Paris Saint-Germain's record-setting 5-0 win over Inter Milan may still be fresh in the mind given how rampant Luis Enrique's men were on that night at the Allianz Arena in May 2025, but a new Champions League campaign is underway. A number of clubs – not least Manchester City and Real Madrid – will be looking to knock the star-studded Ligue 1 outfit off their perch as champions of Europe.
Some teams have struggled; others have excelled on those mid-week European nights. Arsenal, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich – a team which PSG boss Luis Enrique believes are his team's fiercest competition this season –are among those who are thriving at the top of the continent's football ladder.
luis enrique psg champions league
By virtue of the fact that European competitions lean towards every match being tailored to a do-or-die approach – compared to domestic league football, particularly – all teams often require individual brilliance to carry them through the league phase, the stage all 36 clubs are currently competing in. But who, according to the ratings provided by WhoScored, have been this season's 20 best performers in the Champions League?
20. Francisco Trincao, Sporting CP – 7.59
francisco trincao
As things stand, Sporting CP – thanks to Francisco Trincao and his exploits in the final third – are in with a real chance of earning an automatic qualification spot for the knockout rounds. Pushing and prodding behind the striker, the 25-year-old has been in and amongst the goals, with two goals and the solitary assist to his name, for the Liga Portugal giants. Technically excellent, too, Trincao has been pivotal to Rui Borges.
19. Micky van de Ven, Tottenham Hotspur – 7.62
Micky van de Ven celebrating after scoring for Tottenham against Everton in the Premier League
Despite being a central defender, Micky van de Ven's wicked turn of pace is as good as anyone's in European football – and that was on show during Tottenham Hotspur's 4-0 victory over Club Brugge as he slalomed in and out of the opposition as he grabbed his side's third of the goal. Not only that, but the Dutchman has been defensively sound with his tough tackling and high IQ as he's played every minute of the north Londoners' 2025/26 Champions League campaign.
18. Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid – 7.70
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Real Madrid may have walked out of Anfield empty-handed after a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, but Thibaut Courtois covered himself in glory with a smattering of world-class stops. Ageing like a fine wine, the towering Belgian was on hand to produce a number of game-changing saves, but that isn't unusual for the seasoned glovesman. At the age of 33, Courtois is showing very few signs of slowing down – as evidenced by his WhoScored rating of 7.70.
17. Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter Milan – 7.71
hakan calhanoglu
Inter Milan's tempo-setter, Hakan Calhanoglu, is as crucial as anyone as Cristian Chivu and his entourage look to take it one step further and be crowned champions of Europe. It's difficult to pick out a more important player in the Italian capital than the Turkey international, whose passing and intelligence is evident in the heart of the action. A calm and composed figure, he's totted up three goal contributions thus far.
16. Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool – 7.72
dominik szoboszlai
With the addition of Florian Wirtz, many assumed that Liverpool's utility man Dominik Szoboszlai would be on the fringes of Arne Slot's thinking – but that couldn't be further from the truth. The Hungarian, able to play in an array of positions, can pass, tackle, dot about the engine room with ease and his rocket of a shot cannot be understated. Amid their struggles, the Reds are looking for some sort of inspiration, and they need to look no further than 25-year-old Szoboszlai.
15. Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal – 7.74
gabriel martinelli
Arsenal's big summer – including the arrival of Eberechi Eze – posed questions over Gabriel Martinelli's future at the club. Resilient as ever as he falls down the pecking order in north London, the Brazilian has picked up three goals and the solitary assist in his Champions League outings this term. In fact, there's not a European game he hasn't scored in; those of an Emirates Stadium persuasion, when he returns from injury, will be praying his form can continue.
14. Jens Petter Hauge, Bodo/Glimt – 7.75
Jens Petter Hauge
More of an unknown quality among the casual football fan, Bodo/Glimt ace Jens Petter Hauge caught the attention of many with his brace of strikes against Spurs at the end of September. The 26-year-old winger's two goals saved a point on that occasion, but he has been equally important – despite not getting involved in the goalscoring – in their other three outings at Europe's top table. That's highlighted by his rating of 7.75.
13. Erling Haaland, Manchester City – 7.80
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A threat in the final third irrespective of the competition, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has scored five goals thus far. It's no longer a surprise when the Norway international – widely regarded as one of the best strikers in world football – runs off to celebrate with his teammates, but this season has been like no other: the goals have flowed and his relentless running into space remains a nightmare for opposing defenders.
12. Michael Olise, Bayern Munich – 7.87
michael olise
Although Harry Kane (more on him later!) will receive much of the plaudits from a Bayern Munich perspective, Michael Olise's dancing and dazzling on the right flank should not go under the radar. A constant threat in the eyes of opposition back lines, he has remained a creative outlet from start to finish – and his terrific form, which has seen him notch four goal involvements so far – is likely to continue into the latter stages of the competition.
