UEFA Best Player: the best player of the Champions League eight-final? Kylian Mbappé beats Real Madrid

The Champions League, the most exclusive club competition in the world, has started its spring season with the opening round of the eighth round. As usual, Ruik.cz, which represents the Czech Republic in the Best Player UEFA poll of the German magazine Kicker, was looking for the best player of this part. French striker Kylian Mbappé humbled Real Madrid, perhaps his future employer.

Footballing greats were on offer in the first spring knockout round of the Champions League, it is evident that the most respected club competition is entering a phase where a lot is at stake, where any hesitation can be fatal.

Equally, an outstanding individual performance can propel a collective team to success. “But no one has really caught my eye,” reflects Erich Brabec, a permanent member of the jury.

Karel Brettscheinder, bookmaker at the Chance bookmaker, is clear. “Kylian Mbappé,” he points to the Paris Saint-Germain striker, perhaps the world’s most expensive player today. And he translates the arguments. “Real came to Paris for a point and started with a clearly defensive tactic,” Brettscheinder elaborates.

“He defended very deep with a lot of players and one of the reasons was certainly concern about Mbappé’s break skills,” he points out. “However, Mbappé proved to be up to the task,” recalls the 2018 world champion’s decisive strike late in the match.

Even Brabec eventually raises his hand for the French TGV speedster. “He stood out against a very strong opponent, he was dangerous throughout the match, and in the end he made the decisive decision,” explains the former Czech national team player. “A difference maker,” Brabec emphasizes.

He was also interested in other players. “Renato Sanches had a fabulous first half in a Lille jersey against defending champions Cheslea,” he praised the performance of the 2016 Portuguese European champion. And he also took note of the statistical numbers, the contributions to the result.

“His compatriot Bernardo Silva scored two goals for Manchester City at Sporting Lisbon,” he submits. “But Sporting were clearly a much weaker opponent than Real,” revisiting the role Mbappé has taken on.

His colleague Günter Bittengel, however, relies on numbers. “Bernardo Silva added one more goal,” he teases. “He really enjoyed it, he returned to his hometown, even though he was playing for rivals Benfica, his relatives and friends were probably in the stands,” Bittengel empathises with the Lisbon native’s feelings. “It was his match,” he adds.

Milan Štěrba, chief commentator for Nova Sport, the television station that broadcasts the Champions League and devotes a lot of coverage to the competition, also looked into Manchester City’s line-up.

“For me, Rahhem Sterling was the best,” he votes as the best English striker. “He scored a goal, he assisted another. He was the personality of the team that scored the highest victory in this round and decided the progress to the quarter-finals in the opening game,” he recalls.

However, the rematches in the other cases will be very dramatic.

The jury’s vote

Günter Bittengel:: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Erich Brabec:: Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain)

Karel Brettscheinder:: Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain)

Milan Sterba:: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Source: UEFA