It’s time to examine The Hard Tackle’s Team of the Season as the 2025–2026 UEFA Champions League final approaches.
One of the most exciting, unpredictable, and intensely competitive seasons in recent memory will be the 2025–2026 UEFA Champions League. Two teams eventually outperformed the others to secure their spots in the final, while established giants faltered and underdogs outperformed their opponents.
After winning the trophy last year, PSG, the reigning champions, have persevered to make it to their second consecutive final, demonstrating that their victory was not an anomaly. Their journey has been characterized by players’ unwavering individual brilliance, tactical discipline, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Arsenal, on the other hand, is a team that has been waiting decades to compete for their first-ever Champions League title. The Gunners’ run has been a master class in defensive stability, organization, and clutch performances when it counted most.
Everything a football fan could want has been provided this season, from thrilling knockout matches to outstanding individual performances. There have been tactical battles that have kept pundits talking for weeks, last-minute goals that have sent stadiums into raptures, and comebacks that defied logic.
It has ultimately come down to PSG and Arsenal, two teams with very different styles but a common goal of winning Europe’s most coveted club trophy. It’s time to honor the players who outperformed the others as the final draws near.
The Hard Tackle’s Champions League Team of the Season is shown below. They were chosen in a 4-2-3-1 formation based on their impact, statistics, and performances during the competition.
Raya David
As Arsenal’s final line of defense, David Raya has given absolutely outstanding performances. Raya has kept Arsenal in games when they have been under pressure, earning them the most clean sheets in the competition with nine. His consistency and reflexes are demonstrated by his 89.2% save percentage, which is the highest of all goalkeepers.
Most remarkably, he has made saves that the typical goalie would not have made, preventing 4.6 goals above expectations. Raya has been the pillar of Arsenal’s campaign in a knockout tournament where one error could ruin your dreams.
Hakimi Achraf
Hakimi has been a constant threat to PSG’s right flank. His six assists have tied him for the tournament’s joint-highest total, demonstrating his capacity to play both offensively and defensively.
His engine, which has produced 208 sprints this season—the second-most of any player—is what has really made him stand out. He was able to support attacks, cover the entire right side, and recover fast when necessary thanks to his explosive pace. Hakimi is the ideal contemporary full-back because he is quick, aggressive, and constantly involved.
Marquinhos
With his outstanding defensive awareness and positioning, Marquinhos has led PSG’s defense. He can intercept passes, block shots, and calm the backline under duress thanks to his ability to read the game.
Marquinhos is more than just a defender; he is the captain who has earned respect by keeping his teammates focused and compact. The Brazilian’s leadership has been crucial in keeping PSG in the hunt until the very last whistle in a tournament where they have encountered some of the most dangerous attacks in Europe.
Gabriel
Gabriel has been the mainstay of Arsenal’s defense, making 11 appearances (884 minutes) and even helping to score two goals. His 91% pass completion rate demonstrates that he is both a skilled possession player and a brute force defender.
He has consistently eliminated danger and stopped opposition attacks with 67 clearances. Gabriel has been indispensable to Arsenal’s run to the championship because of his physical presence, aerial dominance, and mental toughness. The Gunners’ defensive record would have been very different without him.
Mendes Nuno
Nuno Mendes has been a revelation for PSG on the left, providing two goals and two assists in addition to being a solid defensive player. He has been especially successful against some of the top right-wingers in the competition, frequently shutting down the opposition’s whole right flank.
The Portuguese defender is a complete full-back due to his ability to strike a balance between attack and defense. Going forward, Mendes’s speed, tackling, and crossing skills have given PSG an additional dimension, and his defensive discipline has made sure PSG was rarely exposed.
Vitinha
Vitinha has been PSG’s midfield’s beating heart, setting the pace and directing play with amazing effectiveness. He has demonstrated his poise and vision under duress by averaging 90.6 accurate passes per 90 minutes, the highest in the competition.
He has demonstrated exceptional ball control in confined areas, frequently eluding pressure and launching assaults. Additionally, Vitinha has run 184.7 kilometers during the campaign, more than anyone else. He is essential to PSG’s success because of his work ethic, passing range, and capacity to disrupt play.
Rice, Declan
Despite having just one goal and two assists, Declan Rice’s influence goes well beyond his stats. In addition to intercepting passes and initiating attacks from deep, Rice has been the deep-lying playmaker defending Arsenal’s defense.
Arsenal’s defensive strength has been greatly aided by his ability to sit in front of the defense and disrupt opposition plays. The North London club’s more inventive players were able to thrive thanks to Rice’s positioning, tackling, and leadership in midfield. Arsenal’s run to the final would have been considerably more difficult, if not impossible, without the Englishman.
Olise, Michael
Since joining Bayern Munich, Michael Olise has been one of the most inventive players in the UEFA Champions League. He has created 33 opportunities, which is second-highest, and has the highest xA (expected assists) of 4.9.
In addition to scoring five goals, his six assists have tied him for the joint-highest total. Olise was a continual threat for Bayern because of his dribbling, vision, and capacity to outmaneuver opponents. The French international, who frequently controls Bayern’s attack and produces pivotal moments when it mattered, has been the player that opposition defenses have feared the most.
Alvarez, Julian
With 10 goals (fourth-highest) and 4 assists, Julian Alvarez has been an unrelenting force in Atletico Madrid’s attack. He is ranked fourth overall with 14 goal contributions and third overall with 33 chances created.
The Argentine international was a perfect fit for Atletico’s system because of his work ethic, ability to finish chances, and movement off the ball. In the last third, he has consistently been accessible, aggressive, and a threat. He is one of the tournament’s most complete attackers thanks to his all-around style.
Kvaratskhelia Khvicha
With 10 goals (third-highest) and 6 assists (jointly top with Olise and Hakimi), Kvaratskhelia has been PSG’s left-wing superstar. He has been unmarkable for the entire ninety minutes due to his dribbling, speed, and inventiveness.
Throughout the tournament, Kvaratskhelia has proven to be the player who can single-handedly alter a game with a flash of genius. He has been a vital component of PSG’s final run due to his ability to beat defenders, create opportunities, and score important goals.
Kane, Harry
With 14 goals and two assists, Harry Kane is the tournament’s top scorer with 16 goal contributions, tied for first place with Mbappe and Kvaratskhelia. Kane was the most complete striker in the competition due to his positioning, finishing, and ability to link up plays.
The Englishman has been clinical in front of goal, frequently turning half-chances into goals, and Bayern Munich greatly benefited from his attacking leadership. Kane’s standing as one of the top strikers in the world has been solidified by his performance throughout the competition.
