UEFA unveiled several individual awards for the 2023/24 Champions League season on Monday afternoon. Vinicius Junior was honoured as Player of the Season and Jude Bellingham as the competition's Best Young Player.
Afterwards, the team of the season was unveiled, in which there are several names from Real Madrid's 15-time title winners.
Goalkeeper: Gregor Kobel
Borussia Dortmund signed the 26-year-old goalkeeper from Stuttgart for 15 million euros. At the age of 19, he was already called up to Hoffenheim's first team, which foresaw his projection. It was not until he settled in the Bundesliga that he enjoyed a period of stability in goal. Now, he has made several fine saves, despite losing the European final at Wembley.
Right-back: Dani Carvajal
He opened the scoring in the final by winning an aerial duel with Niclas Fullkrug, who is an inch and a half taller than him even though he is a right-back. The care of his physique has prolonged his presence in the front line of world football. He rarely makes mistakes and is in the club with six Champions League titles with Madrid, that is, he has more than Barcelona.
Centre-backs: Antonio Rudiger and Mats Hummels
Rudiger is one of the free-agent transfers that have been a highlight of Real Madrid's board management in recent years. After several seasons as a key player at Chelsea, with whom he won the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel, he transferred this expertise to Spain, where he has become one of the most beloved players by the fans.
Hummels was in the final against Bayern Munich and could not avenge it after three seasons at the Allianz Arena. Yet he has become one of Germany's defenders of the century. When he retires, he will do so with a record that will never live up to the memories the Yellow Wall will have of him.
Left-back:Ian Maatsen
Even if he did not particularly shine in the final, UEFA rewards his overall performance, although this position will give fans something to talk about. In any case, the youngster made the perfect decision last summer when he agreed to leave Chelsea on loan to learn in Germany. Twelve months on, the feeling is rather that he has taken a step forward in his career. In London, Enzo Maresca is waiting for him and may give him a chance to lead his project.
Midfielders: Marcel Sabitzer, Jude Bellingham (CAM) and Vitinha
His presence in this starting eleven is a crucial vindication of his career. From his years at Red Bull Leipzig, he was unceremoniously transferred to Bayern Munich, was loaned out to a Manchester United side in decline and is now making a comeback because he enjoys the right context. He is under contract until 2027.
His level with Real Madrid in the first season of his career in Spain has been so outstanding that it cannot even be certified that he has been at his best in the Champions League. Even so, UEFA recognises him. He did not particularly stand out in the Wembley final, where the spotlight was on him because he was playing in his own country, but the rest of his performances are enough to sketch out a historic future at the Bernabeu.
Vitinha's work at Paris Saint-Germain may be slipping under the radar with the model's approach to other youngsters and the departure of Kylian Mbappe, but his first two seasons in France have been outstanding, especially this one. He brings an uncharacteristic 24-year-old approach to Luis Enrique's pivot, who has shown he trusts him. The European Championship could be a chance for him to continue this momentum.
Right winger: Phil Foden
UEFA lists him as a right winger, but those who have seen him at his best under Pep Guardiola know that he could be deployed in any position from three-quarters of the pitch onwards. He has led Manchester City not only on European soil, but especially in England, and was outstanding in the elimination against Real Madrid. The Etihad Stadium has found a leader for a decade.
Striker: Harry Kane
Eight goals in 12 Champions League games this season and they are just part of the best campaign of his career, with 44 goals in 45 games in total. One of the best strikers of the century left Tottenham for the first time since 2013, and he still hasn't found the trophy trail.
Left winger: Vinicius Junior
There is little argument left to doubt the talent of Vinicius, one of the most vilified players in recent football history on his arrival at the elite level. First, it was pointed to his lack of accuracy in his decision making. He improved it. Then, he was criticised for his lack of a more refined eye for goal. He improved it. Now, there are those who complain that he lacks charisma. What he will have, in a few months' time, will be a Ballon d'Or if nothing goes wrong.
