The Athletic, the renowned sports outlet of The New York Times, has delivered quite a shock to football fans by releasing its European Club Football Team of the Year before the season’s end. The announcement has stirred up debate, primarily due to the exclusion of two of the season’s brightest stars: Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.
Despite his brilliant performances this season, Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal didn’t make the final eleven. Many consider the 16-year-old a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or in the future, but The Athletic has left him out of their best XI. Similarly, PSG forward Kylian Mbappe—among the season’s top scorers—has also been overlooked, as has Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Although Mbappe didn’t win any major trophies with Real Madrid this season, his individual record remains impressive, having scored 29 goals. In fact, no other player in a debut season for Madrid has matched that tally.
In attack, The Athletic chose a trio featuring Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele, and Mohamed Salah—leaving out both Yamal and Mbappe. Raphinha was even named The Athletic’s Player of the Year and earned his place on the left wing. On the right flank, Egyptian star Salah was selected over Yamal, following a standout campaign in the Premier League that earned him their Premier League Player of the Season award.
PSG’s Dembélé was chosen as the center-forward, despite his natural position being a right winger. His strong performances in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League seem to have secured him the spot.
In midfield, the trio consists of Declan Rice (Arsenal), Vitinha (PSG), and Pedri (Barcelona)—all of whom were instrumental for their respective clubs this season, leaving little room for debate.
Defensively, the selections were similarly decisive. PSG’s Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi occupy the fullback positions, while Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) and Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan) form the center-back pairing. Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois was chosen as the goalkeeper.
While the line-up showcases exceptional talent, the exclusion of names like Yamal and Mbappe has certainly left fans debating whether The Athletic’s team truly reflects the season’s best.
The Athletic’s Team of the Year
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Nuno Mendes, Alessandro Bastoni, Virgil van Dijk, Achraf Hakimi
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Vitinha, Pedri
Forwards: Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele, Mohamed Salah
UA / TDS
