NHL LIVE ™
Hometown Hockey

Gallery: 10 to watch in Champions League

Alexis-Sanchez-Arsenal

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, left, in action. Matt Dunham/AP

Geoff Lowe February 15, 2016, 12:27 PM
Geoff Lowe February 15, 2016, 12:27 PM

With the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League kicking off this week, here’s a look at 10 players to watch as the knockout stage begins.

——

Lionel Messi - Barcelona: The defending champs were without Messi for the final three group matches, but the Argentinian superstar still managed a trio of goals and an assist. Barcelona is riddled with talent up and down the lineup, but Messi remains their most important player.
Lionel Messi – Barcelona: The defending champs were without Messi for the final three group matches, but the Argentinian superstar still managed a trio of goals and an assist. Barcelona is loaded with talent up and down their starting lineup, but Messi remains their most important player.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid: The tournament’s leading scorer had 11 goals in Madrid’s undefeated group stage run and has been far-and-away the most dominant player in Europe this season. Real Madrid’s fate rests in Ronaldo’s hands.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid: The tournament’s leading scorer had 11 goals in Madrid’s undefeated group stage run and has been far-and-away the most dominant player in Europe this season. Real Madrid’s fate rests largely in Ronaldo’s hands.

Paul Pogba - Juventus: The powerful French midfielder has played every minute of every Champions League game for Juventus this campaign, and is instrumental both offensively and defensively for the reigning Italian champions.
Paul Pogba – Juventus: The powerful French midfielder has played every minute of every Champions League game for Juventus this campaign, and is instrumental both offensively and defensively for the reigning Italian champions.

Sergio Aguero - Manchester City: The Argentinian striker played in just three group stage games, scoring just once, but is now healthy as the knockout round kicks off. With Kevin De Bruyne out, Aguero’s nose for the net becomes that much more crucial.
Sergio Aguero – Manchester City: The Argentinian striker played in just three group stage games, scoring just once, but is now healthy as the knockout round kicks off. With Kevin De Bruyne out, Aguero’s nose for goals becomes that much more crucial.

Angel Di Maria - PSG: Added from Manchester United in the summer, Di Maria provided 25 per cent of PSG’s offence in the group stage. Chelsea will be no easy out for the Ligue 1 leaders, so the Argentinian winger will be key in the Round of 16.
Angel Di Maria – PSG: Added from Manchester United in the summer, Di Maria provided 25 percent of PSG’s offence in the group stage. Chelsea will be no easy out for the Ligue 1 leaders, so the Argentinian winger will be key in the Round of 16.

Petr Cech - Arsenal: Arsenal made it out of the group stage by the skin of their teeth, and it gets no easier in the Round of 16 against Barcelona. There’s going to be goals in this matchup, but stopping Barca’s big three is key for the Gunners and that starts with their 33-year-old ‘keeper.
Petr Cech – Arsenal: Arsenal made it out of the group stage by the skin of their teeth, and it gets no easier in the Round of 16 against Barcelona. There’s going to be goals in this matchup, but stopping Barca’s big three is key for the Gunners and that starts with their 33-year-old goalkeeper.

David Alaba - Bayern Munich: The 23-year-old Austrian player of the year works from left-back for for Munich, but what makes Alaba so dangerous is his versatility. He’s a threat from all over the field.
David Alaba – Bayern Munich: The 23-year-old Austrian player of the year operates as a left fullback for Munich, but what makes Alaba so dangerous is his versatility. He’s a threat from all over the field.

Antoine Griezmann - Atletico Madrid: The 24-year-old Frenchman played in every group stage game and is Atletico Madrid’s leading scorer in the tournament thanks to a pair of two-goal performances.
Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid: The 24-year-old Frenchman played in every group stage game and is Atletico Madrid’s leading scorer in the tournament thanks to a pair of two-goal performances.

Artyom Dzyuba - Zenit St. Petersburg: The tournament’s third-leading scorer, Dzyuba accounted for six of Zenit’s 13 group-stage goals and was key to their first place Group H finish.
Artyom Dzyuba – Zenit St. Petersburg: The tournament’s third-leading scorer, Dzyuba accounted for six of Zenit’s 13 group-stage goals and was key to their first place Group H finish.

Willian - Chelsea: Chelsea have had a tough go of it domestically, but still have life on the biggest stage. With five goals in the group stage, Willian has been the key to the Blues’ Champions League success. His scoring will be needed against a PSG squad that has surrendered just one goal all tournament.
Willian – Chelsea: Chelsea have had a tough go of it domestically, but still have life on the biggest stage. With five goals in the group stage, Willian has been the key to the Blues’ Champions League success. His scoring will be needed against a PSG squad that has surrendered just one goal all tournament.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.

LATEST CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE NEWS

Botafogo stuns Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain in Club World Cup
3 weeks ago
Champions League celebrations in France overshadowed by violence
1 month ago
Paris Saint-Germain thrashes Inter Milan in historic Champions League win
1 month ago
Paris Saint-Germain dominates Inter Milan to capture first Champions League title
1 month ago
UEFA Champions League final: What you need to know 
1 month ago
Emery confronts ref after call hurts Villa's bid to reach Champions League
1 month ago
Arsenal stuns Barcelona to win Women's Champions League title
1 month ago
Aston Villa, Chelsea win at home to raise Champions League hopes
2 months ago

Select your favourite teams

Search

  • Nearby

    To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings.

My Favourites

None

Next

Select your favourite leagues & sports

Search

    My Favourites

    None

    Done Back

    My Favourites saved

    Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too?

    Not now Create an account 
    Not now

    My
    News

    Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams.

    Customize

    Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams.

      /

      There isn’t enough recent news in your lineup. We’ll give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites.

      feedback

      LATEST CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE NEWS

      Botafogo stuns Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain in Club World Cup
      3 weeks ago
      Champions League celebrations in France overshadowed by violence
      1 month ago
      Paris Saint-Germain thrashes Inter Milan in historic Champions League win
      1 month ago
      Paris Saint-Germain dominates Inter Milan to capture first Champions League title
      1 month ago
      UEFA Champions League final: What you need to know 
      1 month ago
      Emery confronts ref after call hurts Villa's bid to reach Champions League
      1 month ago
      Arsenal stuns Barcelona to win Women's Champions League title
      1 month ago
      Aston Villa, Chelsea win at home to raise Champions League hopes
      2 months ago

      Reset Password Email Sent

      We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.

      Close

      Create New Password

      We'll send you a link to create a new password.

      {* #forgotPasswordForm *}
      Email
      {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *}
      {* forgotPassword_sendButton *}
      {* /forgotPasswordForm *}

      Almost Done!

      {* #legalAcceptancePostLoginForm_radio *}
      Name
      {* name *}
      Display Name
      {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *}
      Email
      {* email *}

      By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media.

      Loading...
      {* legalAcceptanceAcceptButton *}
      {* /legalAcceptancePostLoginForm_radio *}
      {* mergeAccounts *}

      My profile

      {* profilePhotoCustom *}

      {* public_profileBlurb *}

      {* public_displayName *}
      {* public_name *} {* public_gender *} {* public_birthdate *} {* public_emailAddress *} {* public_address *} {* public_phoneNumber *}
      Close

      Your account has been created!

      Updating your profile data...
      Submit

      Your account has been created

      Next, select your favourite teams and leagues and we’ll show you their latest news and scores in the My Favourites section of the home page.

      Continue
      Skip personalization

      Sign In

      Welcome back, {* welcomeName *}!

      {* loginWidget *}
      Or
      Use another account

      Sign In

      Welcome back, !

      {* #userInformationForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* traditionalSignIn_password *}
      Forgot your password?
      {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}
      {* /userInformationForm *}
      Or
      Use another account

      Almost Done!

      Please confirm the information below before signing up.

      {* #socialRegistrationForm_radio_2 *} {* socialRegistration_firstName *} {* socialRegistration_lastName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media.
      {* /socialRegistrationForm_radio_2 *}

      Sign in to complete account merge

      {* #tradAuthenticateMergeForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* mergePassword *}
      {* backButton *} {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}
      {* /tradAuthenticateMergeForm *}
      Sign in to Sportsnet
      Subscribe to league newsletters
      Play fantasy sports
      Comment and participate in our online community
      Sign In
      Sign Up
      {* #registrationForm_radio_2 *}
      First Name
      {* traditionalRegistration_firstName *}
      Last Name
      {* traditionalRegistration_lastName *}
      Display Name
      {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *}
      Email
      {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddress *}
      Create Password
      {* traditionalRegistration_password *}

      Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! (approx 1 - 2 per week)

      By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media.

      {* createAccountButton *}
      {* /registrationForm_radio_2 *}

      Or sign up with:

      {* loginWidget *}

      Your Verification Email Has Been Sent

      Check your email for a link to reset your password.
      Sign in

      Reset Password Email Sent

      We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.
      Close

      Create a new password

      We didn't recognize that password reset code. Enter your email address to get a new one.

      {* #resetPasswordForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *}
      {* forgotPassword_sendButton *}
      {* /resetPasswordForm *}

      Password Changed

      Your password has been changed successfully.

      Close

      Change password

      {* newPasswordForm *}
      New Password
      {* newpassword *}
      Re-type New Password
      {* newpasswordConfirm *}
      {* submitButton *}
      {* /newPasswordForm *}

      You did it!

      Thank you for verifying your email address.
      OK

      Resend Email Verification

      Sorry we could not verify that email address. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email.

      {* #resendVerificationForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *}
      {* submitButton *}
      {* /resendVerificationForm *}
      Sign in to Sportsnet
      Subscribe to league newsletters
      Play fantasy sports
      Comment and participate in our online community
      Sign In
      Sign Up
      {* #userInformationForm *}
      Email
      ?You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here.
      {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *}
      Password
      {* traditionalSignIn_password *}
      {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *} {* traditionalSignIn_createButton *}
      Forgot your password?
      {* /userInformationForm *}

      Or sign in with:

      {* loginWidget *}

      So sorry to see you go!

      Close
      Close

      Unsubscribe failed

      Close
      Close