Champions League Player Rankings After Matchday 6: Gabi, Godin and Matic Star
Welcome to the sixth edition of our UEFA Champions League player rankings this season, in which we order the competition's top 20 players so far.
The criteria is simple: We pick the 20 best players on the basis of form in European games only.
This—the final compilation of the group stage—is a bit of an odd one, as many teams whose final games were dead rubbers rested the stars who got them this far. It makes the ranking difficult and awkward, but we've tried to set ourselves up in the best possible way heading into the knockout stages.
Dropping out
1 of 21
Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Borussia Dortmund
Luiz Adriano, Shakhtar Donetsk
Nani, Sporting
20. Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
2 of 21
Last Week: 19
Differential: -1
Sergio Aguero missed Manchester City's final group game due to a knee ligament injury, but he clings on at the bottom of our rankings due to the fact that he will be ready to play when the round of 16 gets underway in February.
Had City dropped out at the hands of Roma, Kun would have fallen.
19. Thomas Muller, Bayern Munich
3 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Thomas Muller dropped out of our Top 20 in the last round after being rested by Pep Guardiola, but he made a goalscoring return to the pitch against CSKA Moscow. Therefore, he makes a goalscoring return here.
He's fighting for a regular place in the side due to Franck Ribery's return, Arjen Robben's consistency and Robert Lewandowski's ownership of the striker's role. This will have done him no harm.
18. Gervinho, Roma
4 of 21
Last Week: 20
Differential: +2
This is the last we'll see of Gervinho, as his Roma team exit the UEFA Champions League at the group stage, but he deserves to retain his spot in the final power rankings of the first six games.
He could have finished the tie off and put the Giallorossi through, but at times, he appeared a one-man team. He tortured Manchester City's full-backs over the top, but he couldn't beat Joe Hart to put his side in control.
17. Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
5 of 21
Last Week: 17
Differential: -
After entering our Top 20 in the last round, Alexis Sanchez retains his spot despite not playing. Arsenal rested their Chilean star for the win over Galatasaray, but he'll be back for the knockouts barring injury.
16. Edinson Cavani, Paris Saint-Germain
6 of 21
Last Week: 14
Differential: -2
Edinson Cavani drew mixed reviews for his performance on Wednesday. Some praised his tenacity and hard work off the ball, others pointed to a bad miss from close range.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you expect from Cavani. He looks less happy now Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to the team, but you will also get the hard yards from him if he's stuck out wide.
15. Ciro Immobile, Borussia Dortmund
7 of 21
Last Week: 18
Differential: +3
Ciro Immobile's four goals in four Champions League starts is very impressive, and the Italian will hope to replicate that form in the Bundesliga if he's given the chance.
He showed an excellent touch and struck some powerful shots against Anderlecht, netting the opener with a great finish.
14. Diego Godin, Atletico Madrid
8 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Diego Godin was in monstrous form against Juventus, dominating Fernando Llorente aerially and removing any chance of a cross finding its mark.
The Uruguayan has been in fantastic form this season despite losing his regular partner in defence, Miranda. His form alongside compatriot Jose Maria Gimenez, though, is something to watch.
13. Gabi, Atletico Madrid
9 of 21
Last Week: New!
Differential: New!
Gabi was commanding in midfield against Juventus, restricting the space Carlos Tevez had to play in and influence the game from.
He hit the post with a sneaky effort in the second half, but his best work came in the defensive phase, as he hounded out the ball at every opportunity.
12. Lucas Moura, Paris Saint-Germain
10 of 21
Last Week: 12
Differential: -
Lucas Moura was a genuine threat to Barcelona on Wednesday night, using his pace and movement to create openings and give the defence a rough ride.
The Brazilian is continuing to play well and stake a claim for a consistent first-team spot, but the glaring miss early in the game will count against him.
11. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Borussia Dortmund
11 of 21
Last Week: 8
Differential: -3
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came off the bench for Borussia Dortmund against Anderlecht but struggled to make an impact.
With BVB 1-0 up against minnows Anderlecht, Jurgen Klopp expected his team to hold on and claim the victory to reassert their dominance over the group. Instead, the Belgian outfit equalised late on through Aleksandar Mitrovic—sound familiar, Arsenal?—and held out for a draw.
10. Yacine Brahimi, FC Porto
12 of 21
Last Week: 10
Differential: -
Yacine Brahimi was left out of the 18 for Porto's final group game as a just reward for his hard work in the first five. With qualification already sealed, the Dragoes had no qualms sitting him.
9. Juanfran, Atletico Madrid
13 of 21
Last Week: 16
Differential: +5
It's arguable that Juanfran has never played a more defensively conscious game than the one seen at Juventus Stadium on Tuesday. With Atletico Madrid in need of only a point to qualify as group winners, Diego Simeone instructed his men not to concede.
Juanfran shackled Patrice Evra well whenever he came within range, and Juve generally stayed away from him when crossing, picking on Guilherme Siqueira instead.
8. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
14 of 21
Last Week: 15
Differential: +7
Cristiano Ronaldo refuses to be rested as he piles up the goals and attempts to set UEFA Champions League records no one else can reach.
He played in the dead-rubber 4-0 victory over Ludogorets at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, notching a penalty to open the scoring and remove any faint hopes of an upset.
7. Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea
15 of 21
Last Week: 9
Differential: +2
Cesc Fabregas played in a more advanced role for Chelsea against Sporting, with John Obi Mikel sliding into the XI to partner Nemanja Matic in the midfield.
He was tidy on the ball and threatened with one superb pass for Diego Costa. It was an easy night's work, but the Spaniard's qualities still shone through.
6. Koke, Atletico Madrid
16 of 21
Last Week: 7
Differential: +1
Koke played a defensively disciplined, careful game on Tuesday, attempting to restrict Juventus' attacks from his left-midfield role.
He got forward early on and missed a one vs. one after Gianluigi Buffon denied him at close range. From there, he didn't impact on the ball too heavily as Diego Simeone settled for a point.
5. Eden Hazard, Chelsea
17 of 21
Last Week: 4
Differential: -1
Eden Hazard was one of multiple players rested by Jose Mourinho on Matchday 6 with qualification to the latter stages already secured.
4. Karim Benzema, Real Madrid
18 of 21
Last Week: 3
Differential: -1
Karim Benzema dropped to the bench for Real Madrid's exhibition final game, watching Javier Hernandez play in his place.
3. Jackson Martinez, FC Porto
19 of 21
Last Week: 2
Differential: -1
Jackson Martinez was rested for Porto's meaningless final group game against Shakhtar. Vincent Aboubakar scored in his absence.
2. Nemanja Matic, Chelsea
20 of 21
Last Week: 5
Differential: +3
Nemanja Matic returned to the Chelsea XI after serving a domestic suspension for the match against Newcastle United last weekend. As ever, he bossed and dominated in midfield, broke up play superbly and grabbed an assist.
He also went close with a fizzing shot and looks determined to add goals to his game.
1. Lionel Messi, Barcelona
21 of 21
Last Week: 1
Differential: -
At last! Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all got on the same scoresheet for the same club. It's remarkable it took until December 10 to get there, but the green shoots of growth are showing.
Barcelona played an odd 3-5-2-esque formation with Neymar and Pedro nominally wide, but that didn't stop Messi from dictating the game from a central berth and weaving his magic.
