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With the 2018-19 football season already having entered the final stage of the season, clubs are ready to offload the dead wood in their sides and offer new contracts to the worthy ones. It has been a great football year until now, especially in the Champions League, with some incredible moments to witness for the fans. Ranging from Juventus' failure to get past Ajax to Leo Messi running riots against Man United at the Nou Camp, the season has been filled with drama and passion, yet again thrilling it's viewers to bits.
This season, till now, has had it all, and it wasn't much difficult for me to create this article, with some players performing extremely well, considering their form, consistency, and confidence. Ajax's burst in form in the UCL as well as in the league have caught out the attention of the biggest clubs in Europe, with nearly 3 players from Ajax making it into my list of the top 10 best players in the UCL.
European games are a feast for the eyes and the players who perform well in European nights earn themselves a huge amount of fame and respect. Undoubtedly, this season has been nothing less than extraordinary.
So, without further ado, let's get straight into the topic.
Also see : Copa America Schedule, Copa America Standings
#10 Gerard Pique (FC Barcelona)
Gerard Pique has been the centre of criticism for quite a few seasons now, but the Spanish defender has beaten each and every critic of his with the mouth-watering performances displayed for Barcelona this season.
Alongside Lenglet, Barcelona's defence has transformed into one of the best across Europe, and that is exactly where Ernesto Valverde has outperformed all the former Barcelona coaches. Barca's robust defensive displays against Lyon, Man United, Tottenham and several other teams were led by an in-form and reliable Gerard Pique.
The centre-back anchored a defence that secured a 1-0 first leg win last week against Man United, which left the home side without a shot on goal in a game at Old Trafford for the first time since 2005.
Pique's ball playing ability has never been a matter of concern, as he perfectly suits the Barcelona style. However, he has been incredibly consistent this season compared to his last ones, often producing a 10/10 performance in both domestic as well as European competitions.
#9 Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are the luckiest wingers in the world because you do not get a chance that often to play with such an unselfish striker like Roberto Firmino. Despite being a striker on paper, Firmino has to be the most creative forward in England right now.
Firmino is not special for the goals he scores, but the way he creates goals for others. The Brazilian had a brilliant 2017-18 season, both domestically as well as in Europe, as he scored 11 goals in 15 appearances in the Champions League.
This season, though Roberto Firmino has been a bit silent in terms of scoring and assisting, his work rate, defensive abilities and link up play is as impressive as ever. Firmino has bagged four goals and an assist this term in UCL, and his side are set to take on the might of Barcelona, as they look to make a second successive final in this competition.
#8 Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax)
One of the best defenders in the world, De Ligt has caused havoc to every team he has played against. His performances against Real Madrid and Juventus, two of the strongest sides in Europe, are no less than absolutely stunning, and the 19-year-old captain is set to lead Ajax to their first UCL final in 24 years, if not win it all.
Brilliant in the air, quick with his feet and probably the best ball playing centre back in the Netherlands, Matthijs de Ligt is one for the future. He has won more duels than Europe's best defender, Van Dijk, and has a passing accuracy of 88%.
It is certain that de Ligt will leave Ajax this summer, but his destination is still undecided. The Ajax president named two clubs he could join, Bayern and Barcelona. De Ligt is one of the best young prospects we've seen in recent years.
#7 Aymeric Laporte (Man City)
The former Athletic Bilbao captain signed for Manchester City back in January last season for a staggering fee of £57 million, making him one of the costliest defenders ever. But his price tag is not what makes him special.
What makes him special is that despite his young age, he has benched the likes of Kompany and Otamendi, who were probably the best defenders for Manchester City once upon a time. Laporte's name doesn't induce the same thrill as it does for Virgil Van Dijk, Koulibaly or Sergio Ramos, but he is one of the best in business, currently.
Aymeric Laporte has a passing accuracy of 93%, the best in Europe for a defender. The Spanish man has won 42 duels in 9 appearances for Man City in the UCL, having a tackle-winning percentage of 80%. Unsurprisingly, he is the player with the most passes this season in the Premier League.
Laporte's versatility to play as a left back or a centre back as helped Pep's side to bring stability to the team and the fact that he is only 24-years-old makes him a promising player for Man City.
#6 Clement Lenglet (Barcelona)
Is Samuel Umtiti still a Barcelona player? It is time we actually start talking about Clement Lenglet was his extraordinary performances for Barcelona. The fact that he was signed as a back up for Umtiti still amuses me. Clement had to pit his wits against probably the best French centre back in the world, and an injury to Umtiti made things easier for the former Sevilla man.
