The Best XI of the 2015/16 Champions League Last 16
We know the final 16 teams who'll resume Champions League battle in the new year, with a few big names lost along the way.
The tournament remains at the forefront of world football and the place you need to go if you want to see the very best players in action, but who would be in your ideal XI from the remaining outfits?
Everyone is likely to have a slightly different take on it, but here's a side based on form in this season's competition that could come very close to the title of a true "World XI"—bar one obvious exception.
Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich
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In goal, we'll quite happily insert Bayern Munich superstar and German World Cup winner Manuel Neuer, whose side qualified with a minimum of fuss from Group F.
Widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world for a few years now, Neuer is a feature in teams such as this and will give our defence confidence thanks to his elastic reactions and his tendency to act as a sweeper when needed.
Dani Alves, Barcelona
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Still raiding down the right flank for Barcelona despite now being in his 33rd year, Brazilian Dani Alves has again proved himself to be crucial for his side in both the attacking and defensive thirds.
Now capped 87 times for his country, Alves was a key man as Barca made it out of a group containing Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and BATE Borisov, and he's also going to have a big say over whether Luis Enrique's men can become the first side to retain the Champions League in its current format come the end of the campaign.
Thiago Silva, Paris Saint-Germain
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Another Brazilian takes his place alongside Alves at the back, where Paris Saint-Germain's Thiago Silva will act as the leader and organiser.
Being placed in a group with Real Madrid was always going to mean PSG would find it to tough to reach the last 16 in anything other than second place. But with memories of Silva's goal against Chelsea in the second leg of the round of 16 at Stamford Bridge last season sure to be the forefront of Parisian minds come the new year, perhaps their skipper can inspire them to go even further than the quarter-finals.
Jerome Boateng, Bayern Munich
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Maybe a surprise inclusion for some, Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng takes his place ahead of the likes of Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos.
The German World Cup winner has been a consistent force for the Bundesliga champions for the past couple of seasons, with his solid form the backbone upon which much of the team's attacking football is built.
David Alaba, Bayern Munich
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In many ways the template for the modern left-back, Bayern's David Alaba lit up the group stage with a fine goal in the 5-1 hammering of Arsenal, a match in which also contributed an assist.
The Austrian has overtaken the likes of Jordi Alba and Marcelo when it comes to discussing the world's best left-backs in the eyes of many, and at just 23 years old he could well just get better and better.
Sergio Busquets, Barcelona
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Protecting our back four is one of the best in the business at doing just that, with Sergio Busquets consistently holding weekly workshops in how to play as a defensive midfielder.
He might not be everyone's favourite footballer, but there is little doubt he is hugely important to the Barcelona cause, and he's chasing his fourth Champions League crown with the Catalan giants this season.
Paul Pogba, Juventus
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A midfield powerhouse, Paul Pogba adds strength, mobility and a ferocious shot to our midfield, where he'll hope to patrol in the same manner he usually does for Juventus in both the Champions League and Serie A.
The France international is set for a big summer, both playing for the host nation at the Euro 2016 finals and as the subject of what is sure to be intense transfer speculation, but the 22-year-old has handled most things well in his career so far.
Mesut Ozil, Arsenal
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Arsenal fans, rejoice! Your main man, Mesut Ozil, makes it into our side thanks to his excellent form this season, as well as the injuries and struggles of others.
The German has been excellent as the Gunners have challenged at the top of the Premier League and made it through to the last 16 of the Champions League despite a disastrous start, with his status as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world game surely now unchallenged.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
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The stunning goalscoring feats of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo continue, with the Portuguese topping the charts both this season and of all time at the time of writing.
The Portuguese remains a tour de force the likes of which few of us have ever seen, and if Rafael Benitez's side are going to get close to winning the Champions League this season, he is obviously going to be the man who inspires them to it.
It was the toughest decision of the lot, but Ronaldo just pips Barcelona's Neymar to spot on the left of a front three.
Lionel Messi, Barcelona
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We're picking a best XI from the players available to the last-16 sides in the Champions League, so it is inevitable the best player in the world makes it in.
Lionel Messi may have missed a significant chunk of this season through injury, but when he's fit and firing, there really is no one better in the game. Providing that he and Ronaldo pass the ball to each other, then we have two-thirds of an amazing strike force.
Luis Suarez, Barcelona
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It's Luis Suarez who takes up the final place in that goal-filled front three, with the Uruguayan's reputation as one of the best around seemingly growing by the game because of some superb performances for Barcelona.
Suarez's game seems to have gone up several levels since moving the Catalonia in 2014, and given the talent behind him in this team, you can be sure he'll get plenty of service with which to further an already impressive scoring record.
