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The transfer window has closed, but a remarkable pool of free agents with Champions League pedigree remains unsigned. Some of these names carried entire clubs in Europe’s elite competition, and several could still contribute at a high level.
In a 4-4-2 formation, here is an XI of available players who have graced the Champions League stage.
GK: Neto
Not the most imposing option between the posts, but Neto qualifies with 11 Champions League appearances spread across stints at Juventus, Valencia, Barcelona, and Arsenal. The 37-year-old most recently played for Botafogo back in his native Brazil.
RB: Dani Carvajal
Now we are talking. Carvajal has 96 Champions League appearances to his name and six winner’s medals, all accumulated during his 13-year stint at Real Madrid, which ended this summer. Few full-backs in the competition’s history can match that record.
CB: David Alaba
Also released by Real Madrid this summer, Alaba has featured in 15 consecutive Champions League campaigns. The left-footed defender won the trophy twice with Madrid and twice with Bayern Munich, totalling 125 appearances in the competition.
CB: Diogo Leite
Alaba’s partner in this XI is a fellow left-footer. Leite, 27, is far less experienced in the Champions League with just 10 appearances, but his age makes him one of the more valuable free agents available. The former Porto and Union Berlin centre-back may not stay available long, with Lazio reported to have arranged a medical.
LB: Raphael Guerreiro
Oleksandr Zinchenko could have filled this slot, but injury rules him out for now. Guerreiro edges him on Champions League experience, with 63 appearances in the competition — all earned during his time in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. The 32-year-old is a proven operator at this level.
CM: Paul Pogba
How the mighty have fallen. Pogba featured just six times for Monaco and was an unused substitute in their Champions League appearances last season. Once the world’s most expensive player, and a regular in the competition with Manchester United and Juventus, he is now available on a free after Monaco terminated his contract.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum
Yves Bissouma is an appealing free-agent option in midfield, but his three Champions League appearances make it difficult to place him above Wijnaldum in this context. The Dutchman’s three-year spell at Al-Ettifaq is over, and at 35 his career is likely in its final chapter. He last appeared in the Champions League for PSG in 2021-22 and reached two finals with Liverpool, winning the competition in 2019. Reports linked him with a move to Chelsea, though nothing materialised.
RW: Riyad Mahrez
Mahrez completed a three-year contract with Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, where he was among the highest-paid players in the world. He first played Champions League football with Leicester City and then competed in the competition in each of his five seasons at Manchester City, finishing as a winner in his final year there.
LW: Jadon Sancho
Transfermarkt’s algorithms rate Sancho as the most valuable free agent currently available. His five years at Manchester United represent one of the Premier League’s most difficult chapters for a forward of his calibre. Now 26, he made his first 21 Champions League appearances at Borussia Dortmund before that move to United, and returned to Dortmund on loan to play in the 2024 Champions League final, only to lose to Real Madrid.
CF: Karim Benzema
Only three players have scored more Champions League goals than Benzema, who netted 12 for Lyon and 78 for Real Madrid. A five-time winner of the competition, he spent three seasons in Saudi Arabia before terminating his contract with Al Hilal. At 38, retirement is near, but a return to Lyon has been discussed. He has goals left in him if he chooses to continue.
CF: Mauro Icardi
Completing the lineup is Icardi, who made his name at Inter, moved to PSG, and most recently spent four seasons at Galatasaray before being released. Now 33, his peak was at Inter, where he had one Champions League campaign before the PSG move. He is another proven name still without a club.
Read also: Arsenal vs Chelsea, Valencia vs Barcelona: Football Betting Tips 05-06 September
Substitutes
Sergio Rico, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Krepin Diatta, Ismael Bennacer, Yves Bissouma, Philippe Coutinho, Anthony Martial, Raheem Sterling, Joselu.
This group won’t be available forever. Follow TipsGG for ongoing coverage as these players find their next destinations.