The Greatest Champions League Players of the 21st Century (Video)

The UEFA Champions League is in our DNA. Back in school, when the rest of our peers were hoofing it to their mid-afternoon classes, we hung back to watch the original Galacticos put an historic hurting on Manchester United in 2000. We ran around the room after Zidane's volley in the '02 final and remember a time when English clubs were the whipping boys of Europe. Yeah we've seen it all—well, as much as we could see back then given the limited access on these shores. We were glued to the box when Bayern Munich rose from 1999's rubble; when plucky Valencia made consecutive finals appearances; and when a magical midget named Messi burst onto the scene for FC Barcelona.

We knew you could relate. So before Man U-Barca kicks off Saturday afternoon, we cooked up a little treat to hold you over. Our Greatest Champions League Players of the 21st Century video gallery ranks all the greatest players the American viewing audience has been exposed to since 2000. Don't expect to see old heads like Di Stefano, Eusebio, Cruyff, or Beckenbauer on our list. We selected players the die-hard footy fan in the States has actually seen play. Legends like Zidane, Henry, Figo, Lamps, and Rooney...and a few more you might not expect, just to keep you on your toes.

See? All those days of ditching lectures did pay off. So sit up and pay attention; class is now session.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 2002
TEAM(S): Barcelona

As a substitute in the 2006 champions league final against Arsenal, Andres Iniesta's otherworldy playmaking skills helped ultimately turn the tide in Barcelona's favor. Then, in the 2009 semis, the balding little magician from Albacete broke Chelsea hearts in Stamford Bridge with an extra-time winner for the ages, cementing his place in champions league lore forever.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 2003
TEAM(S): Chelsea

Somewhere -- in a champions league galaxy far, far away -- a loose ball has aimlessly trickled into the penalty area, just begging for Frank Lampard to pounce and score -- no matter how many deflections it has to take on its way in. Chelsea's Frank Lampard has made a living being at the right place at the right time. And although he's yet to win a final, he scored -- of course -- in the Blues' epic encounter with Manchester United in 2008. The rowdy from Romford is as busy off the field as he is on it. Drunkenly abusing American tourists days after 9/11 and filming little Franky doing work on a WAG are seen as par for the course for this English icon.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1995
TEAM(S): Juventus

If you're looking to throw shade on Alessandro Del Piero's name in the presence of a Juventus fan, you had better be ready for war. Del Piero's not a legend at the Turin club, he's a living God—and he has the scoring records to prove it. Although his champions league heydey came in the mid to late 90's, he carried "The Old Lady" in a CL finals run which included a vintage performance against Real Madrid in semis.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1999
TEAM(S): Real Madrid

The most capped keeper in Champions League history has been hatin' on European club football's finest offenses since he was a teenager. That was in '99. Take the Marty McFly mobile forward in time to 2011 and St. Iker has done quite well for himself, we must say -- two CL titles and the pleasure of snuggling up with the sexiest sideline reporter known to man, Ms. Sara Carbonero. Ai, papi.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 2004
TEAM(S): Manchester United

England and Manchetser United's enfant terrible is part bully, part brat, but all class once the ball's at his feet. Rooney can play in a number of different positions, but seems to excel most when supporting a main striker (thank him later, Chicharito). And while the pie-faced Picasso hasn't always been the lead dog in the United attack during his career, the past two seasons have shown he's fully capable of taking the reins and continuing the Red Devils' recent unprecedented champions league run under Sir Alex Ferguson.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1996
TEAM(S): Real Madrid

Legs, lungs, and lasers (and we're not talking about watered-down Lupe Fiasco albums) are the three Ls any footy fan should conjure when Roberto Carlos is mentioned. The little Brazilian was like a bald-headed pendulum running up and down the left sidelines for both club and country, and is, without much competition, the greatest left back the game has ever seen. But despite all the trophies (3 CL titles and 1 World Cup), tricks and individual triumphs, RC was best known for his missile-like ball-striking ability which surely kept keepers and unguarded nut sacks trembling in fear throughout the European continent.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 2001
TEAM(S): AC Milan

Eat your heart out Michael Carrick. As far as deep-lying playmakers go, Milan and Italy legend Andrea Pirlo is the gold standard. The diminutive Italian nicknamed "the architect" was the cerebral and graceful hub who charted the Rossoneri's path to three Champions League finals appearances and two Winners Medals between 2003 and 2007. And that hair? Buonissimo!

