UEFA Champions League has always been a breeding ground for talent, and the 2025/26 season is no exception. With rising stars making their mark, we have identified the top three players who have been standout performers so far. Alongside them, we present the Best Fitness XI, showcasing the most promising talents across all positions. These players are not only shaping the present of Europe football but also paving the way for its future. Let’s dive into the best emerging talents of the season!
This detailed analysis equips clubs, scouts, and analysts with valuable insights into emerging athletes whose physical performances set them apart on the pitch. Powered by AI and extracted from broadcast data, these metrics provide accurate and contextual benchmarks for player evaluation.
Powered by CompaGPT, the cutting-edge AI tool from Comparisonator, this analysis turns complex football data into clear, actionable insights. With its latest advancements, CompaGPT transforms squad analysis, delivering an instant, comprehensive view of team performance. In seconds, it highlights standout players, identifies emerging young talents, and pinpoints key areas for improvement.
More than just analysis, CompaGPT provides strategic guidance to optimize transfer strategies. By accurately detecting top potential signings, it enables clubs to reinforce key positions and scout future stars with precision. With CompaGPT, raw data becomes powerful, data-driven intelligence, giving teams a competitive edge in the transfer market.
Ivan Fresneda (’04) (CB) – Sporting
Ivan Fresneda’s CompaGPT Physical report:
He led the rankings in several key performance areas, starting with Total Distance covered. Fresneda averaged 11,706.75 meters per match, placing him first among 102 players in his position. This demonstrates his high work rate and stamina, critical for a center-back in maintaining defensive solidity and supporting offensive transitions. Fresneda also excelled in High Speed Running Distance, averaging 914.11 meters per match, again ranking first. This indicates his ability to swiftly recover and track back, a vital attribute for countering opposition breaks and maintaining defensive shape. Additionally, his Sprinting Distance averaged 721.79 meters per match, highlighting his explosive speed in short bursts, essential for pressing and defensive duels.
Iván Fresneda’s best ranking parameters in the selected matches are his Total Distance covered, High Speed Running Distance, Sprinting Distance, High Intensity Distance, and High Speed Run Count. These metrics illustrate his exceptional physical capacity and tactical importance as a center-back. His ability to cover large distances, maintain high intensity, and execute rapid movements make him a crucial component of Sporting CP’s defensive and transitional play. His performance in these areas can be instrumental in sustaining pressure on opponents and enabling swift transitions from defense to attack.
Ivan Fresneda (’04) (CB) – Sporting
Pablo Barrios (’03) (CMF) – Atletico Madrid
Pablo Barrios’s CompaGPT Physical report:
Pablo Barrios demonstrated remarkable endurance and dynamism, ranking first among 77 players in several key physical metrics. His exceptional total distance covered, averaging 12025.87 meters per match, places him at the forefront, surpassing other players like Lamine Camara who averaged 11708.16 meters. This indicates Barrios’s superior work rate and ability to contribute consistently over extended periods, crucial for maintaining midfield pressure and supporting both defensive and offensive transitions. Additionally, Barrios excelled in acceleration metrics, ranking first in medium acceleration count with 287 and high deceleration count with 44. These figures highlight his agility and quickness in changing pace, which is tactically significant for breaking through opposition lines and recovering defensively. His high intensity count of 92 further underscores his consistent application of pressure and ability to maintain high activity levels throughout the match.
Pablo Barrios showcases his physical prowess through leading metrics such as total distance covered, second-half endurance, and acceleration counts. His ability to sustain high-intensity efforts and make impactful contributions both offensively and defensively provides tactical flexibility and robustness to Atlético Madrid’s midfield dynamics. These strengths underscore his role as a key player in maintaining the team’s competitive edge in high-stakes matches.
Pablo Barrios (’03) (CMF) – Atletico Madrid
Anthony Gordon (’01) (CF) – Newcastle Utd
Anthony Gordon’s CompaGPT Physical report:
Anthony Gordon demonstrated notable physical prowess, particularly in areas related to high acceleration and sprinting during the analyzed period. In the match against Barcelona, he achieved a top ranking in high acceleration count, averaging 46 per match, which was the highest among 80 players in the CF position. This indicates his ability to rapidly change pace and contribute to offensive plays, presenting a tactical advantage in breaking defensive lines and creating scoring opportunities. Another significant area of performance was his sprinting distance, where he led with an average of 499.73 meters per match, outperforming competitors like Nicolas Pépé. This showcases his capacity for sustained high-speed movement, essential for pressing opponents, stretching defenses, and supporting quick transitions.
Anthony Gordon’s performance in the selected matches highlighted his exceptional capability in high acceleration and sprinting metrics, placing him at the forefront among his peers in the CF position. His top-ranking parameters in high acceleration count, sprinting distance, and high intensity count emphasize his tactical significance in offensive play and pressure maintenance, reinforcing his role as a dynamic and impactful player for Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League.
Anthony Gordon (’01) (CF) – Newcastle Utd
