UEFA Champions League action returns to our TV screens this week, and the 2021/22 season could be the most riveting campaign yet as the top sides in Europe fight for the biggest prize in club football. From Ronaldo to Haaland to Mbappe, this competition is littered with superstars, and here are the five players to watch out for in this season’s Champions League.
5. David Alaba (Real Madrid)
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After winning 27 major honours across 400 matches for Bayern Munich, David Alaba joined the most successful team in Champions League history Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer. Alaba is regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe due to his versatility and physical & technical attributes, and the two-time Champions League winner will have a huge role to play for Madrid as he replaces Sergio Ramos at the heart of the defence.
4. Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
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Alongside Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland is currently the most wanted man in European football after becoming the fastest player in history to reach 20 Champions League goals – a tally that took him only 14 games. Haaland was also the top scorer in last seasons competition with 10 goals, and his Borussia Dortmund side could be one of the underdogs of the season with players like Jude Bellingham, Marco Reus and Donyell Malen.
3. Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
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The 2021 Champions League winners bolstered their ranks heavily this summer with the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Inter in a club-record deal worth €115 million. Lukaku managed 35 goals and assists to help Inter win the Serie A last season, and his arrival in West London solves the one area of weakness for Chelsea. Despite his excellent record for club and country, Lukaku has only scored 13 Champions League goals in 27 appearances and the Belgian will look to add to that tally this season for the reigning champions and help them defend their European crown.
2. Jack Grealish (Manchester City)
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Jack Grealish makes his first appearance under the bright lights of the Champions League this season for Manchester City after his £100 million moves from Aston Villa, and the Englishman is primed for superstardom on the biggest stage of club football. Grealish has a combined 30 goals and assists in the last two Premier League seasons and adds another layer of attacking dynamism and creativity to the Manchester City side that lost in the final of last season’s competition to Chelsea.
1. Lionel Messi (PSG)
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Lionel Messi will embark on his first European campaign without Barcelona this year, and one of the primary motives for the Argentinian’s move to PSG this summer was to add a fifth Champions League trophy to his cabinet. Messi is the 2nd highest scorer in Champions League history with 120 goals but will have no time to adapt in Paris with PSG being drawn alongside Manchester City and RB Leipzig in an incredibly competitive group.
[Image Credit: Leo Messi]
Shivaan Shah