Champions League Fantasy Football: Forwards for every budget

With so many strikers to choose from and only three slots to fill, managers have some tough decisions to make for their opening squad. Fortunately, UEFA.com are here to help ahead of Matchday 1 on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

PREMIUM OPTIONS

Karim Benzema (€11.0m) took the UEFA Champions League by storm last season, scoring a career-best 15 goals in Real Madrid's march to their 14th European Cup. The Frenchman already has four goals in as many appearances this season, and with over half of the #UCLfantasy playerbase currently selecting him in their squads, plenty is expected of him once again.

It's a case of different club, same story for Robert Lewandowski (€11.0m). The Pole appears to adapted with ease following his summer move to Barcelona, and if his UEFA Champions League scoring rate for previous club Bayern is any guide, prospective owners can expect a glut of goals. Joint third on the all-time list of goalscorers in the competition with 86, Lewandowski rarely lets owners down.

Another striker flourishing in new surroundings is Erling Haaland (€11.0m), who seems to score wherever he goes. Having already hit a hat-trick in the Premier League for Manchester City, it seems likely he will continue his incredible scoring record in the UEFA Champions League.

Fantasy managers are spoilt for choice when it comes to attacking options at Paris Saint-Germain as Kylian Mbappé (€11.0m), Lionel Messi (€10.5m) and Neymar (€10.0m) can all make a strong case for inclusion. Neymar is arguably the most appealing right now given his early-season form, with the Brazilian having already reached double figures in terms of goal involvements on the domestic front.

MID-PRICED OPTIONS

If you want to go a little cheaper, there are plenty of enticing options. Romelu Lukaku (€9.0m) is back at Inter, where his previous stint yielded 64 goals in 95 appearances, while strike partner Lautaro Martínez (€8.5m) offers a slightly cheaper alternative into the Nerazzurri front line.

Dušan Vlahović (€9.0m) has started the season strongly for Juventus and his quality in front of goal will be crucial for the Italian side's prospects in a group containing Paris and Benfica. Serie A rivals Milan, meanwhile, have the exciting Rafael Leão (€8.5m) in their ranks, as well as the dependable Olivier Giroud (€8.0m), who has been largely overlooked by #UCLfantasy managers so far.

Darwin Núñez (€8.5m) has certainly caught the attention of investors though, with 14% of #UCLfantasy managers having selected the Liverpool striker so far. The Uruguayan was instrumental in Benfica's run to the quarter-finals last season, scoring six goals and earning two Player of the Match awards.

BUDGET OPTIONS

Some #UCLfantasy managers will opt for a budget-friendly third striker to complete their attacking trio, and there are a few options to choose from in that department.

Benfica forward David Neres (€7.0m) certainly made a splash in qualifying, registering a goal and four assists in his three appearances, and could provide excellent value for money.

Alexis Sánchez (€6.5m) has made a bright start at new employers Marseille, scoring twice against Nice on just his second start, and on Matchday 1 the French side take on Tottenham, whom Sánchez has previously scored three goals against during his time at Arsenal and Manchester United.

Salzburg have often been a source of #UCLfantasy points in the past, and promising young striker Benjamin Šeško (€6.0m) – who has been finding the net so far this season – could be the standout choice from the Austrian champions in 2022/23.

Although there is stiff competition in the Ajax attacking ranks, Brian Brobbey (€5.5m) has been picked in the starting line-up of late and has rewarded manager Alfred Schreuder's faith with two goals and two assists in his five appearances to date.