The Champions League celebrates its 30th anniversary this week and to mark the occasion I've done a list of my top 50 players to play in the competition.
Many players have made their mark in this competition and lets see who made my list.
50. Sergio Busquets
Clubs: Barcelona - 2008-
Busquets has been a crucial player for Barca right throughout his career because of his ability to dictate play in midfield, make vital interventions and and pick out any kind of pass. His presence in front of the defence was a crucial part of Barca's successes in 2009, 2011 and 2015 as it enabled Xavi and Iniesta to push up help out their front three.
49. Raphael Varane
Clubs: Real Madrid - 2011-2021, Man United - 2021
Varane wasn't always first choice at Real Madrid with Pepe being the preferred defender to partner Sergio Ramos. But he later earned his place in the team and went on to establish himself as one of the world's best defenders. His partnership with Sergio Ramos was crucial to Real winning 3 Champions League's in a row between 2016 and 2018.
48. Angel Di Maria
Clubs: Real Madrid - 2010-2014, PSG - 2015-2022
Di Maria has always been a classy player because of his perfect deliveries and ability to shoot at goal from any distance. He was man of the match in the 2014 final which he won with Real Madrid and continued to come up with many moments of magic with PSG. Even when he was forced to drop deeper following the arrivals of Neymar and Mbappe.
47. Peter Schmeichel
Clubs: Man United - 1993-1999
Schmeichel was a key player for United in their treble winning season in 1998/99 as he made many top class saves to keep United in games. He did this many times in Europe and particularly in the final where they were seconds away from defeat to Bayern Munich.
46. John Terry
Clubs: Chelsea - 2003-2016
Chelsea went far in the Champions League in the years that followed their big takeover and Terry was a key part of it. He was one of the defenders in Europe on his day because of his positioning, defending abilities and leadership on the pitch. He may have missed a penalty in their shootout defeat to Man United in the 2008 final but he did get another chance to win it in 2012. A game where he stripped into his full kit to lift the torphy having been suspended for the game.
45. Frank Lampard
Clubs: Chelsea - 2003-2014, Man City - 2014-2015 (on loan)
Lampard netted many crucial goals for Chelsea in the Champions League as they went far far in the competition at the start of their successful era. He could score from any distance which he did many times in this competition including the 2008 final against Man United and he played a key part in their success in 2012.
44. David Beckham
Clubs: Man United - 1994-2003, Real Madrid - 2003-2007, AC Milan - 2010 (on loan), PSG - 2013
Beckham was part of the Man United side that won this competitions and the treble in 1999 and was a major part of it. His corner in the final lead to United's winning goal as it found Sheringham who nodded it down to Solskjaer who scored the goal that won the match for United. His set pieces were always difficult to defend throughout his time at both Man United and Real Madrid.
43. Petr Cech
Clubs: Sparta Prague - 2001-2002, Chelsea - 2004-2014, Arsenal - 2015-2017
Cech was without a doubt one of the keepers in the world during his time at Chelsea because of the top quality saves he made by being a big presence between the sticks. Chelsea were a solid team defensively because of him and his presence in the goal was a crucial in their run to the final in 2008 and the year they won it in 2012.
42. Steven Gerrard
Clubs: Liverpool - 2001-2002, 2004-2009 and 2014
Gerrard is one of the best midfielders that England have produced because of his range of passing, box to box runs and long range shots. He also had the ability to win games by himself with the 2005 final against AC Milan being the prime example. The reds were 3-0 down at half time in that final and Gerrard carried his side to victory with his leadership and personality on the pitch as well as his footballing ability.
41. Thierry Henry
Clubs: Monaco - 1997-1998, Arsenal - 1999-2007, Barcelona - 2007-2010
One of the finest strikers of his generation. Henry scored all kinds of goal throughout his career and he showed it many times in the Champions League. He netted some crucial goals for Arsenal and particularly during their run to the final in 2006 and he did the same in the season he won it with Barcelona in 2008/09.
40. Didier Drogba
Clubs: Marseille - 2003, Chelsea - 2004-2012 and 2014, Galatasaray - 2013-2014
Drogba will be best remembered for scoring that last spot kick which gave Chelsea their first Champions League victory in 2012 in what was his final game for the club. He scored many big goals for the blues in this competition as they reached the semi finals and beyond on five occasions.
39. Thomas Muller
Clubs: Bayern Munich - 2009-
Muller has been a crucial part of Bayern's success right throughout his time there because of his all round attacking play in scoring goals and assisting his teammates. He's done this many times in Europe over the years as Bayern reached the latter stages of the competitions on many occasions and was a key player for them in both of their victories in 2013 and 2020.
