Is this European team of the season so far?

January 7, 2026 Oliver Obel

At the midpoint of the European campaign, patterns are still forming. What is already clear, however, is which players are carrying the weight when matches turn tense and margins narrow. GOAL’s mid-season team reflects that reality, favouring influence and authority over reputation alone.

At opposite ends of experience, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal headline the selection. One is reshaping Real Madrid around himself. The other is doing far more than simply announcing a future star.

A fractured European picture

There is no single continental storyline this season. Bayern Munich, guided by Vincent Kompany, have restored order in Germany with a sizeable Bundesliga lead. France remains unsettled, where Paris Saint-Germain are being pushed harder than usual by Lens, with Marseille and Lille still within reach.

Italy has been the most volatile. Inter lead Serie A, but only just, with AC Milan, Napoli, Roma and Juventus all separated by fine margins. Spain is more familiar territory Barcelona and Real Madrid trading blows — while England’s title race is tightening after Arsenal’s fast start and Manchester City’s return to form. Aston Villa, quietly, remain involved.

Read also: Mbappé injury rocks Super Cup

In Europe, Arsenal have also set the early pace in the Champions League, though much of the qualification picture is still unresolved.

Stability at the back still matters

GOAL’s selections place clear value on players who have held teams together when structure has faltered. Thibaut Courtois is the clearest example. According to GOAL, the Real Madrid goalkeeper leads the Champions League for saves, a statistic shaped as much by necessity as brilliance. Spain’s Unai Simón summed up his status in November: “If Courtois can't reach a ball, none of us can. It's impossible to find anyone better than him.”

Arsenal’s defensive platform is similarly well represented. Jurrien Timber’s aggression and flexibility have been vital, while Gabriel Magalhães has turned set pieces into a reliable advantage. At Bayern, Dayot Upamecano’s recent form has quieted long-standing doubts, and PSG’s Nuno Mendes continues to stretch the definition of a full-back with his influence on both sides of the ball.

Midfielders who dictate terms

Barcelona’s control has revolved around Pedri. He leads La Liga midfielders for passing and progression and has become the point through which everything flows. Hansi Flick called him an “absolutely amazing player” after a recent league performance — an assessment that reflects trust as much as talent.

GOAL still places Vitinha slightly ahead in the wider European context. For PSG, he sets the rhythm, presses intelligently and rarely relinquishes possession. His value is not always obvious in highlights, but it is unmistakable in how matches unfold.

Where matches are decided

Ultimately, it is attacking quality that has tilted games. Yamal’s 20 goals and assists in 20 appearances underline how central he has become to Barcelona, even while managing ongoing fitness issues. Bayern’s Luis Díaz has slotted seamlessly into a demanding role, offering directness and end product in equal measure.

Erling Haaland, meanwhile, is back on familiar ground. With Manchester City functioning more smoothly, his scoring rate has climbed again, and his broader contribution has followed.

At the centre of GOAL’s team is Mbappé. Wearing Real Madrid’s No.10, he leads both La Liga and the Champions League scoring charts. GOAL’s argument for selecting him ahead of Harry Kane is not about raw numbers alone. Mbappé’s output has come in a Madrid side still searching for balance; Kane’s in a Bayern team closer to full coherence. Context matters.

A moment in time

This selection is not a forecast or a verdict on the season as a whole. It is a snapshot of who has imposed themselves most forcefully so far. The hierarchy will shift. It always does. For now, these are the players setting the reference point.

Sources: GOAL