On the first Tuesday of every month during the 2024-25 season, we’ll debate which clubs are among Europe’s elite in our Soccer Power Rankings. In our May edition, we’re identifying the most valuable player this season for each team that made our list.
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1. Paris Saint-Germain ??
Previous: 1 ⚖️
Ousmane Dembele: Paris Saint-Germain, arguably for the first time in their Qatari-owned era, are a true collective this season. But Dembele has been the catalyst. He’s their leading scorer and has a very real shot at winning the Ballon d’Or. Let’s not overthink this one.
2. Barcelona ??
Previous: 2 ⚖️
Pedri: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski are putting up eye-watering numbers, but that wouldn’t be possible without Pedri. “If you lose a player like him, you will notice. He’s the best,” ex-Real Madrid star Toni Kroos said of the magical midfielder, around whom Barcelona’s entire system orbits.
3. Liverpool ???????
Previous: 6 ?
Mohamed Salah: He’s cooled off considerably of late after being red-hot for most of the year, but that doesn’t at all diminish what Salah is accomplishing. He needs just two more goal involvements to reach 48 on the season and break the Premier League record for most in a single campaign.
4. Inter Milan ??
Previous: 3 ?
Marcus Thuram: When Thuram missed time in April with a thigh injury, Inter lost three consecutive matches without scoring a goal. His return against Barcelona, in which he scored after just 30 seconds, totally reignited his team’s attack and highlighted just how critical his presence is for Simone Inzaghi.
5. Bayern Munich ??
Previous: 5 ⚖️
Harry Kane: Bayern Munich are loaded with talent, but Kane is their only true goal-scorer. He leads the club with 36 markers in all competitions this season, more than the second- and third-highest scorers on the team combined. At long last, his proficiency in front of goal was rewarded with a major trophy.
6. Arsenal ???????
Previous: 8 ?
William Saliba: Arsenal’s success this season has been built on their defense. It’s arguably the best in Europe. Saliba has been the pillar holding it together, especially since Gabriel Magalhaes’ season-ending injury. The Frenchman’s logged over 4,000 total minutes, more than any outfield player on the team.
7. Napoli ??
Previous: 11 ?
Scott McTominay: Miscast as a holding midfielder at Manchester United, the Scottish international is thriving in Italy. With the freedom to drive forward, he’s scoring freely and developing cult-hero status in Naples. That will only grow if he helps Napoli claim the Scudetto.
8. Real Madrid ??
Previous: 4 ?
Federico Valverde: Probably the best Swiss Army knife in the game, the do-everything Uruguayan has spent time all over the pitch for Real Madrid. He thrives wherever he lines up. Madrid have been riddled by injuries amid an uneven season, but Valverde’s been a consummate performer throughout.
9. Newcastle United ???????
Previous: 9 ⚖️
Alexander Isak: The spindly Swede has 27 goals in all competitions this season for Newcastle. Nobody else on the team has even hit double figures. Where would they be without him? Isak scored the winning goal in the League Cup final and sits second in Premier League scoring on the year.
10. Roma ??
Previous: 15 ?
Mile Svilar: Nobody has more clean sheets than Svilar in Serie A this season. Good thing, too. Roma, despite not scoring more than one goal in a league match since March 2, keep surging. They’ve recorded six 1-0 wins since then, with Svilar standing tall to help catapult the club into top-four contention.
11. Manchester City ???????
Previous: 20 ?
Jeremy Doku: Manchester City’s odd and confusing season made this the trickiest selection. Doku can be frustrating, but he has the ability to inject dynamism into the team. For a side that’s often looked lethargic – though City are finishing strong down the stretch – that’s enough for him to get the nod.
12. Bayer Leverkusen ??
Previous: 12 ⚖️
Florian Wirtz: Unsurprisingly, Bayer Leverkusen are worse in just about every statistical attacking category without Wirtz on the pitch. They create fewer chances, take fewer shots, and score fewer goals per game without their young star. If he does leave this summer, it will be a massive hole to fill.
13. Borussia Dortmund ??
Previous: N/A ?
Serhou Guirassy: The top scorer in this season’s Champions League, Guirassy is leading Borussia Dortmund’s late surge and could save their campaign almost single-handedly. He has seven goals in his last four games and 32 in all competitions. Nobody else has more than 12 for BVB.
14. Sporting CP ??
Previous: 17 ?
Viktor Gyokeres: A player from outside the top five leagues hasn’t won the European Golden Shoe since 2002, when Mario Jardel claimed the award as a member of Sporting CP. Gyokeres, the Portuguese club’s current hitman, is looking to repeat the feat and currently leads the way with 38 league tallies.
15. Benfica ??
Previous: 19 ?
Nicolas Otamendi: A pair of Turkish internationals, Orkun Kokcu and Kerem Akturkoglu, have a strong claim here, but Otamendi has been Benfica’s most consistent outfield presence all season. The Argentine center-back, 37, is the vocal leader of the side, and he’s also bagged seven goals on the year.
16. Atalanta ??
Previous: N/A ?
Marten de Roon: Atalanta are one of the most high-variance teams in Europe. When they’re on, they can be breathtaking. But they’re also capable of laying an egg without warning. De Roon provides a much-needed steady presence in the middle of the chaos for Gian Piero Gasperini’s men.
17. Atletico Madrid ??
Previous: 16 ?
Julian Alvarez: Atletico Madrid have little to play for in the final weeks, but many of their best moments this year involved Alvarez, who’s the embodiment of what Diego Simeone wants in a player. He’s stepped up in big moments this season, scoring multiple goals against both Real Madrid and Barca.
18. Crystal Palace ???????
Previous: 14 ?
Daniel Munoz: Eberechi Eze brings the flair and Jean-Philippe Mateta the goals, but Munoz is the relentless engine that keeps Oliver Glasner’s side running. The tireless Colombian covers more ground at high intensity than any Premier League player and offers scoring punch from his wing-back position.
19. Aston Villa ???????
Previous: N/A ?
Youri Tielemans: The Belgian is the ever-present conductor at the heart of Aston Villa’s midfield. He’s started 52 of the club’s 54 matches on the campaign – a remarkable tally for an outfield player – with teammate John McGinn describing him as “our best player this season by a mile.”
20. Galatasaray ??
Previous: N/A ?
Victor Osimhen: The circumstances that brought him to Turkey were strange and surprising, but Osimhen has been lethal since joining Galatasaray on loan. His Super Lig-leading 24 goals have the Turkish giants on track to claim their third consecutive domestic title ahead of hated rivals Fenerbahce.
Dropped out: Nottingham Forest, Ajax, Bologna, Athletic Bilbao
On the cusp: Monaco, Lazio, Fenerbahce
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