On the left is Alessandro Nesta and on the right is Maxwell.
In a fortnight when Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi — the two-highest scorers in the UEFA Champions League — hit the personal milestone of 600 career goals, we take a look at less prolific peers who fired blanks on the big stage.
Javier Mascherano Nicknamed ‘El Jefecito’ or ‘The Little Chief’, Mascherano has an enviable trophy cabinet – 24 pieces of silverware including a couple of UCL titles. Mascherano made 96 UCL appearances across 13 seasons, alongside players like Lionel Messi, Steven Andres Iniesta, and Fernando Torres.
However, the attacking flair of those around him did not rub off on the Argentine. Better known for his hard-tackling style, Mascherano was less gutsy in front of goal, choosing instead to set up better placed teammates.
Philipp Lahm The former German captain, often compared with Franz Beckenbauer, is a man for big occasions. Lahm, then 22, was the first player to score at the 2006 World Cup against Costa Rica.
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But as he matured as a player, Lahm acquired greater positional sense, not straying from his designated position in crunch ties. Consequently, the goals dried up, and he has the unflattering record of not scoring even a single goal in the UCL.
Alessandro Nesta In 2006, Italy won the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time, keeping a record five clean sheets on their way to the Jules Rimet Trophy. For over a decade, Nesta formed the better half of one of the most iconic centre-back pairings in world football. However, unlike Paolo Maldini, his defensive partner for both club and country, Nesta never took the chances that came his way in the UCL. He lifted two UCL titles with AC Milan over nine seasons, having played a little over 100 games for the Rossoneri.
Jamie Carragher Born in Merseyside, UK, Carragher went on to represent his boyhood club, Liverpool, for 15 seasons. After ceding ground to Manchester United on the domestic front, the Reds held their own in the UCL, winning the 2005 edition in a final immortalised as the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’.
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Carragher was instrumental in Liverpool overcoming a 0-3 deficit at halftime to beat AC Milan. Lauded for his heading ability, Carragher did not have much joy in the attacking third of the pitch, failing to find the net in 80 appearances in the UCL. The Scouser called time on his playing career in 2013, having won both the UCL and the Europa League.
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Maxwell Having plied his trade for European heavyweights including Ajax, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain (PSG), Maxwell is one of the most decorated footballers to have passed under the radar. The Brazilian was adept in both defence and midfield, having won 36 trophies in a career spanning 16 years. Under Pep Guardiola, he won the UCL with Barcelona in 2010, playing in a more advanced role on the left wing. Maxwell collected more silverware in subsequent campaigns for PSG, but the joy of finding the back of the net was to pass him by.
Meet Jadon Sancho, The First Footballer At 19 To Represent England’s Senior Team
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By Rohan Abraham
The 19-year-old is the first footballer born after the turn of the millennium to represent England’s senior team. Here’s a look at his rise.
(Image: Agencies)
By Rohan AbrahamThe 19-year-old is the first footballer born after the turn of the millennium to represent England’s senior team. Here’s a look at his rise.(Image: Agencies)
Born in a low-income London suburb, Jadon Sancho honed his game by playing in back alleys and side streets.
(Image: AFP)
Born in a low-income London suburb, Jadon Sancho honed his game by playing in back alleys and side streets.(Image: AFP)
Aged seven, Sancho joined Watford’s youth system, where his dribbling ability first came to light. Former coaches have spoken about how he never shied away from the challenge of playing above his age group.
Aged seven, Sancho joined Watford’s youth system, where his dribbling ability first came to light. Former coaches have spoken about how he never shied away from the challenge of playing above his age..
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Few English footballers opt to ply their trade in Europe, but Sancho has been conditioned to the ordeals of travel. Aged 12, he became a boarder at Watford’s Academy, shunning the four hour commute to Uxbridge that was a parMeet Jadon Sancho, the first footballer at 19 to represent England’s senior team of his daily routine.
(Image: AFP)
Few English footballers opt to ply their trade in Europe, but Sancho has been conditioned to the ordeals of travel. Aged 12, he became a boarder at Watford’s Academy, shunning the four hour commute t..
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After seven years at Watford, Sancho’s head was turned by an offer from Manchester City. In the company of pedigreed foreign players, his game developed further, and he began to catch the eye of foreign clubs.
After seven years at Watford, Sancho’s head was turned by an offer from Manchester City. In the company of pedigreed foreign players, his game developed further, and he began to catch the eye of fore..
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Despite Pep Guardiola’s best efforts at convincing him to stay, Sancho was wary of becoming a benchwarmer at the Emirates Stadium. He signed for Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
(Image: AFP)
Despite Pep Guardiola’s best efforts at convincing him to stay, Sancho was wary of becoming a benchwarmer at the Emirates Stadium. He signed for Borussia Dortmund in 2017.(Image: AFP)
After a relatively slow first season, he managed to win the confidence of the manager and ingratiate himself with senior players like Marco Reus and Mario Götze.
(Image: Reuters)
After a relatively slow first season, he managed to win the confidence of the manager and ingratiate himself with senior players like Marco Reus and Mario Götze.(Image: Reuters)
In October 2018, Sancho netted against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, making him the first Englishman to score for a non-British team in the competition since David Beckham’s curling free-kick for Real Madrid in 2005.
In October 2018, Sancho netted against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, making him the first Englishman to score for a non-British team in the competition since David Beckham’s curling free-k..
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With the season far from over, Sancho claimed yet another personal milestone in February when he broke a long-standing Bundesliga record. He bettered Lukas Podolski’s exploits from the 2003/04 season to become the youngest player in Germany’s top flight to score nine league goals and provide over 10 assists.
(Image: AFP)
With the season far from over, Sancho claimed yet another personal milestone in February when he broke a long-standing Bundesliga record. He bettered Lukas Podolski’s exploits from the 2003/04 season..
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On March 22, 2019, a couple of days before his 19th birthday, Sancho was handed his first competitive start for the Three Lions by manager Gareth Southgate. He received a standing ovation at the final whistle after notching two assists against the Czech Republic at London’s Wembley Stadium.
(Image: Reuters)
On March 22, 2019, a couple of days before his 19th birthday, Sancho was handed his first competitive start for the Three Lions by manager Gareth Southgate. He received a standing ovation at the fina..
