The round of 16 of the Champions League is upon us. Real Madrid is due to play PSG in a two-legged tie. The kings of Europe have a tantalizing fixture on their hands. Fans would hopeful of an unprecedented 14th Champions League title.
Every season the Champions League bestows us with unforgettable moments, mouth-watering encounters, and new heroes. 32 teams started this season’s group stage, 16 are now left. We take a look at the 25 best players across teams that are left in the competition.
25. Inter Milan ST Lautaro Martinez
The Argentine Striker has taken up the role of the protagonist for Inter Milan since the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea in the summer. His performances in the season may not be eye-catching, but he has been consistent in his link play with fellow striker Eden Dzeko. If Inter Milan are to make a dent in their match against Liverpool, Martinez has to have a big impact.
24. Ajax ST Sebastien Haller
Sebastien Haller made Champions League history equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of scoring in all six group stage matches of the Champions League. The Ajax forward scored an incredible ten goals in six group stage matches. Ajax is looking threatening with Haller at the top and would be hopeful of a campaign similar to their dream run in the 2018-19 season.
23. Manchester City CB Ruben Dias
To say that Ruben Dias had an astounding effect on Manchester City‘s defense would be an understatement. Pep Guardiola’s City sides had always been accused of giving up goals too cheaply despite being an offensive juggernaut. Dias’s induction quickly changed things around. The city has conceded just 14 goals this season. Ruben Dias has to have a big few months if City is to break their Champions League deadlock.
22. Chelsea AM Mason Mount
Mason Mount has already shown he belongs to the big stage. His through ball led to the goal that led Chelsea to an incredible Champions League title last season. Seven goals and six assists aren’t mouth-watering numbers, however, his presence is essential to the way Chelsea plays. He has to replicate last season’s performance to facilitate Chelsea’s title defense.
21. Real Madrid CB Eder Militao
Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane are big boots to fill. If recent performances are any indication, Eder Militao has well and truly taken up the responsibility. He has an air of conviction and assurance about him that sets him apart. He put on solid performances last season in Ramos’s absence. But this season he will not be a bench player replacing the captain, rather the protagonist at the heart of Real Madrid’s defense.
20. Juventus ST Dusan Vlahovic
Juventus’s new 70 million euro signing made an instant impact by scoring a goal in his debut game. Juventus have been struggling this season. However, Vlahovic provides a fillip to their chances. They have a tricky fixture against a solid Villareal side. Will Vlahovic prove to be the game changer and make the world take note of him on the biggest of the stages?
19. PSG RB Achraf Hakimi
With Dani Carvajal struggling with fitness issues, Hakimi is arguably the best right-back in the world currently. Real Madrid is probably regretting letting him go. He has started to find his feet at PSG and will be a big threat in the Champions League knockout stages.
18. Liverpool CB Virgil Van Dijk
VVD is back to his best level after enduring a season-ending injury last season. He has been crucial to Liverpool‘s defensive performances this year. His presence exudes a sense of calm in an otherwise Klopp pandemonium.
17. Chelsea GK Edouard Mendy
Edouard Mendy has come a long way within a year from having no club a few seasons ago to winning a Champions League and AFCON. He has become one of the best goalkeepers around influential in Chelsea’s run to the Champions League title. He will be expected to make crucial saves if Chelsea are to defend their trophy.
16. Bayern Munich CM Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich is not having the best of the seasons. Yet there is no denying the fact that he is an influential player for Bayern capable of performing multiple roles for his team. He will be crucial to Bayern’s chances as they hope to regain the Champions League title.
15. Liverpool RB Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has returned to his best this season. His defensive capabilities may be questionable sometimes yet he is an offensive juggernaut. He perfectly fits the Klopp style of football. Oppositions will be wary of the young and energetic right back.
14. Real Madrid GK Thibaut Courtois
After a disastrous start to his Real Madrid career, Thibaut Courtois can lay claim to being the best goalkeeper in the world for the past 2 seasons. He is currently one of the best shot-stoppers, and his ball distribution has grown leaps and bounds. Real Madrid would require similar rearguard action from Courtois if they are to proceed deep into the competition.
