Pedro's Point of View: Who is the Champions League's MVP?
After 124 games and 355 goals, there are only two teams left standing in the European Champions League.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund managed to navigate their way through an intense group stage and six dramatic knock-out stage matches to reach the final, scheduled for May 25 at Wembley.
Since there is still plenty of time to look ahead to the Battle of the Bundesliga, I have decided instead this week to take a look back at what has been an exhilarating season and pick my Most Valuable Player of the competition.
We all know that individuals don’t win trophies on their own, but there is always an elite group of players who are the difference between winning and losing key matches.
In order to pick the best player, I wanted to narrow down my choice by identifying the best team, and as I analyzed some key statistics from this season’s competition, it became clear to me that Bayern were head and shoulders above the rest.
They have the highest number of victories and goals scored, while also boasting the best defense. The Bavarians were particularly impressive over the last two rounds, beating Juventus and Barcelona with aggregate scores of 4-0 and 7-0.
What about Dortmund? Well as entertaining and dynamic as they have been, and as well as Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski have played on the way to the final, I decided my MVP had to be a Bayern player.
So who did I pick? Well, there were a few candidates. At the back, Dante and Philipp Lahm have been outstanding; in midfield, Bastian Schweinsteiger has pulled the strings magnificently; while on the wings, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben have both had moments of brilliance.
However, in my opinion, the MVP of this season’s Champions League has been Thomas Muller.
First of all, let’s look at the numbers. For starters, the 23-year-old is the only outfield player to have played all 12 of Bayern’s games in the competition this season.
He is their top scorer, with eight goals, and contributed two assists. Muller has also covered more distance, 127 km, than any other player on his team.
They say the numbers don’t lie and they definitely tell a story of a player who has been incredibly influential in his side’s run to the final.
Of course statistics are only part of the story and when talking about Muller, one can’t forget about what makes him so special and that is his versatility. After all, this is a player who can play anywhere across the front line. He can line up as a left winger, right winger, attacking midfielder or striker and be equally effective.
It’s not just his high level of skill that allows him to adapt to his different roles, it is also his sophisticated football IQ.
Muller has an excellent sense of positioning and has shown repeatedly he can be at the right place at the right time in key contests.
He is a guy who can show up at the near post to score with a flick, stay on the edge of the area and hit the back of the net with a powerful shot, or pop up at the far post to tap in a cross. Just ask Barcelona…
So there you have it. Thomas Muller is my pick. What do you think? Send us your votes.
Yeah, I think that Muller has been outstanding this season with Bayern, after a disappointing campaign last year, no wonder why Heynckes prefers him over Robben.
My MVP for this champions league season is Bastian Schweinsteiger. Unfortunately he isn't mentioned on this list : /
I have voted for Lewandowski based on his performance in the champions league. However, this does not change the fact that Messi is the best ever.
Burak yilmaz, He brought Galatasaray to the quarter final by scoring 8 goals.(Galatasaray scored 9 goals until that time). He achieved this although he didn't play with Xavi or Robben or Mesut or Gotze. He proved that he is a valuable player.
I'll vote for Robben even though he's not being mentioned because his trickery and balk-sense can't be denied. He has been consistent for top clubs that have gone far in the competition from Chelsea, Madrid and Bayern. Muller is good but he needs to move around to test his consistency.
If Messi is not the choice, I think you will regret it in the future. when he proves that he is the best ever. going on 50goals talk about being at the the right position at the right time. Also the fact that his accurracy is great but his ability to play against the best goalies in the league and beat them. what player consistantly can handle the ball better than him.
Today when people think of football they think Messi...
I think your article is incorrect and biased. We are talking about the mvp not the best team whereas you stated in your article ranting on about Bayern's stats. I do not think that you approached this matter on the merits of individuals but on the winning team, I think you should know better, that an individuals accomplishments may not always be reflected in his teams standings.
In conclusion: Your approach (as you put it) in this matter is obviously wrong and without focus.
I think Messy is the best ever, but due to his injuries, he did not play very well as always, but in this champions league, Robben was the most important player to advance Bayern to the final.
