With the conclusion of the first-ever Champions League league phase, the spotlight falls on the standout performers who have shaped the competition so far. Across eight thrilling matches filled with drama, surprises, and exceptional individual displays, identifying the best players has been no easy task. Liverpool and Barcelona have established themselves as dominant forces, while teams like PSV, Atletico Madrid, and LOSC Lille have exceeded expectations. Meanwhile, clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and PSG had higher ambitions but still secured places in the knockout stage.
Every team that progressed had key players who delivered outstanding performances. Using a combination of statistics, expert analysis, and WhoScored ratings, the 15 best players of the Champions League league phase have been determined. Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente played a crucial role in his team’s resurgence after a shaky start, with two losses in their first three games. His two goals and four assists were instrumental in Atletico’s five-game winning streak—the longest in the competition—securing a strong finish. Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao also stood out, registering four assists and earning two Man of the Match awards.
Lamine Yamal showed flashes of brilliance with two goals and two assists, though his attacking teammates outshined him in the overall rankings. PSG’s Achraf Hakimi proved to be a stabilizing force, ensuring his side avoided potential embarrassment in the final matchdays. PSV’s Malik Tillman impressed with an 8.03 average rating across six appearances, helping his team reach the knockout stage comfortably.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah ranked just outside the top five despite his seven goal contributions in as many games. Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz edged past him with an identical goal tally but a remarkable 89% pass completion rate. Jonathan David was key to Lille’s surprising seventh-place finish, playing a crucial role in wins against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid while pushing Liverpool to the limit. Antoine Griezmann continued to prove his class, scoring six goals and providing two assists in seven starts, securing three Man of the Match awards in the process.
Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy and Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski finished as joint-top scorers with nine goals each, cementing their places among the best. Inter Milan’s Yann Sommer stood out as a defensive rock, keeping seven clean sheets in eight matches. Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere delivered the most assists in the league phase while adding four goals, averaging a contribution every 58 minutes. However, Barcelona’s Raphinha claimed the top spot with an outstanding eight goals and four assists, leading his team’s charge under Hansi Flick. His four Man of the Match performances and a WhoScored rating of 8.31 set him apart as the best player in the league phase.
| Rank | Club | Player |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | Raphinha |
| 2 | Atalanta | Charles De Ketelaere |
| 3 | Barcelona | Robert Lewandowski |
| 4 | Inter Milan | Yann Sommer |
| 5 | Borussia Dortmund | Serhou Guirassy |
| 6 | Atletico Madrid | Antoine Griezmann |
| 7 | Real Madrid | Vinicius Junior |
| 8 | LOSC Lille | Jonathan David |
| 9 | Bayer Leverkusen | Florian Wirtz |
| 10 | Liverpool | Mohamed Salah |
| 11 | PSV | Malik Tillman |
| 12 | PSG | Achraf Hakimi |
| 13 | Barcelona | Lamine Yamal |
| 14 | Feyenoord | Igor Paixao |
| 15 | Atletico Madrid | Marcos Llorente |
With the Champions League league phase completed, these players have emerged as the standout performers. Each contributed significantly to their team’s success, whether through goal-scoring, playmaking, defensive solidity, or leadership on the field. As the tournament heads into the knockout rounds, their performances will be crucial in determining which clubs advance further in the competition.
