The 20 Greatest Players Who Never Won the Champions League
Despite glittering careers, world-class talent, and legendary status, some footballing icons never managed to lift Europe’s most coveted trophy. From Ballon d’Or winners to World Cup heroes, these players achieved everything except UEFA Champions League glory. Here are the top 20, ranked by FourFourTwo.
20. Kylian Mbappé
He’s still got time, but the French superstar already came close with PSG in 2020 and has had standout moments in the competition. His move to Real Madrid in 2024 was meant to seal the deal, but PSG ironically won it right after his departure.
19. Gabriel Batistuta
Loyal to Fiorentina for most of his prime, Batistuta had limited exposure to Europe’s top stage. He joined Roma in 2000, won the Scudetto, but never went past the second group stage in the Champions League.
18. Roberto Baggio
Half of Baggio’s career came before the Champions League era, but timing also worked against him. He played for Juventus, Milan, and Inter, yet only featured in nine UCL games. His closest shot: quarter-finals with Inter in 1999.
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17. Hernán Crespo
He scored twice in the 2005 final, but Liverpool’s miracle comeback shattered his dream. Later, Milan and Inter both won the title shortly after he left. Bad luck or bad timing?
16. Antoine Griezmann
He came closest in 2016 with Atletico Madrid, losing to rivals Real on penalties. A World Cup and Europa League winner, but the UCL still evades him.
15. Cesc Fabregas
Fabregas left Barcelona before their 2015 UCL win and Chelsea before 2021. Over 100 appearances, one runner-up medal with Arsenal, and a career filled with near misses.
14. Michael Ballack
Twice a finalist, twice a runner-up: first with Leverkusen in 2002, then with Chelsea in 2008. He scored his penalty in the latter, but watched as United won the shootout.
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13. Ruud van Nistelrooy
With 56 UCL goals, he holds the record for the most by a player who never won it. He missed United’s 1999 and 2008 wins, and Real Madrid never broke through during his time.
12. Pavel Nedvěd
Won the Ballon d’Or and helped Juve to the 2003 final, but suspension kept him from playing. That was the closest the Czech legend ever came.
11. Lilian Thuram
Finalist with Juventus in 2003, but lost to Milan on penalties. Despite success with Parma and a World Cup win, the Champions League remained elusive.
10. Francesco Totti
One-club man and Roma icon, Totti played 786 matches and won the World Cup, but never went past the quarter-finals in the UCL. Loyalty came at a cost.
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9. Fabio Cannavaro
Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup captain, yet never a Champions League winner despite playing for Parma, Inter, Juve, and Real Madrid.
8. Eric Cantona
Cantona retired just two years before United’s 1999 treble. A Premier League legend, but continental success never followed.
7. Patrick Vieira
Won everything except the UCL. Left Arsenal a year before their 2006 final and Inter six months before their 2010 triumph. Wrong place, wrong time.
6. Zlatan Ibrahimović
Seven clubs, 124 UCL appearances, zero titles. Zlatan left both Inter and Barcelona just before they won the Champions League. A legend, but not in Europe.
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5. Sergio Agüero
Gave a decade to Man City and played just 13 minutes in their 2021 final loss. Injuries cut his final season short, and he retired without the trophy.
4. David Silva
Like Aguero, Silva was central to City’s rise but left before their UCL final run. Despite domestic dominance, he never got his shot at European glory.
3. Dennis Bergkamp
Won UEFA Cups with Ajax and Inter, but was an unused sub in Arsenal’s 2006 final. A creative genius who never conquered Europe.
2. Gianluigi Buffon
Three-time finalist, but no winner's medal. He made heroic saves in 2003, lost finals in 2015 and 2017, and even tried with PSG. One of the greatest to never lift the cup.
Read also: Football’s Greatest Without the Crown: 20 Legends Who Never Won the Champions League
1. Ronaldo (R9)
Played for Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, and Milan, but never won the UCL. He dazzled in Europe, but the big trophy always eluded him. The ultimate legend without a Champions League title.
