Precision Football

Some of the most famous and well-known football players have to be Diego Maradona, Pelé, and Ronaldo, who are all names that any sports fan knows. However, plenty of other great football players from different eras, leagues, and teams are just as talented but just haven’t had the chance to become worldwide sensations yet. Here’s our list of some famous football players that you may not have heard of!

 

Albert Riera

Riera was a forward for Barcelona and played for Spain, making 60 appearances for his country. He won 2 Spanish leagues, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 1 FIFA Club World Cup and 2 Copas del Rey. In 1997 he moved to Newcastle United but left after six months due to family reasons. He returned to Barcelona 3 years later, where he went on to play several more seasons before retiring in 2005.

 

Frank Worthington

A great name in English football history, Frank Worthington was a tough-tackling midfielder who had a short spell with Leeds United in 1972. He also played for Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City (twice) and is most well known for his time at Nottingham Forest, for whom he played from 1977 to 1982. A fearsome presence on the pitch, it’s no surprise that Worthington picked up six England caps between 1972 and 1975 – famously captaining his country against West Germany in 1974.

 

Jimmy Greaves

Born on October 29, 1939, in Islington, Greaves was an English footballer who played for Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. He has been called one of the greatest goalscorers ever to play football. In 1960 he scored 44 goals for England — still a record today.

 

Frank De Boer

He is a former Dutch footballer and was most recently in charge as manager of Premier League club Crystal Palace from 2016 to 2017. He played primarily as a central defender but could play in several other positions and started his career as a forward. He began his career at Ajax, winning several honours, including four national titles. This continued at Rangers for whom Alex McLeish signed him, but after two seasons in Scotland, he returned to Ajax under Louis van Gaal’s management.

 

John Barnes

One of England’s finest players, John Barnes, was a whiz on either wing for Liverpool and Watford. He began his career with Watford in 1981 but became something special after he joined Liverpool in 1987. In 10 years at Anfield, Barnes made 350 appearances and scored 85 goals—including one in a memorable 4-3 win over Newcastle in 1988. The winger is also renowned for impressive footwork during England’s international matches. It’s impossible to describe how great he was!

 

Nigel Clough

He was born on June 13, 1965. Clough started his professional career at Burton Albion in 1983 before moving to Nottingham Forest two years later. In 1993, he became player-manager of Derby County and won promotion to Division One with them a year later. He retired from playing at 41 and guided Derby to fourth place in Division One during his first season as manager.

In June 2003, Abramovich became the owner of the companies that control Chelsea Football Club in West London. Since then, the Russian billionaire has been the owner of the London club.

When a billionaire buys a club, they are often portrayed in a negative light. People believe that the owners are uninterested in football and are only interested in buying the team as an investment.

The trend of buying mediocre clubs and making them reach the pinnacle of success has only become fashionable now.

But this trend was started by none other than Roman Abramovich.

He took Chelsea to new heights that were not seen before. In an era where United and Arsenal were the big names in town, Chelsea and Abramovich completely disrupted the contest.

Wenger and Ferguson were amidst the battle for England and it seemed no other team had a chance to compete. Exactly at that point came in Mourinho’s Chelsea. With money in pocket, Chelsea was a revamped club.

With important signings and a solid manager at the helm, Chelsea took the premier league by the storm.

Under Mourinho, Chelsea became the fifth English team to win back-to-back league championships since the Second World War (2004–05 and 2005–06), in addition to winning an FA Cup (2007) and two League Cups (2005 and 2007).

The Roman Abramovich era started with a bang.

Chelsea later played in their first Champions League finals in 2008 where they lost to Manchester United on penalties. But they redeemed themselves by winning the 2012 Champions League, defeating Bayern Munich in the finals in their backyard.

A second spell for Mourinho with Chelsea saw them winning the league cup in march 2015 and winning the league couple of months later.

Antonio Conte delivered the next premier league title in the 2016/17 season and also delivered the Europa League for the blues.

The next man in charge Thomas Tuchel led Chelsea to their 2nd Champions League title. Thomas Tuchel with his Chelsea team is looking good for the future.

In the Abramovich era so far, Chelsea has won 18 major trophies – the UEFA Champions League twice, the UEFA Europa League twice, the UEFA Supercup twice, the Premier League five times, the FA Cup five times, and the League Cup three times, making Chelsea the most successful English trophy-winning team during Abramovich’s ownership.

The reason? – Roman Abramovich thinks like a fan.

Whenever you see Abramovich present at Stamford Bridge, you could see the emotions on his face. He reacts just like a fan; you could really make out that Chelsea football club has his heart. The point we are making is he actually cares about the club enough that he wants them to win trophies, season in and season out.

Another testimonial is his reactionary decisions to change managers. If a manager fails to bring in trophies, he gets the sack immediately.

Thirteen managers have taken charge of the Blues during Roman Abramovich’s reign. 13 managers but 18 trophies. This just shows that the dug-out brutality of Chelsea has worked so far for them.

Even Frank Lampard got the sack when he was unimpressive in his short tenure as Manager for the club.

Roman Abramovich is impatient just like any football fan would be. He wants results and trophies every season and if a manager can’t bring that to the table, they get the boot.

Chelsea’s short-term philosophy has served them well so far, as they enter their 19th year with Roman at the helm. Chelsea with a fantastic nearly two decades, and with a passionate owner like Abramovich, will only continue to assert their dominance.

Roman Abramovich the biggest Chelsea fan in the world.

(Also, the richest!).

Tottenham Hotspur led the race to sign the Colombian winger Luis Diaz from Porto in the winter transfer window. But now it seems that Spurs will lose the race to Liverpool, who came at the last moment as a surprise. Liverpool has agreed on a deal to sign Porto winger Luis Diaz ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will pay an initial fee of 45 million euros with an extra 15m euros in performance-related add-ons.

Liverpool did not plan to sign any strikers in the winter transfer window. But as Tottenham pressured the Colombian, Liverpool wanted to act quickly, and they put forward a deal for him.

Julian Ward, the soon-to-be sporting director, is leading negotiations, assisted by the outgoing Michael Edwards, and Diaz, who is currently away with Colombia in Argentina will sign a five-and-a-half-year contract at Anfield.

Diaz has twice played against the Reds this season in the Champions League for Porto, and though Liverpool won both games comfortably, the management was eyeing on him. They were impressed with his performance.

Diaz began his professional career in the Colombian Second Division at Barranquilla before moving to Junior, winning Categoria Primera A, Copa Colombia, and Superliga Colombiana. In 2019, he joined Porto for a reported fee of 7 million euros, winning a Primeira Liga title, one Taca de Portugal, and one Supertaca Candido de Oliveira, while being part of the squad that won a domestic double in 2020.

Diaz made his senior international debut for Colombia in 2018. He has made over 30 caps for his country, helping the national team to a third-place finish at the 2021 Copa America. He was awarded the Golden Boot as joint top goalscorer of the tournament alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

So far this season, Diaz has found the net 16 times and laid on six assists across 28 games, a tally only surpassed by Mohamed Salah in the Liverpool camp in 2021/22 to date.

Liverpool goalkeeper highly praised the Porto winger when he played against him during national duty. “Luis Diaz is an excellent player, he does a lot of work for the defence, he did it in the goals of Copa America,” Alisson said.

Valderrama, the most celebrated Colombian footballer in history, loved Diaz’s ball control. Ronaldinho is Diaz’s role model, and he always tried to invent tricks and enjoy himself with the ball, like the Brazilian superstar. Those efforts were not in vain, even though a lot of work was needed to become a proper footballer.

“Lucho had a big problem, because he had a habit of running with the ball looking at the ground, and often didn’t even notice that he had reached the end of the field,” Pocillo Diaz continued. “He was very fast, possessed brilliant technical skills, and the ball stuck to his foot like glue, but he had to learn.”

The 25-year-old winger has improved a lot. His solo goal against Manchester City in the Champions League says a lot.

With the African Cup Of Nations kicking off at the start of 2022 is the first International tournament of the year.  The ongoing tournament was supposed to be held in June and July 2021 but due to the outbreak of  COVID-19  pandemic, it was postponed to Jan 2022. The tournament is organised by the Confederation of African Football. There are some top players in the football world who have participated in this tournament. We will have a look at their stats for the club with their achievements.

Players

M. Salah

A lot of goals, this is what comes to our mind when we hear the name Salah, and why not?. Over the last 5 seasons with Liverpool, he has been incredibly good. In the Premier League, he has scored 111 goals with the maximum number of goals coming in the first season 32. He was rewarded with the Premier League golden boot award, not once but twice, the other one coming in the next season. He also won the league in 2020.

In the Champions League, he has scored 32 goals for them. In the first season at the club, he scored 10 goals in the tournament where they qualified for the Finals. The season after that he contributed 5 goals and the club won the tournament.

S. Mane

After one Liverpool player comes another. Mane is known for his ability of scoring goals, creating chances, assisting teammates and the list goes on. He was bought by Liverpool in 2016 from Southampton for a fee of ￡34 million. His first season in the red jersey saw him score 13 goals and assist 5. In the 18-19 season he scored 22 goals which is his top-scoring season, he was awarded the Premier League golden boot award alongside his teammate Salah.

the 18-19 season was amazing for him as his club finished 2nd 1 point behind the Champions City. But they won the Champions League where he scored 4 goals. In the 19-20 season, he scored 18 goals in the Premier League which helped the club to win it after 3 decades.

A. Hakimi

Hakimi is known for his high-speed sprints, which supports the team in performing counterattacks. This young wing-back has played in four different clubs from four different countries in the period of 4 and a half years. He was a part of the Champions League-winning team Real Madrid in the 17-18 season where he made 2 appearances for the club in that tournament. He joined Dortmund in 2018 on a loan period of two years. In the Bundesliga, he scored 7 goals and assisted 14, and in the Champions League, he scored 4 and assisted 3.

After his loan spell got over at the end of the 19-20 season, he was signed by Inter Milan in July 2020. Scoring 7 goals and providing 8 assists in the Serie A helped the club win the league, which then grabbed the attention of other clubs. At the start of the 21-22 season, PSG signed him for a transfer fee of ￡60 Million.

S. Haller

Sebastien Haller plays for the Dutch Club Ajax. He was signed by them in January 2021 for a transfer fee of ￡18.8 million from West Ham United.  Two days after his signing he made his debut as a substitute for the club against their rivals PSV.  His second-half appearance showed the fans his quality, as he assisted the equaliser and later scored a goal which was overruled by Var.

His 18 appearances in the second half of the season contained 11 goals and 6 assists. In the current season, he is performing brilliantly by grabbing 12 goals and 4 assists in 17 starts in the league. In the Champions League, he has equalled the record of scoring the most number of goals 10 in the group stage and made 2 assists.

In football, as in other sports, there are cases of players who grow very fast, in terms of football, in their first years in the elite, but who later stop their progression in their tracks. The illusions placed on them fade and many come to occupy the long list of eternal promises of world football . Factors such as major injuries, not knowing how to adapt to a new league or poor professional career management, make many footballers go into the background once they achieve success, a very short-lived success.

In this post some world players are compiled who aimed for ball stars, but who nevertheless for various reasons did not know how to stay in the elite and at the highest level . Take a look at the list because you will surely remember many of them:

Bojan krkic

Bojan Krick is one of the promises of Spanish football that has diminished over the seasons. The forward with only 16 years already saw the door with the first team of FC Barcelona in the League of the Spanish First Division. From the hand of the then Barça coach, Rijkaard, the young attacker had a brutal outbreak in elite football, forming in the lead of that Barça that won Leagues and Champions . In total, he played 163 official matches with the first team, since leaving the youth team to play with the seniors.

With the arrival of Guardiola, the player of Serbian origin began to have fewer minutes under his belt and finally decided to try his luck in the Italian league, specifically in Roma. Milan, Ajax, Stoke, Maink 05 and lastly Deportivo Alavés have been the clubs that have had Bojan in their squad. In none of them did he manage to stand out as he did when he was still less of age at Barcelona. A promise that did not finish curdling .

Pedro Munitis

The Cantabrian player arrived at Real Madrid after a great season of exhibitions with Racing de Santander. He arrived in the capital of Spain in the 2000 season. He ended up wearing the white coat for 2 years, although he was never a fixture in the line-ups. The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium weighed too much for the skilled attacker who, on the contrary, appears as one of the most important players who have worn the Racing de Santander shirt.

Pedro Leon

Pedro León is a player who arrives at Real Madrid in the 2010-11 season , Mourinho’s first at Real Madrid. The Murcian player came to stand out in his previous clubs such as Real Valladolid and Getafe. High quality player with an exquisite hitting. His qualities caught the attention of the greats . However, his bad relationship with the Portuguese coach prevented him from showing his level at the Bernabéu and it only took him a season to pack his bags for Getafe.

Sergio Canales

High-quality midfielder who dazzled the national scene in his first season with Racing Santander when he was 17 years old . Valuable performances and goals in important fields led Real Madrid to set its eyes on the young Cantabrian player.

After signing for Mourinho’s Real Madrid, he only played one season at the white club. The following season he went on loan to another great club like Valencia. However, October 23, 2011 meant a before and after in Canales’ sports career. A tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Athletic Club would take him off the pitch for a long season. By means, some relapses and signings for clubs of level in Spain but of a lower status than Madrid or Barcelona. A very talented player, but also severely injured by serious injuries.

Royston Drenthe

Royston Drenthe is one of those cases of young players who arrive at a great club and fail to measure up. The young Dutch player joined the Real Madrid squad in 2007 as a footballer with a great future, but at the first change saw his career go from more to less.

His speed and overflow on the left wing caught the attention of the white club that would sign him for an amount of 14 million euros . His arrival caused great expectation in the fans and even the president of Madrid at that time, Ramón Calderón, saw in him a future world star . After a lower level than expected, the Bernabéu took it with the player to the point that the Dutchman asked not to play as a starter in home games.

The winger later played in Hercules and Everton, among others. And in all its stages it had a common denominator: fights with the technicians, fines for indiscipline , etc. A player who did not go unnoticed both on and off the pitch.

It is very common to look back at a photo from a few years ago and think: “What clothes, for God’s sake! Well, the same thing happens with football. There is no better way to check the evolution in the types of soccer jerseys than by traveling back in time and seeing how the sports fashion of the different clubs in the world has changed , as well as the sportswear firms, which adjust more and more. to the needs of athletes. Are you ready for this trip? Here we go!

Football has not only evolved in its regulations, in the hobbies, on the playing fields …, football kits also occupy an important niche in this regard.

19th century kits

Football was born in England back in the 19th century . At this time, there were directly no kits in the teams. Players simply wore any type of clothing to play a match . Later, with the birth of different internal leagues, the players wore any distinctive to differentiate themselves from each other. Any garment such as a hat, a jacket, a scarf , etc … was worth it .

Throughout this century, with the appearance of teams in the English country, the subject of clothing began to be regulated. At that time, the shirts were long-sleeved and did not have any identified club insignia on them. Then came the creation of the English FA Cup, which established a fundamental rule in clothing: that both teams should clearly differentiate themselves . A first step to get to the kits we know today.

Early twentieth century

At the beginning of the 20th century, with the birth of the industry, there is an improvement in the style of t-shirts . These are more comfortable to play with and with higher quality materials. Colors are born to distinguish some teams from others . In addition, the need to play with shorts and socks is also implanted. At this time some clubs already introduce distinctive elements such as stripes, the shield or the number in their elastic bands to better identify each player .

