Football’s most glamorous competition, the UEFA Champions League, makes a grand return, and this year’s edition features 12 additional teams, making it 36 teams in total.
This season promises plenty of thrilling matchups, based on the new league format and the main actors will once again showcase their skills and talents to serve viewers another rollercoaster ride.
As we gear up for the competition’s owner on Tuesday, the finest footballers will take the stage yet again and as always, few will grab the headlines from matchday One to the final in Germany in May 2025.
In no particular order, Afrosport shortlists seven of the biggest names, who will likely grab the headlines this season.
Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid
The France World Cup winner needs no introduction to football fans following his Champions League debut with Monaco back in September 2016, at the age of 17. He went on to score six goals in the competition in his debut season, notable ones against Manchester City and Juventus in an exciting Monaco side that made it to the semi-finals that season.
Despite never lifting the trophy, Mbappé has scored 48 goals and provided 26 assists in 73 Champions League appearances, the joint-13th highest scoring player in the competition’s history, level with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. He moved to Real Madrid from PSG in the summer, with the hope of securing the only major trophy that has eluded him.
Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
A protagonist in Real Madrid’s triumph last season, Vinicius will be aiming to lead the Spanish sides’ title defence this campaign. The Brazilian’s exploits for Real Madrid last season makes him a strong contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or award and known for his performances on the big stage, this season’s Champions League provides him with another platform to do what he loves doing… win.
His pace, unpredictability, and goal scoring ability makes him one player to watch out for, having scored 12 goals in the competition’s history.
Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Mere words are not enough to describe the astronomical rise of Manchester City and Norway forward, Erling Haaland. His remarkable journey in the Champions League began in the 2019/2020 campaign with Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, where he scored a debut hat-trick, and since joining Borussia Dortmund and later City, he has accrued a total of 41 goals in 39 appearances.
Haaland has already laid the marker in the Premier League this season having scored nine goals in the first four matches—an unprecedented feat, and the Champions League is no different for the Norwegian hitman.
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
The 31-year-old England international, who shared last season’s Champions League Golden Boot with Mbappe after scoring eight goals for Bayern Munich is arguably the hottest striker in the game over the last few seasons.
Kane has scored 29 goals in 44 Champions League appearances for Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich. He also won the European Golden Shoe after scoring 36 goals and providing eight assists in 32 Bundesliga matches.
The Three Lions captain will be looking to lead Bayern past the semifinal hurdle, where they were knocked out by Real Madrid last season, as they begin life under Vincent Kompany in the Champions League and continue the hunt for their seventh title.
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
The Liverpool forward is as lethal as they come, making him one of the most feared forwards in world football. The 32-year-old has has scored 48 goals in 89 Champions League appearances (including qualifying rounds) for Basel, AS Roma and Liverpool.
Salah has started this season in blistering form, helping Liverpool win three of their opening four matches in the Premier League with three goals and three assists and if Liverpool are to win their seventh Champions League trophy, the Egyptian will need to be in top form.
Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
The teenager of Moroccan descent and the jewel in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph already has the world at his feet aged 17. After making his Champions League debut in 2023, the proficient winger’s rise to prominence is impressive despite not registering a goal or assist from 6 appearances in the competition.
However, this season promises to be different for the La Masia graduate, who has been likened to club legend, Lionel Messi, going by his bright start in La Liga with Barcelona.
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
The dazzling Nigerian winger has featured only once previously in the Champions League but will be hoping to make a statement this season with his Serie A club and reigning Europa League winners Atalanta.
Lookman led the Bergamo-based club to their first European trophy in history, scoring his first career hat-trick, as they saw off Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final. Like others, Lookman has started the campaign on a bright note, scoring twice for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as well as finding the back of the net once and providing another in Atalanta’s win over Fiorentina in the Serie A.
Nicolo Barella – Inter Milan
Unlike his contemporaries on this shortlist, who are known for their goal-scoring and flashy style of play, Barella is known for his technical ability, creativity, and work rate, which has seen him often recognised as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Good with both feet, and comfortable on the ball, Barella was influential for Inter in their run to the Champions League final in the 2022/2023 campaign where received the Player of the Match award in the 3-3 draw against Barcelona in the group stage.
