30 Greatest Players In Champions League History (Ranked)

In terms of quality, the UEFA Champions League is arguably the best competition in world football. It’s where the greatest players on the planet compete – year in, year out – in an attempt to get their hands on club football’s most prestigious trophy.

Many players have cemented their status as legends of the game thanks to their performances in Europe’s premier club competition, which was originally founded in 1955 as the European Cup but rebranded as the Champions League in 1992. A lot of these players are synonymous with Real Madrid, who are the most successful team in the competition’s history (15 wins).

As a result, a handful of Los Blancos icons make our list of the 30 greatest players of the Champions League era. Putting together the list was an extremely difficult task, and the likes of Casemiro, Roberto Carlos, Carles Puyol, Roy Keane, David Beckham, and Filippo Inzaghi all miss out. However, it highlights the staggering number of quality players fans have been treated to watching since the Champions League in its current format began in the early ‘90s.

For the purposes of this exercise, and to ensure that as many modern-day legends as possible make the top 30, we are only looking at the Champions League era (1992 onwards). This means the likes of Paco Gento (who has won more European Cups than any player in history), Alfredo Di Stefano, George Best and Eusebio weren’t eligible for selection.

Ranking factors

• Champions League era (1992 onwards)
• Champions League titles
• Champions League goals
• Iconic Champions League moments
• Overall Champions League legacy

30

Dani Carvajal

Champions League titles: 6

A surprise entry for some, but it can’t be ignored that Dani Carvajal has won six Champions League titles with Real Madrid – the same number as the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema and Modric. While the Spanish full-back may not have been as instrumental as those players, he still played his part and started in all six of the finals he won. In fact, he was even named Man of the Match in the 2024 final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 victory for Los Blancos.

One of those players who arguably doesn’t get the credit he deserves, it may only be in retirement where football fans look back at Carvajal’s career and take note of just how successful he’s been. In any case, we’re giving him his flowers by popping him onto this exclusive list in 30th position.

29

Arjen Robben

Champions League titles: 1

Arjen Robben, a speedy winger with a knack for cutting inside from the right wing, has graced the Champions League with numerous clubs – most notably Bayern Munich. His unique style, coupled with a lethal left foot, made him a defender’s nightmare. Robben’s ability to create and score goals was crucial to Bayern’s success.

His crowning moment came in the 2013 final, when he scored the decisive goal against Borussia Dortmund, embodying his clutch nature. His performances in the Champions League, filled with match-winning goals and dribbles, make him one of the competition’s most memorable wingers. Everyone was acutely aware of exactly what the Dutchman wanted to do every single time he picked the ball up – cut inside and fire a shot at goal – but few were able to stop him.

28

Thierry Henry

Champions League titles: 1

Thierry Henry’s blend of speed, skill, and clinical finishing made him a massive problem for any defender. Although he couldn’t lift the trophy with Arsenal, Henry played a key role in Barcelona’s 2009 triumph. His performances for both clubs, including a standout campaign with Arsenal in 2005-06, underline his Champions League pedigree.

The Gunners were beaten in the 2006 final by what would turn out to be his future club – but had the Premier League club won that final, the French superstar would find himself a lot higher on the list as he was the main man in Arsene Wenger’s side. This wasn’t quite the case at Barcelona, though, as he was very much in Lionel Messi’s shadow.

27

Ruud van Nistelrooy

Champions League titles: 0

Known for his predatory instincts, clinical finishing, and intelligent movement, Ruud van Nistelrooy remains one of the Champions League’s most lethal strikers. Whether at PSV, Manchester United, or Real Madrid, his goalscoring exploits consistently proved vital for his clubs.

His rate of scoring in the competition over five consecutive seasons with Manchester United and later with Real Madrid (56 goals in 73 games), earned him a reputation as a reliable and highly effective forward, and eventually led to him securing his status as a Champions League legend. It’s testament to the clinical nature of the Dutchman that he’s the only player to make this list despite never getting his hands on a winners’ medal.

26

Sergio Busquets

Champions League titles: 3

A special footballer, Sergio Busquets’ football IQ was on a different level to most of his opponents – both in La Liga and the Champions League. The Spanish midfield maestro didn’t get the same recognition as teammates Xavi and Iniesta during Barcelona’s peak years, but he was arguably just as important as those two.

The man who kept things ticking in the middle of the pitch, Busquets was hugely admired by all of his teammates, as well as his coaches. It’s not an exaggeration to suggest that Busquets is one of the greatest midfielders of his, or any other, generation.

25

Ryan Giggs

Champions League titles: 2

A one-club man, Ryan Giggs’ contribution to Manchester United’s European success was immense. His skill, creativity, leadership and exceptional longevity were integral to United’s dominance. Giggs’ pivotal role in the dramatic 1999 Champions League final, where United scored two late goals to win the title, underscores his importance.