It is very common to see any photo of this time and it is striking that the jackets had ropes around the neck to make them comfortable.

Years 50-60-70

The most notable changes in this period are related to much more bearable designs on the neck of the shirts (usually in the form of a peak) and the change in the game boots , much more in line with those of today, saving the distances.

Minimalism was the order of the day . The kits were completely in a single color and only had the embroidered shield on one side. Those totally white Real Madrid kits come to mind. In addition, it is at this time when the most powerful clubs in the world incorporate two versions for the jersey, that is, one in short sleeves and the other in long.

Closer to the 1970s, synthetic materials became more common in soccer team apparel. This type of material had certain advantages such as greater comfort and breathability .

The 80s: the signatures arrive

In the 80s, one of the most important changes in the history of football makes an appearance . The sports firms disembarking in clubs . Currently it is very common and the new generations have it very assimilated, however, until that moment the sponsorship of sports brands on team shirts was unthinkable.

90s: a bit daring

In the 90s, the designs were of all kinds, and it is perhaps in this era where more rare kits can be found. Multicolored designs and strange shapes , especially on some goalkeeper jerseys. Those were the years when the imagination was given free rein, although some designers exceeded the limit.

21st century: innovation

The 21st century is associated with the era of new technologies but applied to sport . Smart clothing that adjusts to the body and improves the player’s mobility. There are even professionals who customize them at will so that they fit as they prefer. Something unthinkable at the beginning of this tour, right?

Footballers are athletes who carry out intense physical activity and who must always be in the best possible shape . It is not easy for them to go out onto the field and play constantly with ups and downs in intensity depending on the development of the game, the actions of their rivals or the orders given to them by their coach. For this reason, it is essential that they take into account the use of supplements that help them supplement their diet and that give them a point of support when it comes to being more prepared for that great physical effort.

There are two natural and beneficial supplements that footballers mainly have to consider. On the one hand, glucosamine and on the other, methylsulfonylmethane, also known as MSM. Their introduction into the soccer player’s day-to-day life gives them a great advantage to be more prepared for physical effort than their peers who do not use these supplements.

Glucosamine to eliminate pain in all types of joints

Glucosamine is such a natural supplement that in fact our own already produces it, but not at the necessary levels that are more beneficial for these types of athletes. It is an amino-sugar that ensures that joint pain does not occur and that the cartilage of the body is well formed and in good condition. The use of glucosamine is the natural and positive alternative to taking anti-inflammatories when we have joint pain that all they do is hide a problem and not help provide any type of solution.

The effects of taking additional glucosamine for our body are reflected by seeing how the cartilage is greatly benefited by it, improving its condition, repairing any type of damage that may have occurred , reinforcing the cartilage that has worn down and strengthening the entire system. of the body so that the healing processes are more immediate. Due to all this, glucosamine not only prevents problems, but also helps reduce the levels of inflammation and discomfort that we are already suffering.

Not only footballers can take glucosamine, but it is recommended to anyone who does sports on a frequent basis, in view of the fact that this can avoid problems and pain . With its consumption we will also be giving the body support in the prevention of osteoarthritis, we will reduce those discomforts that may be chasing us in the joints and we will help reduce pain that we may already have in areas, such as the back.

MSM as a remedy for pain and fatigue

More and more people are opting for natural solutions to combat pain and to improve general health. Footballers know this well, given that in recent years their habits have changed a lot, abandoning medicines for the introduction of substances such as MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). Its composition is based on natural sulfur, which takes care of lending a hand to the body’s collagen and to the internal phase dedicated to the production of the essential amino acids that we all need in the body.

The main aspects that make MSM such a good option include reducing inflammation problems, relieving joint pain and support in specific circumstances, such as if we suffer from allergies, have carpal tunnel syndrome or chronic fatigue. As it does not have side effects , since it is a substance that is already produced in the body and whose level increase only has beneficial results, it is taken by more and more athletes. And not only footballers take advantage of it, since as with glucosamine, it is a supplement that is also being introduced into the day-to-day life of anyone who plays sports or has this type of ailment.

