Before the first Champions League Round of 16 matches on Thursday night, here are the Team of the Season honors for the 2025/26 campaign. This will showcase the standout players expected to shine this week.
GK David Raya, Arsenal
David Raya has established himself as the top goalkeeper in the tournament, boasting an impressive save percentage of 90% and keeping a clean sheet in nearly 75% of his matches. While Arsenal has a solid defense, Raya deserves greater recognition for his goalkeeping skills.
LB Alejandro Grimaldo, Bayer Leverkusen
At 30 years old, Alejandro Grimaldo continues to impress. Real Madrid might regret not signing him along with Alvaro Carreras. He has made a significant offensive impact as a left back, scoring four goals and providing two assists in this Champions League, while averaging 2.3 key passes and 4.4 combined tackles and interceptions per game.
CB Josko Gvardiol, Manchester City
Choosing the center backs was challenging, but Josko Gvardiol stands out. He is an exceptional athlete, known for his accurate passing and impressive game-reading ability, averaging 1.8 interceptions per match this Champions League season, making him somewhat underrated.
CB Gabriel Magalhaes, Arsenal
Gabriel Magalhaes has been Arsenal’s standout player in this Champions League season, excelling in shot-blocking and demonstrating top-level defensive skills.
CM Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool
Dominik Szoboszlai is experiencing the best season of his career, particularly in the Champions League. The Hungarian forward has scored four goals and provided four assists in eight matches, averaging 2.6 key passes per game. He has emerged as Liverpool’s main playmaker while also contributing defensively.
CM Declan Rice, Arsenal
Although Declan Rice has impressed more in the Premier League than the Champions League, he is still contributing with an average of 2.3 key passes per game and strong defensive play in midfield.
CM Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid
Despite strong competition from teammates like Phil Foden and Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu, Jude Bellingham secured a spot thanks to his all-around contributions. He averages nearly three combined tackles and interceptions while also excelling in dribbling and drawing fouls.
LW Jens Petter Hauge, Bodo Glimt
Jens Petter Hauge is having a remarkable season with Bodo Glimt, scoring six goals and averaging 2.3 key passes along with 4.0 combined dribbles and fouls drawn per match. His impact is vital for the team.
RW Lamine Yamal, Barcelona
Lamine Yamal’s contributions to Barcelona are significant, often overlooked by many. He averages a goal contribution each game, while excelling in dribbling (4.5 per game), key passes (2.7), and drawing fouls (2.3). His performance is exceptional.
ST Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe has been the standout player in the Champions League, scoring 13 goals in 8 starts, averaging 3.3 key passes and 2.1 dribbles completed per match. His performance sets him apart from other attackers.