Here are five of Europe's most improved players this season.

Each season, the goal is to improve on the previous one, and some players have had a breakout season this year.

From last season's underperformance to this season's spectacular performances, we've looked at five of the most improved players in European football.

Mateo Retegui (Atalante)

Last summer, Atalanta agreed to pay €28 million to buy Mateo Retegui from Genoa, but it's fair to say that the Bergamo club's expectations have been exceeded. Signed as a replacement for the injured Gianluca Scamacca, Atalanta may not have looked for a striker if the injury had not occurred.

Retegui has not only replaced Scamacca, but also pushed Atalanta into the Scudetto race. The Argentine-born forward has 20 goals in only 22 league games for Gian Piero Gasperini's team, leading the race for the Capocannoniere title as the league's top scorer.

After scoring just seven goals for Genoa in his first season in Italy, the 25-year-old has erupted in Atalanta color's.

Raphinha (Barcelona).

When Raphinha saw mock-ups of potential Barcelona acquisition Nico Williams donning his number 11 shirt in the summer, the winger (insert Michael Jordan reference) took it personally.

Raphinha was expected to be a casualty of Barcelona's pursuit of Williams, but the club's inability to sign the Spaniard has altered the former's career in Catalonia. The Brazil international has been an important part of Barcelona's success this season, and he is undoubtedly Europe's best player.

Raphinha has 24 goals and 15 assists in 35 games this season, propelling the 28-year-old into the Ballon d'Or conversation. It has been a remarkable resurgence.

Ryan Gravenberch (liverpool).

Ryan Gravenberch's dismal debut season at Liverpool saw the midfielder on the margins of the first squad. He made only 12 league starts under Jurgen Klopp, and the Reds failed to see the best of the Dutchman.

Only one midfielder has made 40 or more tackles and interceptions in the Premier League this season.
Ryan Gravenberch ⚔️.

In another sliding-doors transfer market event, Liverpool's failure to buy Martin Zubimendi gave Gravenberch an unexpected opportunity to impress. Arne Slot tested the 22-year-old in a defensive midfield role, and Gravenberch hasn't looked back.

He has played practically every minute of Liverpool's Premier League and Champions League campaigns, establishing himself as a key member of the club's title challenge. His ability to turn away from traffic and win duels at the base of midfield might make him the Reds' permanent number six.

Moise Kean (Fiorentina)

Moise Kean, Juventus' youngest-ever debutant and the first player born in the 2000s to play in one of Europe's top four leagues, is finally starting to realize his full potential.

After a rough period at Everton and an unimpressive return to Turn, he joined Fiorentina in the summer.

La Viola, which was acquired for about €13 million, is now reaping the benefits of their investment. Kean has scored 19 goals in 28 games in all competitions, ranking second in Serie A goals. Still only 24, he hopes that this season serves as a springboard to a more prominent role with the Azzurri.

Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint Germain).

Is this the season where everything comes together for Ousmane Dembele?

Dembele, a tremendous talent, has been hampered by injuries throughout his career, but he is currently on a tear.

Ousmane Dembele is just three goal contributions away from his best season yet. 🔥.

Despite scoring only six goals last season, the 27-year-old has 21 goals in 27 games for Paris Saint-Germain in 2024/25. Recent hat-tricks against Stuttgart and Brest have increased his tally, with Dembele in career-best form.

He is Ligue 1's leading scorer and has helped fill the vacuum left by Kylian Mbappe's departure from the Parc des Princes. PSG has one of the most dynamic front lines in European football, with Bradley Barcola and new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

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