The UEFA Champions League has always delivered iconic, unforgettable moments. It’s a tournament made for the big boys. The 2024/25 edition has already brought excitement back, with giants like Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid and more lighting up the stage.
The new format of the Champions League has raised the stakes, demanding more from every club involved. It’s tougher, more intense, and leaves no room for errors.
Ranking the best players in this season’s Champions League isn’t difficult because the performances speak for themselves. From goals and assists to chances created and average match ratings, some players have truly shown up on the biggest stage of all.
Here are our top 10 Champions League performers for the 2024/25 season.
10. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
Vinícius Júnior has not leave up to his 2023/24 hype but he has his moment in this 2024/25 champions league season. The Brazilian winger has been a key figure for Real Madrid, combining explosive pace with clinical finishing. His standout performance came in a 5-2 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund, where he scored an hattrick to save the day for the club. Through the league phase and knockout rounds, Vinícius has notched 8 goals and 2 assists in 12 matches, he completed 28 chances and creating 23 chances. His ability to deliver in high-stakes moments, like his assist and incredible performance against Manchester City, keeps him among the elite. However, occasional inconsistency in finishing places him at No. 10.
9. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s midfield anchor, Declan Rice, has been a revelation in their Champions League run. The English international’s defensive awareness and composure under pressure have brought stability to Arsenal’s midfield, allowing their attackers to flourish.
Rice has played every minute of Arsenal’s 11 matches, contributing 4 goals, 2 assists, and maintaining an impressive 92% pass accuracy. He has also recorded a 76% tackle success rate.
The midfielder joins elite company such as Lionel Messi and N’Golo Kanté by winning Man of the Match in both legs of Arsenal’s quarter-final upset over Real Madrid. He scored two stunning free-kicks in the first leg, which ended 3-0, and played a key role in the second leg, a 2-1 victory for Arsenal, sealing a 5-1 aggregate win.
Rice’s leadership, defensive discipline and work rate have made him indispensable, earning him a well-deserved place on this list.
8. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal is rewriting the record books. The Barcelona winger has lit up the Champions League with his fearless dribbling, creativity and vision.
Yamal has contributed 4 goals and 3 assists in 11 matches, including a memorable assist in Barcelona’s 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich. His 36 successful dribbles and 80% pass accuracy underscore his remarkable technical maturity.
What sets Yamal apart is not just his talent, but his ability to deliver against experienced defenders on the biggest stage. He’s a generational talent and currently the best young player in the world. Ranked 8th on this list.
7. Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
Paris Saint-Germain’s left-back Nuno Mendes has been both a defensive rock and an attacking spark. The Portuguese star’s athleticism and precision have established him as one of the competition’s standout full-backs.
Mendes has recorded 4 goals and 1 assist in 13 matches, with an impressive 88% pass accuracy. His ability to shut down dangerous wingers like Mohamed Salah, particularly across both legs against Liverpool, while still contributing in attack places him at No. 7 in the rankings.
His consistency has been vital to PSG’s push to the semi-finals.
6. Julian Alvarez (Atlético Madrid)
Julián Álvarez’s versatility and work ethic have been the heartbeat of Manchester City’s Champions League campaign. Operating as a forward, attacking midfielder and even dropping deep when needed, Álvarez has delivered 7 goals and 1 assist in 10 matches.
He has created 13 chances and maintained an 84% pass accuracy, highlighting his playmaking quality. His 100% tackle success rate also shows his defensive contribution.
At just 25, Álvarez continues to step up in crucial moments, even though Atletico were eliminated by Real Madrid in a dramatic penalty shootout.
5. Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy has been the Champions League’s most prolific scorer, leading the competition with 13 goals and 4 assists in 14 matches. The Guinean international’s hat-trick in a 3-1 quarter-final win over Barcelona was a standout moment, even though Dortmund were eventually eliminated 5-3 on aggregate.
Guirassy’s average of 2.9 shots on target per game and 2.4 aerial duels won per game underline his physical dominance and attacking threat. Despite his team’s exit, his goal-scoring heroics earn him the No. 5 spot on this list.
4. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich was driven by his pursuit of trophies, and he has been relentless in the Champions League. Despite Bayern’s elimination at the hands of Inter Milan, Kane has been one of the stars of the competition.
The England captain has scored 11 goals and provided 2 assists in 13 matches, including a standout four-goal performance in Bayern’s 9-2 demolition of Dinamo Zagreb.
Kane remains one of the best strikers in world football and a strong contender for the Champions League Player of the Season.
3. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Achraf Hakimi has redefined the right-back role with his blistering pace and attacking output. The Moroccan star has contributed 2 goals and 5 assists in 14 matches, with an 88% pass accuracy and an incredible 33 chances created from the right flank.
Hakimi has always been a standout performer. His 19 successful dribbles and 72 duels won further highlight his impact on both ends of the pitch. To be honest, he fully deserves his spot on this list and should be praised for his top-level performances.
2. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)
Ousmane Dembélé has rediscovered his best form at PSG, tormenting defenses with his speed and trickery. The French winger has 7 goals and 3 assists in 12 matches, with 24 successful dribbles ranked among the competition’s best. His hattrick in a 4-1 rout of Stuttgart in PSG’s win over Brest showcased his flair. Dembélé’s 33 key passes and 81% pass accuracy highlight his creative edge. His consistency and big-game impact place him at No. 2, narrowly missing the top spot, let’s see how everything ended.
1. Raphinha (Barcelona)
Raphinha has been the standout performer of the 2024/25 Champions League, leading Barcelona’s charge with unmatched dynamism. The Brazilian winger sits second on the top scorer chart with 12 goals and has also registered 7 assists in 12 matches. His hat-trick in the 4–1 demolition of Bayern Munich and his goal and two assists against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals were game-changing moments.
Raphinha’s 14 successful dribbles, 34 key passes, and 80% pass accuracy reflect his all-round brilliance, while his tireless work rate off the ball further underlines his importance. With 19 goal contributions so far, he’s approaching Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time record of 21 in a single Champions League campaign.
Anyone who truly watches football will understand why we’ve ranked him No. 1 — Raphinha is the clear frontrunner for the Player of the Tournament award, the best player of the competition so far.
Honorable Mentions
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
- Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Antoine griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- Pedri (Barcelona
- Vitinha (PSG)
STATS: Sholy Nation Sports, Fotmob, TransferMarkt
