Declan Rice singled out as Arsenal ace named as ONLY Premier League star in Europe's elite

Arsenal star is the only player to earn a spot in official Team of the Season. Rice, 26, powered the Gunners through to the semi-finals where they .

His memorable brace against holders in the last eight, both sweetly-struck free-kicks, helped achieve their to date and he was just as vital in the second leg. Although side couldn't reach a first final in 20 years, Rice's efforts have been commended.

UEFA have named Rice as part of a star-studded XI which is dominated by following in the final on Saturday in Munich. Starting at the back, has been recognised as the competition's best goalkeeper.

PSG boast three of the four defenders, as Achraf Hakimi, and Nuno Mendes are joined by Alessandro Bastoni. In midfield, Vitinha partners Rice, the sole representative from the English top-flight. That's despite finishing top of the league phase, reaching the knockouts and making it all the way to the quarter-finals.

UEFA have gone with four attackers, two from PSG and two from the other losing semi-finalist, . Lamine Yamal, Desire Doue, and have fended off strong competition from the likes of Serhou Guirassy, , and Lautaro Martinez.

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As for the individual awards, Dembele was named Player of the Season while the Young Player award went to PSG team-mate Doue. Yamal won Goal of the Season for his incredible strike in Barca's 3-3 first-leg draw at home to Inter.

Rice's second free-kick goal against Real came third. All of the awards and the XI were chosen by the selected by the UEFA Technical Observer Group.

Saturday's final saw PSG crowned champions of Europe for the first time. The competition's new format has been hailed as a success, with the new league stage and the addition of a play-off round seeing more drama than ever after a record 189 fixtures from September to May.

Who makes your Champions League Team of the Season? Give us your XI in the .

"This season, the UEFA Champions League has embraced a new format, injecting fresh excitement and a higher level of competition," UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said. "It has allowed more teams than ever to challenge for glory in the world's most prestigious club competition and offered great thrills, excitement and the best football to billions of fans across the globe.

"The tremendous success of these reforms, made in a spirit of respect and understanding of all European football stakeholders – the clubs, the leagues and national associations – proves that the game can evolve to another level only by upholding the core values of open competition, sporting merit and solidarity. And when football thrives, everybody benefits."

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season 2024-25

(4-2-4) Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Alessandro Bastoni, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Declan Rice; Lamine Yamal, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha

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