Teams played for in Champions League: Real Madrid, Schalke 04. Position: Striker (CF)
The Prince of Spain but King of Madrid, Raul is an idol for Madridistas and widely considered as one of the club’s most significant stars of all time.
And, rightly so. He made a record 741 appearances for the club, scoring 323 goals – which is only second to Ronaldo’s 450 goal haul.
The iconic captain came alive during Champions League competition, scoring in two of the three finals in which he won with the club.
He played a key role in the side that overcame Juventus in 1998, and two years later, secured a superb solo goal to put the gloss on another famous triumph over Valencia at the Stade de France.
Again, two years after that, Raul notched the opener at Hampden Park in a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen, remembered predominantly for Zinedine Zidane’s wonder goal.
He is third on the list of all-time top scorers in UEFA Champions League! The legendary striker guided Los Blancos to European glory thrice, before sealing a move to Schalke 04.
Though he could not achieve the same European success as he did in Madrid, he still managed to rake in a few more appearances in Europe's elite competition to take his tally to a total of 144 appearances, 5th on the list of all-time appearances.
Raúl is the only player to have won the UEFA Best Forward of the Year Award three times, in 2000, 2001 and 2002, he does have the distinction of never have received a red card in his professional career
#9 Sergio Ramos*(PRESENT)
Appearances: 120 Goals scored: 12 Trophies won: 4 (2013–14, 2015–2016, 2016–17, 2017-2018) Teams played for in Champions League: Real Madrid Position: Defender (CB)
Ramos scored twice from headers in a 4–0 away win against Bayern Munich in the semi final of champions league, with the tie ending with a 5–0 aggregate score and Madrid's qualification to the decisive match for the first time in twelve years. On 24 May, in the final against atletico madrid, he headed home in stoppage time to tie the game 1–1, and his team went on to win 4–1 in extra time to claim their tenth trophy in the competition; he was also chosen by fans as a man of the match. 2015–2016, 2016–17, 2017-2018 three consecutive champions league titles in a row under the captaincy of spanish bull sergio ramos, which describes the passion of European football in Los Blancos El-Capitano. Ramos is a physically strong player who excels in the air, due to his elevation and heading accuracy, making him a goal threat on set-pieces; he is also a competent, aggressive tackler. He is gifted with pace good technical ability, as well as good distribution and crossing ability.
#8 Andres Iniesta
Appearances: 135
Goals scored: 11 Trophies won: 4 (2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15) Teams played for in Champions League: Fc Barcelona. Position: Midfielder (AMF)
A product of La Masia who came to define the Barca academy's vision of footballing excellence,
From dominance in La Liga to winning Champions League finals and World Cup glory for Spain, Barcelona great Andres Iniesta has done it all.
Andres Iniesta has called time on one of the most celebrated and decorated club careers in European football.
Champions League final masterclasses
Alex Ferguson could only concede, for the second time in three years, Manchester United had been beaten by greatness. "They do mesmerize you with the way they pass it," he said after Iniesta and his partner in midfield artistry Xavi helm a 3-1 win at Wembley in the 2011 Champions League final. "No one has given us a hiding like that.
Man of the Match in 2015 Final
Andrés Iniesta was supreme in Berlin as Barcelona ran Juventus into the ground, winning the Champions League and sealing a historic second treble for the Blaugrana. The diminutive playmaker was far from the only excellent performer on the night (Leo Messi and Gerard Piqué were superb) but it was his excellent movement, control and pass that allowed Ivan Rakitic to open the scoring just three minutes into the game.
That made him the first ever man to assist a goal in three different Champions League finals. It also set the tone and allowed Iniesta to calmly run the show from the middle of the park.
#7 Xavi Hernandez
Appearances: 157 Goals scored: 12 Trophies won: 4 (2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15) Teams played for in Champions League:FC Barcelona. Position: Midfielder (RMF)
Another La Masia graduate, Xavi set the European stage on fire with his lethal partnership with Andres Iniesta. Fortuitous to have a stellar line-up around him and equally excellent coaches, Xavi has won the trophy four times while making a whopping 157 appearances!
"From the first moment I saw him play, I knew he would become the brain behind
Barcelona for many years to come."
—Former Barcelona coach pep gurdiolaThe master of passing game (Tiki Taka).
Xavi said it was a "dream come true" that his last game for Barcelona was the Champions League final against Juventus" after which xavi won second treble of his career.
