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The UEFA Champions League is a special tournament – it is the ultimate level of professional club football. Year after year it does not fail to excite. Champions League nights are perhaps the most exhilarating ones in the life of professional footballers and fans alike. Every year we see an array of players from the elite to the new underdogs, showcasing their talents to the world. It could make players next big thing, overnight sensations, legends, cult heroes and villains as well. With the 2014/15 season Champions League all wrapped up, we look at some players that might have played their last Champions League game.
#1 Xavi
Xavi will surely be missed after a glittering career at the Camp Nou. The midfield maestro has moved to Qatari side Al-Sadd after his treble-winning season at Barcelona. The Champions League final victory was the perfect parting gift that Barcelona could give to their departing 'homegrown' hero.
He is an absolute legend of the game, arguably one of the best midfielders of his generation. He has four champions League titles to his name and he had a role in all of those triumphs, especially the 2009 and 2011 when he was in his prime.
Champions League knockout matches are tactical battles, and he was Barcelona's general. He was untouchable with his passing range and vision, and he controlled games like no one else could. This was underlined by the fact that he was ever present in the UEFA team for the year from 2008 to 2012 – five consecutive seasons.
Champions League match to remember: His man of the match performance in the 2009 Champions League final against Manchester United where he absolutely destroyed the Red Devils. Always finding spaces, picking the right passes, he never gave the ball away and hounded United’s midfielders when they were on the ball. He also provided an inch-perfect ball for Messi to make it 2-0 to Barcelona.
Champions League matches played – 157 (record); Goals scored - 12
UEFA Honours
- UEFA Champions League: Winner – 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015
- UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year: 2009
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
#2 Maicon
Roma might allow Maicon to leave the club despite having one season left on his contract. Maicon was a beast of a player for Inter Milan during their treble-winning 2010/11 campaign which saw him selected as the UEFA Club Defender of the Year.
His performance might have gone down over the years, but he will always be remembered as one of the best full backs in the world at his peak. He was gifted with outstanding physical attributes, athleticism, excellent technical and crossing ability as well as a powerful shot, making him a serious attacking threat down the right wing.
Champions League match to remember: 2011 Champions league semi-final against Barcelona – The Brazilian produced a wonderful volleyed finish in the first leg which Inter won 3-1 and worked tirelessly at the back, whilst contributing offensively in the second leg. Inter won the tie 3-2 and advanced to final where they beat Bayern Munich to the complete the treble.
Champions League matches played – 61
UEFA Honours
- UEFA Champions League: Winner – 2010
- UEFA Club Defender of the Year: 2010
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2010
#3 Carlos Tevez
This seasons' Champions League final would most probably be Tevez’s last Champions League match as he wants to go back to his boyhood club, Boca Juniors in Argentina. He would be a big miss for Juventus if he leaves after he contributed in a big way to Juventus's success this season.
Tevez has had a controversial time in European football, but he has been an excellent player everywhere – be it West Ham, Manchester United, Manchester City or Juventus. He has the vision, trickery and technical ability to succeed in Europe.
His major European success came at Manchester United when they won the Champions League in 2008. He has also played in two Champions League finals.
Champions League Match to remember: 2014/15 Champions League Round of 16 against Borussia Dortmund – He scored once in the away leg which they lost 2-1 and twice in the home leg and also assisted one goal which gave Juventus a 3-0 win .
Champions League matches played - 46; Goals scored - 13
UEFA Honours
- UEFA Champions League: Winner – 2008, Runner-up 2009 and 2015
#4 Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidic was Manchester United's rock for nine seasons where they managed to win five Premier League titles, three League Cups and one Champions League. He also has two Champions League runners-up medals.
But the 2014/15 season saw him moving to Inter Milan in Italy, which has not been as successful. With Inter languishing in mid-table, the 33-year-old may not be able to play another Champions League campaign. His fitness has been letting him down as well in the last few seasons.
