Top scorer Messi stars in Champions League team of the season
Here we run through the best WhoScored rated XI from the 2018/19 Champions League using minimum appearances.
Goalkeeper: Anthony Lopes (Lyon) – 7.02 rating
Lyon remarkably drew six Champions League games in a row before being eliminated by Barcelona in the knockout phase. Anthony Lopes gave Lyon hope ahead of their second-leg with the Spanish giants after making five saves in a 0-0 draw. The 28-year-old averaged 4.4 saves per Champions League game last season.
Left-back: Jordi Alba (Barcelona) – 7.21 rating
Unfortunately for Jordi Alba, he saved his worst performance in the Champions League last season for Barcelona’s shock defeat to Liverpool. Aside from that, the 30-year-old was integral to Barcelona’s campaign. No player registered more assists than Alba in the Champions League last season (five) and the Spanish full-back also scored one goal.
Centre-back: Felipe (Porto) – 7.16 rating
Porto made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and Felipe was key to their run, even earning a move to Atletico Madrid this summer. The 30-year-old won possession in the defensive third more times than any other player in the competition (45), while also ranking top for clearances made (61).
Centre-back: Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax) – 7.17 rating
Matthijs de Ligt has emerged as the most sought after prospect in Europe following his imperious performances in the Champions League. The Ajax captain showed tremendous leadership skills at the age of 19 to guide the Dutch side to the semi-finals. Not only was De Ligt immense at the back, the teenager scored against Juventus and Tottenham in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – 7.23 rating
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the sole representative from champions Liverpool and his place in the XI is thoroughly deserved. The 20-year-old is arguably the best right-back in Europe and racked up three assists in the Champions League to go with the 12 he recorded in the Premier League. Alexander-Arnold supplied the decisive pass in Liverpool’s semi-final second leg win over Barcelona to send Jurgen Klopp’s side into the final.
Left wing: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) – 7.87 rating
Raheem Sterling enjoyed his best ever campaign in Europe after scoring five goals and recording two assists in 10 appearances for Manchester City. The England international reserved his best form for the knockout stages, scoring four of his five goals during the business end of the competition. He scored twice in City’s dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham, though it was not enough to go through.
Central midfield: Tanguy Ndombele (Lyon) - 7.40 rating
Tanguy Ndombele is being heavily linked with a move to the Premier League after impressing for Lyon in the Champions League. The 22-year-old scored more goals in eight European appearances (two) as he did in 34 league appearances (one). Furthermore, of players that attempted at least 25 dribbles in the 2018/19 campaign, Ndombele had the second best dribble success rate (67.6%).
Central midfield: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) – 7.68 rating
Bernardo Silva has developed into one of the best players in the Premier League over the last 12 months and the Portugal international also carried that form into Europe for Manchester City. The 24-year-old scored four goals in eight appearances in the Champions League, while also averaging 1.9 successful dribbles and 1.9 tackles per game.
Left wing: Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) – 7.74 rating
Hakim Ziyech is the second of three Ajax players in the best rated XI after their remarkable Champions League run. Ziyech has been one of the best players in the Eredivisie in recent years but finally managed to transfer that form on to the biggest stage and now he will earn a high profile move to one of Europe’s top five leagues. Ziyech scored three goals and registered three assists for Ajax and impressively averaged 2.5 tackles per game. Furthermore, only team-mate David Neres (21) won possession in the attacking third more times than Ziyech (17).
Striker: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 8.77 rating
Lionel Messi finished the 2018/19 Champions League campaign as our player of the tournament. The Barcelona forward was the only player to register 10+ goals in the competition (12), while remarkably earning a perfect WhoScored 10 rating in half of his appearances (5/10). Barcelona suffered a humiliating exit at the hands of Liverpool but Messi was genuinely excellent throughout the campaign.
Striker: Dusan Tadic (Ajax) – 7.56 rating
Dusan Tadic was one of just two players to score and assist 10+ goals in the 2018/19 Champions League after inspiring Ajax to the last four of the competition. The former Southampton creator notably played a direct hand in five goals across Ajax’s victories over Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the knockout stage.
