The famous sports section of the New York Times, The Athletic, has given football fans a big surprise. Before the end of the season, they have revealed their best XI of the year. And it has really shocked football fans.

Atletico Madrid’s European Club Football Team of the Year has not included two of its brightest stars, Lamine Yamal. Although many consider the young Spanish player worthy of the Ballon d’Or at the end of the year, Athletic is not including him in the final squad. Kylian Mbappe or Victor Giocorres, who are leading the race for the top scorer of the season, are not in the team.

Mbappe has not won any trophies for Real Madrid this season. However, he has enriched his personal achievements and has the opportunity. Currently, Mbappe has 29 goals this season. No one has scored more goals in his debut season in the white jersey of Madrid.

Rafinha, Ousmane Dembele and Mohamed Salah are the attacking trio, alongside Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe. Rafinha was named the Athletic’s Player of the Year. His presence is confirmed on the left wing. Yamal is replaced on the right wing by Egyptian star Mohamed Salah.

The Athletic has named Mohamed Salah as the Premier League’s best player after his outstanding performance in the Premier League. And PSG star Ousmane Dembele will be at center forward. His impressive performance in the French League and Champions League has brought him to the striker position. Although his natural position is as a right winger.

The Athletic squad has three midfielders: Arsenal’s Declan Rice, PSG’s Vitinha and Barcelona’s Pedri. The Athletic did not leave much room for questions about the midfield. Each was a big hope for their respective teams this season.

They did not leave any room for questions in defense either. PSG’s two fullbacks, Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, are in their respective positions. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Inter Milan’s Bastoni have been placed at center back. And the goalkeeper is Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois.