Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks for Matchday 1

Ahead of UEFA Champions League Matchday 1, UEFA.com looks at a number of the highest-owned players who could provide big returns on UCL Fantasy, presented by PlayStation.

GOALKEEPERS

It is little surprise that David Raya (€6.0m) is the highest-owned goalkeeper. The Spaniard was the Fantasy top scorer in his position last season with nine clean sheets and 74 points as Arsenal reached the final. Raya has also started the new campaign in fine form and is yet to concede after three games across all competitions, with a Matchday 1 visit to Napoli to come.

Thibaut Courtois (€6.0m) is the only other goalkeeper with a Fantasy ownership of over 20% for a home opener against Inter. Not only did the Real Madrid No1 collect 55 Fantasy points from his 11 appearances last season, he also registered two assists, an extremely rare achievement. Another La Liga goalkeeper proving popular leading up to Matchday 1 is Joan García (€5.0m), who has two clean sheets in Barcelona's opening three games of the season before Wednesday's match at home to Feyenoord.

While Fantasy bosses have been opting for budget pick Vanja Milinković-Savić (€4.0m), they should be aware the 29-year-old has not started either of Napoli's first two games in Serie A, with the significantly lesser-owned Alex Meret (€4.5m) selected instead.

Other popular choices: Yann Sommer (10%), Matvei Safonov (8%), Gianluigi Donnarumma (8%)

DEFENDERS

Fantasy managers are looking towards Paris defenders for their squads. Particularly popular is Nuno Mendes (€6.0m) who, after another strong Fantasy season in 2025/26, is courting plenty of attention again for the home game against Slovan Bratislava. The attacking left-back offers points potential from multiple avenues, gaining two goals, two assists, 87 ball recoveries and five clean sheets last season as the French side retained the Champions League.

Mendes is already owned by over 30% of Fantasy managers, more than any other defender including team-mate Achraf Hakimi (€6.0m), who like his fellow full-back is one of the top three highest-owned defenders. Completing that trio is Arsenal centre-back Gabriel (€6.0m), who is also included in more than a quarter of Fantasy teams following eight clean sheets and 79 points in 2025/26.

Following a strong start to the new campaign, another Arsenal defender's ownership has quickly risen. Riccardo Calafiori (€4.5m) has reached 20% after a goal and two assists across the Gunners' first three games, all of which he has started. Elsewhere, the ownership of Pau Cubarsí (€5.5m) has also already exceeded 20% with the Spanish centre-back offering a secure route into the Barcelona back line for Feyenoord's visit.

Other popular choices: Marc Cucurella (16%), Marquinhos (15%), Virgil van Dijk (14%)

MIDFIELDERS

Michael Olise (€9.0m), the only midfielder with an ownership in excess of 40%, produced five goals and a joint-best eight assists in the 2025/26 Champions League, playing a key role as Bayern München got to the semi-finals. He has started 2026/27 by scoring in the German champions' first three domestic fixtures and his side begin at home against Bodø/Glimt on Thursday.

The top Fantasy scorer among midfielders last season was Paris Saint-Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (€10.0m) and, despite his premium price tag, managers have not been put off after ten goals, six assists and 121 points in 2025/26, particularly given an enticing home opener against Slovan Bratislava.

Barcelona pair Lamine Yamal (€10.0m) and Raphinha (€9.5m) are each owned by over 25% of Fantasy bosses for the Matchday 1 meeting with Feyenoord. Both have made strong starts to the season, Yamal scoring twice in La Liga while Raphinha has five goals in his first three appearances.

Other popular choices: Jude Bellingham (25%), Vitinha (21%), Dominik Szoboszlai (18%)

FORWARDS

No player across all positions is owned by more Fantasy managers heading into Matchday 1 than Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé (€11.0m), who has scored four times already this season including a hat-trick against Real Sociedad. The top scorer in the 2025/26 Champions League with 15 goals in 11 appearances, 65% of Fantasy bosses have already added Mbappé to their squads; Madrid kick off at home to Inter.

Having recently opened his account for the new campaign, Harry Kane (€11.0m) is another premium forward favoured for Fantasy selection. The England international enjoyed an incredible 2025/26, hitting 61 goals in all competitions for Bayern, 14 of those in Europe. Kane was also the only forward to exceed 100 points in Fantasy and has a home fixture against Bodø/Glimt to kick off the new league phase.

Both Manchester City's Erling Haaland (€11.0m) and Ousmane Dembélé (€10.0m) of Paris scored eight Champions League goals last season. They are each among the top five highest-owned forwards with Fantasy managers hoping for a repeat of the 2025/26 form shown by the Norwegian in particular, Haaland finding the net seven times in the league phase; City kick off at Porto on Tuesday.

Other popular choices: Victor Osimhen (16%), Ferran Torres (12%), Pio Esposito (11%)