Burak Yilmaz 🙂
I'll vote for Yilmaz. He played magnificent. He scored 8 goals , tackled by Ramos and should got penalty , but the ref didn't see (At least I want to believe that he didn't see it). His teammates were not as talented as Xavi&Iniesta, or Özil&Di Maria, or Götze&Reus or Robben&Schweinsteiger etc. It is hard to score 8 goals in Champions League, but it is even harder to do it without playing for the big teams ( Manu, real, barca, bvb, bayern, psg..). He is not the best finisher or best dribbler or best forward, but I believe that he is the best performer this season of Champions League
burak yılmaz
Sevgili Ecnebi kardeslerim İnternet üzerinden yapılan oylamalarda hep Türk adaylar kazanır o yüzden uğrasmayın bosuna canlarım benim..
Mueller has been outstanding in his contribution but spoils the overall performance by his diving and petulant complaining in attempts to win free kicks or get opponents awarded yellow cards. He plays with a broad smile and evil intent. I go for Lewandoski an excellent player and genuine sportsman.
burak yılmaz
Yilmaz definately. None of the other players led their team to the finals singlehandedly like him. Gala has won around €40mil in UCL this season thanks to him.
If you think of the strength of the their teams, i think Burak should be the MVP. He carried Galatasaray to the quarter finals almost alone.
Burak Yilmaz has performed in the most unexpected way so he deserves to be the top of this list. You could have guessed that Messi, Ronaldo, Müller and even Lewandowski would do quiet good but Burak, with very few CL appearances in his CV, has scored Galatasaray's almost all goals during the group stage and continued to find the net afterwards too. Most of his goals can go for this year's top 10 in CL. Who knew him before, except Turks? Almost none. Even this fact is enough to pick him for the top.
Burak Yılmaz
I would vote for yilmaz,he took his team to the almost just his own with 9 goals out of 12 goals till quarterfinal and I believe that was the penalty as well against Real Madrid away game and he got yellow card unfairly and missed second leg.he was the top scorer until he left the tournemant unfairly.he he didn't play with the best players around him.
My opinion is that Yilmaz because he is very dangerous player. Galatasaray is ver big team for Europa. B.Yilmaz only 5 Million Euros transfer to Gala. Galatasaray have very brilliant president. Next year,Yilmaz'll playing Semi-Final for Galatasaray together Drogba 🙂 Maybe.Galatasaray is big playing and they want to CL Cup why not ?
It must be yilmaz.he wasn't the one match hero like lawandowsky or he didn't play best team but he scored almost every game apart from Real Madrid but he should got penalty,ref didn't see and he got yellow.what a decision he could make it goal and he wouldn't miss the second leg because of that yellow.also I believe that he could take his team at least semi final if he wasn't missed second leg.and gala was the only team who beat Germans in c.l
I agree Thomas Muller is the MVP of UCL 2012-13; he also scored a goal in the final the Bayern lost to Chelsea on penalties . . .
Its simple 🙂 Robert Lewandowski and Burak Yilmaz ... But i voted for Burak. 🙂
BURAK YILMAZZZZZZZZZ
Congratulations Yilmaz!
Burak Yılmazzz :))
Burak Yilmaz definately.
King Burak
burak yılmaz
King Burak Yılmaz...!
My choice is Burak Yilmaz . Because he knew Galatasaray almost as 1/4 finale to odd head forward.
Yilmaz is quality striker
Cristiano Ronaldo – out. . .
Lionel Messi – out . . .
Robert Lewandowski – out . . .
Thomas Muller – out. . .
King BURAK YILMAZ – in
Burak Yilmaz should be Champions League's most valuable player. Because his team(GALATASARAY) isn't very good team. Others' is Barcelona,Real Madrid,BVB,Bayern.In spite of everything he is KING.
CHAMPION GALATASARAY !!!
Of course Burak YILMAZ. I think he is the best player and very good :))
İf I would play in Real , Barcelona or Munih I would play wonderfull too !! soooo Definitetly Burak Yılmaz.He scored 8 goals.He apsolutely deserves this honour
Burak yılmaz the best forward player in UCL
sabri sarıoğlu
definately YILMAZ !
