Champions League Quarter-Finals Best XI

GK: David Raya

A debate has begun to circulate in football – is David Raya the best goalkeeper in the world? If you only take the current season into account, then the answer is a wholehearted ‘yes’.

Raya made some spectacular saves to maintain Arsenal’s clean sheet against Sporting CP, denying them on five seperate occasions over the course of 90 minutes.

RB: Achraf Hakimi

Liverpool had some impressive attacking talent on their left side against PSG, but none of them were able to give Achraf Hakimi much to think about.

The Moroccan international controlled his flank, making some key tackles and offering a useful option out wide in an attacking sense.

CB: William Saliba

William Saliba continues to make his case for being the best centre-back in the world – he put forth a largely flawless display against Sporting CP on Tuesday evening.

He didn’t have too much work to do, as Arsenal’s midfield press largely kept the Portuguese giants at bay. Nevertheless, Saliba dealt with everything that came his way with his trademark consummate ease.

CB: Robin Le Normand

Robin Le Normand had to make several adjustments through Atletico Madrid’s win over Barcelona, but was able to adapt to every situation.

His centre-back partner, David Hancko, suffered an injury in the first-half and Diego Simeone was forced into a change. Then, Barcelona had a man sent off, meaning Le Normand saw much more of the ball than he would have anticipated. Nevertheless, the Spanish international held his nerve and kept a clean sheet.

LB: Matteo Ruggeri

Matteo Ruggeri was offered much more agency down the left flank when Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi was handed a red card – the Italian international jumped on the opportunity with vigour.

He found Alexander Sorloth for Atletico’s second goal of the game – he also managed to keep a clean sheet against the Catalonian giants.

RM: Michael Olise

Michael Olise has been a sensation since he joined Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace. He was at it again against Real Madrid, finding Harry Kane to create their second goal on the night.

Making a jinking run into the centre of the attacking third, he neatly picked out Kane for the assist – a very multi-faceted player, Olise can hurt teams in a frightening number of different ways.

CM: Vitinha

Vitinha is amongst the best midfielders in the world right now. He utterly dominated the midfield battle against Liverpool, making an eye-watering 139 passes over the course of 90 minutes.

PSG completely shut the Reds out at the Parc des Princes, with Vitinha being the key dynamo behind their success in the middle of park.

CM: Joao Neves

As good as Vitinha was against Liverpool, Joao Neves might have been even better. His movement, passing and anticipation on the pitch was practically superhuman on Wednesday evening.

He found the assist for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to score PSG’s second goal of the game – speaking of which, he’s up next.

LM: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

For our money, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the best player in the world on his day – he certainly made our argument look convincing on Wednesday evening against Liverpool.

Making an intelligent run through the gaps in Liverpool’s backline, Kvaratskhelia held off challenges from several Liverpool players before slotting hom beyond international compatriot Giorgi Mamardashvili.

ST: Julian Alvarez

Julian Alvarez scored the goal of the round against Barcelona, netting a spectacular free kick against Hansi Flick’s men after they were reduced to ten men.

Do Manchester City regret their decision to let Alvarez go? A player of his immense talent could never be anyone’s understudy, but his natural eye for goal is seldom seen in the modern game.

ST: Harry Kane

Harry Kane continues to stake his claim as the best striker in the world – the England international is in fine form heading into the 2026 World Cup.

He was on the scoresheet once again on Tuesday evening, firing a powerful effort beyond Andriy Lunin in the Real Madrid net.