The UEFA Champions League group stages are done and fans are gearing up for the round of 16 fixtures which signify the start of the business end of things in Europe’s elite competition.
Fans were treated to many spectacular performances from the best teams and the best players. The usual suspects popped up with great performances and scored many goals.
In the end, the usual suspects made it to the knockouts where the competition for the player of the tournament will officially begin.
As the competition starts to approach the business end of things, we will attempt to rank the top picks for the player of the tournament in the following sections.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland was beaten to this award last season by his Manchester City teammate Rodri. The Spaniard put in a great shift in every group stage game and then grabbed the man of the match award in the final after scoring the winning goal that gave Man City their first-ever European title.
Haaland had to make do with the forward of the season award and the highest goalscorer award. He was also rewarded with the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award as a result of his efforts in the Champions League and City’s treble-winning season.
So far, he has scored five goals to help City’s charge for a second-straight Champions League title. Though Pep Guardiola’s side has a lot of great performers this season, Haaland will be the favourite for the Best Player award if he can post the same numbers or even finish with the Golden Shoe at the end of the season. City winning the cup will also help his case.
He will be hoping to get on the scoresheet when Manchester City welcomes FC København to the Etihad for their round of 16 second-leg tie. Manchester City tickets are on sale on seatsnet.com.
Antoine Griezmann
Atlético’s all-time top scorer is also their current goals leader in the Champions League (alongside teammate Alvaro Morata and Haaland). He has been their most important player this season as he tries to make up for the lost time that he spent in Lionel Messi’s shadow at Barcelona between 2019 and 2021.
Thanks to his efforts so far, Los Rojiblancos finished at the top of their table, scoring 17 goals – the second highest in this season’s competition behind Man City – and are now considered favorites to go all the way to the semi-final.
He will first have to help his team pass the Nerazzurri test come 13 March 2024. They are going into that tie 1 – 0 down. If Griezmann can inspire a comeback win, he will not only go down in Atlético history, but he will make a strong case to be considered for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Player of the Year.
Fans are already grabbing their tickets to Atlético vs Inter on seatsnet.com, the trusted ticket reselling platform where fans are connected to exchange tickets for cash and other tickets.
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe showed why clubs are willing to give him the world just to have him don their jersey and represent them on the field of play in the group stages.
The 25-year-old is considered a national asset, such that he attends meetings with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. Yeah, that is actually legit and not a parody in any way.
His talent in the round leather game has helped Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League this season. He prevented them from falling into the UEFA Europa League with his goals and his overall play and has already set the ball rolling for their quarter-final appearance by shattering the belief of Real Sociedad in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.
PSG will travel to the Anoeta on 5 March 2024 for their second leg. The tie will be very tricky but we can trust Mbappe to lead the Parisiens to glory.
Mbappe has been a favorite for the Player of the Year award from the onset. He holds so many records and is one day expected to lift the trophy. Seeing as he is on his way to Real Madrid, it could be soon.
The match against Sociedad could shoot up the odds of him winning it in the end. Tickets to the Real Sociedad vs PSG game are sold out on the websites of both clubs. However, they are available on seatsnet.com where you can connect with other fans looking to resell their tickets.
Jude Bellingham
After trying twice with Borussia Dortmund, he has finally found comfort with 14-time winners Real Madrid. He is having something you can call a ‘dream’ debut of a campaign.
Carlo Ancelotti’s use of his abilities has seen him morph into a perfect football player, one with the ability to hold his own in defense, attack, and midfield.
He leads Real Madrid’s UCL efforts this season with four goals and three assists, which made him their highest-rated player from the group stages. His goal against Napoli had pundits comparing him to the late great Diego Maradona.
He is, unfortunately, treating a sprained ankle and did not participate in their first-leg outing against Red Bull Leipzig. However, reports claim he could be back by 2 March, which means that he could be ready in time for their second leg, which happens to be at the Santiago Bernabeu. There, his real journey to claiming the Player of the Tournament award begins, and considering Madrid’s pedigree, he is the most likely to end up with the award.
Tickets to the Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig match are currently up on seatsnet.com.