Declan Rice honoured as Arsenal ace only Premier League star in Europe’s elite

Declan Rice impressed during Arsenal’s run to the Champions League semi-finals and UEFA have recognised the England international’s string of all-action performances

Arsenal star Declan Rice is the only Premier League player to earn a spot in UEFA’s official Champions League Team of the Season. Rice, 26, powered the Gunners through to the semi-finals where they lost out to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.

His memorable brace against holders Real Madrid in the last eight, both sweetly-struck free-kicks, helped Arsenal achieve their most famous result at the Emirates Stadium to date and he was just as vital in the second leg. Although Mikel Arteta’s side couldn’t reach a first final in 20 years, Rice’s efforts have been commended.

UEFA have named Rice as part of a star-studded XI which is dominated by PSG following their 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the final on Saturday in Munich. Starting at the back, Gianluigi Donnarumma has been recognised as the competition’s best goalkeeper.

PSG boast three of the four defenders, as Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes are joined by Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni. In midfield, Vitinha partners Rice, the sole representative from the English top-flight. That’s despite Liverpool finishing top of the league phase, Manchester City reaching the knockouts and Aston Villa making it all the way to the quarter-finals.

UEFA have gone with four attackers, two from PSG and two from the other losing semi-finalist, Barcelona. Lamine Yamal, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha have fended off strong competition from the likes of Serhou Guirassy, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski and Lautaro Martinez.

READ MORE: ‘F***ing hell Rio!’ Laura Woods turns air blue in unseen TNT Sports footageREAD MORE: England stars soak up sun at F1 Spanish GP ahead of Andorra World Cup qualifier

As for the individual awards, Dembele was named Player of the Season while the Young Player award went to PSG team-mate Doue. Yamal won Goal of the Season for his incredible strike in Barca’s 3-3 first-leg draw at home to Inter.

Rice’s second free-kick goal against Real came third. All of the awards and the XI were chosen by the selected by the UEFA Technical Observer Group.

Saturday’s final saw PSG crowned champions of Europe for the first time. The competition’s new format has been hailed as a success, with the new league stage and the addition of a play-off round seeing more drama than ever after a record 189 fixtures from September to May.

Who makes your Champions League Team of the Season? Give us your XI in the comments section.

“This season, the UEFA Champions League has embraced a new format, injecting fresh excitement and a higher level of competition,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said. “It has allowed more teams than ever to challenge for glory in the world’s most prestigious club competition and offered great thrills, excitement and the best football to billions of fans across the globe.

“The tremendous success of these reforms, made in a spirit of respect and understanding of all European football stakeholders – the clubs, the leagues and national associations – proves that the game can evolve to another level only by upholding the core values of open competition, sporting merit and solidarity. And when football thrives, everybody benefits.”

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season 2024-25

(4-2-4) Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Alessandro Bastoni, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Declan Rice; Lamine Yamal, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£43

£35

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.