Declan Rice impressed the Run from Arsenal to the semi-final of the Champions League and UEFA have recognized the series of the English International of All-Action versions
Arsenal Star Declan Rice is the only Premier League player who deserves a place in the official Champions League team of the UEFA season. Rice, 26, spent the Gunners to the semi-final where they lost from final winners Paris Saint-Germain.
His memorable bracket against holders Real Madrid in the last eight, both sweet -hit free kicks, to date Arsenal helped to achieve their most famous result in the Emirates Stadium and he was just as essential in the second stage. Although the side of Mikel Arteta could not reach the first final in 20 years, Rice's efforts were praised.
UEFA has mentioned Rice as part of a star-lined XI that is dominated by PSG after their 5-0 thrashing from Inter Milan in the final on Saturday in Munich. Starting on the back, Gianluigi Donnarumma is recognized as the best goalkeeper of the competition.
PSG has three of the four defenders, such as Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes, are accompanied by Inter's Alessandro Bastoni. In midfield, Vitinha Partners Rice, the only representative of the English top flight. That is despite the fact that Liverpool finished the top of the competition phase, Manchester City reaches the Knockouts and Aston Villa, which makes it all the way to the quarterfinals.
UEFA went with four attackers, two from PSG and two of the other losing semi-finalist, Barcelona. Lamine Yamal, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha have deterred strong competition from Serhou Guirassy, ​​Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski and Lautaro Martinez.
As for the individual prizes, Dembele was named player of the season, while the Young Player Award went to PSG Team-Mate Doue. Yamal won the goal of the season for his incredible strike in Barca's 3-3 legs in first legs at home to Inter.
Rice's second free step goal against Real became third. All prices and the XI were chosen by the selected by the UEFA Technical Observer Group.
On Saturday, PSG saw Champions of Europe for the first time. The new format of the competition has been praised as a success, with the new competition stage and the addition of a play-off round that saw more drama than ever after a record 189 matches from September to May.
Who makes your Champions League team of the season? Give us your XI in the commentary section.
“This season, UEFA Champions League has embraced a new format, new excitement and injecting a higher level of competition,” said UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. “It has allowed more teams than ever to challenge Glory in the world's most prestigious club match and offered great sensation, excitement and the best football to billions of fans around the world.
“The enormous success of these reforms, made in a spirit of respect and understanding of all European football teasers – the clubs, the competitions and national associations – proves that the game can only evolve to a different level by maintaining the core values ​​of open competition, sporting merits and solidarity. And when football flourishes, everyone comes out.”
UEFA Champions League team of the 2024-25 season
(4-2-4) Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Alessandro Bastoni, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Declan Rice; Lamine Yamal, Desire Done, Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha