The Champions League’s ability to bring together football players from around the world is its greatest feature. All nations can be represented, regardless of whether a player plays for Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.
For this reason, flags from all over the world are frequently flown during post-match festivities. The ideal example of a player who is extremely proud of their heritage and wants to flaunt it to the world is Kvicha Kvaratskhelia of the international minnows Georgia.
In light of all of that, some nations are more successful than others in the Champions League, frequently as a result of their achievements outside. However, which 25 countries have the most wins of the major club competition in Europe?
25–21 Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Wales, and Uruguay
It is extremely impressive, especially for international minnows, to have a Champions League winner at all. Uruguay, who won the first World Cup in 1930, will start things off. Federico Valverde, Jose Santamaria, and Luis Suarez are the three wins they have on the continent.
Nigeria also boasts three champions of the main football competition on the football-mad continent: Finidi George, John Obi Mikel, and Nwanwko Kanu, who is considered by many to be among the best African players in Arsenal’s lengthy and illustrious history.
Let’s go on to another African nation, Ivory Coast, who are now AFCON winners. Didier Drogba is their best player ever. Like Salomon Kalou and Yaya Toure, he was a Champions League winner. Michael Essien, a former Chelsea player, is one of Ghana’s three winners.
Gareth Bale won five titles with Real Madrid and scored one of the best goals in Champions League history with that bicycle kick. Ian Rush was successful with Liverpool in the early 1980s, and Ryan Giggs was successful with Manchester United.
Rank
Nation
number of participants
Prominent athletes
25.
Uruguay
3.
Federico Valverde, Jose Santamaria, and Luis Suarez
24.
Nigeria
3.
Finidi George, Nwanwko Kanu, and Jon Obi Mikel
23.
The Ivory Coast
3.
Salomon Kalou, Yaya Toure, and Didier Drogba
22.
Ghana
3.
Samuel Kuffour, Sulley Muntari, and Michael Essien
21.
Wales
4.
Ian Rush, Ryan Giggs, and Gareth Bale
20–16 Czech Republic, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and Poland
Erling Haaland of Norway played a key role in Manchester United’s treble-winning campaign, which included a Champions League, but we cannot overlook Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s influence in 1999. “And Solskjaer has done it!” exclaimed Clive Tyldsley. Along with Wales’ four goals, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski is undoubtedly one of the best goal scorers of his generation. This is not the only Pole to win the big-eared trophy, though, as Jerzy Dudek also did.
Erling Haaland of Norway played a key role in Manchester United’s treble-winning campaign, which included a Champions League, but we cannot overlook Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s influence in 1999. “And Solskjaer has done it!” exclaimed Clive Tyldsley. Along with Wales’ four goals, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski is undoubtedly one of the best goal scorers of his generation. This is not the only Pole to win the big-eared trophy, though, as Jerzy Dudek also did.
In this sense, the most notable figures in their country are the Danish brothers Michael and Brian Laudrup. Nevertheless, one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history, Peter Schmeichel, has only won once with Manchester United. He was on that 98/99 team as well.
As was Roy Keane, the controversial central midfielder for the Republic of Ireland from 1991 to 2005. Other well-known names are Shay Brennan and Mark Lawrenson. It’s difficult to overlook the accomplished Luka Modric’s six trophies for Croatia.
It’s also difficult to ignore Lionel Messi’s impact on international football. Since the Argentine played a significant portion of his career during Barcelona’s heyday, it should come as no surprise that he has four trophies in his huge trophy cabinet.
Rank
Nation
number of participants
Prominent athletes
15.
Denmark
8.
Michael Laudrup, Ivan Nielsen, and Peter Schmeichel
14.
Ireland’s Republic
8.
Shay Brennan, Mark Lawrenson, and Roy Keane
13.
Croatia
8.
Mateo Kovacic, Davor Suker, and Luka Modric
12.
Argentina
Twelve
Javier Zanetti, Angel Di Maria, and Lionel Messi
11.
The former Yugoslavia
13.
Branislav Ivanovic, Dejan Stankovic, and Nemanja Matic
10-6 Brazil, Portugal, France, Scotland, and Romania
Some may be astonished to learn that Romania are rated 10th with 14 players having won the Champions League – but FCSB’s success over Barcelona in 1985/86 included plenty of natives, notably Marius Lacatus and Stefan Iovan. Cristian Chivu also won it with Inter Milan.
Scotland have owned plenty of talent throughout the years – and 26 of their compatriots have got their hands on club football’s highest trophy. For France, Zinedine Zidane — one of the greatest central midfielders since 1990 – is a winner, as are Thierry Henry and Karim Benzema.
There’s a reason why Brazil has the record for World Cup victories. It’s not strange to see football legends like Thiago Silva, Neymar, Roberto Carlos, and others vying for a spot in the top five in a country full with them. They now hold the seventh position.
For years, Portugal has had the good fortune to have Mr. Champions League on their team. Currently playing outside of Europe, Cristiano Ronaldo won five championships during his illustrious time with Los Blancos. Luis Figo and Bernardo Silva are also Portuguese champions.
Rank
Nation
number of participants
Prominent athletes
10.
Romania
14
Stefan Iovan, Marius Lacatus, and Cristian Chivu
9.
Scotland
26
Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish, and Paul Lambert
8.
France
39
Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema, and Zinedine Zidane
7.
Brazil
41
Thiago Silva, Neymar, and Roberto Carlos
6.
Portugal
46
Luis Figo, Bernardo Silva, and Cristiano Ronaldo
5-1 Spain, Italy, England, Germany, and the Netherlands
Let’s begin with the Netherlands, one of the countries that has produced many of Europe’s top table-winning stars over the years. Edwin van der Sar and Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, are well-known figures, and the only player to win it with three different clubs is Clarence Seedorf.
Throughout the history of Europe’s top table, Germany has produced 64 players who have dominated, including Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger, two members of Bayern Munich royalty. Toni Kroos is also a member of that not-so-exclusive group.
Football’s biggest trophy has been won by 70 players from England and 74 from Italy. For the former, the most well-known names are Jude Bellingham and the goal-scoring Wayne Rooney; for the latter, Andrea Pirlo and Paolo Maldini immediately come to mind.
Spain is winning this time around, possibly because Real Madrid and Barcelona are two of Europe’s most successful teams. Together, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta led four finals, and Iker Casillas was essential to Los Blancos’ unstoppable continental success.
Rank
Nation
number of participants
Prominent athletes
5.
The Netherlands
52
Edwin van der Sar, Clarence Seedorf, and Virgil van Dijk
4.
Germany
64
Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Philipp Lahm
3.
England
70
Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, and Jude Bellingham
2.
Italy
74
Alessandro Del Piero, Paolo Maldini, and Andrea Pirlo
1.
Spain
80
Iker Casillas, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez
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