The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in the world, and over the years, several African footballers have left their marks on this grand stage.
In a recent Instagram video, Ghanaian football legend and former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder, Michael Essien, took a trip down memory lane, highlighting the elite group of African players who have lifted the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy.
Adding a humorous twist, Essien first challenged his Nordsjaelland teammates to name African Champions League winners. However, they quickly turned the tables on him, leaving the former midfield maestro to reveal the list himself.
After a brief pause, Essien enthusiastically began naming African stars who have conquered European club football. With growing excitement, he was cheered on as he recalled the legends who achieved this remarkable feat.
Among those mentioned were his fellow Ghanaian, Abedi Pelé, Nigeria’s Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, and Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o, who stands out as the most successful African player in the competition.
Eto’o celebrated three triumphant campaigns with Barcelona in 2006 and 2009 and later with Inter Milan in 2010.
In total, 28 African players have had the honor of lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy, with 25 of them achieving this milestone in the post-1992 era.
Watch the video below:
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