European Team of the Season: Paris Saint-Germain dominate after unprecedented success

Another football season across Europe’s top five leagues has come and gone.

Every prize that needed to be awarded has been distributed, so now it’s time to analyse what just happened. A ‘team of the season’ provides a perfect snapshot of who performed well in each position.

Two important points to note: we have chosen a 4-3-3 formation (with one defensive midfielder and two central midfielders), and players are eligible for selection if they have played 1,530 minutes or more. This represents half of a typical 34-game season, as both Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga consist of 18 teams, compared to 20 in La Liga, the Premier League, and Serie A.

A quick glance at the lineup graphic below reveals that over 35% of the team, according to Squawka ratings, consists of players from Paris Saint-Germain. Luis Enrique’s dominant side has reaffirmed their status as France’s undisputed number one club, and when it seemed Europe might have them contained, the Parisians claimed their first European Cup, completing an unprecedented quadruple.

It’s essential to note that players’ scores are based solely on their league performances, not on their achievements in domestic or European competitions. Each of Europe’s top five leagues has at least one representative in the lineup.

As previously mentioned, we used our Squawka Score to determine the eleven players, focusing on the statistical leaders for metrics relevant to their positions.

GK: Djordje Petrovic (Strasbourg)

Player rating: 75%

One of two players from Ligue 1 who made the cut but do not play for PSG is Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. He spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Strasbourg, where he made a strong case to be considered a long-term option at Stamford Bridge. Although he kept a modest total of ten clean sheets, Petrovic managed to prevent 0.22 goals per 90 minutes and did not make any errors that led to a goal.

RB: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)

Player rating: 78%

Trent Alexander-Arnold pushed him close, but in the end, Achraf Hakimi gets the nod at right-back, and very few will be complaining about this selection. Hakimi excelled offensively, scoring four goals and assisting eight for his teammates. He also led all right-backs in touches within the opposition box, averaging 3.74. Defensively, he performed well, averaging 1.57 tackles and 1.35 interceptions per 90 minutes, placing him comfortably within the 80th to 95th percentile.

CB: Gabriel (Arsenal)

Player rating: 75%

You can make the argument that either Virgil van Dijk or William Saliba is the Premier League’s best centre-back, but neither quite delivered as Gabriel did. The pair had seriously good campaigns, which should tell you how well the Brazilian played. Gabriel averaged 1.1 blocked shots per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, in the 80th–95th percentile among defenders. He also ranks in the 80th–95th percentile for last-man tackles retaining possession.

CB: Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)

Player rating: 74%

Form can be temporary, as the old saying goes. Stefan de Vrij would readily admit that he has not been performing up to his usual high standards recently. Now taking on a squad role at Inter, whenever the Dutchman has stepped onto the field, he has consistently delivered for his manager.

In Serie A this season, De Vrij has averaged 3.4 aerial duels won per 90 minutes, placing him in the 80th to 95th percentile among central defenders in Europe’s top five leagues, with a success rate of 63.11%. He has lost only 0.16 challenges per 90 minutes and has averaged 5.14 clearances, demonstrating the difficulty in getting past him. Remarkably, De Vrij has never made an error that led to a shot against him and has achieved a passing accuracy of 93.29%, which comfortably ranks him in the 95th percentile among central defenders.

LB: Caio Henrique (Monaco)

Player rating: 75%

In Europe’s top five leagues, numerous exceptional left-backs are making their mark, yet none have been as remarkable as Caio Henrique of Monaco. He demonstrated his offensive prowess by averaging 1.4 successful passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes, showcasing his ability to contribute to attacking plays. Additionally, Henrique showcased his defensive capabilities, averaging 2.47 clearances per 90 minutes, which ultimately highlights his well-rounded game.

DM: Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)

Player rating: 70%

Vitinha can go under the radar given PSG’s embarrassment of riches going forward, but he arguably plays the most important role in Enrique’s team as the glue that makes everything work. His performance metrics reflect his effectiveness in this role. With him on the field, PSG has conceded 0.97 goals per 90 minutes, while he boasts an impressive 91.46% retention rate. However, it’s not retaining possession where he excels; the Portuguese international can distribute effectively, completing 11.5 passes into the final third and 19.59 accurate forward passes per 90 minutes. Vitinha also ranks well regarding final third entries (13.05 per 90), while averaging 1.02 tackles won and 0.62 interceptions per 90.

CM: Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain)

Player rating: 78%

Joao Neves’ influence on the PSG midfield couldn’t be more evident this season. The perennial French champions look otherworldly with him pulling the strings. While the Portuguese playmaker has averaged 2.77 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes this season, he ranks in the 95th percentile for completed through balls per 90 minutes at 0.34. The 20-year-old also contributed eight assists and three goals in an incredible debut season following his big move from boyhood club Benfica last summer.

CM: James Maddison (Tottenham)

Player rating: 78%

James Maddison’s season was cut short due to another injury, but when he was available, he demonstrated remarkable form for a Tottenham team that faced a challenging league campaign. He averaged 7.33 entries into the penalty area and created 0.3 big chances per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season. Additionally, he recorded 0.3 intentional assists per 90 minutes and ranks highly among central midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for touches in the opposition box, with an average of 4.21 per match.

RW: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)

Player rating: 91%

Ten goals across 19 appearances in his final Premier League season, coupled with six assists, made it likely that Michael Olise would depart Crystal Palace. But very few saw Bayern Munich as the eventual destination. It proved money well spent, having registered 12 goals and 15 assists in 34 outings. Indeed, only Mohamed Salah (18) created more, while no winger across Europe’s top five leagues boasted a higher big chances created per 90 minutes (1.23). Though it wasn’t just attacking where he excelled, with Olise winning possession 1.42 times in the final third per 90, more than any player in his position.

CF: Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)

Player rating: 87%

Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowski are worthy, but ultimately, it’s Ousmane Dembele who leads our attacking lineup. This reinvented player, long expected to achieve great things, spearheaded PSG’s attack with 21 goals in 29 matches. Playing in a “false nine” role, Dembele had an outstanding campaign, showcasing a higher xG overperformance score—calculated as goals minus expected goals—than all but Patrik Schick. No one surpassed him in terms of non-penalty shots on target, averaging 3.58 per 90 minutes.

Additionally, Dembele excelled among centre-forwards, leading with 0.67 big chances and 3.27 chances created per 90 minutes. He also ranked first in touches within the opposition’s box, averaging 8.81. This season truly belonged to Dembele; his outstanding UEFA Champions League performance was instrumental in PSG finally capturing the trophy they coveted. These achievements explain why he is considered the frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or.

LW: Raphinha (Barcelona)

Player rating: 85%

This was Raphinha’s season in a Barcelona jersey. Before the 2024-25 campaign, he managed 13 goals and 16 assists in 64 matches. He matched that goal involvement total (29 goals and 11 assists) in 28 fewer games. The flying Brazilian winger ranked in the 95th percentile among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues when it came to big chances (0.82), expected assists (0.39), goals scored from open play (0.51), shots (3.61), and penalty area entries (8.8) per 90.

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