Arsenal’s midfield dynamo Declan Rice has capped off a sensational European campaign by being named in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season, a recognition awarded by the UEFA Technical Observer Group.
Rice was instrumental in Arsenal’s deep run in the competition, delivering a series of commanding performances that left a lasting impression on both fans and analysts alike.
His standout moment came in the quarter-final first leg at the Emirates, where he lit up the night with two breathtaking free-kick goals in a 3-0 victory over Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Across Arsenal’s 13 Champions League matches, Rice featured prominently, starting 12 of them and completing the full 90 minutes in seven.
His influence extended beyond set-pieces—he registered an assist for Gabriel during the Gunners’ emphatic 5-1 away triumph over Sporting CP and netted a crucial winner in the 1-0 group-stage victory against Dinamo Zagreb.
He also had key contributions in both legs of the round of 16 clash against PSV Eindhoven.
Rice’s inclusion in the prestigious Team of the Season underscores his evolution into one of Europe’s elite midfielders and further solidifies his value to Mikel Arteta’s project at Arsenal.
READ ALSO: Race for Ballon d’Or Heats Up Ahead of September 22 Paris Ceremony
Here is the full UEFA Champions League Team of the Season:
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfielders: Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphinha (Barcelona)
Rice’s name among Europe’s finest is a testament to his relentless work ethic, leadership, and increasing ability to rise to the big occasion.