From 1 to 25: The ultimate combined Champions League squad… based on shirt numbers

The squads for the 2018/19 Champions League have been officially released.

Europe’s most illustrious cup competition is all set to start after this international break, and the teams have now announced their 25 man squads. These squads (known internally as “List A”) must comprise of 25 players including eight “locally trained players” aka players who either came through the youth system at the club, or players who came through a youth system at another club in the same league.

With the squads announced, we here at Squawka thought we’d have a look and compare and contrast them by the one thing they all have in common: shirt numbers. We’ve chosen numbers 1-25 and also let functionality have weighting in our squad selection.

Who makes it in? Read on to find out!

1. David De Gea

Goalkeeper, Manchester United

The best goalkeeper in the world, even if he isn’t quite on it after the World Cup. He’ll rebound in time, though keep an eye out for the ascendant Ter Stegen and the rebuilding Neuer.

Honourable Mentions: Marc-André Ter Stegen, Keylor Navas, Manuel Neuer

2. Diego Godín

Centre-back, Atlético Madrid

Not a right-back, but the best defender in the world. Incredible at organising his side’s defence, he is a true colossus and impossible to exclude.

Honourable Mentions: Dani Carvajal, Kieran Trippier, Thiago Silva

3. Gerard Piqué

Centre-back, Barcelona

One of the most underrated defenders on the planet. With no pace he constantly plays a high-line in a possession-style of play and does so with effortless confidence.

Honourable Mentions: Giorgio Chiellini, Filipe Luis, Fabinho

4. Sergio Ramos

Centre-back, Real Madrid

Ramos isn’t even the best defender in his team, but he also has something only a handful of players in the world have; this inhuman ability to impact big matches with robotic regularity. The Ultimate Warrior.

Honourable Mentions: Virgil Van Dijk, Toby Alderweireld, Ivan Rakitic, Niklas Sule

5. Sergio Busquets

Defensive midfielder, Barcelona

The world’s finest midfielder beats out the world’s most stable defender (Varane) to take his place in this team. Busquets is a masterful metronome who controls possession and protects his defence.

Honourable Mentions: Raphael Varane, Miralem Pjanic, Mats Hummels, Jan Vertonghen

6. Paul Pogba

Central midfielder, Manchester United

The World Cup showed just what Pogba is capable of, even if José Mourinho often stifles him for Manchester United. Still, his talent is undeniable and hopefully he will show it on the biggest club stage now.

Honourable Mentions: Thiago, Marco Verratti, Koke, Geoffrey Kondogbia

7. Cristiano Ronaldo

Striker, Juventus

Mr. Champions League himself. No. 7 is absolutely stacked with unreal talent, but there can be no arguing with Cristiano Ronaldo. The ultimate goalscorer in Europe’s top cup game.

Honourable Mentions: Antoine Griezmann, Philippe Coutinho, Kylian Mbappé, Franck Ribery, Raheem Sterling, Alexis Sánchez

8. Toni Kroos

Central midfielder, Real Madrid

The pass-master of the Champions League, Kroos is a wizard with the ball at his feet although he will feel the heat from Naby Keita coming up fast behind him.

Honourable Mentions: Saúl, Naby Keita, Yacine Brahimi, Ilkay Gundogan

9. Edinson Cavani

Striker, PSG

With Luis Suárez off-form, Robert Lewandowski not at his shining best and Karim Benzema yet to prove he can stay fit for a whole season, it’s Edinson Cavani who stands apart as Europe’s top no. 9.

Honourable Mentions: Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suárez, Karim Benzema, Radamel Falcao, Mauro Icardi, Roberto Firmino, Edin Dzeko

10. Leo Messi

Forward, Barcelona

Messi combines the skill-sets of the four next best no. 10’s into one body. Quite simply the best player on planet earth.

Honourable Mentions: Neymar, Luka Modric, Arjen Robben, Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala, Harry Kane, Sadio Mané, Marcus Rashford

11. Mohamed Salah

Winger, Liverpool

A blur of menacing movement and fabulous finishing, no one can argue that Mohamed Salah is the man to beat at no. 11; Gareth Bale could yet usurp him if he stays fit, but that’s a big if.

