Liverpool were gunning for a second Champions League trophy in the 2006-2007 season. They qualified top of their group above PSV Eindhoven, following which they faced Barcelona in the round of 32, where they recorded a famous 2-1 victory at Camp Nou. They reached the finals that season but couldn’t repeat the feat achieved by them 2 seasons ago as they lost to AC Milan by a scoreline of 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens. Today we look at where those 22 players are that took part in that famous match on 21st February in Spain.
Barcelona
Victor Valdes (Middlesbrough)
The Spanish international was one of the top keepers in the world before injured took a major toll on his body. He moved to Manchester United in 2015 but after a disappointing season at Old Trafford, the former Barcelona keeper moved to Middlesbrough this summer.
Juliano Belletti (Retired)
Belletti was the match winner in the 2006 Champions League Final against Arsenal. He moved to Chelsea in 2007 before moving to Brazil to join Fluminense on a two-year contract. In 2011 he announced his retirement.
Rafael Marquez (Atlas)
The former Captain of Mexico left Barcelona in 2010 after a stellar career at Camp Nou where he made a whopping 342 appearances. Currently, he back in his home country playing for Atlas
Carles Puyol (retired)
Puyol played out his career at Barcelona from start to finish. He was a rock in that Catalan defence before injury forced him to retire in 2014.
Gianluca Zambrotta (Delhi Dynamos, Manager)
The 2006 World winner spent two years Barcelona, where he made 58 appearances before moving to Italy to join AC Milan. Currently, Zambrotta is the manager of Delhi Dynamos in India.
Xavi (Al Sadd)
Xavi came through La Masia and broke the record for the most appearances made by a Barcelona player. He is currently playing in Qatar with Al Sadd, where he moved in 2015.
Thiago Motta (PSG)
Another product of the famous Barcelona academy. He made a total of 96 appearances for the Spanish club before moving to Inter Milan, where he won the Champions League. He is currently playing at PSG.
Deco (retired)
Deco moved to Barcelona in 2004 from Porto, where he made 113 appearances. He moved to Chelsea in 2008 before going to Fluminense. In 2013 the Portuguese announced his retirement.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Not a household name like today, Messi was on his way to cementing his place amongst the greats of football in 2005. Since then he has won five-time Ballon d’Or winner and broken countless records.
Ronaldinho (free agent)
The Brazilian magician was one of the best players to grace the pitch at Camp Nou. He left Barcelona in 2008 and is currently a free-agent as he has not officially announced his retirement.
Javier Saviola (retired)
The Argentine international failed to hit the heights that was expected of him. He moved to Real Madrid from Barcelona in 2007. He was last seen playing for River Plate, where he announced his retirement earlier this year.
Liverpool
Pepe Reina (Napoli)
The Spanish international spent 9 years at Anfield before moving to German giants Bayern Munich in 2014. He is currently playing for Napoli in Serie A.
Alvaro Arbeloa (free agent)
Another Spanish player who made a name for himself at Liverpool before joining Real Madrid in 2009. After spending 7 years in the Spanish capital, Arbeloa left the club and is yet to join any team.
Jamie Carragher (retired)
Carragher spent his whole career at Liverpool, the club he loved since childhood. He retired in 2013 after making the second most appearances for the Merseyside club.
Daniel Agger (retired)
Agger was a wall in Liverpool’s defensive line for 8 years before resigning for his former club Brondby in 2014. In 2016, at the age of 31, Agger announced his retirement.
John Arne Riise (retired)
He spent 7 years at Anfield before leaving the Reds to join Roma in 2008. Currently, he has taken a break from professional football, stating a loss of motivation.
Steve Finnan (retired)
Finnan played a crucial role in that 2-1 victory at Camp Nou before moving to Espanyol in 2008. He returned to England to join Portsmouth before hanging up his boots.
Mohamed Sissoko (Shanghai Shenhua)
The Malian international stayed at Liverpool for 4 years before leaving England to join Italian giants Juventus. He is currently playing in the Chinese League with Shanghai Shenhua.
Xabi Alonso (Bayern Munich)
The Spanish midfielder made a total of 210 appearances for Liverpool before moving to Real Madrid. He moved to Bayern Munich in 2014, where he currently plays.
Craig Bellamy (retired)
Bellamy made a total of 74 appearances for the Reds over two spells. He retired in 2014 after spending two years at Cardiff City.
Steven Gerrard (LA Galaxy)
Gerrard is arguably the greatest Liverpool player. He made more than 700 appearances for the club before leaving them to join LA Galaxy in 2015.
Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord)
The Dutchman player at Liverpool for six years, where he made a total of 208 appearances. He is currently back in his home country and playing for Feyenoord.