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The season is officially over, as the UEFA Champions League final was played out last night. Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0, courtesy of a Kingsley Coman header, to clinch the trophy for the sixth time in their history.
Some memorable moments occurred throughout the season; including the emergence of Erling Haaland, Serge Gnabry's four goals against Tottenham Hotspur, and Barcelona's historic 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
This was Paris Saint-Germain's first Champions League final, as Thomas Tuchel's expensively constructed side beat the likes of Atalanta and RB Leipzig on their way to the finals. However, Hansi Flick's Bayern Munich were the better side, and deserved to lift the trophy.
The Bavarians completed a treble in the process, matching Barcelona as the only 2 sides to do a double-treble.
We look at the10 best Champions League players this season.
#10 DAVID ALABA - BAYERN MUNICH
One of Bayern Munich's most reliable players for some time now, utility man David Alaba has truly shone in defence for the Bavarians in the season gone by.
Capable of playing as a left-back, centre-back, in the midfield or on the wings, the Austria international has been a quality performer in each position. He played predominantly as a centre-back for much of the season, forming a good partnership with Jerome Boateng.
Renowned for his passing, adaptability and match intelligence, the 28-year old made eight appearances in the Champions League. With just a year left in his contract, Alaba has been linked with some of the top clubs in the world, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester City.
#9 ERLING HAALAND - RED BULL SALZBURG/BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Regarded by many as a future Ballon d'Or winner, Erling Braut Haaland has established himself as one of the best young players in the world.
The Norway international was in scintillating form in the group stages of the Champions League for Red Bull Salzburg; he became the first player to score six goals in his first three appearances in the Champions League. In total, in six appearances for Salzburg in the tournament, he scored eight goals.
A €20 million move to Borussia Dortmund happened in January, and the 20-year old scored two goals against Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg in the Champions League Round of 16. Haaland scored ten goals in the competition in just eight appearances, finishing behind Robert Lewandowski in the top goalscorers list.
#8 KEVIN DE BRUYNE - MANCHESTER CITY
Arguably the best player in the Premier League last season, Kevin De Bruyne also played a pivotal role in Manchester City's Champions League run.
De Bruyne enjoyed a good Champions League outing, despite Manchester City's shock elimination from the tournament by Lyon in the quarterfinals. The Belgium international, whose passing, vision, creativity and crossing have all stood out, was the engine running his side's attacks.
The 29-year old was, however, unable to turn the tide against Lyon. In seven Champions League appearances, he managed two goals and two assists, playing predominantly in central midfield or as a no.10.
Also Read: 5 best left-wingers in football right now
#7 HOUSSEM AOUAR - LYON
Lyon's academy has produced the likes of Corentin Tolisso, Alexandre Lacazette and Samuel Umtiti over the years, and Houssem Aouar is their current local superstar who produced some dazzling performances in the Champions League.
The 22-year old was one of Lyon's best players as the club reached the Champions League semifinals, beating Manchester City along the way. A fine passer and a good dribbler, Aouar's creativity was one of Lyon's key weapons. A versatile player, he played in midfield as well as on the left-wing last season.
The France U21 international has been linked with a move away from Lyon this summer, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Juventus all interested in the player.
#6 ANGEL DI MARIA - PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Opinion on Angel Di Maria is often shaped by his disastrous Manchester United spell, which lasted only one season.
However, some tend to forget his key role in Real Madrid's Champions League winning side, and his performances for Paris Saint-Germain in the tournament once again reminded people of his quality. Having joined PSG from United for £44 million in 2015, the Argentina international has been pivotal for them since then.
A highly creative forward, the 31-year old made nine Champions League appearances, scoring three goals and providing six assists. He was the perfect foil to Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, with his dribbling and eye for goal causing problems for the opposition defence.
#5 KYLIAN MBAPPE - PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
One of the best players in the world right now, Kylian Mbappe's rise to the top has been meteoric, to say the least.
The second-most expensive player ever, Mbappe has been a talismanic presence for the Parisiens since joining the club in 2017. A highly explosive player with an incredible goalscoring record, the 21-year old was in fine form in Europe as PSG reached the Champions League finals.
The France international made 10 appearances in the competition, scoring five goals and providing five assists. Out of those 10 appearances, six were starts, as his pace and overall quality proved to be a nightmare for defenders.
#4 SERGE GNABRY - BAYERN MUNICH
Arsenal must be ruing the day they decided to let go of Serge Gnabry to Werder Bremen in 2016 for £5 million.
A season later, the Germany international would join Bayern Munich and his subsequent performances for both club and country have made him one of the best wingers in the world right now. A tricky, creative winger, Gnabry was one of the Bavarians' most important players as they won the Champions League.
The 25-year old made 10 appearances in the Champions League, scoring nine goals and providing two assists. This included scoring four goals in a 7-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur in a group fixture.
Also Read: 5 greatest UEFA Champions League finals of all time
#3 THOMAS MULLER - BAYERN MUNICH
"Raumdeuter" was at his unorthodox best last season, as he interpreted space in his unique manner and did his job perfectly.
Thomas Muller does not make football look pretty. However, not many can match his effectiveness. The Germany international was at his creative and goalscoring best for Bayern Munich in both the league and in Europe, operating all across the forward line and making his presence felt.
The 30-year old made 10 appearances in the Champions League, out of which seven were starts. He scored four goals and provided two assists, as the Bayern Munich academy graduate won the second treble of his career.
#2 NEYMAR - PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
The pressure on Neymar's shoulders was at an all-time high, and he nearly got them through, only to falter in the end.
The 28-year old was available for the knockout stages of the competition for the first time since joining PSG in 2017, and he made the difference. Against Atalanta he produced an incredible performance, even though he failed to score a goal. Against RB Leipzig he was once again at his influential best.
The forward was unable to be at his very best in the finals, as Bayern Munich managed to subdue him for long stretches of the game. However, there is no denying that Neymar's presence and performance nearly won his club a Champions League trophy.
#1 ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI - BAYERN MUNICH
Arguably the best player in world football right now, Robert Lewandowski has every right to feel aggrieved after the Ballon d'Or was cancelled for the year.
Lewandowski has been one of the best strikers in the world for some time now, but he took it to another level last season. The Poland international was at his clinical best for his club, leading the line for Bayern Munich with aplomb, with his incredible fitness levels a huge advantage.
The 32-year old made 10 Champions League appearances last season, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists. He scored in nine consecutive Champions League games, only failing to score in the finals as Bayern Munich won courtesy of a Kingsley Coman header.
Also Read: 5 teams to watch out for next season
