UEFA Names Its 2025-26 Champions League Team Of The Season

UEFA has officially selected its 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Team of the Season, with Paris Saint-Germain supplying five players and Arsenal three, underlining how strongly the two finalists shaped this year’s competition. The XI was chosen by UEFA’s Technical Observer Group and published on May 31.

The final lineup reflects the story of the tournament: PSG retained the title after beating Arsenal on penalties in Budapest, and their European dominance is visible across the team sheet. Player of the Season Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and final Player of the Match Vitinha both make the XI, alongside PSG teammates Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes and Ousmane Dembélé. Arsenal place David Raya, Gabriel and Declan Rice in the side, while Bayern Munich contribute Michael Olise and Harry Kane, and Atlético Madrid have Marcos Llorente included.

2025-26 UEFA Champions League Team Of The Season

Source: UEFA Technical Observer Group.

PSG’s Dominance Defines The XI

PSG’s five-player haul is the biggest club representation in the team and feels fully deserved after another title-winning European campaign. UEFA specifically highlighted Kvaratskhelia on the left wing, Vitinha in midfield, Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes in defence, and Dembélé up front as the core of the champions’ presence in the XI.

Their selection also mirrors the final itself. PSG drew 1-1 with Arsenal after 120 minutes before winning 4-3 on penalties, with Dembélé scoring the equalising penalty and Vitinha later being named official Player of the Match. UEFA also noted that Paris became the first club since Real Madrid in 2018 to retain the Champions League title.

Arsenal Earn Respect Despite Final Defeat

Arsenal may have fallen short in the final, but their three selections show how highly UEFA rated their campaign. David Raya gets the nod in goal, while Gabriel and Declan Rice also make the cut. Raya’s inclusion is especially notable considering the quality of goalkeepers in the competition, while Rice’s place underlines his influence across the knockout rounds.

Arsenal reached their first Champions League final in 20 years and pushed PSG all the way in Budapest, taking an early lead through Kai Havertz before eventually losing on penalties. Their representation in the XI confirms that UEFA saw them as more than just losing finalists.

Bayern And Atlético Provide The Remaining Names

Michael Olise and Harry Kane are Bayern Munich’s two representatives, while Marcos Llorente is the sole Atlético Madrid player selected. Bayern’s inclusion makes sense after another deep run in the tournament, while Llorente’s place shows UEFA’s appreciation for his all-action role across Atlético’s campaign.

Club Representation In The XI

Source: UEFA Team of the Season list.

How UEFA Chose The Team

UEFA’s Technical Observer Group is made up of experienced former players and coaches, with the 2025-26 pool including names such as Rafa Benítez, Roberto Martínez, Gaizka Mendieta, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Gareth Southgate, Frank de Boer, Avram Grant and Aitor Karanka. UEFA says the observers analyse matches from a coaching perspective using live observation, video angles and performance data, then come together to decide the Team, Player, Young Player and Goals of the Season.

That matters because this is not a fan vote or media poll. UEFA frames the selection as a technical football decision based on impact, consistency, tactical maturity and decisive moments across the whole campaign.

Notable Talking Points From The XI

One of the biggest discussion points is what is not in the team. There is no Real Madrid player in the XI despite Arda Güler being named the competition’s Revelation of the Season and Federico Valverde winning UEFA’s Goal of the Season award. That says a lot about how UEFA separated individual breakout moments from a season-long best XI.

Another interesting detail is that eight of the 11 players come from the two finalists, which gives the team a strong “big-game” logic. PSG and Arsenal defined the latter stages of the competition, and UEFA’s final XI reflects that clearly.

UEFA’s 2025-26 Champions League Team of the Season is a team shaped by Paris Saint-Germain’s repeat title, Arsenal’s run to the final, and standout campaigns from Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid. PSG’s five selections make them the clear winners of the list, while the inclusion of Raya, Gabriel and Rice ensures Arsenal’s campaign is recognised despite the pain of the final. Whether fans agree with every name or not, the message from UEFA is clear: this was PSG’s tournament, and the official XI reflects it.

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