Top 10 Worst Players To Win The Champions League in Football History (Ranked)

Top 10 Worst Players To Win The Champions League in Football History (Ranked)

10 – Dida (AC Milan 2007)

Not talking about the prime of his career, but instead the back end of his career where his level had dropped significantly. The once elite keeper just couldn’t reach close to the same levels that made him one of the best goalkeepers in Europe at the time. His age caused his reflexes to decline a lot and caused a lot of issues for AC, however, with Kaka at his best, they were carried towards the finals and to winning it.

9 – Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea 2012)

Someone who was very much caried by his pure speed. His defensive ability wasn’t anything special and his positioning was very poor. He had to come in and cover for an injured Garry Cahill at the Camp Nou against a very strong Barcelona team, and somehow, he survived and ended up getting a medal when Chelsea won against Bayern.

8 -Jeremi (Real Madrid 2000 & 2002)

He was a very versatile player and someone who would work relentlessly, however, that doesn’t make him someone who is Champions League quality and especially not winners’ quality. With the players around him it is no shock that Real Madrid won the UCL and him just by being part of the squad means that he got a medal, however, he still wasn’t the level to be close to that.

7 – Anderson (Manchester United 2008)

Someone who had a vast amount of technical and natural talent for the game, however, couldn’t achieve his true ability as a result of fitness and professionalism. While he was a very good player when talking about his raw ability, as a whole player, he wasn’t at the level that someone who lifts the UCL should be, and it goes to show how strong that United team truly was.

6 – Kleberson (Manchester United 2008)

Another member of that amazing United team and someone who once again wasn’t at the level that the team should’ve had. He had joined United off the 2002 World Cup success but was never able to truly find himself especially in England where the midfielder was too lightweight for the league. He was never truly the level of Manchester United let alone the level of someone who would be walking around with a UCL winner’s medal.

5 – Carlos Alberto (FC Porto 2004)

While he had an amazing final for Porto in 2004 even scoring in the final, he was never able to reach those hights seen in that final. He was 19 during the final so had his entire career to improve and develop, however never did that, even while playing for 10 teams after Porto, he could never find that ability again and therefore, deserves a spot on this list.

4 – Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea 2012)

He made his European debut in the Champions League final as a sub for Chelsea. He is the definition of someone you wouldn’t have ever expected to have won a Champions League medal. However, he did, and he did the job well playing on the wing for Chelsea. While he did do well, having never played a game in Europe before and only making his debut in the final shows that he wasn’t the highest level of player and therefore, deserves a spot on this list.

3 – Alvaro Odriozola (Bayern Munchen 2020)

A player who never really reached a high level of play even though he played for 2 of the biggest teams in Europe. He was part of the Bayern super team in 2020 and won the UCL with them, however, he wasn’t at that level and this is shown by his career after where he was sent on multiple loans and never really played for one of Europes elite clubs again excluding his short time back at Madrid.

2 – Jesus Vallejo (Real Madrid 2022)

Another player from that 2022 Madrid team and yet another defender. Someone who only made appearances as a sub and made the fans worried when he came on. He was definitely not at the level of an elite club especially Real Madrid and definitely not a player who you would’ve expected to be walking around with a Champions League winners medal.

🚨🇪🇸 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Jesus Vallejo (28) will be a free agent this summer. His contract at Real Madrid is expiring. 👋

Having signed for Real Madrid in 2015, he won 10 trophies and made a total of 35 appearances. 🥇 pic.twitter.com/v6TZoiNjMS

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 31, 2025

1 – Djimi Traore (Liverpool 2005)

The undisputed worst player to have won a UCL. He was very irratic and made so many errors when playing for Liverpool that it was a mircle that he actually started in the final in 2005 let alone was on the side that would end up winning the game. With his lack of technical ability and netural ability it is a wonder how he played for Liverpool let alone was part of the team that won one of the most dramatic finals ever.