This week saw the first leg of the Champions League 2024-2025 quarter-finals. UEFA then organizes various fan votes. Paris Saint-Germain, who beat Aston Villa at the Parc des Princes today (3-1), had one player in contention for the Champions League Player of the Year award. The competition was between Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona’s 36-year-old striker), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG’s 24-year-old striker), Declan Rice (Arsenal’s 26-year-old midfielder) and Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan’s 25-year-old defender). Rice came out on top.
There’s bound to be some debate about where everyone stands, as there’s a very high level of competition in this event. But we can’t say that Rice’s victory came as a huge surprise. He helped Arsenal dominate Real Madrid and scored two direct free-kicks. That’s rare enough in a match, even more so in the Champions League, and unheard of in a Champions League quarter-final. What’s more, they’re particularly beautiful. All the more reason to make a lasting impression this week.
