito Santo's Porto side this term having notched an impressive 14 goals in all competitions - including two in the 5-0 demolition of Leicester City and the winner against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Ousmane Dembele (Borussia Dortmund)
Former Rennes striker Dembele impressed in Ligue 1 during the 2015-16 season, and he has not been found wanting since making the move to the Bundesliga.
The 19-year-old's pace and power have already brought four goals and seven assists from his 15 league appearances for Tuchel's men, while he was on the scoresheet in the club's remarkable 8-4 win over Legia Warsaw at Signal Iduna Park.
COACH
Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)
There were those who legitimately questioned whether he could do it: follow up his incredible career as a player by replicating such success in the dug out.
But after two losses in his opening three months as manager, the France World Cup winner has now won more trophies than he has suffered defeats; the FIFA Club World Cup success adding to his earlier Champions League and UEFA Super Cup triumphs.
Real are currently on a 37-match unbeaten streak stretching all the way back to April, meaning Zidane's overall record as manager reads: Played 53, Won 38, Drawn 13, Lost 2.
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