He still has a cult status at Old Trafford due to his commitment and warrior-like approach and no-nonsense defensive style. The best aspect about him was that he was consistent and was a leader on and off the pitch – the primary reason Sir Alex Ferguson gave him the captain’s armband.
Champions League match to remember: 2007/08 Champions League final against Chelsea – Vidic was immense that night in his duel with Didier Drogba and the Ivorian eventually got frustrated and got sent off for slapping Vidic. Throughout the season, he was a rock at the back forming a great central defensive pairing with Rio Ferdinand.
Champions League matches played - 54
UEFA Honours
- UEFA Champions League: Winner – 2008, Runner-up – 2009 and 2011
#5 Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba will forever be remembered as one of Chelsea's greatest strikers ever. He scored 164 goals for Chelsea in two stints with the London club. He has a cult status at Stamford Bridge which saw them bringing him back to Chelsea this season.
Even though he could not recapture his old form, he still contributed with 7 goals. His major European success came in the 2011/12 season when he helped them to win the Champions League. He is known for his physical ability, vision and goal scoring ability.
One thing that made him so special is the ability to rise to the occasion in big games. He has scored in a Champions League final, a FA Cup final and big league games against top sides.
Champions League match to remember: 2011/12 Champions League final against Bayern Munich – After Bayern had taken the lead, Drogba scored the equaliser from Juan Mata's corner in the 88th minute, taking Chelsea into extra time and then penalties. He also scored the winning penalty in the shootout that led Chelsea to a 4-3 victory over Bayern Munich at their Allianz Arena.
Champions League matches played – 94; Goals scored – 44
UEFA Honours
- UEFA Champions League: Winner – 2012; Runner-up – 2008
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2007
#6 Frank Lampard
After a brief stay at Manchester City, Lampard is going back to his new home, New York City FC. But it was at Chelsea where he made his name and became one of the best attacking midfielders of his generation. Frank Lampard's place in Chelsea's folklore is more than assured.
The former West Ham man has won everything he could at Chelsea - Premier League trophies, both domestic cups, and add to that a Champions League and Europa League trophy as well. He scored 20 goals or more for Chelsea for five seasons in a row, and is the club’s all-time leading scorer.
Even this season, he had the best goals-per-minute ratio among midfielders in the Premier League. It didn’t matter whether it was from 25 yards out or one yard, he was a clinical goal-scoring machine.
Champions League match to remember: 2011/12 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona – Nobody expected Chelsea to win the match but they did and Lampard played a crucial role in both the home and away legs. They won the tie 3-2 and he had a role in two of those goals. Lampard also captained the Chelsea side that went on to beat Bayern Munich in the final.
Champions League matches played -107, Goals scored - 23
UEFA Honours
- UEFA Champions League: Winner – 2012; Runner-up – 2008
- UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year: 2008
#7 Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard might not have won that many Champions League titles, but he wrote his name into the Champions League folklore with his performance in the 2005 Champions League final. Sadly, we won't be seeing him anymore at Europe's biggest competition as he has decided to move on to MLS side LA Galaxy in USA.
The Liverpool teams he played for were not the greatest, but he inspired them many times when he single-handedly took them over the line. This is why he was part of the UEFA team of the year for three consecutive seasons from 2005 to 2007. He was not the greatest tactically but more than made up for it with his passion, grit, determination and leadership qualities.
Champions League Match to remember: 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan – Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool to make one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history. Trailing 3-0 at half time, he refused to give up and inspired Liverpool to score three and eventually won it on penalties.
Gerrard scored one, set up another and then won the penalty that helped them draw level – all of this in a matter of 15 minutes. That match literally defined him as one of the greatest English players ever. He played in the Champions League final once again in 2007 but ended up on the losing side as Milan exacted revenge.
Champions League matches played – 87, Goals scored – 30
UEFA honours
- UEFA Champions League: Winner – 2005, Runner-up – 2007
- UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2005
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2005, 2006, 2007