13. Chelsea CM N’Golo Kante
Kante was sublime during the business end of the season for Chelsea last year. He put in monstrous performances against Real Madrid in the semi-finals. He has not been able to replicate the performances this year owing to a lack of continuity. However, he is a player who shines on the biggest of the stages.
12. Manchester City FW Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva is a fascinating player. He can play in different positions to create a nuisance for the opposition. He perfectly suits Pep Guardiola’s style of play with his ability to hold onto possession and be creative. He is a highly underrated player and will be crucial to City’s chances.
11. Real Madrid CM Toni Kroos
An unassuming personality, Toni Kroos is the personification of perfection on the football field. He directs the pace of the game. Every Real Madrid attack starts at the feet of Kroos. He has won it all. Combined with Modric and Casemiro, he is still regarded as one of the best midfielders. The Sniper will be expected to keep up the consistency in the knockout stages.
10. Real Madrid CM Luka Modric
36-year-old Luka Modric is running circles around the oppositions with utter nonchalance. His impact goes way beyond the statistics. Along with Kroos and Casemiro, he forms a midfield that is still regarded as the best in the world. The only apprehension is the fatigue factor that will come into play at the fag end of the season. Can he keep up the pace till the very end?
9. Bayern Munich FW Thomas Muller
The raumdeuter Thomas Muller possesses a very simple game. Run into empty spaces and set up teammates in front of the goal. Doing that he has already 17 assists this season. He is an unassuming player who often steps up at the biggest of the stages.
8. Manchester City CM Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is a reflection of Manchester City’s fortunes in the Champions League. Unbeatable throughout the season yet fails at the biggest of the stages. He had to leave the field in tears in the last season’s final. Will he step up to take City one step further this time?
7. PSG AM Lionel Messi
Messi may have switched bases yet his rivalry with Real Madrid is set to continue. He hasn’t found life easy in Paris. He has struggled to get on the scoresheet in Ligue1 yet his European form has been solid. It may not be the 2009 version of Messi but discount him at your peril.
6. Real Madrid LW Vinicius Junior
Young star Vinicius Junior has come of age this season. He has formed a deadly duo with Karim Benzema. His trickery and explosiveness could turn out to be the game-changer in big games. He will be expected to extend his incredible performances in the knockout stages and deliver a European title.
5. Manchester United FW Cristiano Ronaldo
Mr. Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo needs no introduction. Having already won 5 champions League he will want to go for more and etch his name as the undisputed GOAT. He has already bailed out Manchester United time and again with last-ditch efforts this season. Does he have one final push in him? Well, he may not need much inspiration, since United is to face Atletico Madrid in the round of 16, his favorite prey in the Champions League.
4. Liverpool RW Mohamed Salah
It is fair to say Mohamed Salah has been quite underrated for a while. He has put up astonishing numbers each season for Liverpool. But it is the 2021-22 season where the world seems to take notice and be in awe of his sublime performances. 23 goals and nine assists already this season and he will again be the key to Liverpool’s chances of winning the Champions League.
3. PSG FW Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe had to stay put at PSG after the summer transfer saga between PSG and Real Madrid. As fate would have it, he will return to Santiago Bernabeu, not as a Madridista but a PSG player to face Real Madrid in the round of 16. It will be fascinating to see how he prevails in the match where emotions will run high. He is the lynchpin of the PSG attack. Can he arrive at Madrid with a Champions League medal around his neck?
2. Bayern Munich ST Robert Lewandowski
33 goals and 3 assists. There are no points for guessing the player who has put up such a staggering number despite a quarter of a season remaining. It is unfathomable that despite putting such stats and winning so many trophies for Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski is yet to win a Ballon d’Or. Bayern will again be the favorites to lift the trophy with Lewa in such red hot form.
1. Real Madrid ST Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema is poetry in motion on the football field. Leader of the Real Madrid attack and a bonafide Champions League legend, Benzema already has 22 goals and seven assists this season. All eyes will be on Karim when Real Madrid takes on PSG in the round of 16. Can Benzema lead Real Madrid to another Champions League glory and cement his place as an all-time Real Madrid great?