UEFA name Champions League Team of the Season

Following the conclusion of the Champions League at the weekend with Real Madrid winning their 14th European Cup, UEFA's Technical Observer panel picked their team of the season.

The 11 players included representatives from Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Goalkeeper

Thiabult Courtois (Real Madrid)

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Andy Robertson (Liverpool)

Midfielders

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Fabinho (Liverpool), Luka Modri? (Real Madrid)

Forwards

Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)

Thibaut Courtois: ‘I’ve won a lot of silverware but nothing compares with winning the Champions League with Real’ https://t.co/5IWDpaX4gppic.twitter.com/XTDg0TY23d

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Brilliant Benzema

Unsurprisingly Karim Benzema was named the Champions League Player of the Season. His 15 goals, ten scored in the knock-out stages (equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record), made him top scorer in the competitions.

In the last 16, the 34-year-old striker rescued Real aftrer they trailed 2-0 at half-time in the second leg against PSG. He scored an 18 minute second half hat-trick to win the tie and set up a quarter-final against Chelsea. 

Again, Benzema proved the hero scoring a first leg hat-trick (this time in a more leisurely 26 minutes) and in the second leg he got the extra-time winner. His header away to Chelsea was ranked the goal of the season by UEFA’s technical panel.

In the semi-final, Karim Benzema got the extra-time winner against Manchester City to propel his team into the final where he won his fifth European  Cup. 

Victorious Vinícius

The winning goalscorer in the final against Liverpool Vinícius Júnior was also named the Young Player of the Season. The 21-year-old Brazilian scored four goals in the competition and provided six assists (the second highest in this season’s competition).

Speaking at the post-match press conference Real manager Carlo Ancelotti praised the match winner. 

"The toughest thing in football is to score," said Ancelotti after winning his fourth European Cup as manager. "You need to take your time, be cold-blooded, and that's what Vinícius has done over the course of this season. Today, he put the cherry on top of a brilliant season."

Postcard from Paris – Pepper spray, roof top fireworks and regrets fill the air https://t.co/64bRPheHiJpic.twitter.com/HtRVc1wbQc

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) May 29, 2022