Lenglet has settled to life at Barcelona with ease, playing with immense confidence and belief in himself. The 23-year-old has a passing accuracy of 88%, which also makes him one of the best ball-playing centre-back in Europe. We would likely witness a Lenglet vs Van Dijk match in the semi-finals of the Champions League, which promises to be a top class game.
Samuel Umtiti went from being the best defender in the world to struggling for a starting spot at Barcelona within no time - thanks to Clement Lenglet's extraordinary performances for the Catalan side.
#5 Heung-min Son (Tottenham)
No Harry Kane, no problem! What an outstanding team performance from Pochettino's men to knock out one of the favourite teams to win the UEFA Champions League. Son, yet again, produced an excellent game to seal a spot in the semifinals for his side.
Two goals for the South Korean, Heung Min Son ran riots at the Etihad last night. The game had everything, ranging from questionable decisions to stunning goals. VAR played a crucial part in deciding the game as Raheem Sterling's late winner was called offside after reviewing the goal, where the VAR team found Aguero on an offside position, who created the goal for Sterling.
Son was certainly the man of the hour. He was everywhere on the pitch and produced two moments of magic to bag two vital away goals for Spurs. Though he'll miss the first leg against Ajax through suspension, it won't be a surprise to see Spurs reach the finals of the UEFA Champions League this season.
#4 Dušan Tadić (Ajax)
Dusan Tadic has to be the reveal of the season for Ajax. The Amsterdam-based club is known for transforming young players into world-beaters, and this season, the club has produced some brilliant talents for the big clubs to poach. Tadic is in his prime years already, as the Southampton star has entered his 30s, and to end his career with a Champions League trophy would be a dream come true for the striker.
Dusan Tadic wrote history as he becomes the only Ajax player to win a 10/10 rating by L'Équipe. His performance against Real Madrid in the second leg was exceptional, as his side came from a goal down to knock out the reigning Champions League holders out of the competition.
Tadic is a complete forward, known for his vision and as well as the clinical edge he provides in front of the goal. His consistency from now on till the end of the season would be vital for Ajax, eventually deciding their season.
#3 Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona)
If there is any goalkeeper better than Ter Stegen in the current football world, it's Ter Stegen himself. Often being compared to Oblak and De Gea, Ter Stegen has proved himself to be a match-winning player, and he is certainly better than the other two mentioned above.
Marc has become a rock at the back for Barcelona, as the Catalan side has kept the highest clean sheets in the UCL this term (5). On average, the German shot-stopper makes 2.3 saves per game and has the best passing accuracy (83%) amongst keepers in the top 5 leagues.
De Gea has proved to be an inconsistent goalkeeper, as his performances this season completely agree with my statement. In his last 6 games across all competitions, the Spanish keeper has cost 3 goals for his team. Ter Stegen, on the other hand, single-handedly saved Barca from humiliation at Lyon and often stands up when his team needs him.
The 26-year-old has been enormous for Barcelona this term, and he certainly has unleashed his true self under Ernesto Valverde.
#2 Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool FC)
£75 million for Van Dijk seems like an absolute bargain, doesn't it? Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool were criticised for breaking the record for a defender but Van Dijk has proved Klopp right for what he did.
The Holland defender has to be the most consistent defender this season, as keeping clean sheets have certainly not been a problem for Liverpool. Allison has one of the best save percentage in the league this season, but he has not been forced to make much saves this term - thanks to Van Dijk's brilliant performances for Liverpool.
Nothing to take away from Matip, the Reds have been a class apart compared to the other European sides when it comes to defending. Liverpool has conceded only 9 goals in 10 Champions League games, keeping 4 clean sheets, only behind Barcelona (5).
I'd honestly put my money on Liverpool in the semi-final against Barcelona because the defensive performances put in by Van Dijk has been nothing short of incredible.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
10 goals in 8 appearances, Lionel Messi is the highest scorer in the UEFA Champions League this season. He, yet again, makes it to the top of the World's Best Players, and it is not even surprising anymore.
Words struggle to describe Messi's brilliance, and we will never be short of admiration for this little man. Messi, during the initial stages of the season, had given a speech at the Camp Nou saying they have some unfinished business in Europe, and that his side would give their everything to bring the prestigious Champions League trophy back to Camp Nou. And so far, the Argentine has been true to his word.
With 10 goals and 3 assists, Leo Messi is the top scorer and the 3rd-highest assist-provider in the competition. If he continues this form against Liverpool, Klopp's men would be in for a tough ride make it past the Catalan side and into the final of the Champions League in Madrid.
The players who gave us a hard time for deciding this article are the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Vertonghen, Andre Onana and Sadio Mane, who have been phenomenal for their respective sides but could not earn a spot on these rankings.