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1994
TEAM(S): Manchester United

The kid they once called Boy Wonder has become the ageless wonder without missing a beat. Seriously, we're pretty sure Giggs participated in the Champions League's inaugural 1955 season. And since that time he's been critical to Manchester United's remarkable success in England and the Champions League, helping Sir Alex Ferguson's squad to two CL crowns en route to making Man U one of the richest and most famous clubs in the world.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1998
TEAM(S): Barcelona

There hasn't been a more remarkable individual improvement story since Lil Wayne. Barcelona's pass master has been the conductor of the Blaugrana symphony since Pep Guardiola took over in the 2008-09 season. A youth product of the club, Xavi's been around since the days of Rivaldo, but, although talented, was often overshadowed by big-ticket talents Deco and Ronaldinho in midfield. In fact, Xavi was left on the bench for the 2006 final triumph over Arsenal in Paris. But he was named man of the match in the Catalan giants' mauling of Man United three years later in Rome, and this Saturday, the little man with the sleepy eyes will take the field as the player generally regarded as the best central midfielder on the planet. #noquittergogetter

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 2003
TEAM(S): Marseille, Chelsea

Didier Drogba has given Chelsea fans some great memories over the years. The Ivorian has been a goal-scoring machine since moving to London from Marseille. Widely considered one of the best strikers in the world, the only thing that prevents him from reaching Samuel Eto'o's league in Champions League lore is Drogba's inability to score in his only CL final appearance. Either way, we're not in the mood to hate on 33 goals in 60-plus appearances in the competition. Especially since on many occasions he's been the lone wolf in attack. Former Bayern Munich striker Giovane Elber feels your pain, Drog.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 2002
TEAM(S): Liverpool

Captain Fantastic is the name, and dragging Liverpool by the short and curlys is most certainly his game. Steven Gerrard IS Liverpool—this century, at least. And it was never more evident than in Istanbul, in 2005, when the lifelong Liverpudlian willed the Reds to respond from three goals down and overtake Milan for their fifth Champions League triumph. Gerrard once famously flirted with a move to Chelsea in 2004. But if there's a better fit than Liverpool and Gerrard, we haven't seen it. And he's a Phil Collins fan, which we're plenty OK with.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1995
TEAM(S): Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan

To Barcelona fans, he's the devil. To Real Madrid fans, he's a modern-day god. Winner of two Champions League titles and a one-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Luis Figo eventually made peace with his decision to move from Barca to Real at the start of the century. Winning will do that. Many will remember Figo as a Chris Johnson-like blazer and step-over master during his day, and the gold standard for all wingers. Or others may focus on his Swedish-model wife. Whatever. Like we said before, winning runs in Figo's DNA.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1996
TEAM(S): PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan

There's only one Ronaldo when it comes to the world's game. The World Cup's all-time leading goal scorer -- which includes names like Pele, Muller and Maradona -- never won a CL crown, but one magical night at Old Trafford reminded the world what a healthy and motivated Luiz Nazario da Lima was capable of when he scored a hat trick for the ages and left the Man U crowd in appreciative awe. It was one of the greatest single-game performances ever in Champions League. One of two men in history to win the FIFA World Player of the Year three times and member of the FIFA 100, Ronaldo saved his best -- as all the best Brazilians do -- for the World Cup. But Il Fenomeno's feats in the CL didn't lag too far behind.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 2004
TEAM(S): AC Milan

Kaka's 2007 Champions League campaign was dominant. In a bit of Brazilian one-upmanship, the kid from the capital city piggybacked on Ronaldinho's standout run the previous season with an MVP and cup-winning effort of his own. His 10 goals led the tournament, which he highlighted with three against Manchester United in the semifinals. His set-up of Filippo Inzaghi's second goal in the '07 final against Liverpool sealed the game for Milan and his first and only FIFA World Player of the Year award. Some might say Kaka has been "caca" since then, but his 2007 CL run will easily go down as one of the best ever.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1994
TEAM(S): Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea

