With the halfway stage of the season upon us, the time has come to shine a spotlight on the players who have made the biggest impact across Europe's major leagues. But first, let's run through the lay of the land.

In Germany, we have another one-horse race in the Bundesliga, with Vincent Kompany's free-flowing Bayern Munich already holding a commanding nine-point lead over Borussia Dortmund at the summit. A predictable narrative is not unfolding in Ligue 1, however, as Paris Saint-Germain are finding their supremacy challenged by surprise package Lens, while Marseille and Lille have so far also shown the consistency needed to sustain a tilt for the French crown.

The biggest drama is being provided by Serie A, though, where the top five are separated by just four points, with Inter currently leading the way ahead of arch-rivals AC Milan, reigning Italian champions Napoli, a much-improved Roma and a resurgent Juventus.

Meanwhile, there are two teams in the title mix in La Liga, where Barcelona are currently holding off Real Madrid, while in the Premier League, Arsenal have emerged as the early frontrunners again and seem to have real staying power this time around, though Manchester City are right on their tails after returning to something approaching their best, and Aston Villa are also fighting at the top as they continue to improve year on year under Unai Emery.

Arsenal are also atop the Champions League league phase table, two points ahead of Bayern. Behind them, the race for a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the round of 16 is still very open heading into the final two fixtures, with the likes of Liverpool, Dortmund, Chelsea and Barca all hovering just below the cut-off line.

But who have been the standout performers? GOAL has assembled our European Team of the 2025-26 Season so far, with our picks based on each player's individual statistics and their ability to set the standard of excellence for sides pushing for silverware…

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    GK: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)

    Thibaut Courtois has been busier than he would have liked this season, because Real Madrid have quickly lost their way under Xabi Alonso amid a nightmare influx of defensive injuries. But that has allowed the 33-year-old to remind the world of why he is still the best goalkeeper in the business.

    The Belgian has been especially impressive in the Champions League, making 28 saves in five appearances – the best record of any shot-stopper in the competition after the same number of games – with eight of those coming in one outstanding display against Liverpool at Anfield.

    Real Madrid are still in the hunt for trophies because of Courtois, and even his fiercest rivals bow to his greatness, with Athletic Club and Spain No.1 Unai Simon saying to in November: "If Courtois can't reach a ball, none of us can. It's impossible to find anyone better than him."

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    RB: Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)

    Jurrien Timber has been essential to Arsenal's progress at both ends of the pitch this season. The aggressive Dutch right-back drives the team forward with his progressive passing and ball carrying, and is a master in one-v-one situations, as evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 10 for tackles won in the Premier League this term.

    "He’s been phenomenal in every department," Mikel Arteta said after Timber produced a star turn in the Gunners' 3-0 Champions League win over Slavia Prague. "I think he’s taken his level and the team’s level to a different dimension."

    To earn that kind of praise from the manager speaks volumes. Arsenal are blessed with quality in all areas of the pitch, but no one is more important to the way they function as a collective than Timber.

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    CB: Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

    Dayot Upamecano has faced plenty of criticism during his time at Bayern Munich, with the main gripe being that he hasn't done enough to unlock his huge potential. The France centre-half has silenced the doubters over the last few months, though, providing the rock-solid platform on which Bayern have built their latest assault on three trophy fronts.

    Forging a formidable new partnership with summer signing Jonathan Tah, Upamecano has been a monster in his duels and made massive improvements in terms of his decision-making, thriving in Kompany's high defensive line. Speculation over his future has been raging as he edges towards the final six months of his contract, and Bayern have to make sure he stays put if they are serious about becoming the dominant force in Germany and the Champions League again, because he's made himself indispensable.

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    CB: Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)

    Arsenal have been branded 'Set Piece FC' because of how well they have exploited dead-ball situations to outpace their rivals in the first half of the campaign, and Gabriel Magalhaes has been the face of that new approach. The Brazilian is the target whenever Declan Rice or Bukayo Saka whip the ball into the penalty area, with few players able to compete against his natural physicality and determination.

    Gabriel will chip in with crucial goals, like his stoppage-time winner at Newcastle, and rise highest to cut out any aerial danger at the back. He also plays a key role in the team's build-up play with his line-breaking distribution. To illustrate that point, the 27-year-old's best performance of the season came in the Gunners' 4-0 thumping of Atletico Madrid, where he not only headed in the opener, but also completed 89 per cent of his passes and created one key chance.