38. Wayne Rooney
Clubs: Man United - 2003-2014 and 2015
Rooney lit up the Champions League on his very first appearance where he netted a hat trick against Fenerbahce in what was also his Man United debut. Many goals followed after that and some very important ones were scored in Europe as United reached three finals and the latter stages of the competition on several occasions.
37. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Clubs: Ajax - 2001-2004, Juventus - 2004-2006, Inter Milan - 2006-2009, Barcelona - 2009-2010, AC Milan - 2010-2012 and 2021, PSG - 2012-2016, Man United - 2017
He might not have won the competition but Zlatan still netted a lot of goals. He's joint 10th on the all time goal charts with Andriy Shevchenko with 48 and the goals he scored were vital all the clubs he played for and their progress in the competition.
36. Alessandro Del Piero
Clubs: Juventus - 1995-1999, 2000-2006 and 2008-2009
Del Piero was an all around striker as he could both create and score lots of goals and is also Juve's all time record goal scorer. He bagged many crucial goals in this competition for the Italian giants as they reached three finals in a row between 1996 and 1998 winning the first one but losing the other two.
35. Gianluigi Buffon
Clubs: Juventus - 2001-2006, 2008-2009, 2012-2018 and 2019-2020, PSG - 2018-2019
Despite not winning the competition, Buffon was still able to come up with big moments in this competition when Juventus needed him to. He made top saves right throughout his career and especially towards the end of it and if you were to pick a team of players who have not won the Champions League, Buffon would definitely start in goal.
34. Franck Ribery
Clubs: Bayern Munich - 2008-2019
A Bayern Munich legend. Ribery was key to all the success he achieved at Bayern as he scored lots of goals, created numerous chance for this teammates and had the pace to force any full back to retreat. A key part of the Bayern team that won the competition in 2013 and he might've won the Ballon D'or that year if Messi and Ronaldo weren't doing what they were doing.
33. Arjen Robben
Clubs: PSV - 2002-2003, Chelsea - 2004-2007, Real Madrid - 2007-2009, Bayern Munich - 2009-2019
Another crucial component of Bayern's success over the years. Robben was winger with bags of pace and an eye for goal alongside the many tricks he had up his sleeve. He scred many wonderful goals for Bayern and his most important one has to be the winning goal in the 2013 final against Borussia Dortmund.
32. Luis Figo
Clubs: Barcelona - 1997-2000, Real Madrid - 2000-2005, Inter Milan - 2005-2009
Before Cristiano Ronaldo, Figo was the Portuguese star in the spotlight. He could coast his way past defenders with the dribbling ability he had and he also had the vision to pick out any kind of pass. A brilliant player for Real Madrid like he was at Barca and it was at Real where he took his game to another level as he was a crucial part of their 2002 Champions League wining side.
31. Samuel Eto'o
Clubs: Real Madrid - 1999-2000, Mallorca - 2001, Barcelona - 2004-2009, Inter Milan - 2009-2011, Chelsea - 2013-2014
Eto'o was a key part of both triumphs during his time at Barcelona in 2006 and 2009 where he scored in both finals before another one a year later with Inter Milan. World class striker on his day as he was quick, strong and good in the air plus he netted some crucial goals in all the seasopns he won the competition.
30. Xabi Alonso
Clubs: Real Sociedad - 2003-2004, Liverpool - 2004-2009, Real Madrid - 2009-2014, Bayern Munich - 2014-2017
Alonso was arguably one of the most underrated in Europe as he didn't always get the credit he deserved. He had the vision to pick out any kind of pass from midfield and had a big role to play in the 2005 final with Liverpool as he scored the goal that completed the incredible comeback against AC Milan.
29. Oliver Kahn
Clubs: Bayern Munich - 1994-1995 and 1997-2007
Kahn was probably the best keeper in the world during his playing career as he could pull off any kind of top class save to keep his side in a game. His reflexes and shot stopping abilities were second to none and his three penalty saves in the shootout win over Valencia in the 2001 final were what handed Bayern the crown.
28. Ryan Giggs
Clubs: Man United - 1993-1995 and 1996-2014
Giggs had the pace that could turn defenders inside out when he was in his prime and even when he reached the latter stages of his career, he still had the same desire to make a difference on the pitch. He was key part of both the 1999 and 2008 Man United sides and scored in almost every single season he was involved in.
27. Toni Kroos
Clubs: Bayern Munich - 2008-2014, Real Madrid - 2014-
Kroos has been a crucial player for Real Madrid right throughout his time there with his vision and ability to dictate play from midfield being a key part of their success in this competition. His set pieces are difficult for any defence to deal with and has established himself as one of the word's top midfielders ever since winning his first title with Bayern Munich in 2013.
