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Following multiple rounds of demanding international football, players have returned to their respective clubs and are gearing up to feature in the UEFA Champions League.
Ambitious as ever, the UEFA Champions League stars are set to put their best foot forward on the third matchday. We will be assessing all the top UEFA Champions League matchday three fixtures and tell you which stars have the potential to stand out.
Now, without further ado, let us check out the top five players to watch on the third matchday of the UEFA Champions League.
#5 Luis Suarez - Atletico Madrid
UEFA Champions League has a knack for setting up heartwarming reunions. Liverpool’s trip to Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium is set to reunite one such legend with his old club.
Luis Suarez, who has emerged as Atletico Madrid’s talisman used to light Anfield up every weekend for Liverpool. He left the club after losing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City in 2014 and has not looked back since. The Uruguayan was on the scoresheet for Atletico against AC Milan on matchday two and will fancy himself to hurt his former club on Tuesday night.
Jurgen Klopp is well aware of the threat Suarez brings to the table and will look to neutralize him at all costs. But knowing how crafty and potent the 34-year-old can be, we will not bet against him not scoring on Tuesday night.
#4 Lionel Messi - Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain got their hands on Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi in the summer transfer window. They signed the six-time Ballon d’Or winner for free and placed him alongside the formidable duo of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. In Ligue 1, he is yet to get on the scoresheet. However, he has already opened his account in the UEFA Champions League with great aplomb.
On matchday two of the UEFA Champions League, Lionel Messi went up against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. PSG completely outplayed the Premier League champions and it was Messi who dealt the final blow.
His stunning goal, which was set up perfectly by Kylian Mbappe gave us a glimpse of Messi’s raw genius, mesmerizing us all over again. PSG will play RB Leipzig on matchday three and will need some extra inspiration from Messi, especially with Neymar not playing. And knowing the Argentine, he could definitely emerge as the star of the show.
#3 Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund
UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club cup competition in Europe and arguably in the world. Making a mark in this competition can make anyone an instant sensation, turn them into a superstar. Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland is a definite star in the making and we expect to see him in all his glory against Ajax.
Both Dortmund and Ajax have picked up six points from their last two games. Ajax’s flamboyance has been infectious so far, but they do not have the firepower Haaland brings to the table.
The 21-year-old scored one goal in Dortmund’s tournament opener but had to sit out the next match due to muscular problems. The Norwegian has registered nine goals and four assists in six Bundesliga games this season and looks destined to add to his season tally at Ajax on Tuesday.
#2 Karim Benzema - Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League campaign is off to an unexpectedly rocky start. After beating Inter Milan in their UEFA Champions League opener away from home, the 13-time champions were beaten by tournament debutants Sheriff Tiraspol on matchday two. The entire team under-performed, except for their talisman, Karim Benzema.
The Frenchman has been in red hot form for Los Blancos and France since the start of the season. Not only does he have 17 club goal contributions in 10 games, but he also scored decisive goals for France in the UEFA Nations League.
Real Madrid are making the trip to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, hoping to return to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League. The onus is once again on Karim Benzema to lead the charge and we do not think the 33-year-old will disappoint.
#1 Mohamed Salah - Liverpool
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is the most in-form player in the English Premier League right now. The Egypt international has not put a foot wrong since the start of the 2021-22 campaign, turning everything he touches into gold.
Unsurprisingly, Salah has been impressive in the UEFA Champions League as well, both as a scorer and creator. The 29-year-old has not only scored thrice in two games, but he has also created a bucketload of chances for his teammates. His movement, passing and acceleration have been difficult for the defenders to pick out, and Atletico Madrid are unlikely to be an exception.
Salah will have to work a little harder than he had to against Porto, but we are not willing to bet against the Egyptian in the UEFA Champions League. Don't be surprised to see Mohamed Salah on the scoreboard at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday.