#6 Clarence Seedorf
Appearances: 166 Goals scored: 17 Trophies won: 4 (1994–95, 1997–98, 2002–03, 2006-07) Teams played for in Champions League: Ajax, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Ac Milan Position: Midfielder (AMF)
The only player to win champion league with three different clubs Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan – Clarence Seedorf considers himself to have a special bond with Europe's premier club competition, surely one of the greatest player ever to play champions league. Seedorf was a well-rounded, hardworking and versatile player, who was gifted with strength, pace, stamina and notable physical attributes, which allowed him to play anywhere in mid and contribute both offensively and defensively, due to his significant tactical intelligence. Although he primarily served as a playmaker throughout his career he was also deployed as an attacking midfielder, on the wing, World class midfielder. In addition to his fitness and athletic characteristics, as well as his ability to break down opposing plays and win back possession,he was an elegant, creative player and an excellent dribbler, possessing outstanding technique, ball skills and vision, which enabled him to retain possession when under pressure and subsequently lay the ball off to an on-rushing teammate.He was also an accurate passer and crosser of the ball. Seedorf was also capable of scoring goals due to his powerful, accurate striking ability from distance with either foot furthermore, he was an effective free kick taker. #5 Francisco Gento
Appearances: 88 Goals scored: 32 Trophies won: 6 (1955-56, 1956-57,1957–58, 1958–59, 1959-60, 1965-66) Teams played for in Champions League: Real Madrid Position: Striker (LW)
Regarded as one of the greatest Spanish players of all time and one of the greatest ever players in his position, Gento was an extremely fast left-winger, with excellent vision and technical ability, which made him an effective assist provider. In addition to his control and creative ability, he was also a goalscoring threat due to his striking ability from distance.Paco Gento won the European Cups a record 6 times with Real Madrid (an unmatched record), scoring 30 goals in 89 European Cup career matchesGento played in eight European Cup finals (6 won–2 lost record) Gento was the teammate of legendary Alfredo Di Stefano.
Teams played for in Champions League: Ac MilanPosition: Defender (CB) Maldini is considered to have been one of the greatest defenders of all time In 1988-89, 1989-90 Maldini wins back to back European cup titles.In 1993–94 Milan beats barcelona in the final of champions league, where madini plays a vital role in defense , and shows his leadership qualities all over that seasonMilan won 2002–03 Champions league with Maldini as their captain for the first time in his career, in the first all-Italian final, against Juventus, Maldini helped Milan keep a clean sheet, as they defeated Juventus 3–2 on penalties after a 0–0 deadlock following extra time. In 2006-07 Maldini participated in eight Champions League finals during his career, which is equalled only by Francisco Gento of Real Madrid, Maldini lifted the trophy five times.Maldini was renowned for his technical ability, athleticism, sliding tackles, stamina, composure and fast energetic forward runs as a left-back.He was also an excellent crosser of the ball, and was an effective attacking threat scoring and assisting several goals throughout his career. "I always found it very difficult when I came up against Paolo Maldini. He was the best defender I faced over the course of my career. He definitely deserved to win the award Fifa Player of the year award several times over." — Ronaldo.
Teams played for in Champions League: Real Madrid Position: Striker (LW) One of the all time best in competition's HistoryDi Stéfano's 49 goals in 58 matches was for decades the all-time highest tally in the European cup, until it renewed to be known as Champions league Di Stéfano scored in five consecutive European Cup finals for Real Madrid between 1956 and 1960, including a hattrick in the last. Perhaps the highlight of his time with the club was their 7–3 victory over Frankfurt in the 1960 European Cup Final, a game many consider to be the finest exhibition of club football ever witnessed in Europe He was awarded the Ballon d'or for European Footballer of the year from 1957 to 1959.
#2 Lionel Messi*(PRESENT)
Appearances: 125
Goals scored: 100 Trophies won: 4 (2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15) Teams played for in Champions League: Fc Barcelona. Position: Striker (LW,CF,LMF)
Okay we are now discussing about one of the Greatest player football has
ever seen, the little magician No 10. Many believe he is the Greatest of
all time,but not in Uefa Champions League.
still need a lot of work to reach that milestone of becoming greatest the
champions league player RECORDS
Most UEFA Champions League hat-tricks (shared with Cristiano Ronaldo): 7
Most UEFA Champions League group stage goals (shared with Cristiano): 60
Most UEFA Champions League round of 16 goals: 21
Most Ballon d'Or awards (shared with Cristiano Ronaldo): 5
Most Liga goals: 369
Most Liga goals in a single season: 50 (2011/12)
Most goals in a calendar year: 79 in 2012 (91 including goals for Argentina)
Most ESM Golden Shoes (shared with Cristiano Ronaldo): 4
Most club honours: 30
In 2005-06
Champions league messi ruled out knockout stages due to injury
In 2008-09
Messi ends seasonas the champions league top scorer with nine goals,
the youngest in the tournament's history, Messi scored two goals and assisted two more to ensure a 4–0 quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich. He returned as a false nine during the final on 27 May in Rome against Manchester United. Barcelona were crowned champions of Europe by winning the match 2–0, the second goal coming from a Messi header over goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar
In 2010-11 Man of the Match in Final
Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United, 2011
One moment is great, but do you know what’s better? Loads of them.