26. Robert Lewandowski
Clubs: Borussia Dortmund - 2011-2014, Bayern Munich - 2014-2022
Lewandowski has scored bags of goals in this competition for both Dortmund and Bayern and is the third highest goal scorer with 78. He scored 10 times during Dortmund's run to the final in the 2012/13 season including a four goal blitz against Real Madrid. He finally got his chance to win the competition with Bayern in 2020 where his 15 goals were all crucial. He would've won the Ballon D'or that year had the award not been cancelled.
25. Andriy Shevchenko
Clubs: Dynamo Kiev - 1994-1999 and 2009, AC Milan - 1999-2000, 2002-2006 and 2008-2009 (on loan), Chelsea - 2006-2008
His move to Chelsea may not have worked out but at Milan Shevchenko was among the best strikers in Europe. He was a striker who was quick as he had the pace to beat players plus he also timed his runs into the box perfectly. He did miss most of Milan's triumph in the 2002/03 season through injury but in the other seasons he showed how effective he was in the final third.
24. Luka Modric
Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb - 2006-2007, Tottenham - 2010-2011, Real Madrid - 2012-
Modric has established himself as one one of the world's finest midfielders since he's been at Real Madrid through his ability to move with the ball and his vision to pick out a pass. He's been a key part of every success he's achieved with Real in this competition because of the way he can control the game from midfield.
23. Cafu
Clubs: Roma - 2001-2003, AC Milan - 2003-2008
Cafu was today's modern day full back in his day as he loved to bomb forward and get crosses into the box through the energy he had. He was 37 when he won the competition with AC Milan in 2007 but his leadership and experience on the pitch was a crucial part of their success alongside his solid performances in defence.
22. Paul Scholes
Clubs: Man United - 1994 and 1996-2012
Scholes was admired by some of the biggest names in football like Zinedine Zidane because of the vision he had to pick out a pass and the way he could control the flow of a game from midfield. He was part of Man United's 1999 and 2008 Champions League winning sides and he probably had a bigger role to play in the 2008 win with his goal against Barcelona in the semi finals being the goal that sent them to the final.
21. Manuel Neuer
Clubs: Schalke - 2007-2008 and 2010-2011, Bayern Munich - 2011-
Neuer has changed the role of a goalkeeper in that he can play out from the back and look comfortable with it as well as being a sharp shot stopper. He's established himself as one of the best keepers around over the last decade or so and was a crucial part of both Champions League titles he won with Bayern in 2013 and 2020.
20. Roberto Carlos
Clubs: Real Madrid - 1997-2007, Fenerbahce - 2007-2008
Carlos is another example of today's modern day full back from the past in that he loved to bomb forward and create chances for his teammates. His crossing abilities along with his defensive attributes are what made him the best left back in the world on his day and he was a key part of every Real Madrid side he won the competition with.
19. Marcelo
Clubs: Real Madrid - 2007-2022
Marcelo was the heir to Roberto Carlos when he arrived at Real Madrid at the age of 19 and he certainly proved it over many years. He was a threat whenever he went forward because of his crossing abilities and energy plus he also liked to nick the odd goal like he did in the 2014 final against Atletico Madrid. He was a great servant to Real Madrid during his time there and was a key part of every single Champions League winning side he was involved with.
18. Ronaldinho
Clubs: Barcelona - 2004-2008, AC Milan - 2008-2011
Ronaldinho was no doubt the best player in the world on his day because of the skills he had along with his dribbling ability. His best years no doubt came at Barca where he scored a lot of goals and became a fans favourite and his contributions as well as his presence on the pitch were a huge part of their success in this competition in 2006.
17. Carles Puyol
Clubs: Barcelona - 1999-2003 and 2004-2013
Barca have never really replaced Puyol since he retired in that they haven't had many leaders in their side. The Spaniard was a rock solid defender right throughout his career as he knew how to position his body in defensive situations and he always knew when to make the tackle. His leadership as well as his defensive mind were crucial to Barca's successes in 2006, 2009 and 2011.
16. Gerard Pique
Clubs: Man United - 2004-2008, Barcelona - 2008-
Pique has been an important player for Barca right throughout his time there as he's been a crucial part of their success over the years. His well timed tackles and composure on the ball made him one of the best defenders around in his prime and his presence at the back was key in all three Champions League winning sides he's been part of with Barca.
15. Andrea Pirlo
Clubs: Inter Milan - 1998 and 2000, AC Milan - 2002-2008 and 2009-2011, Juventus - 2012-2015
Pirlo was among the finest players in world football on his day because of his ability to pick out any kind of pass, run games from midfield and glide his way past players effortlessly. He played a crucial role in both Champions League winning sides he was part of with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 and was exactly the same with Juventus during their run to the final in 2015.
14. Paolo Maldini
Clubs: AC Milan - 1992-1995, 1996, 1999-2001 and 2002-2008
Maldini won the old European Cup before it was renamed as the Champions League of which he won three more times. He was a defender who timed his challenges well, always knew what position to take up and was effective in both boxes. He was like this right throughout his career as he went on to play until the age of 40.