Except for the unforeseen last minute, in 2019 there will be the NFL at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico . Everything is ready so that, next Monday, November 18, the venue known as “El Coloso de Santa Úrsula” will host, on Monday Night Football, the meeting of the American national football league between Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs .

Gone is the controversy of 2018, when the National Football League (NFL) suspended the game between Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams only 6 days before (November 13) of the dispute. The reason was the unfortunate state of the grass known as “Coloso de Santa Úrsula”, because the previous summer a new hybrid grass was implanted that should be ready by July 10, finally, it was on July 20 and, therefore seen, the installation was not done, far from it, correctly.

The succession of matches of the Mexican First Division of soccer (Liga MX), the intense rains and several concerts, including two by Shakira, made the grass present improper conditions for the practice of any sport, which forced the suspension of the NFL in Mexico.

Chargers and Chiefs, with similar streaks

Forgotten the controversy, the Mexican fans anxiously await the dispute of the match. Two teams from the West Division (AFC West) of the NFL American Conference face off . The Chiefs are leaders with 6 wins and 4 losses, while the Chargers occupy the third position with 4 wins and 6 losses. Both come from losing in the last match and have an identical streak in the last five games, 2 wins and 3 losses.

We are going to tell you more things, but, if you prefer, you can find out all the peculiarities of the game by listening to this NFL podcast in English .

In the general classification of the American Conference , the Chiefs are fifth and the Chargers eleventh. The last five direct confrontations between the two have resulted in four victories for the Kansas team and only one for the LA However, this victory for the Angelenos came in last season’s game when they beat the Chiefs stadium by 28 -29.

On the Azteca pitch will be one of the Chiefs stars, quarterback Patrick Mahomes , who reappeared last weekend after being out due to a knee injury. Opposite, of course, will be his namesake at the Chargers, Philip Rivers .

Fourth edition of Monday Night Football with the NFL in Mexico, but without a barbecue

Next Monday will be the fourth NFL game to be played in Mexico. One more edition of Monday Night Football after, in 2005, it got underway with the match between Cardinas and 49ers.

Soccer is the most popular sport discipline in the world, in fact it is called the king of sports, and the reasons for this are many, but mainly how colorful, exciting, and attractive its matches can be, since it is it involves not only the talent and physical aptitudes of the players, but the strategy and passion that they bring to the pitch.

One of the factors that has taken more importance and interest lately is the speed of the players, it is even a mandatory feature in some positions such as the wingers or the forwards.

Speed, a very important factor

Speed ​​has become one of the main characteristics and physical aptitudes that every professional footballer must have, since today modern football is much more dizzying and faster than in previous times. Currently we can enjoy players who do a very fast sprint.

On the other hand, this ability is even more complicated considering that it is not only about running, but about running with the ball or going after it, which gives players with this characteristic much more merit.

What are the fastest in the world?

The following are the players whose speed records (which are endorsed by FIFA) are the fastest in the world today:

1. Gareth Bale

This player currently plays for Real Madrid FC, from Wales, he is officially the fastest footballer on the planet. Nicknamed “El Galgo”, a top speed of 36.9 km / h has been recorded , this being its main characteristic in the game.

2. Orlando Berrio

Despite being one of the fastest on the planet, this footballer is not well known or appears among the elite of world soccer, however his speed has made him a star of Brazilian soccer, which is popular for his dizzying game.

Born in Colombia, this Flamengo player can reach a speed of 36 km / h , which places him in second place among the fastest in the world.

3. Jurgen Damn

This is a Mexican full-back of German origin, who plays for the popular Tigres team.He has managed to reach impressive speeds during the Mexican league matches, having the fastest record of 35.2 km / h , occupying third place on this list. .

