Following an eventful conclusion to the Champions League group stage, attention turns to the future prospects of the teams advancing to the round of 16. The much-talked-about ‘Group of Death’ saw Paris Saint-Germain secure a spot by drawing against Borussia Dortmund, while Newcastle United faced disappointment.
Manchester United, experiencing a challenging group stage, suffered an exit following a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Manchester City and Arsenal, already through before the final round, comfortably topped their respective groups.
Curious about the top performers in the tournament, we’ve partnered with WhoScored to compile the top 10 standout players in this season’s Champions League based on their overall ratings. Notably absent are renowned names like Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland, despite their goal-scoring contributions. Let’s delve into the top 10:
1. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Average rating: 8.30
Real Madrid’s acquisition of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund raised eyebrows, and it’s evident why they invested. In 449 minutes of Champions League play, the 20-year-old secured four goals and three assists, proving his prowess on Europe’s elite stage.
2. Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
Average rating: 7.93
Though limited to 155 minutes across six games, Alvarez’s four goals and one assist showcased his impact for Manchester City. His standout performance against RB Leipzig exemplified his contribution to City’s Champions League campaign.
3. Galeno (Porto)
Average rating: 7.88
Galeno propelled Porto to second place in Group H with four goals and three assists in 443 minutes, shining brightly in their crucial win against Shakhtar Donetsk.
4. Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid)
Average rating: 7.85
At 32, Griezmann showcased his pivotal role in Atlético Madrid’s undefeated Group E campaign, tallying five goals in 460 minutes.
5. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Average rating: 7.84
Saka’s three goals and four assists contributed significantly to Arsenal topping Group B, marking his emergence as a crucial player for the club.
6. João Cancelo (Barcelona)
Average rating: 7.80
Cancelo’s resurgence at Barcelona featured impressive offensive and defensive displays, boasting a 90.6% pass success rate in 459 minutes.
7. Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Average rating: 7.80
Jesus’s four goals and two assists in 323 minutes highlighted his impact for Arsenal, striving to replicate his winning mentality from Manchester City.
8. Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad)
Average rating: 7.75
Merino’s influential performances for Real Sociedad contributed to their top spot in Group D, showcasing his versatility and winning 6.4 aerial duels per game.
9. Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Average rating: 7.72
Foden’s contributions, including three goals and two assists in 387 minutes, underlined his pivotal role in Manchester City’s Champions League journey.
10. Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
Average rating: 7.70
Despite Vinícius Jr.’s anticipation, it’s Rodrygo who secures the final spot, playing the most minutes (480) among the top 10 with three goals and two assists.
These players’ exceptional performances have significantly impacted their teams’ success in the tournament, setting the stage for an exciting round of 16.