Greatest UEFA Champions League XI of all time

Which football legends make up the greatest Champions League XI of all time?
Which football legends make up the greatest Champions League XI of all time?

Right-back - Dani Alves

River Plate v Sao Paulo - Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2020
River Plate v Sao Paulo - Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2020

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has been rightly praised for his attacking verve and creative play. But it is sometimes easy to forget that Dani Alves created the perfect blueprint for an attacking right-back.

The Brazil international made his name at Sevilla before earning a move to Barcelona in 2008 for £32 million. Alves immediately became Barcelona's first-choice right-back, with his excellent technical skills, offensive abilities and world-class creativity key cogs in Barcelona's success.

Alves won three Champions League titles with Barcelona. He made 391 appearances in all competitions for the Camp Nou outfit, scoring 21 goals and providing 101 assists. The 38-year old currently plays for Sao Paulo, where he has often been used as an attacking midfielder.


Centre-back - Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid v FC Internazionale: Group B - UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid v FC Internazionale: Group B - UEFA Champions League

Sergio Ramos' time at Real Madrid seems to be coming to an end, but the centre-back will forever be etched in the club's history for his incredible contributions.

Eyebrows were raised when Real Madrid paid Sevilla £24.3 million in 2005 to sign Ramos. A right-back during his early days, Ramos began playing as a centre-back for Los Blancos, to devastating effect. A rugged centre-back with good ball-playing skills and leadership ability, the Spain international has been useful on both sides of the pitch for Real Madrid.

The 35-year old has made 671 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring an astounding 101 goals. Ramos, whose contract with Real Madrid expires in the summer, has won four Champions League trophies with the Spanish giants.


Centre-back - Carles Puyol

Media Interviews - 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards - Monaco
Media Interviews - 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards - Monaco

A one-club man, Carles Puyol was renowned for his leadership and was a part of the core for Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, which is regarded by many as one of the greatest sides of all time.

While not a tall centre-back, Puyol made up for it with his intelligent play, intensity and physical ability. One of the leaders in the Barcelona dressing room, the Spain international has earned heavy praise from his teammates regarding his captaincy and the way he conducted himself throughout his playing career.

Puyol made 593 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan club. He won three Champions League titles, and played an important role in development of Gerard Pique as a centre-back.


Left-back - Paolo Maldini

SS Lazio v AC Milan - Serie A
SS Lazio v AC Milan - Serie A

Arguably the greatest defender of all time, Paolo Maldini was a one-club man who made over 900 appearances in all competitions for AC Milan.

After making his debut in 1984, Maldini spent his next 25 years representing the Italian giants. A left-back for the majority of his career, the Italy international was a technically gifted player with good crossing ability. In his latter years as a player, Maldini was shifted into a centre-back role, where he excelled as well.

The 52-year old won five Champions League/European Cups with AC Milan, accumulating 25 trophies in total with the club. He retired in 2009 and is currently the technical director at AC Milan.


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