Burak YİLMAZ monster
I don't know.. i think between Lewandowski and Burak.. if you look at the team you will see a Dortmund with Gotze, Sahin, Gundogan, Reus.. en if you look at Galatasaray you will see a team with players like Drogba, Sneijder, Melo, Selcuk, Muslera, Eboue, Altintop... im gonna vote for Burak! Lewandowski had the luck, he plays in a better team.. thats why i vote for Burak!
Burak YİLMAZ
BURAK YILMAZ
burak yılmaz <3
burak yılmaz
of course burak yilmaz. rising star of this year
YİLMAZ
Burak Yılmaz ! new uncrowned king !
BURAK YILMAZ !
Burak Yilmaz definetly deserved it !
Burak Yılmaz=GALATASARAY....
Burak Yilmaz is a wonderful talent .(2010-2013)101 games 85 goals scored
Of course Burak Yılmaz. He is a king. He did goal king at two years in turkish league and champions leagu grup matches.
Your nightmare is Back again. BURAK YILMAZ !
The galatasaray strikers is my favorit because he brought a lot for his team !
Of course Burak Yılmaz but i dont agree with the idea that His teammate is not talented .Galatasaray has very talented and world wide known players such as Drogba,Sneijder. On the other hand Selçuk İnan is as talented as Xavi.
burak yılmaz
I Love You Burak Yılmaz
Burak yılmaz !
I think Burak Yilmaz deserved to that award. Because if you watch Galatasaray's Champions League games especially which is the befor Wesley Sniejder and Drogba transfers . He carried his team to Top16 by himself he also big figure of the quarter finals games against Schalke 04
Well , after the group stageof the Champiosn league Burak Yilmaz has scored 6 six goal other players of Galatasaray's only scored 1
This year Galatasaray Made unpredictable success to the Champions League . İf referee's was made Right and courage decisions today We would talked Great success of Galatasaray. They have Great Team play
but Yilmaz is the Creater of difference
BURAK YILMAZ!!!
Burak yılmazzz
burak yılmaz
burak yılmaz
Burak Yılmaz
I think Burak Yilmaz is the best because he scored 8 goals in its first CL career.His teammates wasn't played so bad but not better than Xavi,Gotze,Robben or Ozil,he carried Galacticos to quarter final but he got yellow card in first Madrid match,and cannot scored any goal to Madrid because of ref in the first Gs-Madrid match Sergio Ramos stepped on his foot in the penalty area.Now Yilmaz is the top goal scorer in Turkish league(22 goals)and last year too (32 goals) Thank you Burak,Thank you Galacticos.
Burak Yilmaz
muller!! he has been very essential for bayern this season, being involved in the build up to every goal, or being the one to get to the end of that goal,he's very clever off and on the ball, clever and versatile... muller it is....we can forget the fact messi is a huge game changer, we saw it with our eyes clearly this season..both in the spanish leauge and UCL, but still muller has it for me this year.
Burak Yılmaz Vote %79.5 Wooowww
(Galatasaray scored 9 goals until that time). He achieved this although he didn't play with Xavi or Robben or Mesut or Gotze. He proved that he is a valuable player.
ı thınk absolutely right I agree of you ( comment : ismail )
burak yılmaz galatasaray
I think MVP must be Burak Yılmaz. Because he did very important things during all matches. If he was in the area last match(Galatasaray-Real madrid) GS could go semi-final game more easily. So Burak Yilmaz the best one.
Certainly Burak Yilmaz
Burak Yılmaz =====> King
Yilmaz.... he performed great...
Burak yilmaz who scored 8 goals (3 of them in a game) did really well job.
He definitely deserves to get respect.
Burak Yilmaz my vote, he is definitely the name of the most remarkable of this year. Schalke 04 matches, scored goals in particular was awesome. 8 is not easy to score a goal in the Champions League, Ronaldo and Messi even if you are not ...
I love Burak YILMAZ 🙂 Galatasaray's largest anywhere, anytime 😀
Burak Yılmaz.. 🙂
Muller is the deserving choice.Consistent with quality.He is a manager's dream & most importantly a team player.
Burak Yılmaz without a doubt ! His performance was excellent during Gala's QF run.. He will be a man to watch in CL next year as well...
the king is name Burak Yılmaz!
