The UEFA Champions League, the pinnacle of European club football, has witnessed the triumphs of some of the sport’s greatest names. Yet, football’s unpredictable nature occasionally allows lesser-known players to etch their names in history with a Champions League winners’ medal. Here are five players who became unlikely European champions.
1. Lars Ricken (Borussia Dortmund, 1996)
In the 1996 Champions League final, Borussia Dortmund faced the mighty Juventus. Enter Lars Ricken, a 20-year-old German midfielder who came off the bench and, with his first touch, chipped the ball over the Juventus goalkeeper to seal a 3-1 victory for Dortmund. Ricken’s unexpected heroics secured the Champions League title in a moment that remains etched in football history.
2. Djimi Traoré (Liverpool, 2005)
Djimi Traoré’s career is a testament to the unpredictable twists of football fate. Despite facing criticism during his time at Liverpool, Traoré played a crucial role in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan. His defensive contributions helped Liverpool mount a historic comeback from 3-0 down, eventually winning the trophy in a dramatic penalty shootout.
3. José Bosingwa (Chelsea, 2012)
Adding to the list of unexpected Champions League winners is Portuguese defender José Bosingwa, who played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s remarkable triumph in 2012. Bosingwa, known for his versatility and defensive prowess, was a crucial part of the Chelsea squad that faced Bayern Munich in the final. In a dramatic match that went into extra time, Chelsea found themselves battling against the odds. Bosingwa showcased his resilience as he helped thwart Bayern’s attacks and contributed to Chelsea’s defensive solidity.
4. McDonald Mariga (Inter Milan, 2010)
Mariga didn’t play a single minute in the 2010 Champions League final between Inter and Bayern Munich. Diego Millito’s brace secured victory for the Italian giants, and also secured a winners medal for Mariga. After leaving Inter in 2014, he signed for fellow Serie A side Parma for a second time before dropping down to sign for Serie B to sign for Latina in 2016.
5. Jeremy Mathieu (Barcelona, 2015)
A 3-1 victory against Juventus saw Barcelona win their 5th Champions League title in 2015, and a first for defender Jeremy Mathieu. Eyebrows were raised after his €20M transfer from Valencia, and a string of less than convincing performances did little to raise his stock with the Barcelona faithful. However, the Frenchman’s cabinet contains a Champions League medal, an incredible consolation if there ever was one.
