They Won the Champions League, but Are Now Free Agents Looking for a New Club

The Big-Name Free Agents Still Available After the Transfer Window Closed

The transfer window may be over, but clubs that failed to strengthen every position can still turn to a market filled with recognisable names. Several players with experience at the highest level remain available without the need for a transfer fee.

The list includes Champions League winners, former top-level internationals and stars who have represented some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Most may be past their prime, but their experience and quality could still prove valuable to teams in need of reinforcements.

We have selected a 4-4-2 line-up made up entirely of free agents with Champions League experience.

Neto Takes His Place in Goal

The list of available goalkeepers may not be as impressive as the options in other positions, but Neto remains a suitable choice. The Brazilian has made 11 Champions League appearances during a career that has taken him to several major clubs.

Neto has been on the books of Juventus, Valencia, Barcelona and Arsenal, experiencing Europe’s elite club competition with some of the continent’s most prestigious teams. Although he was not always the first-choice goalkeeper, his inclusion in squads of this calibre illustrates the level at which he has operated.

Now 37, Neto most recently played in his native Brazil for Botafogo. His extensive European experience could make him a useful option for a club seeking a mature goalkeeper accustomed to the pressure of major matches.

Dani Carvajal Brings Six Champions League Titles

Dani Carvajal is one of the biggest names currently without a club. The right-back has made 96 Champions League appearances and lifted the trophy six times, an achievement matched by very few players.

Every one of those triumphs came with Real Madrid. Carvajal spent 13 years with the Spanish giants and was an important member of a generation that dominated European football.

His long association with Real Madrid ended this summer, meaning he can now be signed without a transfer fee. His experience, winning mentality and ability to perform in high-pressure matches make him one of the most attractive players still available.

David Alaba Adds Elite Experience to the Defence

Real Madrid also parted company with David Alaba this summer. The Austrian international appeared in each of the past 15 Champions League campaigns, underlining his remarkable longevity at the highest level.

The left-footed defender completed five seasons in Madrid after enjoying a long and trophy-laden spell with Bayern Munich. Alaba won the Champions League twice with the German club before lifting it on another two occasions with Real Madrid.

His versatility remains a major asset. Alaba can operate at centre-back, left-back or in midfield, while the experience gained at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid makes him an appealing option for any ambitious club.

Diogo Leite Offers a Younger Alternative

Diogo Leite partners David Alaba in a left-footed central defensive pairing. The Portuguese defender cannot match the Austrian’s remarkable European record, but his age gives him one significant advantage.

At 27, the former Porto and Union Berlin player should still have some of his best years ahead of him. Leite has made 10 Champions League appearances, compared with Alaba’s total of 125.

He is regarded as one of the most valuable free agents currently on the market, although he may not remain available for much longer. Lazio have reportedly arranged a medical for the defender, meaning he could soon secure his next move.

Raphaël Guerreiro Occupies the Left Flank

Oleksandr Zinchenko could have been selected at left-back, but the Ukrainian international is currently injured. Raphaël Guerreiro therefore gets the nod, partly because he brings considerably more Champions League experience.

The Portuguese player has made 63 appearances in the competition. All of them came during his time in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

Guerreiro is now 32, with Bayern Munich being his most recent club. His ability to operate both as a left-back and in midfield could improve his prospects of securing another contract.

Paul Pogba Searches for a Fresh Start

Few players on this list have suffered such a dramatic decline as Paul Pogba. Once the most expensive footballer in the world, the Frenchman is again looking for a club.

His spell with Monaco ended after only six appearances. Pogba was named among the substitutes for several of the club’s Champions League matches last season but did not play in the competition.

The midfielder previously featured regularly in Europe’s premier club tournament for Juventus and Manchester United, where he enjoyed the most significant periods of his career. His Monaco contract was terminated, allowing his next club to sign him without paying a transfer fee.

Pogba’s natural ability has never been in question, but his problems in recent years have severely disrupted his career. His next move could prove decisive as his career enters its closing stages.

