Five unique Champions League records you probably didn’t know

Europe's top club competition has seen many landmarks achieved over the years.

The UEFA Champions League has remained the pinnacle of European club football for many decades now. Ever since it was rebranded in the early 90s, the prestige of the Champions League has increased even further and intensified the competitiveness among teams - creating newer records.

The unpredictability of the continental tournament also means that anything can happen in it. Similarly, there have also been some unique records that have been set up over the years. Be it in relation to actually winning the competition or doing something spectacular during games, these unique Champions League records are unlikely to be matched or toppled anytime soon.

Here are the five UEFA Champions League records you probably didn’t know!

5. Clarence Seedorf’s title-winning joy

Clarence Seedorf was one of the iconic players ever to have played in the UEFA Champions League. The former AC Milan midfielder might be remembered as a physical presence in the pitch, but his technical qualities were second to none at that time. Speaking about records, Seedorf also managed one in the Champions League during his career, winning the competition with three separate teams.

After winning it with Ajax in 1995, he then also won it with Real Madrid three years later and enjoyed his vast success with AC Milan, winning it with them in 2003 and 2007. Not only did he win the competition an unprecedented four times, but the most impressive fact that he won it with three teams is rarely remembered.

4. Bafetimbi Gomis’ fastest hattrick

Probably best known for his terrifying goal celebrations, Bafetimbi Gomis enjoyed decent success in the Champions League during his years at Olympique Lyonnais. However, Gomis managed to script himself into the history books with an amazing performance against Dinamo Zagreb in the 2011/12 season.

Going rampant in the second half, Gomis scored a hattrick in just eight minutes – which is still the fastest hat-trick to be scored in the competition. That made up most of the five goals he scored for Lyon in the UCL that season, but more than his tally, his incredible lightening quick hattrick will be remembered the most.

3. Zlatan being Zlatan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s iconic career has seen him travel all around the world, leaving a mark of his brilliance onto many teams. He has played for many clubs, including all three heavyweights in Italy as he currently plays for AC Milan. In his entire career, however, Zlatan has played in the Champions League for five teams in his career.

The Swedish marksman has also scored in the competition for Ajax, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona and PSG. Ironically, however, Ibrahimovic has never won the Champions League itself despite playing for so many big sides and almost seems destined never to lift that trophy aloft.

2. Ronaldo’s hattrick marvel

Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the best players in Champions League history, with one of his records being winning the competition five times with Real Madrid and Manchester United. He has scored the most goals in UCL history, but the more unique record many probably haven’t realized is his marvel for getting hattricks.

Ronaldo is the only player to have scored three hattricks in a single Champions League campaign, when he did it for Madrid in the 2015/16 season. Ronaldo has also scored a record eight hattricks in the Champions League in his career, but scoring three in a single campaign is extremely impressive as his trio of hattricks helped Madrid win the UCL that season.

1. Juventus’ misery at the final

Italy has seen a lot of joy in the Champions League over the decades, with a AC Milan winning seven UCL titles and Inter winning a couple as well. However, the other giant of Serie A, Juventus are almost cursed when it comes to winning a Champions League trophy.

They have won the competition twice in their history, but could’ve definitely won more if luck had favored them. One of the most miserable records of all time in the Champions League, they have lost in seven finals, more than any team in the competition. They lost out in the 1973, 1983, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2015 and 2017 editions, succumbing in the final hurdle every time.

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