Football
UCL Round of 16: Ranking the Top 10 Standout Performers (2024-25)
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Get to know Sushan Chakraborty betterPublished13 Mar 2025
At the end of four breathless Round-of-16 Matchdays, we have our final eight of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League (UCL) season.
After beating Benfica 4-1 on aggregate, La Liga leaders Barcelona became the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals. Later on Tuesday, (11 March), Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter ed the Blaugrana, having beaten Bayer Leverkusen (5-0 on aggregate), Liverpool (1-1 on aggregate, 4-1 penalties), and Feyenoord (4-1 on aggregate), respectively.
On Wednesday (12 March), Borussia Dortmund beat Lille (3-2 on aggregate), Arsenal overcame PSV (9-3 on aggregate), Aston Villa triumphed over Club Brugge (6-1 on aggregate), and Real Madrid claimed a dramatic win over Atletico Madrid (2-2 on aggregate, 4-2 penalties), wrapping
Before turning our attention to the four fascinating quarter-final ties, we want to tip our hat to the heroes of the last round. Here are the top 10 standout performers of the UCL Round of 16.
#10 Alisson (Liverpool)
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson delivered a heroic performance in the UCL Round of 16 first leg against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Parc des Princes. The Brazilian shot-stopper swatted away everything that came his way, making a whopping nine saves throughout the 90. Alisson prevented 2.28 (xGOT) goals in that game.
The 32-year-old did well in the return leg as well, making a total of seven saves. Unfortunately, the Liverpool forwards did not hold up their end of the bargain, as the Reds crashed out of UCL in front of the Anfield faithful.
#9 Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) goalkeeper did not cover himself in glory in the 1-0 first-leg defeat to Liverpool in the Round of 16. He mistimed his lunge in the 87th minute and failed to keep Harvey Elliott’s effort from nestling into the back of the net. The Italian received a lot of flak after the 1-0 loss in Paris, but he handsomely redeemed himself in the all-important second leg at Anfield.
The former AC Milan goalkeeper showed nerves of steel in the penalty shootout, making two brilliant diving saves to deny Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones. He also recorded nine recoveries and delivered four accurate long balls against the Merseysiders.
#8 Marcus Thuram (Inter)
Serie A frontrunners Inter Milan made lightwork of Dutch team Feyenoord in the Champions League Round of 16. They beat them 2-0 away from home in the first leg before recording a 2-1 win at the return game at San Siro. There were many impressive performers over the two legs, but Marcus Thuram was easily the most impactful of the lot.
The French centre-forward broke the deadlock in the first leg with an acrobatic finish in the 38th minute. He also won a penalty in the second half, but Piotr Zielinski could not beat Timon Wellenreuther from the spot.
Thuram added another goal to his name just eight minutes into the return leg. He cut in from the left flank, side-stepped a couple of defenders, and let fly, comfortably beating Wellenreuther. The 27-year-old also created two chances, pulled off two dribbles, and won three duels in the UCL Round of 16 second leg.
#7 Wojciech Szczesny (Barcelona)
After just 22 minutes of play in the UCL Round of 16 first leg, Barcelona found themselves in a tough spot at Benfica. With Pau Cubarsi getting marching orders, they had to keep the hungry hosts at bay for over 70 minutes with 10 men.
Luckily for Hansi Flick and Co., he had a leader in Wojciech Szczesny, who took it upon himself to return with a clean sheet. The Polish goalkeeper made eight saves, facing an xGOT of 1.18, as Barca recorded a 1-0 win away from home.
The goalkeeper was not nearly as busy in the return leg and recorded one save in the Blaugrana’s 3-1 victory.
#6 Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
The man who makes Real Madrid tick, Federico Valverde was his team’s best performer in their shootout win over Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16. The Uruguayan played out of position for the majority of the tie, deputizing for Dani Carvajal on the right. In the first leg, he cleverly assisted Rodrygo’s goal with an inch-perfect through ball, created a couple of chances, and made four vital interceptions.
