Senegalese goalie Mendy and Morocco’s Ziyech won the 2020/2021 UCL with Chelsea
Aside the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League (UCL) is by far the most prestigious football competition across the world – by virtue of its popularity and reach.
Th pool of players participating means that an there is always a medley of playesr from across all continents represented on the field.
This adds to the UCL vibe as people across the world support nationals from their country who play in the league.
On May 29, 2021, the final of the 2020 / 2021 edition of the UCL took place in Porto with Manchester City facing Chelsea.
The African interests were squarely in Algeria (Riyad Mahrez of City) and Senegal and Morocco (Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech respectively of Chelsea).
In the end, Mendy in the Chelsea goal kept out Mahrez and all of City’s attacking power to ensure that Thomas Tuchel’s side emerged victorious – winning their second UCL. Ziyech on the other hand played a less prominent role in the win.
Below is a list of winners (countries, clubs and season)
23 – Hakim Ziyech (Morocco) : Chelsea FC, 2020 – 2021
22 – Edouard Mendy (Senegal) : Chelsea FC, 2020 – 2021
21 – Mohamed Salah (Egypt) : Liverpool FC, 2018 – 2019
20 – Sadio Mane (Senegal) : Liverpool FC, 2018 – 2019
19 – Joel Matip (Cameroon) : Liverpool FC, 2018 – 2019
18 – Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) : Real Madrid FC, 2017-2018
17 – Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) : Chelsea FC, 2011-2012
16 – Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast) : Chelsea FC, 2011-2012
15 – Michael Essien (Ghana) : Chelsea FC, 2011-2012
14 – John Obi Mikel (Nigeria) : Chelsea FC, 2011-2012
13 – McDonald Mariga (Kenya) : Inter Milan 2009 – 2010
12 – Sulley Muntari (Ghana) : Inter Milan, 2009-2010
11 – Seydou Keita (Mali) : FC Barcelona, 2008-2009, 2010-2011
10 – Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire) : FC Barcelona, 2008-2009
9 – Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) – FC Barcelona, 2005-2006, 2008-2009, Inter Milan, 2009-2010
8 – Djimi Traoré (Mali) : Liverpool FC, 2004-2005
7 – Benni McCarthy (South Africa) : FC Porto, 2003-2004
6 – Samuel Kuffour (Ghana) : FC Bayern Munich 2000-2001
5 – Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria) : Ajax, 1994-1995
4 – Finidi George (Nigeria) : Ajax, 1994-1995
3 – Abedi Pelé (Ghana) : Olympique de Marseille, 1992-1993
2 – Rabah Madjer (Algeria) : FC Porto, 1986-1987
1 – Bruce Grobbelaar (Zimbabwe) : Liverpool FC, 1983-1984
@ChelseaFC we are the champion. ???? pic.twitter.com/xs52WClpVu
— Hakim Ziyech (@HaZiyech) May 29, 2021