The 2013/14 UCL championship Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in the final, giving the world a blockbuster derby. The match match was an epic with Real Madrid scoring in stoppage time to equalise, then in extra time they went on to win 4-1.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the player of the tournament scoring 17 goals in 11 appearances!
I knew before writing this piece that the Panini UEFA Champions League 2013-2014 set holds one of the great rookies of the modern era. But who else can we find of significance in this set?
These sets tend to be hard to rank because they are jam-packed with stars. Let’s get into the top 10!
The Panini UEFA Champions League 2013-2014 Complete Album
10 – Thomas Delaney Rookie Sticker – #149
Thomas Delaney is a Danish professional football player who plays as a central midfielder. Delaney is known for his physicality, tenacity, and tactical intelligence on the field.
Delaney began his career in Denmark with FC Copenhagen before moving to Werder Bremen in 2017. He made an immediate impact for the German side, impressing with his box-to-box style of play and his ability to cover ground and win tackles.
In the 2013/14 Champions League campaign, Delaney was still playing for FC Copenhagen, who had been drawn in a tough group alongside Real Madrid, Juventus, and Galatasaray.The strength of the group was too much and Copenhagen were eliminated, with Delaney playing all 6 matches.
Delaney has gone onto play for Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Hoffenheim, while picking up 71 caps for Denmark (as of the time of writing).
Overall, a solid rookie sticker.
9 – Zlatan Ibrahimović – #181 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Fotboll. Allsvenskan 2000 (Swedish League Set)
In the 2013/14 Champions League campaign, Ibrahimovic played a key role in PSG’s run to the quarter-finals of the competition. Overall, he scored 10 goals in the competition, the second most for the tournament.
Ibrahimovic’s playing style is characterized by his excellent ball control, dribbling ability, and powerful shots from distance. He is also an expert in creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates through his intelligent movement and passing. Despite his size and physicality, he is also very agile and has excellent balance, which allows him to turn defenders and create space for himself.
One of Ibrahimovic’s key strengths is his ability to score goals in a variety of ways. He can score with his head, either from set-pieces or crosses into the box. He is also lethal with his feet, and can score from close range, as well as from distance with powerful shots.
Zlatan has made this list because of his performances in this UCL campaign.
8 – Youri Tielemans Rookie Sticker – #220
Youri Tielemans is known for his technical skills, tactical intelligence, vision, and passing ability.
Tielemans is a versatile player who can play in different midfield positions, but he is best suited to play as a deep-lying playmaker or central midfielder. He is an excellent passer of the ball, with the ability to play accurate short and long-range passes, as well as through balls.
He also has the ability to scorer screamers from long range, having a long highlight list.
Tielemans played in the 2013/14 UCL competition at the age of just 16 and 4 months! He featured 4 times but Anderlecht only managed 1 draw in their 6 matches.
Youri feels like he has been around for ages, but he is still only 26. He has 58 caps and is a incredibly skilled player. I think this is a very good rookie sticker! He will only improve and may have a big move on the horizon.
7 – Sergio Ramos – #83 – Rookie Sticker from Colecciones ESTE Spanish Liga 2004-2005
Sergio Ramos is widely considered one of the best of all-time. He has spent the majority of his career playing for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, winning numerous titles and individual awards along the way.
Ramos is known for his physicality, aerial ability, and his skills in both attacking and defending. He is a very aggressive defender who is not afraid to make a tackle or go for a header, and he is also very skilled on the ball, often venturing forward to help start attacks for his team.
In the 2013/14 Champions League campaign, Ramos played a key role in Real Madrid’s success, as the team went on to win the title. He was a regular starter in the team’s defense, playing in all 11 matches and contributing two goals.
His performances were particularly noteworthy, and the major reason he is in this list. In the final against Atletico Madrid,e he scored a late equalising goal in the 93rd minute to send the game into extra time, before Real Madrid went on to win 4-1.
Overall, Ramos’ 2013/14 Champions League campaign showcased his exceptional defensive and attacking abilities, as well as his leadership qualities both on and off the pitch, as well as scoring a clutch equaliser in the final.
This sticker is worth having to remember this moment alone!
6 – Neymar – #554 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Campeonato Brasileiro 2010
Neymar is one of the most technically gifted players to ever play the game. He is known for his exceptional dribbling skills, speed, and clinical finishing, as well as his creative flair and ability to score spectacular goals.
Neymar has exceptional ball control and dribbling skills. He is able to beat defenders in one-on-one situations with ease, often using his quick feet and lightning speed to get past them.
In the 2013/14 Champions League campaign, Neymar was playing for Barcelona, having joined the club the previous summer. He played a key role in the team’s success, helping them to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
Everyone knows Neymar’s quality. I mostly think this is a great sticker because it represents his first season with Barcelona since signing from Santos.