From start to finish. A whole game of great moments. Each one on a
wholly different level to everyone and everything. How about an entire
game of making the two best centre-backs in the world look like
animatronic training cones? How about completing 10 dribbles,
and scoring the decisive go-ahead goal with such ferocity that
the goalkeeper would have needed arms of Vibranium to stop
it? That’s what we all got to witness back in 2011.
Leo Messi, playing as a false nine, was Barcelona’s chief architect in
the most comprehensive and spectacular destruction in
Champions League final history since 1960. The score was 3-1,
but the chasm between the two sides would leave
Jupiter hollowed out like a half-eaten apple, and Messi was
digging! It was a supernova of a performance. At once quiet,
serene, and utterly ferocious. This game was a monument to
Messi’s magnificence: he had marked history. Football now
exists in two periods: before and after the devastation that
Leo Messi and Barcelona wrought on Manchester United.
Man of the match? Man of the century more like
In 2014-15 Messi scored twice and assisted on another in their 3–0
semi-final victory over Bayern Munich, now under the stewardship
of Guardiola. His second goal, which came only three minutes after
his first, saw him chip the ball over goalkeeper Neuer after his
dribble past Boateng had made the defender drop to the ground;
it went viral, becoming the year's most tweeted about sporting
moment, and was named the best goal of the season by UEFA.
Despite a second-leg loss, Barcelona progressed to the final on
6 June in Berlin, where they defeatedJuventus 3-1 to win their
second treble, becoming the first team in history to do so. Although
Messi did not score, he participated in each of his side's goals,
particularly the second as he forced a parried save from goalkeeper
Buffon from which Suárez scored the match-winning goal on the
rebound. In addition to being the top assist provider with six assists,
Messi finished the competition as the joint top scorer with ten goals,
which earned him the distinction of being the first player ever to achieve
the top scoring mark in five Champions League seasons.
For his efforts during the season, he received the UEFA Best
Player Award for a second time
"Messi is an alien that dedicates himself to playing with humans."
—Juventus captain Buffon ahead of their meeting in the Champions league final in June 2015
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo*(PRESENT)
Appearances: 153 Goals scored: 120 Trophies won: 5 (2007-08, 2013–14, 2015–2016, 2016–17, 2017-2018) Teams played for in Champions League: Real Madrid , Manchester United, Juventus Position: Striker (LW, CF, RW, CAM)
The Magnificent Number 7 known as CR7 is the greatest Champions
League Player of all time without any doubt.
A versatile attacker, Ronaldo is capable of playing on either wing
as well as through the centre of the pitch, and, while ostensibly
right-footed, is very strong with both feet. He ranks among the world's
fastest footballers, both with and without the ball.
RECORDS
Most UEFA club competition goals: 123
Most UEFA Champions league goals: 120
Most goals in a UEFA Champions League season: 17 (2013/14)
Most UEFA Champions League final wins: 5
Only player to score in three UEFA Champions League finals.
Only player to score in all six games in a UEFA Champions League group.
Only player to score in 11 straight UEFA Champions League games
Only player to score 10 goals against a single club in the UCL (Juventus)
Most Real Madrid goals: 450
Most ESM Golden Shoe awards: 4 (joint with Lionel Messi)
Most UEFA Club Footballer/Best Player/Men's Player awards: 4
Most Ballon d'Or awards: 5 (joint with Lionel Messi)
Most FIFA best player awards: 5 (joint with Lionel Messi)
Most appearances in UEFA user team of the year: 12 (2004, 2007–2017)
The first five-time UEFA Champions League winner (Champions league edition)
In 2007-08
In the knockout stage of the Champions League, Ronaldo scored the decisive goal against Lyon, which helped United advance to the quarter-finals 2–1 on aggregate and, while playing as a striker, scored with a header in the 3–0 aggregate victory over Roma.Despite him missing a penalty in the first leg against Barcelona, United eventually advanced to the final in Moscow, where they faced Chelsea. His opening goal was negated by an equaliser as the match ended in a 1–1 draw, but although his penalty was saved in the shoot-out, Manchester United emerged victorious.As the UCL top scorer, Ronaldo was named the UEFA club player of the year award.He additionally received the PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards for the second consecutive season
In 2013-14
Concurrently with his individual achievements, Ronaldo enjoyed his greatest team success in Spain to date, as he helped Real Madrid win La Décima, their tenth European Cup. In the knockout phase of the competition, he scored a brace in each leg of a 9–2 aggregate win against Schalke helping Madrid advance to the quarter-finals. His goal in a 3–0 home win over Borussia Dortmund—his 100th Champions League match—took his total for the season to 14 goals, equalling the record Messi had set two years before. After hitting a brace in a 4–0 defeat of Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena he scored from the penalty spot in the 120th minute of the 4–1 final victory over Atlético Madrid, becoming the first player to score in two European Cup finals for two different winning teams. His overall performance in the final was subdued as a result of patellar and related hamstring problems, which had plagued him in the last months of the campaign. Ronaldo played the final against medical advice, later commenting: "In your life you do not win without sacrifices and you must take risks.." As the Champions League top goalscorer for the third time, with a record 17 goals, he was named the UEFA Best player in Europe.
