The Most Experienced CL XI Ever!

By: Rob | November 26th, 2008

Today, Thierry Henry made his 100th appearance in the Champions League, which happily means that 11 players have made that milestone. Even happier for blogging purposes, you can make a team out of them. If you accept that they have to play in a 3-5-2 formation. So what follows is all the players who have played 100 times in the Champions League (since it’s rebranding meant you played many more games), how many games they have, and who they played for. Let me know in the comments if you think they’d be any good.

Oliver Kahn (Bayern, 103 CL appearances)
No surprise to see the Bayern behemoth here, considering how often his side made the Champions League and how long he was their undisputed Number One.

Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid, Fenerbahce. 117 CL appearances)
The best fullback of his generation is still plugging away at Fener, having been part of the huge Real Madrid side that dominated at the start of the decade.

Paolo Maldini (AC Milan, 108 Champions League Appearances)
The legendary Italian would have added a few more had Milan finished 4th and not 5th last season. An unbelievable defender who has been quality his entire career.

Gary Neville (Manchester United, 100 CL Appearances)
The Man United captain has missed out alot recently due to injury, but he has long been part of the United defence that has grown and grown. Like Maldini it will be odd when he isn’t still playing.

Ryan Giggs (Manchester United, 122 appearances)
He put away a penalty in the shootout last year which helped United to their third Champions League, and the second of his amazing career.

David Beckham (Manchester United, Real Madrid 103 Appearances)
Part of the United team that won the treble in 1999, he didn’t repeat his sucess at Real, but was still a regular in the Galacticos side.

Clarence Seedorf (Ajax, Real Madrid, AC Milan, 101 Appearances)
Has won the CL with three different clubs, so not too surprising to see him in this list.

Paul Scholes (Manchester United. 102 Appearances)
Another of the Giggs/Beckham/Neville generation, Scholes missed the 1999 final due to suspension, which he put right with the winner in the semi last season to ensure he’d get another crack.

Luis Figo (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, 101 Appearances)
One of the most talented players of his generation, Figo is still going, picking up another appeance tonight with Inter.

Raul (Real Madrid, 125 Appearances)
The ruler of the Champions League, with the most apperances and goals since the rebranding. An absolute goliath.

Thierry Henry (Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barca 100 Appearances)
The latest addition to the side, Henry might have slipped from his reputation as the best goal getter on the planet, but he’s still among the most trusted, evidently.