Paris Saint-Germain talents Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Marquinhos have all been named to the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League squad of the season, UEFA announced on Friday.
Mbappe and Neymar were clear choices for this squad list. The French forward recorded five goals and five assists over this past season’s Champions League competition. Two of Mbappe’s assists came over the knockout stage, including his game-winning dish to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting against Atalanta in the quarterfinal round. Neymar was at his usual world-class self with three goals and four assists in the tournament. He also logged a 2.6 key passes per match average in Champions League play last season, which ranked fifth overall.
For Marquinhos, this is the first Champions League squad of the season selection of his career. He was a versatile talent for PSG in last season’s Champions League competition with minutes shared between the center-back and central defensive midfield positions. The Brazilian defender also delivered in key moments for the club in the tournament; he scored against Atalanta and RB Leipzig in the knockout stage.
Angel Di Maria was the most notable omission from this squad of the season. The Argentine was quite a formidable playmaker in the tournament. He finished with six assists, which was the most in the Champions League season. Two of his assists came in his man-of-the-match-winning performance against Leipzig in the semifinal round.
One can also make a strong case that goalkeeper Keylor Navas and defender Thiago Silva also deserved spots in this 23-man Champions League squad of the season.
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