The frontrunners for the UCL Player of the Season award

This 2023/24 UEFA Champions League competition has progressed to the knockout stages, after an exciting and eventful group stage phase. There were huge upsets with FC Copenhagen reaching the last 16 at the likes of Manchester United's expense. Real Sociedad also finished top of Group D in their first UCL campaign for a decade, which has earned them a meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.

Besides the surprise package of Copenhagen and La Real, the last 16 are made up of regulars in the latter rounds of the competition. 

Ahead of the knockouts getting underway, a clear picture is beginning to emerge of which teams could go all the way. The strongest teams in the competition are backed by some of the leading footballing talents on the planet, but who could be the overall standouts that could claim the Player of the Season award come June?

Harry Kane

Harry Kane joined Bayern Munich last summer with a clear intention to win trophies at the club. His efforts are encouraging very high hopes, at least according to the outright markets and warm reception from the fans.

Many sportsbooks, including the likes of 22bet, suggest Kane's team is a UCL frontrunner alongside Manchester City. Even in other markets such as the Bundesliga, Bayern are coming out strong. Showcased by directories like YourCasinos, which compare the bonuses/promotions on offer, bettors can back the club with exclusive 22bet promo codes.

Naturally, odds are always fluctuating, but unless a drastic injury or dip in performance happens out of nowhere, all the signs are positive for Bayern Munich - and the decisive player, if they can get over the line, will surely be Kane.

He recorded four goals and three assists during the group stages, which ranks him as the joint-highest contribution-maker in the competition so far.

Harry Kane in today's training 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HRJjWQ2TfD

— Bayern & Football (@MunichFanpage) January 2, 2024

If the former Tottenham Hotspur man maintains his form during the knockout rounds and Bayern are to reach the final at Wembley, then he could receive the award for the tournament standout player in his home city. 

Also Read: Champions League Stats: Who scored the first goal of the UEFA Champions League era?

Rodri Hernandez

Rodri Hernandez won last year's UCL Player of the Season award as he was vital to Pep Guardiola's team. He's primarily a defensive player who breaks up the play in midfield, although his impact on the setup is arguably greater than some of the elite frontmen in world football.

Without Rodri in the lineup, City, at times, appears to be a different team. They don't sustain possession as efficiently, or adapt quickly enough in defensive transition. Behind City's host of creative geniuses and prolific forwards, the Spaniard is the true facilitator of the current FIFA World Champions. 

If City are to go all the way and retain their UCL title this season, then Rodri will likely be the most decisive factor. The goals and assists are regularly shared all around the squad, but the Spanish international's dominant midfield presence is constant.

🎶 Rodri's on fire 🔥#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/Wm3BUzqdp7

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 11, 2023

Kevin de Bruyne is another City midfielder who could be in with a shot of winning the Player of the Season award, however, after missing the group stages due to a long-term injury, he'll have to deliver many magnificent performances in the knockout stages to stake a genuine claim. 

Guardiola's team are expected to win the UCL again this season, at least according to the vast majority of reputable bookmakers, and that could pave the way for arguably their most vital player, Rodri, to win the individual award again. 

Nonetheless, the ever-prolific Kane could be on hand to add to his long list of individual accolades if he leads his new club to glory at Manchester City's expense. The award is typically given to a member of the winning team, meaning Rodri and Kane should be viewed as the leading candidates for this campaign.