This year's Champions League team of the season comes with a twist: only one player per club is allowed. Despite finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal boasting multiple candidates, this format offers a broader perspective on the tournament's standout performers.
Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal)
Even in Arsenal's penalty shootout loss to PSG in the final, Raya was heroic, saving a spot-kick from Nuno Mendes. His decision-making throughout the match matched his exemplary season. He finished the Champions League campaign with nine clean sheets, conceding just five goals in 14 matches. The last non-penalty to beat Raya was Robert Andrich's header for Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.
Right-back: Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
A Spurs player makes the cut. Tottenham finished fourth in the group stage, and Porro's overlapping full-back skills stood out. He has been linked with a return to Manchester City, where he spent three years as part of their loan army.
Centre-back: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter)
Bastoni remains Italy's best defender despite his red card against Bosnia costing the Azzurri a World Cup spot. Inter conceded just seven goals in the group stage, with Bastoni as their organiser and deep-lying playmaker.
Centre-back: Odin Bjørtuft (Bodø/Glimt)
The Norwegian club from the Arctic Circle were the romantic story of the season, beating Manchester City, Atlético Madrid, and Inter before losing to Sporting. Bjørtuft ranked third in ball recoveries with 81, behind only PSG's Mendes and Pacho.
Left-back: Matteo Ruggeri (Atlético Madrid)
Ruggeri, a defender first and foremost, set up Alexander Sørloth's goal in a crucial quarter-final first-leg win at Barcelona. He successfully contained Lamine Yamal in that tie.
Defensive midfielder: Morten Hjulmand (Sporting)
Sporting's Danish captain was the fulcrum of their fine Champions League campaign, finishing in the top eight. His poise and tenacity will make him a summer transfer target.
Central midfielder: Aleix García (Bayer Leverkusen)
García, a former Manchester City youngster, completed 91.25% of his passes and scored a spectacular goal against PSG in the group stage.
Central midfielder: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)
Szoboszlai was among Liverpool's few bright spots in an unhappy season. He scored five goals in 12 Champions League matches, including a standout performance in a 4-0 win over Galatasaray.
Left-wing: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
Kvaratskhelia's blend of orthodox wing play and explosive power made him the best left-winger in the competition, despite a subdued final performance.
Right-wing: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Yamal's shards of brilliance, including a stunning spin and diagonal pass against Atlético, made him an inevitable choice. His skills sometimes surpass even Messi and Ronaldo at their peak.
Striker: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Kane scored 14 goals, one fewer than Mbappé, but his creative partnership with wingers Olise and Díaz earned him the nod. He totalled 61 goals for Bayern this season, a worthy successor to Lewandowski.
