Although football of some sort is played in every known country in the world, the best football is undoubtedly played in Europe. 

The continent is awash with the best teams and players in the world, and nowhere are they found in abundance more than Europe's top five leagues.

But who are the best players in Europe this season? Who will make the first XI if a team is chosen in Europe's top five leagues? 

We look at the names that have performed at the highest level in every position, using a 3-4-3 formation for fans who buy tickets from vetted resellers on Seatsnet. 

Goalkeeper: 

Alison Becker

There is no question that Liverpool's Alisson Becker is the best goalkeeper in Europe this season. 

Although the Brazilian is currently sidelined with an injury, no goalkeeper has performed better than him in Europe.

Despite being known for his ball-playing ability, what sets Alisson apart is his shot-stopping ability, especially his knack for saving one-on-one chances. 

Simply put, he is impossible to beat when a striker is through. His quick thinking, elite positioning, and massive frame make him almost larger than life when facing a striker bearing down on goal.

Alisson is one of the main reasons Liverpool is competing for the Premier League and Europa League titles this season. 

His 75.32 save percentage ranks him among the top in that category, while his passing ability is also among the best among goalkeepers. 

While Alisson has his bad moments, he is undoubtedly the best in the business across the 2023/24 season. 

Defenders: William Saliba, Virgil van Dijk, Antonio Rudiger

William Saliba

It is no secret that Arsenal's quest for the Premier title last season fell apart when William Saliba became injured. 

After returning from Marseille, the Frenchman became Mikel Arteta's most important player in defence and was a key reason they came close to ending Man City's hold of the league last season. 

But Saliba missed the business end of the season, and his absence was hugely felt. 

He returned to fitness this season and is leading Arsenal's charge. Despite being relatively young, Saliba is now one of the best players in the Premier League and Europe. He is also the head of the Arsenal defence, the best in England.

The Frenchman is calm under pressure and rarely makes mistakes—he is undoubtedly one of the best in Europe this season.

Virgil van Dijk

Cesc Febegras recently announced that a particular player is worthy of winning the Ballon d'Or this season. That player is Virgil van Dijk, not a striker or attacking midfielder.

The Dutch defender is the only defender since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 to be getting 'best player in the world' shouts. 

A closer look shows that it is not surprising why he is being seen in that light. The Liverpool captain is a man mountain in every respect. 

It is practically impossible to win him in an aerial duel, with his 83.3% aerial duel success rate per 90 minutes the best by a mile among defenders in Europe. 

VVD is in monster mode this season, and it isn't easy to see who starts ahead of him in central defence in Europe.  

Antonio Rudiger

Antonio Rudiger may be a little under the radar, but he perfectly completes our back three.

The German international is one of the best players in Real Madrid this season, and his importance in the team cannot be overemphasised, as he has played 25 league games this season. 

Although Rudiger may be enjoying an extended time in Los Blancos' team due to injuries to David Alaba and Eder Militao, he has taken his opportunity with both hands and has repaid the faith Carlo Ancelotti has placed in him.

Midfielders: Toni Kroos, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Alex Grimaldo

Alex Grimaldo

Though he is registered as a defender, Alex Grimaldo is the first name on our midfield.

The Spanish defender is simply in superb form with Bayer Leverkusen this season. He has registered 15 assists and scored eleven goals in all competitions for Leverkusen this season, a figure that even the best creative midfielders cannot boast of. 

The 28-year-old is also among the ten best signings in Europe this year, with Leverkusen's free signing arguably the biggest steal of the summer. 

Leaving Grimaldo out of the best XI in Europe would be criminal, so he starts in midfield in this formation, playing from the left, where he has consistently caused the most damage this season for Xabi Alonoso's men.

Toni Kroos

According to Whoscored.com, Toni Kroos has the best pass success rate of any midfielder in Europe's top five leagues this season (94.5%). 

Real Madrid's pass master is on a different wavelength this season, earning him a place in Europe's best XI. 

His side is top of La Liga for a reason and is also in the Champions League quarter-final, where they face Man City. 

The midfielder recently returned to the German national team, and it took him less than 15 seconds to register his first assist. He may be 34, but Kroos is in solid form in the 2023/24 season.

Rodri 

Manchester City's machine, Rodri, forms part of our best XI in Europe, given how impressive and vital he is to City. 

Without Rodri, Man City looks ordinary and can lose games, as we saw during his extended period on the sidelines due to suspension. 

He is still unbeaten in 61 games with City, a run that stretches over one year–simply phenomenal. 

Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham completes our midfield four. The Englishman is arguably the best player in Europe this season, considering his return of goals and assists despite being a midfielder. 

The 20-year-old is leading the scoring chart in La Liga, even though veteran striker Robert Lewandoski is playing in the league. 

He is also among the top in terms of goals and assists in the Champions League, with his return of four goals and four assists being one of the most impressive in this campaign. 

Attackers: Kylian Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez, Harry Kane 

Kylian Mbappe

If any player has been among the top three in Europe over the last three seasons, it is Kylian Mbappe. 

The Frenchman is arguably the most complete and consistent attacking player in the world–no wonder Real Madrid is desperate to sign him. 

Despite playing without big names like Lionel Messi and Neymar in PSG, he has remained productive this season. 

Mbappe is Ligue 1's top scorer and joint top-scorer in the Champions League. 

The 25-year-old plays predominately from the left of the front three but can also play anywhere across the front three, making him a must-have in Europe's best XI. One wonders what Ligue 1 and PSG will look like when he leaves. 

Lautaro Martinez

Inter Milan's Captain Fantastic is undoubtedly among the best players in Europe this season.

The Argentina international is tearing Serie A apart with his 24 goals and four assists in 26 league games, making him the league's outright top scorer. 

El Toro is one of the reasons Inter is at the top of the league, so he deserves to be in our starting XI as one of the best players in Europe. 

Harry Kane

England's scoring machine, Harry Kane, completes our starting eleven of the best players in Europe.

Good in the air, good with both feet, a hard worker and a good leader, Kane embodies the perfect striker. The striker's move to Bayern Munich may not produce a title this season, with Bayer Leverkusen now being the Bundesliga title favourite, but Kane's star remains.

The 30-year-old is the Bundesliga's top scorer, with 31 goals and nine assists in 27 appearances. He also leads the Champions League goal-scoring charts with six goals and three assists in eight games. The Englishman is currently the best striker in the world, as no one has contributed to more goals in Europe's top five leagues than him.

Honourable Mentions

Mohamed Salah, Declan Rice, Yann Sommer, Jeremie Frimpong, Erling Haaland, Jamal Musiala, Alessandro Buongiorno, and Bukayo Saka all deserve mention for their impressive performances this season. 

All eight players have been consistent all season but are slightly edged out by the first XI. They certainly will make the bench if a team of Europe's best players for the season is put together this season.