Vinicius Jr, Darwin Nunez and the Champions League’s breakout stars this season

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 26 May 2022 15:12 BST
• 4 min read

Another Champions League season is set to end, with Real Madrid taking on Liverpool in the final of the 2021-22 campaign in Saint-Denis.

This season has been an enthralling one and a host of youngsters have stepped up to prove their worth on Europe’s biggest stage.

Here are five players who have had breakout campaigns in Europe’s premier club cup competition who could potentially be carrying their careers forward at other clubs.

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Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius Jr. has had a stellar season with Real Madrid and it’s unlikely he’ll leave in the summer, but he has had a breakthrough campaign in the Spanish capital.

The winger has scored 21 goals across all competitions – his best return for the club since he signed in 2018 – and three of those goals, plus seven assists, have come in the Champions League.

He’s expected to continue improving in the coming years and carry forward his brilliant partnership with Karim Benzema, which has worked wonders this season.

Darwin Nunez

Darwin Nunez is a player wanted by many clubs and it comes as no surprise, seeing as he has scored six Champions League goals this season.

The 22-year-old scored in games against Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Ajax and Liverpool, adding to his 26 league goals, which has made him an in-demand figure across Europe.

The Uruguayan is under the radar of Manchester United, who are looking for a new forward, but Benfica’s high asking price may put them and many other clubs off.

Goncalo Inacio

Goncalo Inacio is only 20 and made his debut for Sporting in December 2020, but has risen to become a crucial part of their set-up.

The centre-back is one of Europe’s brightest young defenders, with his ability on the ball and aggressiveness proving to be a desired asset by many.

He was immense in Sporting’s Champions League run too, helping the club reach the knockout stages in a group consisting of Borussia Dortmund and Ajax.

Arnaut Danjuma

Villarreal had one of the stories of the season in the Champions League, reaching the semi-final before falling to Liverpool, and part of that run was Arnaut Danjuma.

The Dutchman only signed for Villarreal last summer in a €23.5 million deal and put in some fine performances, including one at Old Trafford against Manchester United and then against Bayern Munich.

The forward will be of interest to many across Europe and he could be on the move again – the talent is there in him to have a great career in the coming years.

Lisandro Martinez

This Ajax side have a host of star names and Lisandro Martinez is another – the defensive midfielder was a crucial cog in the Amsterdammers’ machine as they reached the Round of 16.

Ajax were perfect in the group stages, winning six matches out of six, including 4-0 and 3-1 thrashings of Borussia Dortmund, and Martinez was imperative to that.

With manager Erik ten Hag gone to Manchester United, he could bring Martinez to Old Trafford in the coming weeks as he reinvents his team.