Sophia
The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League roared back to life with an electrifying opening week, delivering a cascade of goals, late-game heroics, and unforgettable individual brilliance. Across 18 captivating matches over three days, Europe’s elite showcased their prowess, with both established superstars and emerging talents seizing the spotlight. The anticipation was palpable, and Gameweek 1 certainly lived up to its billing, setting a high bar for the remainder of the competition.
From stunning comebacks to dominant displays, the continent witnessed football at its finest. Here, we delve into the players who achieved the highest FotMob ratings, highlighting their pivotal contributions and the moments that defined their stellar performances.
10. Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi, Alejandro Grimaldo, Camilo Duran (Rating: 8.5)
Paris Saint-Germain’s full-back duo, Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, were instrumental in the reigning champions’ emphatic 4-0 dismantling of Atalanta. Mendes found the back of the net, scoring PSG’s third goal, while Hakimi provided a crucial assist for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s opener. Their defensive solidity also ensured a clean sheet against a potent Atalanta attack, underscoring their importance to PSG’s European ambitions.
Elsewhere, Colombian winger Camilo Durán made a dream Champions League debut for Qarabağ. In only his third appearance for the Azerbaijani underdogs, Durán inspired an astonishing comeback from two goals down against Benfica, contributing a goal and an assist in their dramatic 3-2 victory. Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo also earned an 8.5 rating after netting in his side’s draw against Copenhagen, showcasing his continued attacking threat from defense.
9. Kenan Yildiz, Marquinhos, Phil Foden, Anouar Ait El Hadj (Rating: 8.6)
Marquinhos was another linchpin in PSG’s victory, slightly outperforming his full-back teammates with an 8.6 rating. His early goal and a solid defensive performance, despite limited pressure, highlighted his leadership at the back.
Juventus’ Kenan Yıldız was a revelation in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Borussia Dortmund. He scored a sensational goal and provided an assist within a four-minute spell in the second half, proving his immense potential. Union Saint-Gilloise’s Anouar Ait El Hadj was named Player of the Match in his side’s 3-1 Champions League debut win over PSV Eindhoven, doubling their advantage before halftime with an all-action midfield display. Phil Foden, despite Erling Haaland reaching a significant goal milestone, emerged as Manchester City’s highest-rated player with an 8.6, underlining his consistent influence.
8. Nikita Haikin, Karim Adeyemi, Geovany Quenda, Geronimo Rulli (Rating: 8.7)
Karim Adeyemi continued his impressive form for Borussia Dortmund, opening the scoring with a powerful drive and assisting Felix Nmecha’s goal in the exhilarating 4-4 draw against Juventus. His performance built on a strong weekend display in the Bundesliga.
Bodø/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin was the hero for his side on their Champions League debut, making a remarkable eight saves and preventing 2.19 expected goals in their 2-2 draw with Slavia Prague. Despite Marseille’s 2-1 loss to ten-man Real Madrid, Gerónimo Rulli delivered an astonishing performance, making 13 saves and only conceding from the penalty spot. Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda also earned an 8.7 rating, welcoming Kairat Almaty to the competition with a goal and an assist.
7. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Youssoupha Mbodji (Rating: 8.8)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia once again illuminated the Champions League stage with his magic. Named Player of the Match for PSG, he scored and created the most chances on the pitch, relentlessly tormenting Atalanta’s defense. His continued excellence underscores his status as one of Europe’s most exciting talents.
Slavia Prague’s Youssoupha Mbodji also impressed, netting twice from left-back to give his side a two-goal lead against Bodø/Glimt. While Slavia ultimately surrendered their lead, Mbodji’s attacking contributions were undeniable, even if he did concede a penalty.
6. Marcus Thuram, Dusan Vlahovic (Rating: 8.9)
Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram and Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović both bagged braces, proving pivotal for their Serie A clubs. Thuram’s two powerful headers from corners secured Inter’s victory in Amsterdam, showcasing his strength and aerial prowess. Vlahović, coming on as a substitute, scored two well-taken goals and then provided the assist for Lloyd Kelly’s 96th-minute winner in Juve’s dramatic comeback against Dortmund, highlighting his clinical finishing and late-game impact.
5. Mohamed Salah (Rating: 9.0)
Mohamed Salah, despite a season often described as below his usual electrifying best, delivered a vintage performance against Atlético Madrid. He scored and assisted within the first six minutes, setting Liverpool on their way to a thrilling 3-2 victory. His goal, a testament to his strength and curling precision after a one-two with Ryan Gravenberch, was a classic Salah finish. This strike also elevated him to 12th in the all-time Champions League goals standings, a significant personal milestone.
4. Hakan Calhanoglu, Hans Vanaken, Marcus Rashford (Rating: 9.1)
Hakan Çalhanoğlu was the architect of Inter’s midweek success, providing two pinpoint assists for Marcus Thuram’s goals. Beyond his assists, the Turkish international delivered a Player of the Match performance, with six defensive contributions, ten passes into the final third, and winning six of his seven duels. He was the undeniable playmaker and orchestrator in Inter’s midfield.
Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken matched Çalhanoğlu’s score with a goal and an assist in his side’s victory over AS Monaco. Marcus Rashford, stepping in for the injured Lamine Yamal, also earned a 9.1 rating, scoring a brace to propel one of the tournament favorites to a strong start under Hansi Flick.
3. Lukas Provod (Rating: 9.2)
Slavia Prague’s Lukáš Provod mirrored Çalhanoğlu’s assist tally, providing two exquisite far-post crosses that led to Mbodji’s brace. Provod, who now boasts six assists this season, also struck the woodwork and created more chances than any other player on the pitch, delivering an outstanding display that arguably deserved a victory for his team.
2. Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe (Rating: 9.3)
It was no surprise to see two of the world’s most prolific strikers, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, bag braces on Matchday 1. Kane continued his impressive form for Bayern Munich, converting a penalty and capitalizing on a Malo Gusto error to score Bayern’s third in their 3-1 win over Chelsea. His hat-trick was only denied by a close-range save from Robert Sánchez.
Mbappé was equally clinical for Real Madrid, scoring both his goals from the penalty spot to guide Los Blancos to a crucial win over Marseille. The Frenchman’s tally already stands at eight goals and two assists for club and country this term, marking his fourth FotMob rating of 9.0 or higher this season.
1. Francisco Trincao (Rating: 9.4)
Amidst a week of stellar performances from global superstars, Sporting midfielder Francisco Trincão emerged with the highest overall rating of 9.4. The former Barcelona man and Portugal international scored the first two goals in Sporting’s tie against Kairat Almaty. His comprehensive performance also included completing 41 of 47 passes, seven of ten dribbles, and winning an incredible 11 out of 15 duels. This exceptional display not only secured three crucial points for Sporting but also earned him the week’s top individual honor, much to the delight of manager Rui Borges.
The opening week of the 2025–26 Champions League has set a thrilling precedent, promising a season filled with drama, skill, and unforgettable moments. As the competition progresses, football fans can undoubtedly look forward to more dazzling performances from Europe’s finest.
