Ranking – 11 Football Stars Who Played for Europe’s Biggest Clubs but Never Won the Champions League”

September 18, 2025 Aksel Kryhlmand

Reaching the top of European football is no easy task—even for some of the game’s biggest stars. While countless players have lifted the Champions League trophy, others have spent their careers at Europe’s most successful clubs without ever tasting continental glory.

In this article, we look at 11 well-known players who each represented multiple Champions League-winning teams—yet somehow never managed to win the competition themselves.

11. Matthijs de Ligt – 4 clubs

De Ligt has worn the shirts of Ajax, Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United—four clubs with a rich Champions League history. Despite that, the Dutch defender is still searching for his first taste of European glory.

10. Alexis Sánchez – 4 clubs

Sánchez played for Barcelona, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Arsenal. Three of those clubs have lifted the Champions League, but the Chilean forward never reached the final with any of them.

9. Gonzalo Higuaín – 4 clubs

Higuaín featured for Real Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, and Chelsea during his career. All four clubs have hoisted the Champions League trophy, but the Argentine striker came up short on each occasion.

8. Arturo Vidal – 4 clubs

Vidal had spells with Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Juventus—clubs that boast a combined 17 European titles. Yet the Chilean midfielder never won the tournament himself.

7. George Weah – 4 clubs

The legendary Liberian striker played for PSG, AC Milan, Chelsea, and Marseille. Each of those clubs has claimed European silverware, but Weah’s best UCL run ended in the semifinals.

6. Pepe Reina – 4 clubs

Reina’s career included stints with Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan. While he was part of elite squads, the Spanish goalkeeper never managed to win the Champions League.

5. Boudewijn Zenden – 4 clubs

Zenden represented Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Marseille. Despite reaching the final with Liverpool in 2007, he never managed to lift the trophy during his long career.

4. Ronaldo Nazário – 4 clubs

The Brazilian icon starred for Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Inter Milan. Remarkably, he never even appeared in a Champions League final, despite playing for four former winners.

3. Laurent Blanc – 4 clubs

Blanc played for Barcelona, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Marseille. All four clubs have won the Champions League, but the French defender missed out during his playing days.

2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5 clubs

Aubameyang has been part of AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Marseille. While he scored goals across Europe, he never came close to lifting the trophy.

1. Zlatan Ibrahimović – 6 clubs

Zlatan tops the list, having played for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Manchester United—all former Champions League winners. Despite a glittering career, the Swede never won the one trophy that eluded him.