Top five oldest UEFA Champions League finalists

These names proved the adage 'age is just a number' right.

There is nothing more rewarding than lifting the precious trophy of the UEFA Champions League in a football player's career. However, many greats from the game haven't been fortunate enough to lift this piece. There are no words to describe how intense the competition is in this tournament. There is always a great deal of expectation on the shoulders of the players since it is the epitome of European club football.

The Champions League runner-up finish is especially heartbreaking after a good performance throughout the tournament. In this article, we take a closer look at the top five oldest Champions League finalists. While some of them won the coveted trophy, some unlucky ones did not.

5. Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) – 37 years 180 days

The Manchester United legend was integral to Sir Alex Ferguson's era and is perhaps the greatest winger in Manchester United's history. Giggs won two Champions League titles with the Red Devils during his 148 appearances for the club in the UCL. Throughout his career, he played a crucial role in United's success in European nights. During the final against FC Barcelona at Wembley in 2011, the ex-Wales international became one of the oldest players to play in UEFA Champions League finals. Unfortunately, Giggs' dream of lifting his third UCL trophy was put to ashes that night as Pep Guardiola's side won the title handsomely.

4. Lothar Matthäus (Bayern München) – 38 years 66 days

During the famous 1999 Champions League final against Manchester United, Bayern's legendary defensive midfielder became one of the oldest Champions League finalists. Bayern Munich lost that game and Alex Ferguson led United to one of the most famous final victories. Lothar Matthaus had a strong technical game in addition to being a good reader of the game. Matthaus played 30 matches in the competition and was very important for Bayern. Even though he was the greatest player of his generation and a World Cup winner, he was unable to win a single UEFA Champions League title. 

3. Paolo Maldini (AC Milan) – 38 years 331 days

It is no secret that the three-time Champions League winner is one of the most important names in Rossoneri history as well as one of the greatest to grace the Champions League ever. Maldini was an indispensable member of AC Milan in the 1990s and 20s and was able to play both as a full-back and a centre-back. In 2007, Maldini became the third oldest player to play in the Champions League finals, facing one of the most successful clubs from England - Liverpool. Milan ended Liverpool’s dream by beating them 2-1. The Italian legend is also the oldest scorer in the history of the Champions League.

2. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) – 39 years 126 days

Does anyone have a more unlucky record than Gigi Buffon? The former Italian achieved everything in his career, including winning the World Cup, but European silverware remains a void in his trophy cabinet. Buffon never won a Champions League trophy, but came close three times during his career. He came closest in 2017 when his side Juventus faced Real Madrid in the finals. Unfortunately, his dream of winning that precious trophy was not in his destiny. Nevertheless, he became the second oldest player to play in the UCL final in 2017. 

1. Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United) – 40 years 211 days

Edwin van der sar is another player on this list from Sir Alex Ferguson's United team that dominated Europe. The former Dutch shot-stopper has two Champions League winners' medals in his cabinet. The legend goalkeeper was one of the first to popularize the sweeper keeper concept in modern football. Van der Sar became the oldest player to play in the UEFA Champions League Final against FC Barcelona in 2011, where United's legendary squad fell short in the high-pressure game at Wembley.