UEFA names first Champions League Team of the Week for 2026/27 season

UEFA has unveiled its first Champions League Team of the Week for the 2026/27 season, with Paris Saint-Germain forward Ferran Torres, Barcelona captain Raphinha and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois among the standout selections following Matchday 1.

The XI, presented by Hyundai and selected by the UEFA Technical Observer Group, features players from 11 different clubs after an opening round highlighted by hat-tricks, late winners and impressive individual performances.

Courtois earned his place in goal after making seven saves from eight shots faced as Real Madrid edged Inter in an entertaining encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The defence consists of PSV’s Sergiño Dest, Real Betis’ Marc Bartra, Aston Villa’s Pau Torres and Fenerbahçe’s Archie Brown. Dest scored PSV’s second-half equaliser against Shakhtar, while Bartra scored twice with his head as Betis marked their return to the competition with a win at Lille.

Pau Torres delivered an all-round performance for Aston Villa, recording eight clearances, creating four chances and providing two assists in their victory away to Club Brugge. Brown also featured following Fenerbahçe’s return to the Champions League.

In midfield, Como’s Martin Baturina was rewarded after scoring the club’s first-ever Champions League goal and adding an assist, while Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard was recognised for leading the Gunners to a 1-0 victory over Napoli.

The attacking line is headlined by Torres, who scored a hat-trick in PSG’s emphatic 6-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava. His performance also earned him the Champions League Player of the Week award.

Stuttgart’s Ermedin Demirović also scored three times, completing his hat-trick in the first half of a 3-1 win over Viking.

Raphinha scored twice in Barcelona’s 5-1 demolition of Feyenoord, with UEFA’s technical observers highlighting his pressing and ability to make runs in behind the defence.

Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise completes the XI after scoring twice late in the game and providing an assist in Bayern’s 5-0 victory over Bodø/Glimt.

UEFA Champions League Team of the Week – Matchday 1

GK: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

Defenders: Sergiño Dest (PSV), Marc Bartra (Real Betis), Pau Torres (Aston Villa), Archie Brown (Fenerbahçe)

Midfielders: Martin Baturina (Como), Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)

Forwards: Ferran Torres (PSG), Ermedin Demirović (Stuttgart), Raphinha (Barcelona), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)