13. Kaka
Clubs: AC Milan - 2003-2008 and 2013-2014, Real Madrid - 2009-2013
Kaka had everything as a midfield player in that he could play any kind of pass from anywhere on the pitch, glide past players without too much effort and score goals. He was the main reason behind Milan's Champions League win in 2007 where he later won the Ballon D'or before the award was dominated by Messi and Ronaldo.
12. Victor Valdes
Clubs: Barcelona - 2002-2003 and 2004-2013
Valdes was quite possibly the most underrated goalkeeper in world football with the majority of the plaudits going to his Barcelona colleagues. He made big and important saves when his team needed him to make them and was also a keeper who was good with the ball at his feet. He won the competition three times with Barca all of which he was a key part of despite not getting the credit he deserved.
11. Philipp Lahm
Clubs: Stuttgart - 2003-2004 (on loan), Bayern Munich - 2003-2007 and 2008-2017
Lahm was one of the best full backs in world football as he was very solid defensively and effective going forward. He could play in a number of positions including defensive midfield and his leadership and work ethic were a key part of Bayern's success in this competition in 2013.
10. Dani Alves
Clubs: Sevilla - 2007-2008, Barcelona - 2008-2016, Juventus - 2016-2017, PSG - 2017-2019
One of the most decorated full backs in the game. Even as he reached his mid thirties Alves was still arguably the best right backs in the world as he still loved to get forward and get crosses into the box. He was a key part of that Barca sides that won the competition in 2009, 2011 and 2015 and he also changed the role of a modern day full back.
9. Iker Casillas
Clubs: Real Madrid - 1999-2015, Porto - 2015-2019
At his best Casillas was the best keeper in the world because of his outstanding reflexes and ability to pull of world class saves. He showed a lot of promise as a youngster as he was first choice during their Champions League wins in 2000 and 2002 and over the next many years evolved into a world class keeper.
8. Zinedine Zidane
Clubs: Juventus - 1996-1999 and 2000, Real Madrid - 2001-2006
Zidane was one of the greatest players of his generation as he could absolutely everything in that he was skilful, was a great carrier of the ball and could score all sorts of goals. He had the ability to win games on his own and he scored one of the greatest goals in Champions League history in his volley against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 final.
7. Sergio Ramos
Clubs: Real Madrid - 2005-2021
He may have a history of getting sent off but Ramos is still one of the best defenders to play the game. He's always committed when making a challenge and is effective in both boxes as he has a great goal record which is quite rare for a central defender. His leadership at the back and reading of the game were both crucial to the four successes he achieved with Real.
6. Karim Benzema
Clubs: Lyon - 2005-2009, Real Madrid - 2009-
Benzema has been in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo for much of his time at Real Madrid but in recent seasons he has stepped up as the main man and is finally getting the plaudits he deserves. He's scored many crucial goals in this competition throughout his time at Bernabeu and his contributions during the last campaign were key to Real wining their fifth crown in nine years.
5. Andres Iniesta
Clubs: Barcelona - 2002-2003 and 2004-2018
Iniesta is one of the greatest midfielders of all time because of his vision and ability to run a game from midfield. He was a key part of the 2009 and 2011 Barcelona sides that won this competition because of the creativity he offered as well as his midfield partnership with Xavi which remains one of if not the greatest midfield duo of all time.
4. Xavi
Clubs: Barcelona - 1998-2003 and 2004-2015
Xavi remains one of the finest midfield players of all time because of his vision to pick out a pass and the way he could dictate play in midfield. He was a big part of that Barcelona side that won this competition twice under Pep Guardiola because of his creativity and midfield partnership with Iniesta.
3. Raul
Clubs: Real Madrid - 1995-1996 and 1997-2010, Schalke - 2010-2011
Raul was a goal machine right throughout his career as he could score any kind of goal which he did many times in Europe. He netted 71 times in this competition and was the all time leading goal scorer for several years until his record was broken by Messi and Ronaldo. His goals were vital to Real's success in 2000 and 2002.
2. Lionel Messi
Clubs: Barcelona - 2004-2021, PSG - 2021-
Of if not the greatest player of all time. Messi has come up with many magical moments in this competition and particularly during his time at Barcelona. He scored many wonderful goals when he was at Barca and although he hasn't won it in a while, he still kept producing those wonderful moments.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Clubs: Man United - 2003-2009 and 2021-2022, Real Madrid - 2009-2018 and Juventus - 2018-2021
This spot was obviously going to be between Messi and Ronaldo and in the end I went with Ronaldo. He's the all time leading goal scorer with 140 goals and he's won it on more occasions. He was key to every Champions League winning side he was part of because of the goals he scored and he still has that desire to score more and break records at the age of 37.
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