Cover your eyes, Chelsea fans. There was a time when Andriy Shevchenko was considered one of the top two or three strikers on planet earth. Of course his career, for all intents and purposes, ended abruptly after famously donning London's most recognizable blue shirt, but his 48 Champions League goals and one Winners Medal say Sheva was a true beast of the box and a CL legend of the highest realm with Dynamo Kyiv and AC Milan. Maybe most known for—besides his fall from grace in London—missing his penalty chance against Liverpool in Istanbul, Sheva was still one of the best. Honest, Chelsea fans.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1999
TEAM(S): Porto, Barcelona, Chelsea

Deco may be too high on the list for some, especially Chelsea fans. But proper respect must be paid to the Brazilian-turned-Portuguese who guided underdog FC Porto to the 2004 crown, then turned around and pulled the strings two years later for one of the greatest CL outfits of all time, 2006 Barcelona. In fact, when motivated, Deco's performances in the Barcelona midfield were so commanding he relegated Xavi and Iniesta to bit roles in the Camp Nou. One of a few to win the CL with two different clubs, Deco was named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and UEFA Best Midfielder in Porto's triumphant '04 campaign, and later became the first player to be named UEFA's best midfielder with two different clubs. Throw in his 100-plus league appearances and it becomes clear -- very few can fux with Deco.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 2003
TEAM(S): Manchester United, Real Madrid

Either you love him or hate him. There's no indifference when it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo. But his performances in the Champions League suggest you'd better respect the man, or risk getting your favorite squad's dreams kicked in by the quick-footed forward. His 2007-08 campaign was one of the greats, and for it he earned his only FIFA World Player of the Year award. Even with van Nistelrooy, Veron, Beckham, and Rooney previously in the fold, Manchester United couldn't break through to Sir Alex's second final until the crusty Scot made the move to roll with CR7 as top dog. Consecutive finals appearances in 2008 and 2009 proved the Portuguese playboy was the truth, so much that Real Madrid paid a princely sum to lead their latest attempt at Champions League glory.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1998
TEAM(S): PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Hamburg

Goals, goals, goals and more goals. Before Ruud van Nistelrooy became a tap-in artist of Pippo Inzaghi-like quality, he was an unstoppable goal machine for PSV and Manchester United whose quality of strike went hand-in-hand with the record-setting quantity. The man Goal TV commentator Ray Hudson once dubbed "Ruud van Goal" never won a Champions League crown, but it wasn't for lack of production. Only one man has collected more than the Dutch master's 56 CL goals, and no one in the top 10 has a better goals-per-game ratio (.69)—not even Leo Messi. Manchester United's all-time leading scorer in the competition, Ruud boy was a force to be reckoned with during some relatively lean years in Europe for United.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1997
TEAM(S): Juventus, AC Milan

"Predator" is the word best describing Italy's favorite hired gun, Filippo Inzaghi. Known for minimal-touch goals in massive games, maniacal celebrations, and bedding some of the baaadest women on planet earth (Google him if you don't believe us), Super Pippo is a scoring machine, on and off the field. Inzaghi started his Champions League career at Juventus, where he linked up with a pair of fair footballers named Zidane and Del Piero, before moving to Milan in 2001. A two-time Champions League winner, Pippo's 46 goals rank fifth all time and he is tied for the most hat tricks in the competition with three. His brace against Liverpool in the 2007 final—needing just three total touches—was testament to the pimp from Piacenza's predatory prowess; maybe even moreso than the many notches on this little baller's bedpost.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 2004
TEAM(S): Paris St. Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan

Even non-soccer fans had Ronaldinho Gaucho's name in their mouths following his all-conquering 2006 Champions League campaign. Heading into that summer's World Cup, only platinum-status names like Pele and Maradona seemed appropriate alongside that of the buck-toothed Brazilians'. And although his appetite for the good life would eventually grow to Sheen-like levels, nothing can erase the memories of those magical three years at Barcelona in which he conquered the world with a style and flair only a Brazilian could produce. Among his many dominating performances, the show he put on in the 2006 quarterfinals stands out as the perfect example of what the man from Porto Alegre was all about—service with a smile. The world misses you, Dinho.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1997
TEAM(S): Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona

Thierry Henry might be best known as one of the most unstoppable forces in sports video game history. But the fleet Frenchman's game in real life wasn't too shabby either. Blessed with Deion Sanders-like speed, the man who came to Arsenal from Juventus was a sight to behold on a Champions League field. "Titi" led the Gunners to the 2006 Final in Paris, and finally triumphed with Barcelona in 2009. His 51 goals in the competition rank third all time, and his virtuoso performance against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in 2006 may have been his career's best. Arsenal hasn't been the same since he left. But hey, Gooners fans can always pop in FIFA '07 and remember the good old days, right? Riiiight.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1998
TEAM(S): Mallorca, Barcelona, Inter Milan

No goal scorer has been better on the biggest stage than the former Barca and current Inter hitman from Cameroon. Eto'o opened Barcelona's account in the 2006 final against Arsenal, scoring a second-half equalizer from a tight angle on the near post. Then, in the 2009 final against Manchester United, Eto'o broke the early deadlock -- and Man U hearts -- by taking a pass from Andres Iniesta on the wing, cutting inside, and toe-poking past Edwin van der Sar in the 10th minute. The next year, Eto'o's new team, Inter Milan, lifted the trophy over Bayern Munich, giving Eto'o back-to-back CL titles and three overall. There's been a lot made over his exit from the Camp Nou in 2009 for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but one thing's for certain: Along with the Black Mamba in L.A., The Lion of Africa is one of the deadliest predators in the world.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1995
TEAM(S): Real Madrid, Schalke 04

"Raul Madrid" is a certified Champions League legend. The competition's all-time leading goal scorer by a long shot, Raul was a star on the Real Madrid teams that the showed the fledgling American audience why soccer is indeed called "the beautiful game." Cool, classy, deadly, and prolific, Raul was the preferred striker for three CL winners and is the all-time goal scorer in Real Madrid history. Often overshadowed by bigger names in the Merengue galaxy—like Ronaldo, Figo and Zidane—during his stay at the Bernabeu, his production never fell off. And today, now playing with Schalke, the skinny kid from Madrid enjoys Derek Jeter-like status among the club's all-time greats.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 2004
TEAM(S): Barcelona

What else can we say about the little man from Rosario that hasn't been said already? Messi is magic—a genius of the highest order who routinely transforms big, can't miss Champions League nights into his own personal showcase. Messi's skill and wizardry with the ball at his feet are as breathtaking as they are effective. His slaloming runs and astonishing finishing ability have the greatest pundits mentioning Pele and Maradona as his only equals. Already in the top 10 of the Champions League's all-time scoring list, Messi has one CL crown to his credit (he was injured for the '06 final against Arsenal) and will play for his second Saturday in London. Oh, and he's only 23. Let that sink in a bit. Already a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, "La Pulga" hasn't been able to duplicate his club form for his country...yet. But when it comes to the CL, only one man has put on a better overall show this century. Arsenal fans, look away.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT: 1996
TEAM(S): Juventus, Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane was once famously issued a red card for headbutting an opposing player...in the Champions League. True story. Despite his penchant for expertly delivering dome to opponents (pause), Zidane, simply, is the finest soccer player Europe has ever produced. Yeah, we said it. The best. As in, nobody fux with him. And nobody turned mammoth Champions League nights into individual exhibitions more often than the great Zizou. For his career, the mercurial Frenchman won everything there is to win, which includes a CL crown and three FIFA World Player of the Year awards (tied only by Ronaldo). But it's not the laundry list of accolades that set the magical midfielder apart from his peers, it was the quality of his every performance, which made any club he played for must-see TV. His volleyed goal against Bayer Leverkusen is the greatest in the history of the competition. And in true Zidane fashion, it came on the biggest stage of all. Just like that head he gave Marco Materazzi back in '06. #getyourheadoutthegutter!