Of course, The King "BURAK YILMAZ"
Always Burak Yilmaz 😀
Burak yılmaz,KİNG BURAK, he GOAL MACHİNE,
First class player Burak Yilmaz ...Congratulations
Galatasaray champion
<3 BURAK YILMAZ <3
Galatasaray came to the quarter-finals thanks to goals burak yılmaz.attığı undisputed. I'm sure the teams playing in which one plays the other candidates as the top scorer in the final team spirit.
DEAR TURKİSH FRİENDS,
İS THAT THE YILMAZ MEAN, A PERSON WHO NEVER GİVE UP?İ HAVE JUST LEARNED AND AMAZED.HE İS REALLY UNSTOPABLE AND FABULOUS STRİKER. NO DOUBT #MVPYILMAZ #RESPECT FOR THİS SEASON.
Burak Yilmaz is very important player.
Thomas Müller is the MVP
3 goals vs Barca at the semifinals is huge
12 games played 8 goals scored and 127 km distance covered
+ he is a teamplayer
= MVP
burak yilmaz
Burak Yilmaz ofcourse. Gala is not really a big club and their budget was not so very well in the begin of the season. They only earn money thanks to the Chairman who has some good projects. Burak qualified his team to quarter finals (Gala could eliminate Real Madrid but unfortunately the referee was bad) and he scored 8 goals in such a difficult league. %100 Burak Yilmaz
@Alejandro MANU , yes mate. 'Yilmaz' is a Turkish word which means ' someone who never gives up '..
KİNG BURAK YILMAZ
Yilmaz
Burak like a lion..
ofc Burak Yılmaz re !
I cant think how many he scores, if he plays with xavi&iniesta&özil style midfielders.
How turks say, Sen Kral Burak Yılmaz
Burak YILMAZ best is the best!
The King BURAK YILMAZ !!!
If you look at the history of Yilmaz MVP to whom you do not think about much. more than three years ago, is now played by a player in a team, this is a mockery of the clubs in the champions league quarter-finals and move further into a stand-alone look up another player. bayern or barca real borisia onayabilir each player, but he who sırtlayan teams or alone, or playing in Galata which would have been so successful.
oooooo burak yilmaz ooooo ooooo burak yilmaz oooooo oooo
King_Of_BURAK YILMAZ
Galatasaray Burak Yılmaz!
Cristiano Ronaldo is my MVP
B17
buraaaaaaakkkkk yılmzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
He never gives up. He is Burak YILMAZ. He is goal machine.
i think burak yılmaz . Maybe he isn't best striker in the world but this year his performance is amazing.8 goals in Gala that's not easy respect ! Finally my favoruite goal in this season is Yılmaz's goal aganist schalke in 1st leg OMG what a goal !!! (maybe drogba aganist real) hey gala has got very good strikers
of course burak yılmaz 🙂
Burak Yilmaz is the best because he scored 8 goals in its first CL career.His teammates wasn't played so bad but not better than Xavi,Gotze,Robben or Ozil,he carried Galacticos to quarter final but he got yellow card in first Madrid match,and cannot scored any goal to Madrid because of ref in the first Gs-Madrid match Sergio Ramos stepped on his foot in the penalty area.Now Yilmaz is the top goal scorer in Turkish league(22 goals)and last year too (32 goals) Thank you Burak,Thank you Galacticos.
BURAK YILMAZ <3 TÜRKİYE <3
Helal olsun oy verenlere ve Burak Yılmaz'a...
Kaf Sin Kaf 1912 Forever 😉 ...
Burak yılmaz
İ think burak yılmaz was amazing in the championship.bu ne lan böyle bura türk kaynıyo:D
burak Yılmaz
Burak Yilmaz und FC GALATASARAY
Robert Lewandowski is peaking at the right time.
I voted to Lewandowski but I'm regretful for this vote. 'Cause I'm think about this situation and my new decision is Burak Yilmaz is the best. He is very ambitious, talentful and he had scored 8 goals in CL without any football players who are stars about asists. Galatasaray is a good team. All the people are afraid from Gala.
Burak Yılmaz 🙂
Certainly Yilmaz. Come back trabzon
CR7 is the BEST 12goals in 12 matches WHAT an incredible player