Feast of Europe's finest

Each UEFA Champions League matchweek, uefa.com will discuss a hot topic in European football and invite users to give their own views. This week we want to know which player you believe has stood out from the rest as the player of the tournament.

By Pete Sanderson

In a recent interview with uefa.com, Zvonimir Boban, a Champions League winner with AC Milan, was asked who he felt had been the best player in this year's competition. "You can't ask me that," said the former Croatia star. "It's like handing me a box of all my favourite chocolates and telling me I can only have one."

Tough choice
Boban makes a fair point. This is the kind of question which prompts hours of debate between football fans but, with the semi-finals just a game away, the time has come for European football supporters to decide which individual has set the competition alight this season.

Hooray Henry 
While tried and tested footballing geniuses like Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Ronaldo are all likely to have their share of supporters, there are some newcomers to consider this season. One such player is AS Monaco FC's Croatian striker, Dado Pršo, who scored four in that historic 8-3 win over RC Deportivo La Coruña in the group stages.

Milan menace
It has also been a sensational first season in Europe for Milan's Kaká. Still just 21, the former São Paulo FC player has been one of Serie A's brightest stars since moving to the San Siro last summer. The creative fulcrum of Carlo Ancelotti's side, the Brazilian may yet help guide Milan to a Serie A and Champions League double.

Samba skills
Kaká is not the only Brazilian impressing on Europe's premier stage. Anyone who has had the pleasure of watching Olympique Lyonnais this season will also be keen to consider the claims of Juninho Pernambucano. The midfield player has been instrumental in their surge into the last eight, scoring five goals and illuminating the Stade Gerland with his dazzling portfolio of skills.

Boy in blue
Another contender who has excelled in his midfield role is Chelsea FC's Frank Lampard. He began the season as someone with great potential and, despite the arrival of some of the world's finest players to Stamford Bridge, has emerged as the key man in Chelsea's march to the final eight and someone who may play an important role for England at UEFA EURO 2004™.

French connection
But, for all the young pretenders, you would be hard-pushed to look beyond FIFA World Player of the Year Zidane and his French team-mate Henry. Few can fault Zidane's talent. A footballing statesman who has claimed every top honour, alongside David Beckham, Ronaldo and the ever-improving Iker Casillas in goal, Zidane has helped steer Real Madrid CF into the latter stages of this year's competition.

Thierry's all-gold
But Zidane would have few complaints if Henry was named player of the tournament. Quick, skilful and with a finish to match, Henry's goals have fired Arsenal FC to within spitting distance of the last four. The question is, do you think he has been the competition's most outstanding player or is there somebody else who deserves the accolade? Click here to have your say.