11. Nuno Mendes, Paris Saint-Germain – 7.99
Nuno Mendes during a pre-match warm-up at Paris Saint-Germain
Although his Paris Saint-Germain future remains hanging in the balance, what else is there to say about Nuno Mendes? Equally adept at bursting down the flanks and shutting out opposing wingers, the Portuguese's well-rounded skill-set has seen him rack up two goals and the same number of assists thus far, but the intangible aspects of his game – including how well he picks up pockets of space – are equally impressive.
10. Fermin Lopez, Barcelona – 8.04
Fermin Lopez celebrates
A three-cap Spain international, the brilliance of Fermin Lopez is often swept under the rug thanks to Lamine Yamal and Co hogging the spotlight – but his displays in the Champions League this term has showcased his enviable quality amid the stars of Hansi Flick's Blaugrana. Known for his directness, the conviction Lopez carries with the ball at his feet has continued to strike fear into defences across Europe.
9. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona – 8.04
lamine yamal
No doubt a future Ballon d'Or winner – and potentially on numerous occasions – there is a compelling case to name Lamine Yamal as the best footballer on the planet. The youngster, still just 18 years of age, has already cemented himself as one of the best teenagers in football history and that's largely thanks to how effortlessly brilliant he has been on the continental stage. So far, it's been much of the same: Yamal dancing in and out of the opposition.
8. Marcus Rashford, Barcelona – 8.05
marcus rashford
Having fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford, Hansi Flick's Barcelona offered Marcus Rashford the chance to play in the Champions League – and he joined on a temporary basis. The Englishman's form in front of goal, though, could see him move permanently: he's a perennial danger on the left, often cutting inside to carve chances from nothing while also creating a number of goalscoring opportunities for his clubmates.
7. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Paris Saint-Germain – 8.06
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A schemer of the highest order, there is very little defenders can do when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is running at them at full pelt. From a domestic standpoint this campaign, it's been relatively tough for the Georgian – who is a key component in the French capital – but that is not the case in the Champions League. Looking solely at his numbers, the 24-year-old has scored twice and assisted once.
6. Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid – 8.14
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Sold to Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2024 when the Spaniards rarely spend such big money on transfers, Julian Alvarez is doubtlessly one of the best finishers on the planet. Whether it's his right or left football, the Argentine is ridiculously potent in the final third – and that, in tandem with his unpredictability, makes him a nuisance for opponents. In 2025/26 alone, he's notched four goal contributions in three outings.
5. Phil Foden, Manchester City – 8.25
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Enjoying something of a redemption season ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Phil Foden looks almost back to his best by picking up neat spaces in between the lines before prodding at opposition defences. When the duo are at their very best, the telepathic combination between the dainty forward and his teammate, Haaland, is rather difficult to stop – and Foden firing on all cylinders is only positive for Manchester City.
4. Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid – 8.29
kylian mbappe
As star-studded as Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid are, look no further than Kylian Mbappe to pinpoint the talismanic figure. The Frenchman – who, following a turgid start to life in Spain, has seldom flattered to deceive in Los Blancos colours – is in potent form, having scored five times at Europe's top table thus far, as the record winners of the tournament look to regain their status as champions. On his day this term, the Paris-born striker has been unplayable.
3. Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan – 8.45
lautaro martinez inter milan
After reaching two Champions League finals in three years, can Inter Milan finally buck their trend of being runners-up? If they do, Lautaro Martinez will typically be pivotal in the final third. Thus far, the Argentine has bagged four goals – and his intelligent movement off the shoulders of defenders has given the Nerazzurri an ideal route into the penalty box on numerous occasions.
2. Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray – 8.45
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Victor Osimhen's performances in Europe make you think how he fell through the net for striker-searching clubs over the summer. Including his hat-trick against Ajax, he's currently top of the 2025/26 Champions League goal charts with six strikes to his name. His box occupation strikes fear into defences on the continent and if the Turkish side are to progress through the rounds, you can bet your bottom dollar that ex-Napoli marksman Osimhen will be central to that.
1. Harry Kane, Bayern Munich – 8.60
harry kane bayern munich
A goalscoring revelation for Vincent Kompany in Bavaria, Harry Kane will be hoping that his tally can carry Bayern Munich to more silverware this term. At his rampant best, the 32-year-old Englishman has scored five strikes in four outings thus far, but it's not just his goals that are so crucial: he drops deep, links play between the lines and his passing, as always, has been second to none. He'll forever be remembered as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the Premier League.
Top 20 Highest Rated 25/26 Champions League Players So Far
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All statistics per WhoScored – correct as of 06/11/2025