A: Sergio Aguero
The Argentina forward has emerged as one of the continent’s hottest assets after his arrival at Atletico Madrid from Independiente in 2006. Aguero has already struck 14 times this season and now has his sights on beating Porto.
B: Karim Benzema
Manchester City have already had a whopping bid for Benzema turned down by Lyon, while Manchester United are also keeping an eye on him. The pacy French striker has scored nine goals in his past 13 Champions League games.
C: Cristiano Ronaldo
The greatest player in the world right now. Manchester United’s superstar forward is unstoppable on his day and Jose Mourinho will be fearful of facing his fellow countryman when Inter host the European champions this week.
D: David Villa
After firing Spain to glory at Euro 2008, Villa has continued his electrifying form for Valencia. The striker has struck over 20 goals in each one of the past three seasons – and he has already passed that landmark in this campaign.
E: Samuel Eto’o
After being threatened with the axe at Barcelona last summer, Eto’o has bounced back to his thrilling best at the Nou Camp. The Cameroon hitman has already grabbed 26 goals in 31 games this season. Lyon will have their hands full in the Champions League.
F: Cesc Fabregas
The Spanish midfielder is currently sidelined with knee ligament damage and Arsenal badly miss him. Still only 21, Fabregas has wowed Europe with a string of mature displays at the heart of the Gunners’ side. A key figure for the Euro 2008 winners.
G: Gianluigi Buffon
The Juventus star is the man tasked with keeping out Chelsea in the Champions League. Buffon, a consistently high performer for the past decade, has barely played this season because of a torn leg muscle but is now back between the posts.
H: Thierry Henry
Remember when Henry was written off within months off signing for Barcelona from Arsenal? Well, the French forward is back to his sumptuous best for the Spaniards, with 15 goals this season to boot.
I: Iker Casillas
Before Shay Given completed his move, Manchester City were weighing up a world-record bid for Real Madrid stopper Casillas. Now in his 10th season at the Bernabeu, he has won the Champions League twice as well as starring in Spain’s Euro 2008 triumph.
J: Juan
Top class Brazilian defenders are few and far between but Juan is one of the continent’s best centre-backs. Roma will badly miss him if a thigh strain rules the star out of the Champions League clash with Arsenal.
K: Kaka
The AC Milan forward – now an even bigger hero at the San Siro after turning down Manchester City’s millions – remains one of Europe’s hottest talents. The Brazilian ace may have missed out on the Champions League this season but he’ll be back to terrorise the top defences again soon.
L: Frank Lampard
Chelsea's Mr Consistent. Lampard is the heartbeat at the Blues and will inevitably become a favourite of new boss Guus Hiddink. The midfielder has reached 20 goals in each of the past three season and is on course to pass that landmark again this campaign.
M: Lionel Messi
This list has already featured two Barcelona stars but there is little doubt as to who is their golden boy. Argentina forward Messi has taken the game by storm after his emergence in 2005. Have we finally found the ‘new Maradona’?
N: Ruud van Nistelrooy
Out for the season but not forgotten. Real Madrid hitman Van Nistelrooy has scored an astonishing 317 career goals in 499 games. Does Sir Alex Ferguson regret letting his deadly Dutchman depart Manchester United in 2006?
O: Mesut Ozil
One to watch in the future. The Turkish-born attacking midfielder has recently been called up by Germany after a string a impressive displays for his club Werder Bremen.
P: Alexandre Pato
Despite operating in Kaka’s shadow for both AC Milan and Brazil, Pato is earning a reputation as one of Europe’s big stars. The forward has averaged almost a goal every other game since signing from Internacional in 2007.
Q: Fabio Quagliarella
The jury is still out on Quagliarella despite his elevation to becoming an Italian international. The 26-year-old forward has stumbled around a few club before finally settling at Udinese. Needs to be tested at the highest level.
R: Robinho
Whether Manchester City £34million investment pays off remains to be seen but there is no doubting Robinho’s talent. The Brazilian is undoubtedly a tough challenge for any manager but the forward is a true match winner – and that is what counts on the pitch.
S: Steven Gerrard
Liverpool are desperate for Gerrard to return from injury for their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid. The inspirational midfielder continues to drag the Reds from the brink of meltdown to the cusp of glory. Any doubters should replay the finals of the 2005 Champions League and 2006 FA Cup.
T: Fernando Torres
Another star rising above the dross at Anfield. Torres has blossomed into one of Europe’s deadliest strikers since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2007. Liverpool fans will worry that he will demand more trophies after his triumph with Spain at Euro 2008.
U: Tomas Ujfalusi
OK, we were struggling on this letter. But let’s not be too harsh on Tomas. The Czech defender could play a big part in whether Atletico Madrid progress any further in the Champions League.
V: Nemanja Vidic
One half of the mean partnership at the heart of Manchester United’s backline. The Serbian defender has been incredible this season and now looks a snip at the £7m they paid Spartak Moscow for him. Suspended Vidic will be badly missed in the first leg against Inter Milan.
W: Wayne Rooney
The one England striker who strikes genuine fear into opposition teams. Rooney has established himself as a Manchester United great and it is no surprise Carlos Tevez struggles for a game at Old Trafford. Needs his A-Game for the double-header with Inter.
X: Xavi
A key cog in the Barcelona side widely tipped to sweep aside the English contingent for Champions League glory. Xavi may not possess the headline-grabbing skills of Messi and Co but his work at the heart of the Spaniards’ side can never be under-estimated.
Y: Yuri Zhirkov
One of the rising stars of Russian football under national boss Guus Hiddink. The midfielder has emerged alongside the likes of Andrey Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko after impressing for CSKA Moscow.
Z: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
And finally, Z. Admittedly, there were not many contenders but Ibrahimovic deserves to be ranked among the best in the world. Arrogant and moody, yet Jose Mourinho ranks him above Cristiano Ronaldo as the best on the planet. So he must be good, right?
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