2015-16 to 2016-17
All-time Real Madrid top scorer, La Undécima and back to back champions league titles for the first time in UEFA Champions league edition since 1992
The all time top scorer of champions league with a hat-trick in the first
group match against Shakhatar Dostek, having finished the previous
season level with Messi on 77 goals.A brace against Malmö FF,
scoring in a 2–0 away win on 30 September, saw him reach the
milestone of 500 career goals for both club and country.
He subsequently became the first player to score double
figures in the competition's group stage, setting the record at
11 goals, including another four-goal haul against Malmö
he scored a hat-trick against wolfsburg to send his club into the Champions
League semi-finals despite a 2–0 first-leg defeat. The treble took his tally in
the competition to 16 goals, making him the top scorer for the fourth
consecutive season, and the fifth overall. Suffering apparent fitness issues,
Ronaldo gave a poorly-received performance in the final against Atlético Madrid
, in a repeat of the 2014 final, though his penalty in the subsequent shoot-out
secured La Undécima, Madrid's 11th victory. For the sixth successive year
, he ended the season having scored more than 50 goals across all competitions.
For his efforts during the season, he received the
UEFA Best player in europe award for a second time.
in the 2016-17 UCL quarter-final against Bayern Munich
, Ronaldo scored two goals in a 2–1 away win to give
Madrid the win and the lead going into the second leg.
The two goals saw him make history in becoming the first player to reach
100 goals in UEFA club competition. During the second leg of the quarter-finals,
Ronaldo scored a perfect hat-trick and reached his 100th UEFA Champions
League goal, becoming the first player to do so as Real Madrid again defeated
Bayern 4–2 after EXTRA TIME. On 2 May, Ronaldo scored another hat-trick
in the following Champions League match, as Real Madrid defeated Atlético
Madrid 3–0 in the semi-final first leg. His hat-trick made him the first player
to reach 50 goals in the knockout stage of the competition.
MAN OF THE MATCHIn 2016-17 Champions league final Real Madrid 4-1 Juventus, 2017
Real Madrid were trying to retain the Champions League,
something no one had done in almost 30 years, and they
were facing a team who simply didn’t really concede all that much.
So, of course, it took Champions League goalscoring centurion
Cristiano Ronaldo just 20 minutes to knock one into the back
of the net. And he didn’t stop there, sealing the tie and turning
a win into a massacre with his second just after the hour mark.
We have already learned Iniesta was the first to assist a goal
in three different finals, Cristiano’s masterclass of marksmanship
in Cardiff made him the first to score in as many.
2017–2018: A record fifth Champions League title and fifth Ballon d'Or
In his 400th game for Real Madrid, Ronaldo scored two goals
away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, taking his
club tally to 411 goals. On 23 October, his performances in the first
half of 2017 saw him claim his fifth FIFA Player of the Year award
by receiving The Best Fifa player award for the second consecutive
year. On 6 December, he became the first player to score in all
six Champions League group stage matches with a curling strike
at home to Borussia Dortmund.
On 3 April, Ronaldo scored the first two goals in a 3–0 away win against Juventus in the quarter final of the UCL, with his second goal being an acrobatic bicycle kick The goal, described as a "playstaion goal" by Juventusdefender Barzaghli, garnered him a standing ovation from the Juventus fans in the stadium, as well as a plethora of plaudits from peers, pundits and coaches. The goal was also his 119th in European competition, more than 465 other clubs which have participated in the competition; if he were a club, it would be the tenth-highest scorer in Champions League history he scored the goal Real Madrid needed to advance to the semi-final, in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final at home to Juventus, from a 98th-minute injury time penalty in a 3–1 defeat, with an overall 4–3 aggregate win. In the final , Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 3–1, winning Ronaldo his fifth Champions League title as Real Madrid completed their third consecutive Champions League triumph, becoming the first team to do so, He finished as the top scorer of the tournament for the sixth consecutive season, ending the campaign with 15 goals.
