Messi and Mbappe flank Golden Boot winners in European Team of the Season
With the domestic seasons done and dusted, it's time to take a look at the WhoScored European team of the season. Champions Manchester City, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Bayern Munich and PSG are all represented, as too are Liverpool, Freiburg and RB Leipzig, as we rattle through the XI.
Mike Maignan (AC Milan) - 6.92
When it became clear that Gianluigi Donnarumma was leaving AC Milan, fans needn't have worried at how best to replace the Italian. Mike Maignan was instrumental in Lille's 2020/21 title success and he followed that up by playing a key role in the Rossoneri's first Scudetto in 11 years. Indeed, the Frenchman returned the best save success rate in Serie A (79.6%) and kept more clean sheets (17) than any other goalkeeper to feature in goal in the European best XI with a WhoScored rating of 6.92.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 7.51
While Liverpool were unable to leapfrog Manchester City to top spot on the final day of the Premier League season, the Reds have two players make the European team of the season with Trent Alexander-Arnold superb for Jurgen Klopp's side. He made more key passes than any other defender (90), that in itself the fourth best in Europe, and finished eighth for assists (12) to contribute towards his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.51.
Nico Schlotterbeck (Freiburg) - 7.39
After a mixed 2020/21 on loan at Union Berlin, Nico Schlotterbeck was superb for Freiburg this season as they ended the Bundesliga campaign in sixth. The German directly contributed to five league goals for Freiburg, scoring four, while 32 shots blocked was the second best in Germany's top tier. Schlotterbeck is joining Borussia Dortmund this summer, and will do so as Europe's best rated centre-back having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.39.
Joining Schlotterbeck at the heart of the defence is Liverpool's Joel Matip. The Reds kept 17 clean sheets across Matip's 31 starts while the Cameroonian was also influential at the other end of the pitch, scoring three and providing three assists to return a WhoScored rating of 7.35.
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City) - 7.43
Finishing off the backline is the first of two Manchester City players in the side. Joao Cancelo was one of City's key men in their Premier League title success as he registered seven assists and scored once for the Cityzens. The 27-year-old also made a respectable 142 tackles and interceptions combined to secure the left-back spot with a WhoScored rating of 7.43.
PSG fans may not have seen Lionel Messi at his best in his debut season in France, yet the end to the campaign certainly gave an indication on what is to come from the Argentine. Messi finished the season with 14 assists to his name, that the third best in Europe, while 63 key passes was also a modest return. The 34-year-old also made more accurate through balls (19) than any other player to help earn a WhoScored rating of 7.77.
Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) - 7.64
Christopher Nkunku enjoyed a stunning season with RB Leipzig, as evidenced by his WhoScored rating of 7.64. The Frenchman was one of a handful of players to finish the season with double figures for both goals (20) and assists (13) on the continent and his superb attacking performances has seen his stock soar.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 7.64
Like Nkunku, Kevin De Bruyne also earned a WhoScored rating of 7.64 as the Belgian directly contributed to 23 Manchester City goals this season, scoring 15. De Bruyne averaged more key passes per 90 (3.6) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues this season, while 16 clear-cut chances created was also a respectable return for the City star.
With a WhoScored rating of 8.04, PSG star Kylian Mbappe is the European player of the season. The Frenchman sprung a surprise by turning down a move to Real Madrid to remain with the Ligue 1 champions, who'll be thankful Mbappe is to remain at the Parc des Princes. Indeed, the young France star finished the season with 28 goals and 17 assists, both of which were second in Europe, while Mbappe won more WhoScored man of the match awards (12) in 2021/22 to cap a wonderful campaign.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 7.89
Featuring on the frontline in the European team of the season is Bayern hitman Robert Lewandowski. Lewandowski scored more goals (35) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues this season to fire Bayern to yet another Bundesliga crown. The Pole also mustered more shots (161) than any other player to return a WhoScored rating of 7.89.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) - 7.69
Joining Lewandowski in attack is Real Madrid star Karim Benzema to complete the XI. Benzema was another to finish the campaign with double figures for both goals (27) and assists (12) as Los Blancos reclaimed their La Liga crown. The 34-year-old also won 10 WhoScored man of the match awards as he makes the cut with a WhoScored rating of 7.69.
