UEFA Europa 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.
Javi Rueda (’02) (RB) – Celta Vigo
Javi Rueda’s CompaGPT Physical report:
In the match against PAOK, where Celta de Vigo secured a 3-1 victory, Javi Rueda played for 86 minutes. He demonstrated exceptional sprinting capabilities, achieving a sprinting distance average of 610.89 meters per match, positioning him as the top performer out of 57 players in the same position. This surpasses the next best performer, Lorenz Assignon, who recorded 472.1 meters. Such superior sprinting distances indicate Rueda’s ability to cover vast areas of the field rapidly, an asset for both defensive recoveries and supporting forward plays. Rueda also excelled in sprint count, averaging 33 sprints per match, which was the highest among his peers, closely followed by Lorenz Assignon with 32. This high frequency of sprints reflects his dynamic playstyle and readiness to engage in quick transitions, vital for a modern full-back tasked with both defensive duties and attacking support. Moreover, his high-intensity distance of 1312.13 meters per match ranked him second in his position, just behind Lorenz Assignon’s 1350.62 meters. This demonstrates Rueda’s consistent engagement in high-energy actions, essential for pressuring opponents and creating opportunities in transition play.
Javi Rueda’s strongest performance parameters in the selected matches highlight his sprinting distance, sprint count, and high-intensity distance, showcasing his physical dominance and tactical importance as a right-back. His top rankings in these areas underline his capacity to impact both defensive and offensive phases effectively. This ability to sustain high-intensity movements across the match duration can be pivotal for Celta de Vigo’s tactical setups, enhancing their ability to counter-press and transition quickly.
Javi Rueda (’02) (RB) – Celta Vigo
Rodrigo Mora (’07) (CMF) – Porto
Rodrigo Mora’s CompaGPT Physical report:
Rodrigo Mora’s performance in the selected match highlights his impressive physical capabilities. Leading the pack in sprinting distance with an average of 338.06 meters per match, Mora ranks first out of 76 players in the CMF position. This surpasses the next best performer, Armin Gigovic, who averages 307.95 meters. Mora’s ability to cover such sprinting distances indicates his high work rate and stamina, vital for maintaining pressure and supporting both offensive and defensive transitions. Furthermore, his sprint count also places him at the top, averaging 26 sprints per match, again ahead of Gigovic, who averages 22. This demonstrates Mora’s capacity for explosive movements, crucial for breaking through defensive lines and initiating counter-attacks.
Rodrigo Mora’s best ranking parameters in the selected matches reveal his significant strength in physical performance metrics. His top rankings in sprinting distance and sprint count underscore his high energy levels and stamina, essential for a central midfielder tasked with bridging defense and attack. Additionally, his noteworthy maximum speed further adds to his dynamic profile, making him a valuable asset in high-tempo games where quick transitions are pivotal. These attributes tactically benefit Porto by enabling Mora to effectively disrupt opposition plays and contribute to swift offensive maneuvers.
Rodrigo Mora (’07) (CMF) – Porto
Ayase Ueda (’98) (CF) – Feyenoord
Ayase Ueda’s CompaGPT Physical report:
Ueda led the rankings with an average of 903.41 meters covered in high-speed running per match, showcasing his stamina and ability to sustain high-intensity efforts over extended periods. This performance highlights Ueda’s potential as a relentless forward capable of making significant contributions both offensively and defensively through constant movement and pressure. Moreover, Ueda excelled in high-intensity distance, covering 1295.58 meters on average, and in high-speed run count, achieving 66 runs per match, both ranking him first among his peers. These metrics underscore his overall athleticism and energy, crucial for a forward tasked with leading the line and engaging in both offensive and defensive duties.
Ayase Ueda’s performance in these selected matches highlights his exceptional physical capabilities, particularly in high acceleration and high-speed running metrics, where he consistently ranked first among center forwards. His ability to maintain high-intensity efforts throughout the match, especially in the second half, suggests significant tactical value for teams aiming to implement aggressive pressing strategies or exploit late-game counter-attacks. Ueda’s physical prowess provides Feyenoord with a dynamic presence upfront, capable of influencing match outcomes through relentless energy and movement.
Ayase Ueda (’98) (CF) – Feyenoord