Honourable Mentions: James Rodríguez, Gareth Bale, Ousmane Dembélé, Marco Reus, Thomas Lemar, Douglas Costa, Hirving Lozano

12. Marcelo

Full-back, Real Madrid

Whether you want entertainment or fabulous full-back play, Marcelo is your man. The madcap Brazilian is a joy to watch.

Honourable Mentions: Victor Wanyama, Joe Gomez

13. Jan Oblak

Goalkeeper, Atlético Madrid

Alisson may have cost £65m but Jan Oblak is a superior stopper. The Slovenian’s clean-sheet record for Atleti is absurd.

Honourable Mentions: Alisson, Jasper Cillessen, Dani Alves, Alex Telles

14. Radja Nainggolan

Central midfielder, Inter

The Belgian hard-man just edges out Laporte because of his increased experience. Will look to kick some life into Group H.

Honourable Mentions: Aymeric Laporte, Dries Mertens, Jordan Henderson

15. Jeremy Toljan

Full-back, Borussia Dortmund

Eric Dier and Clement Lenglet are superior players to Toljan, but in the desire to make this a balanced squad we needed another full-back and Toljan is superb in is ability to balance attack and defence.

Honourable Mentions: Eric Dier, Daniel Sturridge, Clement Lenglet

16. Hector Herrera

Central midfielder, Porto

An almost impossibly balanced and serene presence in the middle of Porto’s midfield.

Honourable Mentions: Daniele De Rossi, Alphonse Areola, Juan Cuadrado

17. Kevin De Bruyne

Central midfielder, Manchester City

Injured right now, but when fit De Bruyne has become one of the world’s best central midfielders under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola. Offers match control and a dizzying amount of penetration.

Honourable Mentions: Marek Hamsik, Jerome Boateng, Mario Mandzukic

18. Joshua Kimmich

Full-back, Bayern Munich

Joshua Kimmich and Jordi Alba are remarkably similar players; flying full-backs who contribute enormously to their team’s shape by offering nearly all the width on their flank. We picked Kimmich to have a world-class right-back in the squad, but Alba is equally good.

Honourable Mentions: Jordi Alba, Nabil Fekir

19. Leonardo Bonucci

Centre-back, Juventus

The big man is back in town! Now he’s back at Juve, Bonucci will be out to recapture his impossibly good form prior to leaving the club.

Honourable Mentions: Diego Costa, Mahmoud Dahoud, Mousa Dembélé, Leroy Sané, Rodrigo

20. Dele Alli

Attacking midfielder, Spurs

Marco Asensio is an incredible wing talent, Sergi Roberto is emerging as a top right-back for Barcelona and Bernardo Silva is obviously a genius but Dele Alli has been producing the goods for a ridiculous amount of time now and cannot be overlooked.

Honourable Mentions: Marco Asensio, Sergi Roberto, Bernardo Silva

21. David Silva

Central midfielder, Manchester City

Perhaps the greatest player in Manchester City’s history. His powers are on the wane but he will be key to any triumph City hope to have.

Honourable Mentions: Lucas Hernandez, Frenkie De Jong, Timothy Weah

22. Isco

Attacking midfielder, Real Madrid

Isco is the reason Real Madrid completed their hat-trick of Champions Leagues, with his form and ability key to the most impressive of their wins in 2017. When he gets the ball at his feet, just start the music and watch him dance! Isco disco!

Honourable Mentions: Benjamin Mendy, Christian Pulisic, Arturo Vidal

23. Samuel Umtiti

Centre-back, Barcelona

A phenom of a defender, Umtiti balances technique with athleticism and intelligence like precious few can.

Honourable Mentions: Christian Eriksen, Shinji Kagawa, Luke Shaw, Julian Draxler, Michy Batshuayi, Xherdan Shaqiri

24. Lorenzo Insigne

Winger, Napoli

Whilst José Giménez is a legend in the making, right now Napoli’s pint-sized wing wonder Insigne has to get the nod. Any success Carlo Ancelotti has in Naples will owe a lot to this kid.

Honourable Mentions: José Giménez, Corentin Tolisso, Alessandro Florenzi

25. Thibaut Courtois

Goalkeeper, Real Madrid

How do you decide between Thomas Muller and Thibaut Courtois? Well, the squad needs a third goalkeeper so the world’s third (or fourth?) best goalkeeper will do nicely for that spot.

Honourable Mentions: Thomas Muller, Adrien Rabiot, Fernandinho, Kamil Glik

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