9) Pavel Nedved
Nedved was one of the greatest players to step onto a football pitch, period. The Czech Republic midfielder won several titles in the Czech League and the Serie A with Lazio and Juventus.
A player known for his energetic and seemingly never-ending runs, an accomplished dribbler and a proven goal scorer, he was one of few players who won the Ballon d’Or and played professional football for 19 years.
But he too came only within touching distance of lifting the Champions League trophy when Juventus lost to AC Milan in 2003. In spite of helping Juventus knock out the defending champions Real Madrid in the semi-finals, he was suspended for the final game after he got one yellow card too many in the competition.
Nedved was a delight to watch on the pitch and the only European honours he won was a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup with Lazio, the last time the competition was held before it was absorbed by the UEFA Cup.
10) Ruud van Nistelrooy
It’s very weird to have Nistelrooy on this list. The Dutch striker has dominated in the Champions League which has seen him become the fourth-highest goal scorer in Champions League history with 56 goals.
Even though he started his professional career in 1993, he did not play in the Champions League until he joined Manchester United in 2001. For a striker who has top scored in three different leagues in the continent and was also the top scorer in three different seasons in the Champions League, it is surprising that he never won the tournament.
He played for the Red Devils for five seasons scoring 38 goals in Europe (also a club record) before he moved to Real Madrid where he continued his scoring form, especially in La Liga.
But his was a career that was beset by injuries which caused him to miss many games at Madrid. Amongst the top five scorers in the Champions League, he is the only one who has not won the trophy.
