Premier League frontman joins Messi and Ronaldo in European team of the month

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are together again in the European team of the month after the pair excelled for Barcelona and Juventus, respectively, in June. It was the former who earned the player of the month gong, while Real Madrid and Manchester United stars also made the cut as we look through the WhoScored best XI for last month... 

Goalkeeper: Luigi Sepe (Parma) - 7.72 rating 

Occupying the spot between the sticks in the European team of the month is Parma shotstopper Luigi Sepe. While unable to keep a clean sheet in June, the 29-year-old returned to action with a man of the match performance in Parma's 1-1 draw with Torino. All in all, Sepe made 13 saves from his three league outings last month, two of which were from the spot, more than any other goalkeeper, to secure his place in this XI 

Right-back: Juan Cuadrado (Juventus) - 8.10 rating 

The first of three Juventus representatives to make the cut, Juan Cuadrado has impressed from right-back under Maurizio Sarri. Indeed, the Colombian was the WhoScored man of the match in Juventus' 2-0 win in Bologna as the 32-year-old played key roles in follow up victories over Lecce and Genoa. Seven dribbles and four key passes saw Cuadrado exhibit the offensive side to his game to great effect and contributed to his inclusion in this side. 

Centre-back: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) - 7.49 rating 

Sergio Ramos has been a goalscoring machine in LaLiga since it returned. Only Iago Aspas (4) scored more league goals than Ramos (3) in Spain's top tier in June, including a vital goal in a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. Defensively solid as Real Madrid chase the title, Ramos made 10 interceptions and three tackles and his effectiveness at both ends of the pitch helped land a place in the European team of the month. 

Centre-back: Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus) - 7.53 rating 

Partnering Ramos at the heart of the defence is Juventus youngster Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutchman was solid for the Old Lady as he played his part in a backline that conceded just one goal in three matches. De Ligt notched his third league goal of the season in their 4-0 win over Lecce, while eight clearances in all capped a fine June for the 20-year-old. 

Left-back: Jordi Alba (Barcelona) - 7.30 rating 

The first of two Barcelona representatives, the Bluagrana have been far from their best since the resumption of LaLiga duties, yet Jordi Alba has been a consistent force from left-back. The Spaniard had a direct hand in two of the four goals in their 4-0 win at Mallorca in mid-June and made 11 interceptions last month to help turn defence into attack. And he could easily have had more than one assist having made seven key passes to contribute towards his inclusion in the European team of the month. 

Right midfield: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 9.01 rating 

The European player of the month with a WhoScored rating of 9.01, Lionel Messi has made a superb restart to league duties. Barcelona may have faltered, but the Argentine has been excellent in the final third having completed more dribbles (40), made more key passes (19) and created more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities (9) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues in June. Having had a direct hand in more goals (8 - 3 goals, 5 assists) the Argentine is good value for his individual award. 

Central midfield: Alejandro Gomez (Atalanta) - 8.17 rating 

Ranking second for assists in Europe's top five leagues in June, Messi's compatriot Alejandro Gomez (4) makes the cut having excelled in the middle of the park for this free-flowing Atalanta side. Four assists came from 10 key passes, with Gomez having a direct hand in a goal in all three league outings. 

Central midfield: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 8.07 rating 

Featuring alongside Gomez in the middle of the park, Bruno Fernandes has been a fine signing for Manchester United. He continued his good form into June, as he netted three times last month, which included a man of the match display in Tuesday's 3-0 win at Brighton. Six tackles and three interceptions reinforced his statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'defensive contribution' and helped secure his place in this team. 

Left midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 8.26 rating 

The third and final Juventus representative is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal international was one of a handful of players to score in every Serie A match in June while only Messi (30) mustered more shots than Ronaldo (19). Four goals and assists combined was a commendable return for the Juventus star as he chases the Capocannoniere. 

Striker: Danny Ings (Southampton) - 8.58 rating 

The second and final Premier League representative, Danny Ings has been in superb form following the return of domestic action across Europe. The Southampton star earned the Premier League player of the month award with a WhoScored rating of 8.58 as he hit the back of the net with all three shots on target in June and provided an assist from one of seven key passes, earning man of the match awards in wins over Norwich and Watford. 

Striker: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 8.41 rating 

Rounding off the European team of the month, Robert Lewandowski may have been unable to break Gerd Muller's goalscoring record in a Bundesliga season, but gave it his best shot having scored 34 league goals. Five of those came in June, while an additional assist meant only Messi (8) had a direct hand in more league goals than Lewandowski (6) in Europe's top five leagues last month as the Bayern star rounds off this XI with a WhoScored rating of 8.41.