Kylian Mbappé snubbed from UEFA Champions League Team of the Season despite being the tournament’s topscorer

ylian Mbappé delivered a stunning individual campaign in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions Leaguefinishing as the outright top scorer with 15 goals in just 11 appearances. Yet, he has been notably omitted from the official UEFA Team of the Season.

This decision has sparked widespread debate among fans and pundits, highlighting the eternal debate between raw goal tallies and overall team impact, consistency, and tournament progression.

The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Team of the Season

According to popular selections and media consensus aligning with the user’s details, the standout XI emphasizes players from the dominant sides — particularly PSG (back-to-back champions) and Arsenal — who went deep in the competition:

• GK: David Raya (Arsenal)
• RB: Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid)
• CB: Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
• CB: Marquinhos (PSG)
• LB: Nuno Mendes (PSG)
• CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
• CM: Vitinha (PSG)
• RM/AM: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
• LW: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
• ST: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
• RW: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)

This lineup heavily favors players from teams that reached the later stages, especially the final between PSG and Arsenal.

Why Mbappé Was Left Out: The Big Debate

Mbappé’s 15 goals edged out Harry Kane’s 14, making him the clear Golden Boot winner. However, Real Madrid exited in the quarter-finals, limiting his platform in the knockout stages.

Critics argue the Team of the Season rewards:

• Collective success over individual stats.
• Sustained impact in high-stakes matches.
• Versatility and team contributions beyond pure goals.

Mbappé’s brilliance was undeniable, but some point to Real Madrid’s early exit and perceptions of his integration or finishing in certain games as factors.