Mehdi Taremi lit up the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a goal of the season contender, while Uzbekistan’s Igor Sergeev produced a screamer of his own in a week where big names like Son, Azmoun and Kamada all starred in their respective leagues.

So, who will take this week’s crown? Take a close look at our nominees – based on performances from April 8 to 14 – and, as ever, don’t forget to register your vote.

The two met at the same stage last season with Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli winning 2-1 on Matchday Two and Esteghlal of Islamic Republic of Iran responding with a 3-0 triumph on the final matchday.

Both advanced to the knockout stage, with Al Ahli's campaign ending in the quarter-finals while Esteghlal exited the competition in the Round of 16.

Coming into the tournament as champions of the Tajik League, debutants Istiklol will be eager for their first taste of AFC Champions League group stage football but in Shabab Al Ahli, they will face a team appearing in the continental showpiece for the eighth time, setting the stage for an enticing tie at the King Fahd International Stadium.

A COVID-19 outbreak in the squad forced Al Hilal to withdraw from last year's competition, which meant the Saudi Pro League champions could not defend the AFC Champions League title won in 2019.

The 2019 crown was added to the earlier Asian Club Championship titles Al Hilal had in their trophy cabinet and for Uzbekistan's AGMK, the tie at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium promises to be tough test in their competition debut.

With no shortage of attacking talent on display, we shine the spotlight on six frontmen who are on fire in their clubs’ domestic campaigns and could be set to bring those hot streaks onto the Asian stage in this year's continental club competition.

Some of these starlets are established players for their club sides and some have even appeared in previous AFC Champions League seasons, while several are just breaking into the starting XI, but those U23 players are all eyeing a milestone campaign over the next three weeks.