Gareth Bale described being named in UEFA.com's Team of the Year as a 'special honour'.

And the flying Welshman was quick give his team-mates all the plaudits after receiving such an individual honour.

It's the first time a Spurs player has made it into the Team of the Year since its inception in 2001.

Voted by users of UEFA's official website, Gareth is the only Premier League player to be named in the 2011 team and becomes the first Welshman to make the 11.

He was up agains the likes of Lille's Edin Hazard, United's Ashley Young and Chelsea'a Juan Mata in the left midfield position.

In total, over 4.5 million votes were cast.

"It's great to be recognised in such illustrious company," said Gareth, "and the fact that it's voted for by fans across Europe makes it a special honour.

"But as I've said all along, I'm part of a team here at Spurs and any recognition I receive is down to my team-mates as much as anything that I do individually.

"The team has been playing really well and we've all played a part in that."

Luka Modric was also on the shortlist in central midfield and Gareth is one of only three players not based in Spain's La Liga to make the cut. The others are AC Milan centre-back Thiago Silva and Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben.

UEFA.com users' Team of the Year 2011:

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid CF & Spain)

Right-back: Daniel Alves (FC Barcelona)

Centre-back: Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona & Spain)

Centre-back: Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Left-back: Marcelo (Real Madrid CF)

Right midfield: Arjen Robben (FC Bayern München & Netherlands)

Centre midfield: Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona & Spain)

Attacking midfield: Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona & Spain)

Left midfield: Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur FC & Wales)

Forward: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)

Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF & Portugal).

Coach: Josep Guardiola (FC Barcelona)

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