5 – Aleksandar Mitrovic Rookie Sticker – #223
Mitrović is a powerful and physical striker, with excellent aerial ability and good technique on the ball. He is known for his ability to hold up play and bring his teammates into the game, as well as his clinical finishing in front of goal.
During the 2013/14 Champions League campaign, Mitrović was playing for Anderlecht in Belgium. He played in all six of their group stage matches, but failed to score as Anderlecht came bottom of their group.
Aleksandar has had an incredible goal record throughout his career. At 28 years old, he has clocked up 197 goals and club level. Additionally he has an outrageous 52 goals in 81 caps for Serbia.
I think Mitrović is a highly underrated striker. He seems to score goals everywhere he goes. He is known to have a temper which can lead to some controversy, but overall, I think this is a super rookie sticker.
4 – Leo Messi – #554 &301 – Rookie Sticker from Colecciones ESTE Spanish Liga 2004-2005
Lionel Messi is probably considered the greatest footballer of all time, especially since winning the 2022 World Cup. He is known for his exceptional technical abilities, vision, and intelligence on the pitch. He is a forward and typically plays in a central position, although he has also played on the right wing throughout his career.
Messi’s playing style is characterised by his incredible dribbling ability, acceleration, and change of direction, which often leaves defenders in his wake. He is also known for his vision and creativity in the final third, able to pick out passes that others may not see. Additionally, he possesses a lethal finishing ability, able to score from a variety of angles and distances.
In the 2013/14 Champions League campaign, Messi played a pivotal role in leading Barcelona to the quarter-finals. He scored eight goals in ten appearances.
Any Messi sticker is going to do well as an investment over time. this one is no different.
3 – Kevin De Bruyne – #342 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Football Belgium 2010-2011
De Bruyne’s playing style is characterised by his exceptional passing ability, both short and long-range, and his impressive vision and decision-making on the ball. He is also known for his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates, often playing pinpoint crosses and through-balls. Additionally, he is an excellent dribbler who can take on defenders with ease and possesses a powerful and accurate shot from distance.
In the 2013/14 Champions League campaign, De Bruyne only managed 3 appearances for Mourinho’s Chelsea.
Now days, at Manchester City, Kevin is one of the best midfielders in the world, if not the best! I think this is a cool sticker as we get an early De Bruyne in a Chelsea shirt, the only one ever made.
2 – Cristiano Ronaldo – #90 & 322 – Rookie Sticker from Panini Futebol 2002-2003 (Portuguese League)
Everyone knows CR7 and his capabilities.
By chance you don’t, Ronaldo’s playing style is characterised by his explosive speed, dribbling ability, and powerful shots. He is equally adept at playing on either wing or through the middle, and can score goals with both his left and right foot.
By saying scoring goals, that us putting it modestly. He scores for fun; at this point in his career, he has over 700 goals.
In the 2013/14 Champions League campaign, Ronaldo played for Real Madrid and had a remarkable season. He scored a total of 17 goals in the tournament, which is still the record for most goals in a single Champions League campaign.
Like Messi, all CR7’s stickers are worth investing in, but this one is extra special, with the 17 goals in the competition and lifting the UCL championship.
1 – Mohamed Salah Rookie Sticker – #372 & 302
Mohamed Salah is a skilled and versatile forward who has become one of the top scorers in the world. He is known for his incredible pace, dribbling ability, and finishing skills, as well as his work rate off the ball.
One of Salah’s greatest strengths is his speed and acceleration, which allows him to leave defenders behind and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He is also an excellent dribbler, able to navigate through tight spaces and take on multiple defenders at once.
Salah is also a clinical finisher, with a natural ability to find the back of the net from a variety of angles and distances. He is strongly left footed, often cutting in from the right wing to score.
FC Basel came third in the UCL group so they were transferred to the Europa League. In both competitions, Salah scored 5 goals in 10 appearances, earning a move to Chelsea the following season.
He hit his peak at Liverpool scoring goals for fun and winning a Premier League title as well as a UCL title. So far, he has 186 goals for the Reds and has established himself as a legend of the club.
The two rookie stickers in this set will be a super investment for the future. Once the supply dwindles, the price will sky rocket.
Additional Stickers: Messi #301, CR7 #322, Salah Rookie Sticker Insert #302
Summary
I don’t think anyone can argue with Salah taking the top spot. These stickers are his true rookie stickers, ie his first ever stickers, and are very valuable.
I thought Ramos had to be in there, simply for his goal in the final, helping his team lift the trophy.
The three major players omitted were van Dijk, Son Heung-Min and Antione Griezmann. They weren’t rookie stickers, but they are the first UCL stickers they had.
What do you guys think of the list?
Thanks for reading.