Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has taken part in UEFA’s Champions League Challenge blind ranking game and on Wednesday his final list of ten Champions League icons left out Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Galatasaray forward, who previously fired Napoli to their first Serie A crown in 33 years, was asked to rank players as their names appeared randomly on screen, without knowing who would come next. Once the rolling stopped, Osimhen had to lock each star into a slot until his ten picks were complete.
At the top of Osimhen’s choices was Thomas Müller (no 1), Ex Bayern Munich forward and one of the Champions League’s most consistent performers.
Müller has twice lifted the Champions League trophy, in 2013 and 2020, and is renowned for his goalscoring and creativity on the European stage.
Osimhen also placed Raúl González as n0 2 , Real Madrid’s legendary striker who was the club’s record goalscorer in the Champions League until surpassed by Ronaldo. He spent 16 years at Madrid, winning three Champions League titles and six La Liga crowns.
Osimhen has scored 9 goals in 17 UCL appearances. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Another Spaniard on the list was Andrés Iniesta (no 3) Barcelona’s midfield conductor during their tiki-taka era. He helped the Catalans win four Champions League trophies and was central to their dominance under Pep Guardiola.
Luís Figo was placed at no 4, the Portuguese midfielder who starred for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, was among the top 4.
Victor Osimhen #UCL blind ranking 👀 pic.twitter.com/vf9SGZSN1m
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Osimhen placed Gianluigi Buffon at no 5, the Juventus and Italy legend widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. He appeared in three Champions League finals and was part of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad.
From England, Steven Gerrard no 6 was recognized for his leadership at Liverpool, most memorably in the 2005 Champions League final when the Reds came from 3–0 down to defeat AC Milan on penalties.
Madrid icons dominate
The final three names were all connected with Real Madrid. Marcelo no 10, the Brazilian left-back, won five Champions League titles and became one of the club’s most decorated players before leaving in 2022.
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Luka Modrić no 9, winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2018, collected six Champions League medals during his time in Spain and was central to Real Madrid’s dominance in Europe. He joined AC Milan earlier this summer.
Paolo Maldini, the iconic AC Milan defender, who spent his entire career at the club and lifted the Champions League five times was ranked in 8th place.
Victor Osimehn is currently out injured after picking a knock in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers for Nigeria. Photo Credit: The Athletic Images
Completing the list was Vinícius Júnior no 7, the Brazilian forward who scored the decisive goal in the 2022 Champions League final against Liverpool and continues to be one of Madrid’s key players.
The most eye-catching element of Osimhen’s selection was the absence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who between them have scored over 270 Champions League goals and won the competition nine times. Both are widely regarded as the greatest players in the tournament’s history.
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The 26-year-old Nigerian, now leading the line for Galatasaray, has already carved his own reputation in Europe. He was the top scorer in Napoli’s Serie A title-winning campaign in 2022–23 and remains one of Africa’s leading forwards.
