Champions League Fantasy Football: Who's in form?

As Matchday 7 of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League draws nearer, UEFA.com singles out five players who have been making a splash on the domestic front ahead of the return of #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

VICTOR OSIMHEN (€7.9M) – NAPOLI

The Nigerian forward was absent for much of Napoli's group stage campaign through injury, playing just 170 minutes, but the in-form striker is now fit, firing and one of the first names on Luciano Spalletti's team sheet. Osimhen is the leading scorer in Serie A on 16 goals, four more than any other player, and has goals in his last five league games for the Italian league leaders. Napoli face Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 and Osimhen is bound to attract attention from #UCLfantasy managers in light of his impressive scoring run.

LIONEL MESSI (€10.6M) – PARIS

The recently-crowned FIFA World Cup winner is enjoying a much more fruitful campaign compared to his first season in Paris, and has continued to perform at the highest level since his heroics in national colours. With team-mate Kylian Mbappé set to miss the round of 16 first leg against Bayern through injury and doubts over Neymar's fitness, the onus could be on Messi to carry the French champions into the quarter-finals. The 35-year-old was directly involved in eight goals during the group stage, and has scored four goals and provided two assists in six UEFA Champions League knockout meetings with Bayern.

HARRY KANE (€10.5M) – TOTTENHAM

The Tottenham forward only found the net twice during the group stage, but it has otherwise been another stellar goalscoring campaign for Kane, who recently set a new club record with his 267th strike for the Lilywhites. The striker is closing in on 20 goals in all competitions for the ninth consecutive season, and has found the net eight times in his last ten appearances for club and country. He is currently selected in just 4% of #UCLfantasy squads, but the prospect of facing an out-for-form Milan side in the round of 16 means that number is likely to rise.

JOÃO MÁRIO (€6.1M) – BENFICA

The generously-priced Mário was in superb form during Benfica's unbeaten Group H campaign, providing four goals and an assist as Roger Schmidt's side finished ahead of Paris. The midfielder is joint top scorer in the Portuguese Liga with 12 goals, and has five goals in his last three games. The 30-year-old offers superb value for money, and given that only three midfielders still active in the UEFA Champions League have scored more #UCLfantasy points, the 5%-owned asset looks an excellent differential option when Benfica take on Club Brugge.

LAUTARO MARTÍNEZ (€8.5M) – INTER

Osimhen is not the only Serie A striker who has hit a rich vein of form, with World Cup winner Martínez also enjoying a purple patch. Just one goal in the group stage could deter #UCLfantasy managers from including the Argentinian in their Matchday 7 squad, but he has seven goals in his last eight games in all competitions. Inter are in fine form ahead of their tie against Porto, with just one defeat from their last 11 competitive fixtures, and Martínez looks the best Fantasy option from Simone Inzaghi's team.