4. Antonio valencia

This Ecuadorian winger, former Manchester United player, has been on this list for several years, since despite his age, he has remained physically at his peak. His best time was 35.1 km / h , which made him one of the headaches for premier league defenders in recent years.

5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

This excellent Arsenal player has one of his best weapons in his speed, he has achieved records of 34.6 km / h , which are combined with his ability with the ball and mental speed to be one of the most effective forwards in the league. league premiere.

6. Aaron Lennon

This great English player from Everton, surprisingly entered this list and even surpassed other very fast ones, this because he considerably improved his physical conditions affecting his speed, at 30 years old he can reach speeds of 33.8 km / h .

7. Cristiano Ronaldo

The current star of Juventus of Italy, and one of the best players in the world, combines different aspects in his game that have made him the player with the highest effectiveness in the face of goal today, he has managed to reach records of 33, 6 km / h , being a nightmare for the opposing defenses.

8. Theo Walcott

Another player from the premiere league that appears on the list, Aubameyang’s teammate, this Arsenal winger is also very fast, reaching speeds of 32.7 km / h .

9. Lionel messi

The Argentine star and main star of Barcelona FC, who is considered one of the best players in history, in addition to being very skilled with the ball, having a mental quickness like few and being an excellent free-throw collector, is also very fast, it achieves speeds of up to 32.5 km / h .

10. Wayne Rooney

Despite his age and military in a relatively lower level league (MLS), Wayne Rooney has returned to this list, his physical conditions allow him to continue being one of the fastest soccer players on the planet since he manages to reach speeds of 31.2 km / h .

Throughout history, the European Cup (today called the Champions League) has seen how historic and unrepeatable teams won several titles in a few years, in a row or alternate, raising a whole generation of footballers to the top. Here we review some of the most important sagas.

Di Stéfano’s Real Madrid

Alfredo Di Stéfano’s Real Madrid was the first European Cup champion in 1956. And the second. And the third. And the fourth. And the fifth. In fact, he has a feat that no one has repeated so far: winning five consecutive titles. The Spanish-Argentine star was accompanied by other phenomena, mainly Paco Gento and Ferenc Puskas. A unique team that, for many who saw it, is the best in history.

Cruyff’s Ajax

Ajax Amsterdam, led by Johan Cruyff, dominated the championship three consecutive editions, from 71 to 73. But, above all, it has the honor of being considered the first modern team, with a ‘total football’ in which the fast and offensive game of the ‘Flaco’ and other players like Johan Neeskens, under the baton of the coach Rinus Michels.

Bayern Beckenbauer

Ajax’s leadership was ousted by another: Franz Beckenbauer’s Bayern Munich. His equipment was more pragmatic and rocky, but just as effective. In that saga that won the 74, 75 and 76 championships, other phenomena such as forward Torpedo Müller and goalkeeper Sepp Maier stood out.

Arrigo Sacchi’s AC Milan

“Only” they won two European Cups (89 and 90), but Arrigo Sacchi’s AC Milan did so with such an astonishing superiority that they beat Real Madrid of La Quinta del Buitre 5-0. In that group the Dutch trio (Van Basten, Rijkaard and Gullit) shone, as well as their Italian backbone, with Baresi and Ancelotti among others.

Leo Messi’s FC Barcelona

Observing the record, it cannot be said that Leo Messi’s FC Barcelona has been absolute dominator in the Champions League, as La Pulga has won 4 titles from 2006 to today. However, if we stick to the years of Pep Guardiola on the bench, his 2 titles in 3 years (2009 and 2011) left their mark on their brilliance, something only possible thanks to two other geniuses: Xavi and Iniesta. 2015, with Luis Enrique at the helm, was a worthy epilogue for this generation, which also had Neymar and Luis Suárez at the time.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid

4 championships in 5 years are numbers of absolute dominance. And that’s what Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid achieved from 2014 to 2018, three of which were consecutively with Zinedine Zidane as coach. A feat that no one had achieved since the Champions League format was adopted, in which figures such as Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric or Karim Benzema were also at fault.