The Champions League first began in 1955, originally named the European Cup, pairing the best teams in Europe in a knockout competition to prove the best team in Europe. The Champions League has made loads of stars and is the stage where players go from good to great to icons.
It is hard to make champions league predictions on who will be in the new generation of footballers coming in and making dramatic differences in the Champions League. Still, it looks like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Jude Bellingham have a great shot at breaking records. Looking at some of the greatest players in the competition’s history is essential.
These are some great players currently holding records for the competition.
Most Goals/Assist/Appearances: Christiano Ronaldo
The Champions League this season feels odd without Cristiano Ronaldo in it. Ronaldo may be playing in the Europa League this year, but he is the Champions League’s greatest goalscorer. Ronaldo has 140 goals in 183 appearances for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Ronaldo is tied for second with many of his Real Madrid teammates for the most Champions League trophies at five, four with Real Madrid and one with United.
Ronaldo is such a dominant goalscorer that he holds the top three (third is with Robert Lewandowski) goals per season in the Champions League, with the highest being 17 goals in the tournament in the 2013-14 season. Ronaldo is also the all-time leader in assists, with 42, four higher than second-place Angel Di Maria and five higher than Lionel Messi.
Based on Ronaldo’s performance, most people usually make their champions league predictions today. It is known that Ronaldo has the greatest goals of all time and some of the most dominant and memorable moments in the Champions League. Being him a unquestionable reference in the league.
Most Goals Scored Against Different Clubs: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is, for most people, the greatest footballer of all time. Just last week, Messi became the first player to score against 40 clubs in the Champions League. Now with PSG, Messi has a chance to become the highest Champions League goal scorer, in appearances than Ronaldo has had, while also having the opportunity to tie Ronaldo in Champions League trophies this season, with Messi at four.
Messi is also just five assists away from tying Ronaldo’s record for most assists in the history of the competition. This season is significant, considering Messi could break all the records while Ronaldo is out. He is as solid as ever in terms of champions league picks to score or assist, as he seems never to stop affecting games.
Most Champion League Finals Trophies: Paco Gento
Paco Gento might not be the biggest household name for younger fans, but he is one of the Champions League’s most important players. Gento has a record six Champions League trophies, including the first ever Champions League back in 1955 with Real Madrid.
Gento would go on to lead Real Madrid to the first five Champions League wins and win his final trophy in the 1965-66 year of the competition. Gento only appeared in 89 matches in the tournament and scored 30 goals, but his legacy is as acclaimed as any player in history.
Gento has been described as the most important Spanish player in history and one of the most iconic wingers of all time. Gento sadly passed away in January 2022, but his legacy will forever be cemented in the Champions League and football as a whole.
Most Clean Sheets: Iker Casillas
The iconic Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas holds the record for most clean sheets in the competition at 57. Casillas kept 50 clean sheets while at Real Madrid and seven while playing for Porto. In Madrid, Casillas held the Champions League trophies three times and is part of some of the most dominant sides the Champions League has ever seen.
Casillas is second all-time in most appearances, just behind Ronaldo, with Messi beginning to come on the heels of the great goalkeeper. Casillas also has the most minutes played in the tournament with 16,267 minutes, a record that Ronaldo could break if he can get back into the competition next season.
