Football facts: Players with most Champions League finals without winning it ever

The pain of a Champions League final defeat is a feeling few footballers will ever experience. But for some, that crushing disappointment has become an all too familiar nightmare. The recent 2025 final saw Lautaro Martinez experience this heartbreak, joining a list of legendary players who have been extremely close to European glory, not once, but multiple times.

Check out the list of players with the most Champions League finals without winning it ever.

Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus) | 3 Finals

One of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Gianluigi Buffon, was the Juventus team's last line of defence for many years. He reached the finals three times, out of which twice he led the team as a captain, and lost all of them.

• 2003 Final: Faced AC Milan that ended 0-0 after extra time, where Buffon made a crucial save from Filippo Inzaghi in the normal time. However, Juventus ultimately lost 3-2 on penalties.
• 2015 Final: Led Juventus against Barcelona and faced a 3-1 defeat, despite a commendable performance.
• 2017 Final: Lost 4-1 against Real Madrid, and it was painful as the opponent dominated completely in the second half.

Read Also: Football Facts: Managers with most UCL titles

Paolo Montero (Uruguay, Juventus) | 3 Finals

Paolo Montero was a key central defender of Juventus' backline during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He too reached the finals thrice and never tasted victory in any of the Champions League finals.

• 1997 Final: Juventus were the defending champions in this season, and were unable to control Borussia Dortmund, losing 3-1 in the finals.
• 1998 Final: Lost 1-0 vs Real Madrid in a tense final, which marked their second consecutive final defeat.
• 2003 Final: Battled AC Milan to a 0-0 draw and eventually lost 3-2 in penalties.

Alessio Tacchinardi (Italy, Juventus) | 3 Finals

Another player of Juventus, Alessio Tacchinardi, a hardworking midfielder, finds his place in this list with 3 final defeats.

He also has the same story as Montero, with disappointing losses in the years 1997, 1998, and 2003.

Read Also: Most Champions League titles won by Football Clubs

Lautaro Martinez (Argentina, Inter Milan) | 2 Finals

The Argentinian striker, Lautaro Martinez, is Inter Milan's attacking shepherd and captain. He made his way up in this list with their recent loss in the 2025 Champions League final against PSG.

He was a part of two finals and lost both times.

• 2023 Final: Despite great efforts, lost 1-0 to Manchester City in a thrilling final. Martinez had a chance to equalise but couldn't convert, a moment that lingered in the memory for Inter fans.
• 2025 Final: A heavy 5-0 loss against Paris Saint-Germain, which added a second layer to his final setbacks.

Antoine Griezmann (France, Atlético Madrid) | 2 Finals

Antoine Griezmann has been the creative heartbeat and primary attacking threat for Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid during their golden era. He reached the finals two times with this side and met with defeats every time.

• 2014 Final: Faced cross-city rivals Real Madrid in a dramatic final, and lost 4-1.
• 2016 Final: Another defeat against Real Madrid, where they lost 5-4 (Juanfran missed the decisive penalty) in penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Read Also: 10 most successful African Players with the most goals in the UEFA Champions League

Other Atletico Madrid Players with 2 UCL final defeats in the same years (2014, 2016):