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One of the most exciting tournaments played by the top division European clubs, the UEFA Champions League, which was re-branded in 1992, is a great medal of honor for a player.
The most successful club in this competition is Real Madrid, with 12 titles, as well as being the reigning champions. The competition has become a big platform for the clubs and players to showcase their talent.
With many players showcased in this tournament, here are five currently active players who haven't won it yet.
#5 Antoine Griezmann
The 26-year-old French striker Antoine Griezmann, who currently plays for Atletico Madrid is one of the most prolific forwards in Europe currently.
But he has gone through a lot of harsh moments in his recent years with both, the club and the country, losing the European Championship final in 2016 and losing the Champions League final against Real Madrid the following year.
So far netting 18 goals in 48 appearances, Antoine Griezmann has had a pretty disappointing campaign in the Champions League; losing a final in-season 2015/16, getting knocked out in the semi-final of season 2016/17 and quarter-final of season 2014/15.
#4 Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is one of the most lethal strikers in Europe, who currently plays for Bayern Munich and has won 13 career titles so far and plenty of numerous individual honors.
The saying "form is temporary, but the class is permanent," is often used to explain why some players always seem to turn up when they're most needed, Lewandowski is one such player.
Alongside his excellence in the Bundesliga, he proved to be equally astonishing in the Champions League, netting 43 goals in 66 appearances.
However, Lewandowski just reached the Champions League final once throughout his career in 2013, which he lost to Bayern Munich as he used to play for his former club Borussia Dortmund back then.
Even after playing for two big German clubs, it will be a regret for him if he fails to capture the Champions League title in the end. With few prime years of his career left, he will be aiming to achieve this honor promptly.
#3 Cesc Fàbregas
One of the most prominent midfielders who came from Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia was signed by the Premier League giants Arsenal in 2003 at the age of 16. He had a pretty decent career at Arsenal scoring 35 goals in 212 appearances out of which 17 goals were scored in the Champions League.
He also won the FA Cup and FA Community Shield apart from storming into the finals of the UEFA Champions League and Football League Cup (twice).
Moving to Spain in 2011 after a bid from the European giants Barcelona, he spent three seasons of the club career with 28 goals in 96 appearances winning the La Liga, Copa Del Rey, Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. But he still failed to capture the ultimate glory of the Champions League.
Currently playing for the Premier League club Chelsea, where he moved in 2014, he has won just three trophies so far - the Premier Leaguetwice and the Football League Cup.
Following the Champions League draw held recently, Chelsea is in the Round of 16 and are going to face Barcelona - his former club. It is shocking how even playing for three top clubs couldn't prove to be fruitful as he failed to win the Champions League till date.
#2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
One of the most decorated players in the history of football, Ibrahimovic has won 33 major titles with six different clubs - Ajax, Internazionale, Barcelona, Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
List of trophies won: 2 x Eredivisie: 2001-02, 2003-04;1 x Dutch Cup: 2001-02; 1 x Dutch Super Cup: 2002; 6 x Serie A: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11; 3 x Supercoppa Italiana: 2006, 2008, 2011; 1 x Spanish Super Cup: 2009; 1 x European Super Cup: 2009; 1 x Club World Cup: 2009; 1 x La Liga: 2009-10; 1 x Spanish Super Cup: 2010; 4 x Ligue 1: 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16; 3 x Trophee des Champions: 2013, 2014, 2015; 3 x Coupe de la Ligue: 2014, 2015, 2016; 2 x Coupe de France: 2015, 2016; 1 x Community Shield: 2016; 1 x League Cup: 2017; 1 x Europa League: 2017.
Ibrahimovic aspired to win the Champions League following the move to Milan as he quoted, "This move gives me more adrenaline. I have moved here to win the Champions League with Milan. I want to win the double." But unfortunately, he still failed to capture his aspirations.
It's a shockingly indigestible fact to know that even after playing for top European clubs from various leagues and winning 33 titles, Ibrahimovic still failed to win the prestigious honor of the Champions League.
Having a year of contract left with Manchester United, he will be aiming to conquer his dream hopefully by the end of the season.
#1 Gianluigi Buffon
One of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Gianluigi Buffon the legend of football will be remembered for his passion and love for his club. At the age of 39, he is still playing for the pride of his club and it has been 20 long years since he started dominating his position in world football.
Titles won: 9 x Serie A, 1 x Serie B, 4 x Coppa Italia, 6 x Super Cup and a World Cup in 2006. Buffon proved to be modestly successful with both his club and country but the only wish he couldn't accomplish is winning the Champions League.
The most interesting fact is that Gigi Buffon has given three appearances in the UEFA Champions League final all over his career, which was in 2016/17, 2014/15 and 2002/03 failing to claim the crown on all three occasions.
Following his latest defeat in the Champions League final against Real Madrid on 3 June 2017, Buffon seemed to be heartbroken when he said, “It’s a big disappointment because we thought we did everything we needed to win, to win this cup you have to be stronger than everything against you."
With Juventus fighting for the Champions League title in the round of 16 currently, it will be the last chance for Buffon to achieve his dream as his contract expires at the end of the season and he could retire too.
