Kylian Mbappé’s omission from UEFA’s 2025–2026 Champions League Team of the Season is already sparking major debate. Despite finishing as the tournament’s top scorer, the Real Madrid star was surprisingly left out of the final XI.
Mbappé delivered standout performances throughout the competition and remained one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking players. However, Real Madrid’s failure to reach the final likely hurt his chances of making the team.
In contrast, several Paris Saint-Germain players were rewarded after PSG secured back-to-back Champions League titles. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was even named Player of the Season following a remarkable European campaign.
The official Team of the Season includes Raya, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Declan Rice, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, and Harry Kane among others.
UEFA’s 2025–2026 Champions League Team of the Season:
Raya — Llorente, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Nuno Mendes — Olise, Rice, Vitinha, Kvaratskhelia — Dembélé, Kane
Still, Mbappé’s absence remains the biggest talking point. For many fans and analysts, leaving out the competition’s top scorer from the best XI is difficult to justify and is certain to fuel controversy across the football world.
