The best of the best competed for a spot, but only an elite few could make it!
(L-R) Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe (Photos: AFP, Facebook)
Yet, another thrilling season of the Champions League has come to a close, with holders Real Madrid scripting history by becoming the first team to defend their title in the current format in an absorbing final at Cardiff on Saturday.
But, who were the star performers in a tournament that started in September and ended in May?
From the 32 teams that competed in the group-stages to the two that contested the final at the Millennium Stadium, The Statesman brings together the best XI from the continental competition in the 4 -3-3 formation.
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While it may be of scant comfort to ‘Gigi’ after coming so close to his maiden title, the veteran was the standout goalkeeper of the tournament. Enroute to the final, the Juventus custodian conceded just three goals, managing an incredible eight shut-outs in all. At 39, he is a living embodiment of the saying “Form is temporary, but class is permanent.”
After his barnstorming displays for Los Blancos, many have declared the 29-year-old to be the best left-back in the world. Many will point to Ronaldo's ridiculous goalscoring stats as the main reason the Real defended their title, but without some Brazilian flair on the flank, the Portuguese sensation would have struggled to score, that’s a fact. His surging runs late in the game killed of the likes of Bayern Munich and Juventus, to name a few.
Real Madrid’s leader, and now virtually assured of legendary status at a club that is synonymous with the Champions League. The first captain to lift the title back-to-back, Ramos was impressive since Matchday 1 to the final, where he kept a dangerous Juventus attack under wraps, for the majority of the game. Did we add that he scored a crucial goal and got two assists as well? Arguably the best defender in the world at the moment.
The only reason Ramos is not the undisputed king of centre-backs, is because of Juventus’ No.19. A true defensive rock in the Bianconeri’s three-man defensive system, Bonucci has been one of the major reasons the Italian side have been so miserly at the back. Reports of a £48 million move to Premier League champions Chelsea are circulating and the 30-year-old is worth every penny.
Barcelona’s loss was certainly Juventus’ gain. Buffon and Bonucci’s partner in crime, playing as the flying wing-back in Juventus’ 3-5-2 system, the Brazilian rolled back the years with his galloping runs on the right flank. The 34-year-old scored twice, got four assists, to make a mockery of those who doubted his ability and may just go down as one of the greatest free transfers of all time.
Pjanic switched base from Roma to Juve in the summer and despite coming in for a considerable fee, the Bosnian has excelled in a deep role. Mixing craft with graft, in an inimitable way, the 27-year-old thrived for the Bianconeri and as a bonus, is a master of the free-kick as well.
Love him or hate him, you just can’t beat him. Every team needs a player to mop up the mess and Casemiro does that job for Real Madrid perfectly. Always ready to break up a dangerous attack, the Brazilian proved he isn't a mug with the ball, as his tally of two goals and two assists attests!
When you’ve got Toni Kroos in your side, things are almost always in cruise control. It may sound corny, but the German midfielder was consistently excellent the entire campaign, a trait most midfielders would kill for. Leading the stats leaderboard for passes completed in the Champions League this year, the 27-year-old has established his place as one of the top midfield generals of his time.
While Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann matched his young compatriot in terms of goals scored (six each), the fact that Mbappe didn't start a game till February, gives the 18-year-old an edge. Yes, he did not start (or score) in a single group-stage game, all his strikes came in the round-of-16 onwards! Not a bad way to start your Champions League career, no?
Cometh the hour, cometh the machine. For that’s what Real Madrid’s iconic No.7 is these days. A pure goalscoring machine. Consecutive hat-tricks against continental giants, a brilliant brace to win the title, you name it and Cristiano Ronaldo did it this season. There is a reason the Golden Boot winner is now the heavy favourite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or!
Barcelona’s little maestro was at his effervescent best from Matchday 1 and while his form petered out in the latter stages of the competition, there is no denying that he remains at a level most of his peers can only wish to reach. With a tally of 11 goals and two assists from nine appearances, Messi continues to astound individually, even if he has scant reward to show for it at the end of the season.
Was there every any doubt? A fine player among the finest of his generation, but in under two seasons as a manager, ‘Zizou’s’ managerial achievements threaten to overshadow the feats he achieved as a player. Not many gave him a chance when he took the job at then crisis-ridden Real last year, but boy has he proved his doubters wrong. The first manager to defend the Champions League in its current format, there will soon be a statute of him at the Santiago Bernabeu, of that there is no doubt.
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