Can you hear it, that little tune getting closer? Yes, it’s the legendary Champions League. The most beautiful of competitions is back. And to mark the occasion, the editorial team at Sports Talk United has set out to introduce you to six players who are likely to make a name for themselves during the 2025-26 season.
Serhou Guirassy
- Club: Borussia Dortmund
- Age: 29
Borussia Dortmund‘s No. 9 has been a goalscoring monster since he arrived at the Westfalenstadion this time last year. At the time of writing he has scored in his last eight Bundesliga matches and was the UEFA Champions League’s top goalscorer last season alongside Raphinha with 13 goals, though he played less games than Raphinha.
He scored a hat-trick against Barcelona in the quarter-final stage but it wasn’t enough to undo their 4-0 deficit on aggregate.
After the Bundesliga’s third Matchweek, he has scored four goals, and in their most recent Bundesliga clash with Heidenheim he registered 5 shots on target and could have easily scored a hat-trick if not for Heidenheim’s goalkeeper.
While bookmakers price him at 50-1 to be the top goalscorer this season, I think he has a bigger chance than that.
He is a Ballon D’or nominee for his performance last season, and at 29 he’s reaching his prime and could easily outperform his statistics from last season.
David Forde
Kasper Høgh
- Club: Bodø/Glimt
- Age: 24
Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt have qualified for the group stage of the Champions League for the first time in their history. If they are to succeed, they will need their players firing on all cylinders, none more so than the energetic Dane Kasper Høgh.
With 18 goals in 24 games across all competitions this season, the 24-year-old Høgh is in sensational form. Beyond his clinical finishing – scoring roughly one goal every 3.25 shots – he is dominant in the air and capable of adapting to multiple offensive positions with ease.
Bodø/Glimt have done exceptionally well to reach the group stages, and if Høgh can maintain his steely composure and eye for goal, he will create scoring opportunities that could help his team pull off a surprise or two along the way.
Patrick McKiernan
Fredrik Aursnes
- Club: SL Benfica
- Age: 29
When we talk about the Norwegian national team, the first names that spring to mind are undoubtedly Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard. And that’s quite logical, let’s be realistic. But they are not the only talented players representing the Drillos.
Take Fredrik Aursnes, for example.
After joining Benfica in the summer of 2022, the versatile winger, who can also play at full-back or in midfield, has proved to be a lethal weapon for the Eagles. Now an integral part of Bruno Lage’s team, I think he will once again be a player to watch in this season’s Champions League.
Pedro Pimentel
Leonardo Balerdi
- Club: Olympique de Marseille
- Age: 26
While several Olympique de Marseille players will be under scrutiny this season, Leonardo Balerdi is, in my opinion, one of those who will be watched most closely.
Firstly, because of his status. As team captain, he is also its soul. Secondly, because his start to the season has been disappointing in sporting terms. Finally, because his management has imposed strong new competition on him with the arrivals of Benjamin Pavard, Nayef Aguerd and Facundo Medina.
Everyone knows that Balerdi is a player with great potential, but he will have to prove it at the highest level and iron out some of the flaws that have worked against him in recent seasons. And what better stage to do so than the Champions League?
Léo Aschi
Nick Woltemade
- Club: Newcastle United
- Age: 23
It sounds basic, but there really is a lot to be excited for in this season’s UEFA Champions League. Will Scott McTominay conquer Europe, as he has done Italy? Will Victor Osimhen give Galatasary ammunition to hurt the big boys? How will anyone fare playing away at Bodo/Glimt?
My player to watch is: Newcastle United‘s Nick Woltermade. It’s been a whirlwind few months for the 23-year-old German.
He finished top goalscorer at this summer’s EURO U21s, after having his breakthrough season at VFB Stuttgart. Bayern Munich were long-term admirers of the 6′ 5″ striker, before Newcastle swooped in, choosing him as the replacement for Liverpool-bound Alexander Isak (another one to watch this tournament).
Despite his physical attributes, it’s his skill with the ball that catches everyone’s eye. His ability to drop deep, link play, and find defence-splitting passes, is a unique skill-set. Now playing alongside numerous pacy wingers (Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga especially, as well as Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes), and with the ability to unleash them behind any defence, Woltemarde could prove to be an inspired signing for the Magpies.
Daniel Hames
Ritsu Doan
- Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
- Age: 27
The tricky Japanese winger joined Eintracht Frankfurt from Freiburg this summer for €21m and has had a fantastic start to life with ‘Die Adler’.
With four goals and one assist in all competitions thus far, he’s shown dynamism and goal scoring threat from the right flank. Not only does he get fans off their seats but he also has a magic wand of a left foot, shown precisely in Frankfurt’s 1-3 away win against Hoffenheim before the international break, recording two goals and one assist.
Having performed exceptionally well with Freiburg last season, his numbers are increasing year on year, as he reaches his prime age with a better squad around him. It will be interesting to see if he can step up to Champions League level, but he is definitely an underrated player that could go under the radar against the footballing giants Frankfurt will be facing this season in the Champions League league Group stage/table this season which includes Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Barcelona and Napoli.
Aaron Davoren