The Welshman also won the Champions League in 2008, nine years after his first success in the tournament. The fact he played for one of the best clubs in world football for over two decades, it may have been expected that his serial winning in the Premier League would be carried over into European football. However, United only lifted two Champions League titles under their iconic boss Sir Alex Ferguson, which is considered by some as a low tally despite the unbelievable competition they faced at the time.

24

Andriy Shevchenko

Champions League titles: 1

The most feared and revered striker in the Champions League in the early 2000s, Andriy Shevchenko is still in the top 10 list of the competition’s all-time leading scorers at the time of writing, with 48 goals in 100 appearances. ’Sheva’ won the Champions League with AC Milan in 2003, scoring the winning penalty in the shootout against Juventus at Old Trafford, but the competition also dealt him some heartbreaking moments – hence why he’s not higher on the list.

Part of the Milan side that famously capitulated against Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final, Shevchenko missed the decisive penalty in the shootout at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul. He was also part of the Chelsea squad that lost to Manchester United in the 2008 Champions League final but failed to get off the subs’ bench.

23

Samuel Eto’o

Champions League titles: 3

Samuel Eto’o was a lethal forward, combining pace, skill, and a deadly eye for goal. Possibly one of the most underrated players of his generation, he won the Champions League three times – twice with Barcelona and once with Inter Milan. The Cameroonian hero even came back to bite his former side as he helped Inter Milan reach the final with a semi-final success over Barcelona in 2010.

Eto’o’s played a huge role in those finals too, including scoring in two finals, highlighting his significance in Champions League history and cementing himself as one of the best players in the competition’s history. The role he played in the finals he scored in differed, though. In Barca’s 2-0 win over Manchester United in 2009, he was leading the line as a pacey forward, while his job with Inter Milan was a more restricted one on the left flank with the responsibility of getting back to defend.

22

Gerard Pique

Champions League titles: 4

Gerard Pique was, at his peak, arguably the best centre-back on the planet. The Spaniard actually won his first Champions League title with Manchester United in 2008, though he wasn’t part of the squad that defeated Chelsea in Moscow.

He returned to his boyhood club Barcelona in the summer of 2008 and forged an excellent partnership with Puyol, who can consider himself unfortunate to miss out on this top 30 list. Pique won three more Champions League titles with Barca – in 2009, 2011 and 2015 – before calling time on his illustrious career at the age of 35 in November 2022.

21

Edwin van der Sar

Champions League titles: 2

Manchester United’s best number one of the past two decades, Edwin van der Sar won his second Champions League with the Red Devils in 2008, saving a crucial penalty from Nicolas Anelka in the final against Chelsea to hand his side victory.

The Dutch ‘keeper first won the competition with Ajax, 13 years earlier. His huge presence in goal was enough to strike fear into even the best strikers in world football. Van der Sar was a brilliant shot-stopper and had a quiet confidence about him that kept his defenders feeling comfortable in front of him. One of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history, his two former clubs will forever be grateful for his contributions.

20

Toni Kroos

Champions League titles: 5

Half of one of the best midfield partnerships of all time alongside Luka Modric, Toni Kroos is one of the most creative minds to ever grace the Champions League. However, he ranks way behind his Croatian teammate, who is sitting in third place, for a couple of key reasons. First, Kroos has five Champions League winners’ medals compared to Modric’s six – though he did win the competition with two different clubs. And secondly, Modric has been a little more decisive in the biggest knockout stage matches.

Take nothing away from Kroos’ Champions League legacy, though. The former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid star, who retired in the summer of 2024 aged 34, has always played as if pressure isn’t a word in his vocabulary. One of the coolest, calmest and most technically-assured footballers of the Champions League era, it’s been a joy to watch Kroos strut his stuff over the past decade.

19

Marcelo

Champions League titles: 5

Marcelo isn’t only among the greatest names to ever play in the Champions League, but the Brazilian left-back is also among an exclusive list of players to have won the Copa Libertadores – South America’s equivalent competition. Attempts to replace Marcelo in the Real Madrid line-up in his early years at the club were unsuccessful and his stunning performances in the Champions League proved it would have been a huge mistake to give up on him.

He was very sound defensively, but it was his contribution to the attack that garnered the most attention. Marcelo stormed forward on the overlap at any given opportunity and his Brazilian flair would help him bag plenty of assists. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do with a football, making him one of the most technically gifted left-backs we’ve ever seen.

18

Didier Drogba

Champions League titles: 1

One of the most powerful strikers to grace the Champions League, Didier Drogba combined brute strength with excellent technical skills. His time at Chelsea saw him become a key player in their Champions League campaigns, often delivering in the most pivotal moments.

