Superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo also feature highly…
These rankings are based on player ratings from WhoScored – a football stats aggregator who judge a players performance from their overall contribution to matches. (Goals, assists, passes, tackles, chances created, aerial duels won, etc…)
10) Wayne Rooney – Manchester United – 7.93 rating
The English forward has been one of the shining lights of United’s miserable season, and looks set to be awarded a mammoth new contract as a result. In Europe, he’s bagged two and assisted three, and enjoyed an especially creative performance in Germany against Bayer Leverkusen.
9) Angel Di Maria – Real Madrid – 7.95 rating
The Argentine flyer was part of a Real Madrid team which cantered through the group stages, and he remarkably has assisted five goals in the competition already. His dribbling through the centre provides a constant menace to defenders.
8) Sergio Aguero – Manchester City – 7.98 rating
How different would City’s result on Tuesday evening against Barcelona have been if Aguero had been fit to play…? In the group stages, the striker scored six, and assisted two more – helping his side qualify for the last 16 for the first time in their history.
7) Franck Ribery – Bayern Munich – 8.1 rating
Ribery is injured for the crunch tie against Arsenal this Wednesday evening, but played in five of the competition favourite’s six group matches. In that time he scored three, but his constant dribbling and chance creation was particularly impressive. He e also averages four completed dribbles per match.
6) Jonny Evans – Manchester United – 8.19 rating
The Northern Irish centre-back’s inclusion in this list is arguably surprising, as he’s only started three of his side’s matches so far. In that time though, he’s been a defensive rock for United, and even scored a goal as well.
5) Zlatan Ibrahimovic – PSG – 8.46 rating
The ludicrously good Swedish forward is seemingly getting better with age. His wonderful brace against Bayer Leverkusen last night brought his competition tally to 10, making him the Champions League leading goalscorer right now.
4) Diego Costa – Atletico Madrid – 8.52 rating
The powerful striker is as effective during build-up play as he is lethal in the box. Costa has spearheaded the impressive Atletico side expertly in both La Liga and the Champions League, and his four goals and one assist in Europe helped his side waltz through their group.
3) Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid – 8.7 rating
2013’s Ballon D’or winner has been superb in the Champions League this season, and is the favourite to finish as the competition’s top scorer. He’s bagged nine so far, assisted three more, and averaged a hearty seven shots per match.
2) Arjen Robben – Bayern Munich – 8.9 rating
The flying Dutchman bagged the winner in last year’s Champions League final, and has picked up where he left off this time around. Robben’s scored and assisted three apiece, but been wonderfully creative in the final third – making 2.5 key passes per match.
1) Lionel Messi – Barcelona – 8.91 rating
Messi won and scored a penalty against Manchester City on Tuesday evening, and reminded everyone why he’s probably the best in the business. So far, he’s scored seven in just four appearances, and few would bet against him adding plenty more to his tally before the end of this season.
SEE ALSO: PES 2014 best players: the 20 highest ranked players on Pro Evolution Soccer 2014.