Our Top 11: The ultimate Champions League team

We absolutely love Champions League football here, and to celebrate the return of the coveted European club competition, we decided to assemble what we think is the ultimate team of Champions League players of the UEFA CL-era (1992 onwards).

We’re working around a 4-3-3 as it’s the most popular and successful formation in the Champions League. We’ll make some notes as to how we see them working in their positions, too. All stats sourced from the UEFA website and Transfermarkt. 

Photo Credit: Izuddin Helmi Adnan on Unsplash

They don't get more consistent than this. Buffon is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time for good reason – his incredible reflexes and longevity in this position are practically unmatched. Despite never winning the Champions League, his performances in the competition, especially with Juventus, were marked by leadership and resilience, including a runner-up finish in 2017.

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At right-back, Cafu – the Energizer Bunny of Brazilian football –l ocks down the flank. Known for his tireless overlaps and defensive grit, Cafu’s shining Champions League moment came in 2007, when he helped AC Milan to their seventh title. His lung-busting runs and relentless energy give us a perfect outlet on the right.

Who else could anchor our backline but Sergio Ramos, the ultimate big-game defender? Equal parts hero and villain, Ramos’ record speaks for itself—countless defensive masterclasses and a knack for clutch goals, like that iconic last-minute equalizer in the 2014 final. Whether it’s saving us with a last-ditch tackle or popping up with a bullet header, he’s got it all.

Every team needs its warrior, and Carles Puyol fits the bill perfectly. Barcelona’s shaggy-haired rock was the heart of their defense during their golden years, always leading by example. Whether it’s his bone-crunching tackles or that iconic trophy handover to Eric Abidal in 2011, Puyol’s Champions League legacy is unforgettable. We think he's a great shout to wear the captain's armband in this team.

We’re blessed to have Paolo Maldini patrolling the left side. Graceful yet tenacious, Maldini is synonymous with AC Milan’s dominance in Europe. With five Champions League titles to his name and a record-breaking goal in the 2005 final, he’s the epitome of class and longevity.

Toni Kroos is our midfield metronome, the man who keeps everything ticking over. With his pinpoint passing and ice-cold composure, he was instrumental in Real Madrid’s most-recent dominant period. We’ll never forget his role in their three-peat from 2016 to 2018, calmly orchestrating play under pressure.

Helping lift the Champions League trophy six times in his tenure at Real Madrid, Modrić is the metronome of midfield, combining vision, technique, and tenacity in equal measure. He's as solid in defense as he is in attack, so we think he could easily slot into a central defensive midfield role if we need to protect a lead.

An artist on the pitch, Zidane is revered for his creativity and composure in the biggest moments. His stunning volley in the 2002 final for Real Madrid is widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in Champions League history. We have him as a CM, but we expect him to pop up all over the place, as opportunities present.

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You all knew he was going to be here, right? The Argentine superstar is synonymous with brilliance, dazzling fans with his unmatched dribbling and goal-scoring prowess. Though he's not exactly a surprise choice, few can turn around the fortunes of a team like La Pulga, so he's a must-have in our eyes.

Another unsurprising choice, Ronaldo is the ultimate Champions League icon and one of the greatest finishers in the history of the game, so he is another obvious lock. Five titles, the most goals in the competition’s history, and an endless collection of jaw-dropping performances – CR7 lives for the big stage. Whether it’s headers, free kicks, or late-game heroics, Ronaldo’s got it all.

Ronaldinho’s flair and creativity made him a fan favourite and one of football’s most entertaining players – even Madrid fans loved him! While he arguably has the credentials for this spot after helping Barcelona win their first Champions League title in 14 years with key performances in the 2006 campaign, he's mostly here because there aren't many players we loved to watch as much as prime Ronaldinho.

Ok, that's the starters done – let's take a quick look at the bench. We must say, it almost feels criminal to have some of these players not starting.

A Champions League stalwart, Casillas captained Real Madrid to 'La Décima' and has a legitimate claim to be one of the best goalkeepers of all time. Truth be told, he may actually be our favourite, but we had to make some tough decisions here.

Known for his thunderous left foot and marauding runs, Roberto Carlos was a key figure in Real Madrid's Champions League successes in the early 2000s. We expect him to not only give the defense a boost in its time of need, but also inspire a whole new set of attacking options. Expect a shake-up when he comes onto the field.

Should we get a little tired in the midfield, we'll have Xavi in the ranks. The maestro of tiki-taka, Xavi orchestrated Barcelona’s midfield during their golden era, and we expect him to get some fast-paced ballplay happening when everyone else is starting to sag.

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A Ballon d’Or winner, Kaká was the driving force behind AC Milan’s 2007 triumph, scoring 10 goals in the competition that season. While some may question his place here, for us he was one of the most gifted and versatile players on his day and could bolster both the midfield or the forwards depending on how the game was unfolding.

A man for the big occasions. If CR7 or Messi aren't firing, Bale will almost certainly get the job done. His bicycle kick in the 2018 final remains one of the most iconic moments in Champions League history, so he's a hard one to leave out of the conversation when it comes to the Champions League.

How did we do? What did we get wrong and what did we get right?

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