This was most evident when Drogba scored an equalising header and the winning penalty in the 2012 final against Bayern Munich, securing Chelsea’s maiden Champions League title in the process and highlighting his knack for rising to the occasion. His legacy as a clutch performer solidifies his spot among the competition’s greats, with the Ivory Coast international always showing up for his club in the biggest matches, no matter the stage or tournament.

17

Robert Lewandowski

Champions League titles: 1

The Champions League’s third-highest goalscorer at the time of writing, with 94 goals in just 119 appearances, Robert Lewandowski is one of the most clinical forwards in the competition’s history. The Pole made headlines in the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund, becoming the first player to score four goals in a semi-final with a masterclass in finishing against Real Madrid in April 2013, before making the switch to Bayern Munich in 2014.

It was with Bayern where Lewandowski won his first (and, to date, only) Champions League title. No player scored more Champions League goals during the disrupted 2019-20 campaign, although it was wide-man Kingsley Coman who netted the winner against Paris Saint-Germain in the final. Lewandowski is currently plying his trade with Barcelona, who currently aren’t quite the force they once were.

16

Ronaldinho

Champions League titles: 1

The living embodiment of joyful football, Ronaldinho was a player who played with a beaming smile on his face and magic in his boots. His technical skills, creativity, flair, and unpredictable nature made him a unique talent. The Brazilian was instrumental in Barcelona’s 2006 Champions League victory, where his performances earned him the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

His mesmerising performances on European nights, filled with tricks, flicks, and spectacular goals, ensure his place among the competition’s greats. Ronaldinho moved to AC Milan in 2008, meaning he narrowly missed out on being part of one of the greatest European sides in history. Had his trickery and flair been added to that Milan side under Carlo Ancelotti in the early 2000s, there’s no telling what could have been achieved.

15

Kaka

Champions League titles: 1

At his peak, Kaka was an electrifying attacking midfielder, blending speed, skill, and a keen eye for goal. His standout season came in 2006-07 when he guided AC Milan to Champions League glory, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. With his big frame, the Brazilian was deceptively quick in not only his physical movement, but the speed at which his brain operated on the football pitch.

While his stint at Real Madrid wasn’t as successful, particularly from a Champions League perspective, Kaka’s performances for Milan ensured his place among Champions League greats. The 2009 Ballon d’Or winner is unfortunate to only have lifted the iconic trophy on one occasion, as he was unbelievable in his side’s historic defeat against Liverpool in the 2005 final – during the first half, at least.

14

Iker Casillas

Champions League titles: 3

Goalkeepers often go under the radar, but there’s simply no denying that Iker Casillas is one of the best and most important players in Champions League history. A true legend between the posts, the Spaniard’s heroics for Real Madrid in the Champions League are well documented.

His reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and leadership were key to Madrid’s success, earning him three Champions League titles. Casillas’ remarkable double save against Arsenal in 2006 and his performances in the 2002 campaign highlight his big-match temperament. The Spanish legend’s final years in the competition came with Portuguese outfit Porto and, as a result, his time in Europe fizzled out in his latter years.

13

Gareth Bale

Champions League titles: 5

Thirty minutes was all it took for Gareth Bale to earn the Man of the Match award in Real Madrid’s 2018 Champions League final victory over Liverpool. Fuming after being named among the substitutes by Zinedine Zidane, Bale entered the fray in the second half and almost immediately scored a contender for the greatest goal in Champions League history: a phenomenal overhead kick which the hapless Loris Karius had zero chance of stopping.

Bale went on to score another goal, helping his team secure a 3-1 win in the process, and for that performance alone he deserves to rank highly on this list. That he secured three more Champions League winners’ medals during his topsy-turvy nine-year spell at the Bernabeu means there’s no doubt he belongs alongside the competition’s all-time greats.

12

Steven Gerrard

Champions League titles: 1

Perhaps best remembered for his heroic performance in the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ in 2005, Steven Gerrard was the dictionary definition of a true leader. His determination, goalscoring ability, and versatility made him one of the most influential midfielders in Champions League history.

Gerrard’s never-say-die attitude was infectious, driving Liverpool to perform against the odds, cementing him as one of the best players the competition has ever seen. He missed out on lifting the trophy for a second time only two years later after seeing his side lose 2-1 against the same opposition in the final. Gerrard would have further historic nights in the competition against Real Madrid and Marseille during the 2008-09 campaign.

11

Zinedine Zidane

Champions League titles: 1

Known for his sublime skills, vision, and ability to score match-winning goals, Zinedine Zidane was a pure joy to watch. His most iconic moment came in the 2002 Champions League final when he scored an exquisite left-footed volley to clinch the title for Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen. In fact, it’s perhaps the most iconic goal in the competition’s history.

Zidane’s unique blend of physical and technical attributes, combined with his game intelligence, set him apart as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, particularly in the Champions League. Looking back, there may be some shock that a star-studded Los Blancos team only won that single Champions League title, even with Zidane’s other-worldly ability in the middle of the park.