THE GREATEST

Who are the greatest players to have featured in the UEFA Champions League over the years? Dylan Appolis picks his top 10

- Dylan Appolis

CRISTIANO RONALDO
SPORTING LISBON, MANCHESTER UNITED, REAL MADRID, JUVENTUS

Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest ever player to grace the Champions League, rivalled only by Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo has amassed an astonishing collection of records in the competition, including the most appearances, with 187. He also leads the way for most goals with 140, as well as the all-time top assists with 42.

The Portuguese international won his first UCL trophy with Manchester United back in 2007 before going on to clinch four more titles with Real Madrid, while also holding the record for the most penalties scored (19) and the most goals scored in one season (17),

LIONEL MESSI 
BARCELONA, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time and he has enjoyed a large amount of success in the Champions League, winning the prestigious trophy four times with Barcelona.

The Argentine has scored an incredible 129 goals in the competition, second behind Cristiano Ronaldo, and played a crucial role in helping Barcelona collect four titles between 2006 and 2015.

Messi's goal-scoring prowess has made him one of the most feared footballers in the history of the competition, but the 35-year-old is yet to claim his fifth title at new club Paris Saint-Germain.

SERGIO RAMOS
SEVILLA, REAL MADRID, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Sergio Ramos is arguably one of the greatest defenders of his generation and has been an outstanding servant to Real Madrid, especially in the Champions League, having stepped up and provided game-changing moments for the Spanish giants over the years.

He has won the title four times with Madrid and is most known for iconic moments in the competition, often rising to the occasion in big games.