Georginio Wijnaldum Still Carries Memories of the 2019 Triumph

Yves Bissouma is among the more interesting midfielders currently available, but he has made only three Champions League appearances. The central midfield position therefore goes to Georginio Wijnaldum, who boasts a far more impressive European record.

The Dutchman’s three-year spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq has come to an end. At 35, Wijnaldum may be approaching the final years of his career, but his experience could still be valuable.

His most recent Champions League appearances came for Paris Saint-Germain during the 2021-22 season. However, his greatest European achievements came with Liverpool, helping the club reach two finals and lift the trophy in 2019.

A possible move to Chelsea was mooted in recent days after the London club failed to find a replacement for Enzo Fernández. However, those reports do not appear to have developed into advanced negotiations.

Riyad Mahrez Can Still Provide Magic on the Right

Riyad Mahrez has reached the end of his three-year contract with Al-Ahli. During his time in the Saudi Pro League, the Algerian international was among the highest-paid footballers in the world.

The winger first played in the Champions League for Leicester City around a decade ago. Following his move to Manchester City, Mahrez appeared in the competition during each of his five seasons with the English club.

The “Cityzens” lifted the Champions League trophy in his final season in Manchester. Mahrez has already won the trophy he wanted most, but his technical quality and experience suggest he could still produce one last memorable chapter before retirement.

Jadon Sancho Faces a Defining Career Decision

Jadon Sancho is the most valuable free agent on the market, according to Transfermarkt estimates. His current situation would have been difficult to imagine when Manchester United paid a huge fee to sign him.

The transfer, completed five years ago, developed into one of the most disappointing deals in Premier League history. Sancho never replicated at Manchester United the form he had shown during his first spell with Borussia Dortmund.

Still only 26, the English winger has enough time to rebuild his career. Before returning to England, he had made 21 Champions League appearances for Dortmund and was regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking talents.

Sancho later returned to the German club on loan and helped Dortmund reach the 2024 Champions League final. Real Madrid won the trophy, but the winger’s European performances demonstrated that he could still compete at a high level.

His next move will be hugely important. Sancho needs to find a club where he can play regularly and rediscover the confidence he lost during his difficult years at Manchester United.

Karim Benzema Remains One of the Competition’s Greatest Names

Karim Benzema is one of the strikers who helped define an era of Champions League football. Only three players have scored more goals than the Frenchman in Europe’s leading club competition.

Benzema scored 12 Champions League goals for Lyon and another 78 for Real Madrid. He was part of five Champions League-winning teams and became one of the Spanish club’s greatest modern legends.

During the early years of his career in Madrid, Benzema was often overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo. After the Portuguese star’s departure, the Frenchman became the focal point of the attack and finally received widespread recognition for his contribution.

The striker has spent the past three years in Saudi Arabia and recently terminated his contract with Al-Hilal. Now 38, he may not be far from retirement, but his goalscoring instincts and experience could still attract interest from several clubs.

A return to Lyon has been discussed in the international media. Such a move would carry considerable emotional significance, although completing the deal could prove difficult.

Mauro Icardi Completes the Starting Line-up

Mauro Icardi partners Karim Benzema in attack. The Argentine has represented Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Galatasaray during a career built on his reputation as a prolific goalscorer.

His finest period came with Inter, although he played only one Champions League season for the Italian club before joining Paris Saint-Germain.

The 33-year-old striker is now available following his departure from Galatasaray. The Istanbul club released him after four seasons in Turkish football.

Icardi may no longer be the player who reached his peak at Inter, but his movement inside the penalty area and his experience in major leagues could still make him an attractive option for several clubs.

Plenty of Experience on the Bench

The number of players still available makes it possible to assemble a substitutes’ bench filled with familiar names. Sergio Rico provides the back-up goalkeeping option, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Krépin Diatta offer defensive options.

Ismaël Bennacer, Yves Bissouma and Philippe Coutinho provide the midfield options. Anthony Martial, Raheem Sterling and Joselu complete the attacking alternatives.