Every season, football fans worldwide eagerly debate the player most deserving of the coveted Champions League MVP award. The UEFA Champions League is undoubtedly the pinnacle of club football, showcasing the very best players on earth. Each year, countless memorable performances leave fans and experts alike passionately arguing about who truly earned the distinction of MVP. In this article, we delve into recent standout candidates and evaluate who genuinely deserved the title the most based on performances, impact, and influence on their team’s success.
Understanding the Criteria for an MVP
Before analyzing candidates, it’s important to understand what makes a player deserving of an MVP award. Generally, this award focuses on several key aspects:
Individual Performance: Goals, assists, defensive contributions, saves, and overall effectiveness.
Consistency: Delivering top-notch performances regularly, especially in crucial moments.
Impact on Team Success: The ability to change matches, lead, motivate, and significantly influence team outcomes.
Leadership and Influence: How the player elevates their team’s performance through character, skill, and charisma.
Considering these factors, let’s evaluate several recent players who were heavily favored or awarded the MVP, and debate their merits.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 2010/2011 Season
The 2010/11 Champions League saw Lionel Messi in mesmerizing form. Scoring 12 goals and providing multiple assists, Messi’s brilliance guided Barcelona to a dominant final victory over Manchester United (3-1). His unforgettable solo goal against Real Madrid in the semi-finals showcased his dazzling dribbling and clinical finishing abilities, encapsulating why many consider him the greatest footballer ever.
Messi didn’t just score goals; he orchestrated play, opened defenses with precision passing, and carried the creative weight of the team. This comprehensive skill set made him a deserving MVP. His impact extended beyond numbers—Messi’s sheer presence on the pitch forced opponents into tactical dilemmas, opening spaces for teammates like Pedro and David Villa.
Verdict: Absolutely deserved MVP.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 2016/2017 Season
Cristiano Ronaldo is synonymous with the Champions League, boasting multiple titles and individual awards. In 2016/17, Ronaldo netted 12 goals, including crucial strikes in knockout rounds against Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus in the final, where he scored twice in Real Madrid’s 4-1 triumph. Ronaldo’s ability to score under immense pressure—such as the hat-trick against Atletico in the semi-finals—made him indispensable.
His extraordinary goal-scoring and leadership carried Real Madrid, ensuring their unprecedented back-to-back Champions League titles. Ronaldo was more than just goals; his mentality, fitness, and charisma galvanized Madrid’s squad.
Verdict: Clearly deserved MVP.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 2018/2019 Season
While Salah didn’t score as prolifically as Ronaldo or Messi, his influence was immense. Salah scored key goals, including a crucial early penalty in the final against Tottenham, helping Liverpool secure their sixth European title. His constant threat forced defenses into tactical shifts, creating space for Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino.
Salah’s role in Liverpool’s high-intensity pressing system under Jürgen Klopp was pivotal. His pace, tactical intelligence, and relentless attacking helped Liverpool overcome significant hurdles, notably Barcelona in the semi-finals (though he missed the second leg due to injury, his presence and earlier contributions were vital throughout the campaign).
Verdict: Highly influential, but debatable MVP choice, considering Virgil van Dijk's monumental defensive contributions that season.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) – 2019/2020 Season
Robert Lewandowski’s 2019/20 season was nothing short of phenomenal. Scoring 15 goals in the Champions League, he was pivotal in Bayern’s ruthless march to the trophy, capped by the historic 8-2 victory over Barcelona and a solid performance against PSG in the final. Lewandowski’s goal-scoring feats matched Ronaldo’s best seasons, and his consistency was unmatched.
Lewandowski was instrumental in Bayern’s perfect record, winning every match in the tournament—an unprecedented achievement. His presence up front instilled confidence throughout the team, opening opportunities for teammates like Serge Gnabry and Thomas Müller.
Verdict: Completely deserved MVP, arguably one of the strongest cases ever.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) – 2021/2022 Season
Karim Benzema’s heroic Champions League performances in 2021/22 have become legendary. His remarkable hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea, followed by decisive goals against Manchester City, embodied his clutch ability. Scoring 15 goals, he single-handedly turned around critical matches, showcasing not just goal-scoring prowess but exceptional leadership and creativity.
Real Madrid’s improbable comebacks were driven by Benzema’s sheer force of personality and talent, often carrying a less dominant Madrid team through impossible scenarios. His performances defined clutch moments and demonstrated extraordinary mental toughness.
Verdict: Unquestionably deserved MVP.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) – 2022/2023 Season
Kevin De Bruyne, integral to Manchester City's first-ever Champions League triumph, showcased exceptional vision, technique, and leadership. While Erling Haaland’s goal-scoring grabbed headlines, De Bruyne’s playmaking abilities truly orchestrated City's dominance. Crucial assists against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were decisive in tight matches, highlighting his impact beyond mere statistics.
De Bruyne’s injury early in the final against Inter Milan underscored his importance; City noticeably struggled creatively after his departure, further emphasizing his pivotal role. Though Haaland’s goals were significant, De Bruyne’s contributions were broader, significantly elevating City's overall performance.
Verdict: Arguably the most deserving MVP choice for holistic team impact, even without prolific scoring.
Honorable Mentions
Several other players deserve recognition for their significant impacts:
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, 2018/19): Transformative defensively; arguably more crucial than Salah that season.
Sadio Mané (Liverpool, 2018/19): Tireless and critical scorer in tough knockout matches.
Erling Haaland (Man City, 2022/23): Record-breaking goal scorer; however, relied heavily on De Bruyne’s creativity.
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, 2021/22): Goalkeeper heroics crucial in final against Liverpool.
Who Truly Deserved it Most?
Analyzing recent Champions