UEFA on Thursday unveiled its Champions League Team of the Week, with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard headlining the star-studded list.

Mbappé was in devastating form for Los Blancos, netting a sensational hat-trick in their commanding 5-0 victory over Kairat. The Frenchman’s performance further cemented his reputation as one of football’s deadliest forwards on Europe’s grandest stage.

Arsenal captain Ødegaard also earned his place after dictating play in the Gunners’ 2-0 win against Olympiacos, pulling the strings in midfield with his usual blend of vision, precision, and leadership.

Other notable inclusions are Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund, who continues to show his growing influence up front, and Nicolas Pépé, whose resurgence for Trabzonspor is turning heads across Europe.

Champions League Team of the Week:

GK: Uğurcan Çakır
DEF: Denzel Dumfries, Federico Gatti, Eric Dier, Nuno Mendes
MID: Nicolas Pépé, Martin Ødegaard, Marcel Sabitzer, Jens Petter Hauge
FWD: Kylian Mbappé, Rasmus Højlund

The next round of fixtures will take place later this month, with fans eagerly awaiting more drama, goals, and standout displays.

Opinion

There’s no surprise seeing Mbappé lead this week’s XI — his hat-trick was a masterclass in clinical finishing, the sort of performance Real Madrid fans dreamed of when he signed. But the inclusion of Ødegaard is equally significant. For years, he was seen as Madrid’s forgotten wonderkid. Now, he’s thriving at Arsenal and proving he belongs at Europe’s top table.

The team also highlights the beauty of the Champions League: it’s not just about the household names. Players like Uğurcan Çakır and Jens Petter Hauge show that brilliance comes from every corner of Europe, and on these nights, reputations are built.

If anything, this Team of the Week is a reminder that football’s biggest stage still has room for both the established stars and the rising ones — and that’s what keeps us watching.