Ranking the 10 best players left in the Champions League

With four sides left vying for Europe's top prize, the exploits of the continent's best sides could be determined by a momentary display of individual brilliance.

With that in mind, here's a look at the 10 best players left in the Champions League, based on their achievements this season both domestically and in Europe:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

For all the subjectivity involved in forming a top-10 list, there's no question that Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo sits alone atop the zenith of Europe's best.

Domestically, the Portuguese international has been unstoppable at times, leading Real with 31 goals and 11 assists in 34 matches. On the continent, Ronaldo has been just as lethal, with a competition-best 16 goals. Next best is Barcelona's Luis Suarez and two others with eight. No argument here.

2. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

After Ronaldo's pre-eminent place on the list, the argument begins, with his Los Blancos teammate Gareth Bale snatching the second spot.

Despite a host of injuries that have hampered the Welsh international's third season at the Santiago Bernabeu - not the least of which is a recurring calf issue - the pacey winger's statistics are obscene. In 21 La Liga matches, the 26-year-old has 18 goals coupled with 10 assists. That breaks down to a direct involvement in 1.3 goals per match. That's good.

3. Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

Like Bale, Bayern Munich everyman Thomas Muller benefits from a varied array of attack-minded skills. If the clutch gene exists, the World Cup winner has it in droves.

This season, the 26-year-old Bayern vet has excelled as second striker to Robert Lewandowski, scoring 19 times in 29 matches in guiding the Bavarian giants to its fourth consecutive league title. In Europe, Muller played a vital role in Bayern outscoring its opponents 28-8, eight of which were courtesy of the 70-time capped international, good enough for joint-second in the competition.

4. David Alaba (Bayern Munich)

The first and only defender to feature on the list, Bayern Munich full-back David Alaba is one of Europe's most varied talents. The Vienna-born international is a leader for club and country.

Only 23, Alaba's best days may be remarkably still ahead of him and as the most versatile player left in the tournament, the Austrian merits a shout. With 27 league appearances paired with eight in Europe, Alaba has plied his trade both as a left-back and central defender, bailing out a Bayern side rife with defensive injuries all season.

5. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid is the tournament's most consolidated outfit, and among a squad littered with decorated individuals, French international Antoine Griezmann attacker stands out.

Adept on either wing or in an advanced central strike position, the 25-year-old Real Sociedad academy product is a two-footed, goal-scoring talent in a decidedly defensive-minded team.

Often overlooked domestically amid names like Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar, Griezmann's 20 La Liga goals is good enough for sixth-best behind a quintet of Real and Barca stars. That amounts to 34 percent of Atletico's goals this season, exactly the same ratio as Suarez's 34 goals for the Catalans.

6. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

A goal-machine that only injuries can contain, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero just missed out on the top-five because of a host of ailments that have sidetracked an otherwise remarkable year.

Hamstring concerns and later an ankle injury have seen the diminutive attacker miss time through the first half of the season, though since, the Buenos Aires-born stud has been on fire, scoring 23 times in 28 Premier League matches, including seven in the last five.

With a penchant for making wise runs, Aguero opens up lanes for his fellow attackers, something the club benefited from in seeing off Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals.

7. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Like City mate Aguero, young Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne has had an otherwise outstanding season hampered by injuries.

Able to play on either side or in a central playmaking role, De Bruyne's return to fitness for the quarter-finals was the difference, including his stunning strike in the second leg against PSG. One of the best passers remaining in the tournament, the 24-year-old Genk product is only scratching the surface of what should amount to a decorated career.

Both Aguero and De Bruyne are hitting their respective strides late in the season, which could spell trouble for the heavily favoured Real Madrid.

8. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

Often overlooked amid the three-prong attack of Ronaldo, Bale, and Karim Benzema, Luka Modric is the spine of a side looking for a record 11th Champions League title.

Arguably one of the most valued pieces on Zinedine Zidane's team sheet, a skeptic needs not look any further than last season, when the Croatian international missed three months with a thigh injury picked up in a friendly against Italy.

Despite finishing second to Barca in the league last year, Real was in disarray without the former Tottenham standout, highlighting his importance in a squad rife with world-class talents. Former Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said it best, "we missed Modric for almost all the games since the turn of the year and it cost us."

9. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

With 27 goals in 27 Bundesliga starts paired with eight goals in 10 Champions League matches, few players left in the tournament can flip a match on its head like Polish international Robert Lewandowski.

His virtues will be tested against a resolute Atletico outfit, though a two-week spell highlighted by 12 goals in all comps should have the likes of Diego Godin and Co. having sleepless nights.

10. Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)

The best player in both legs of Bayern's two-legged quarter-final defeat of Benfica, Chilean international Arturo Vidal's emergence has conveniently coincided with Xabi Alonso's decline. His 2.4 tackles per match coupled with 1.9 interceptions in the Champions League stands out.

The mohawked trouble maker is well-versed with making the Champions League finals after doing so last season with Juventus, and if Bayern are to win their first continental trophy since 2012-13, Vidal will have to continue to excel as the bridge between the back and a lethal attack.

Honourable mention: Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)