UEFA Cup Legends

In almost 50 years of competition a selection of the world’s finest football players have performed on the UEFA Cup stage.

Ronaldo - Brazil

Described by the legendary Pele as one of the greatest living footballers, Ronaldo was also an important member of Inter Milan’s

1998 UEFA Cup winning squad. Ronaldo scored 6 goals in 11 matches during their 1997/1998 UEFA Cup campaign. His most significant contribution came in the final against Lazio in Paris, where he ensured Lazio’s defeat by scoring Inter Milan’s third goal in the 70^th minute.

Frédéric Kanouté - France

Sevilla’s French born striker earns the status of UEFA Cup legend with his central role in helping Sevilla to retain the cup for two consecutive seasons. Kanouté is one of the most prolific goal-scorers in European football and this was reflected in his UEFA Cup form for both the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 seasons. The rangy striker scored 6 goals in both campaigns, with goals in both finals, including an extra-time stunner in the 2007 UEFA Cup final.

Pierre van Hooijdonk - Holland

The brilliant Dutch striker played a crucial role in winning Feyenoord’s second UEFA Cup in the 2001/2002 season. Van Hooijdonk scored a phenomenal 10 goals in the tournament, including 2 in the final against Borussia Dortmund. The player is remembered for his skill in free kicks, and was even honoured with a Dutch top 100 tribute song during the course of the tournament.

Hernán Crespo - Argentina

Argentinean striker Crespo is, apart from being one of our UEFA Cup legends, one of the most expensive players to have featured in the UEFA Cup. As a player feared for his opportunistic genius and strength in the air, Crespo made sporadic but crucial contributions to Parma’s 1998/1999 UEFA Cup campaign. Kept on the bench for most of the season, the striker made his opportunities count. Crespo scored goals in both of his 1998/1999 UEFA Cup appearances including the vital first goal in the final.

Gheorghe Hagi - Romania

The Maradona of the Carpathians is credited by many for Turkish club Galatasary’s meteoric rise to UEFA Cup glory in 2000. The Romanian was a superb midfielder capable of conjuring goals at critical moments. Hagi also had a famously hot temper, and was sent off during the 2000 UEFA Cup final. His place amongst the UEFA Cup legends is assured by the inspirational leadership which earned a Turkish club European honours for the first time in history.