Valverde’s stamina was tested to the limit in the second leg, as he put in imperious shifts both at the back and in midfield throughout the demanding 120 minutes of football. At the end of extra time, Valverde had completed 113 es with 93% accuracy, made five clearances, and won two aerial duels. He also took a fine penalty to give Real Madrid the lead in the shootout.
#5 Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
Statistically the most in-form attacker in Europe, Ousman Dembele lit up the Champions League Round of 16. The Frenchman, who has scored a whopping 21 goals since 1st January, tormented the Liverpool backline at the Parc des Princes. He created two chances, took eight shots, completed five dribbles, and won five duels. However, thanks to Alisson, he could not get on the scoresheet.
He returned with a vengeance in the return leg at Anfield and got off the mark just 12 minutes into the game. The Frenchman capitalized on Bradley Barcola’s cutback and buried it from close range. Dembele also dispatched a flawless penalty in the shootout, sending Alisson the wrong way.
#4 Pedri (Barcelona)
The heart of Barcelona’s midfield, Pedri produced masterful performances in both legs of the UCL Round of 16. Away at Benfica, the Spaniard acted both as the metronome and as the lead creator. He also carried the ball with grace, drawing as many as four fouls in the first leg. Although he did not score or assist, UEFA recognized his contribution and gave him the Man of the Match award.
Pedri delivered an even better performance in the return leg at Barcelona. He created a game-high three chances, completed 84 es with 95% accuracy, won all five of his attempted tackles, and recorded 11 recoveries. Once again, UEFA chose him as the Man of the Match, making him the first player this season to win the accolade in consecutive knockout matches.
#3 Marco Asensio (Aston Villa)
The only surviving English team in this year’s UEFA Champions League, Aston Villa breezed past Club Brugge in the Round of 16, claiming a 6-1 aggregate victory.
Marco Asensio, who ed Aston Villa on a year-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain, was the player of the tie, despite starting both games on the bench.
In the first leg, Asensio came on the pitch in the 64th minute. With just two minutes left of the 90, the Spaniard struck from the penalty spot, convincingly beating Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The former Real Madrid man got more minutes in the second leg, with Unai Emery bringing him on at half-time. The tactical switch paid off in only five minutes, as he applied a thumping finish to put Villa in front. In the 61st minute, Asensio applied a simple tap-in to send Marcus Rashford’s cut-back into the back of the net. It marked Asensio’s seventh goal in the last five games across competitions.
#2 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
After enduring a trophyless debut campaign at Bayern Munich, Harry Kane is pushing harder than ever to end his unfortunate streak. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker has been firing on all cylinders for the Bavarians this season, scoring 32 goals in 36 games across competitions. Ten of his strikes have come in the UEFA Champions League, with three arriving in the Round of 16 double-header against Bayer Leverkusen.
Kane opened his Round of 16 with a fine header against Leverkusen in the first leg. He doubled his money in the 75th minute, converting clinically from the spot. Kane also created a chance and made three recoveries at the Allianz Arena.
The England captain was on the money once more in the second leg. He opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, pouncing on Patrick Schick’s botched clearance before tapping the ball in from close range. In the 71st minute, Kane turned provider, expertly finding Alphonso Davies inside the box with a slide rule .
The 31-year-old also created three chances and won five ground duels against Leverkusen.
#1 Raphinha (Barcelona)
Arguably the most in-form player in Europe, Raphinha was the best performer in the UCL Round of 16. In the first leg, the Brazilian showed impeccable awareness to pounce on Benfica’s lacklustre back inside their own half. After breaking free, he applied a world-class finish to find the back of the net from outside the box. The narrow 1-0 victory set the tone for Barca’s commanding display in the second leg.
In the second leg, Raphinha added two more goals to his tally. In the 11th minute, he applied a tidy finish to send Lamine Yamal’s perfectly measured delivery into the back of the net. Then, in the 42nd minute, he buried Alex Balde’s cut-back, firing Barcelona through to the quarter-finals.
The former Leeds United forward has now scored 11 times in the Champions League, emerging as this season’s top scorer.