Most successful Under-21 EURO graduates
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
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UEFA.com looks at which former Under-21 EURO representatives went on to enjoy the greatest senior success at international and UEFA Champions League level.
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UEFA.com looks at which former UEFA European Under-21 Championship representatives have gone on to enjoy the greatest senior success at international and UEFA Champions League level.
Players must have made at least one U21 finals appearance to be eligible. Stats taken only from 1998 onwards.
Most senior international caps
157: Jan Vertonghen, Belgium (3 U21 appearances)
146: João Moutinho, Portugal (7)
143: Christian Eriksen, Denmark (3)
143: Anders Svensson, Sweden (3)
139: Giorgos Karagounis, Greece (4)
135: Granit Xhaka, Switzerland (4)
133: Darijo Srna, Croatia (2)
133: Xavi Hernández, Spain (4)
132: Axel Witsel, Belgium (1)
130: Lukas Podolski, Germany (2)
Most UEFA Champions League appearances
151: Xavi Hernández, Barcelona (4)
150: Manuel Neuer, Schalke/Bayern (5)
115: Carles Puyol, Barcelona (3)
111: Petr Čech, Sparta Praha/Chelsea/Arsenal (5)
108: Andrea Pirlo, Inter/Milan/Juventus (7)
105: Frank Lampard, Chelsea/Manchester City (3)
102: Koke, Atlético (4)
97: Guti, Real Madrid (3)
96: Bernado Silva, Monaco/Manchester City (5)
96: Joshua Kimmich, Bayern (4)
Most UEFA Champions League goals
56: Ruud van Nistelrooy, PSV/Manchester United/Real Madrid (3)
40: Harry Kane, Tottenham/Bayern (3)
29: Roy Makaay, Deportivo/Bayern (3)
29: Álvaro Morata, Real Madrid/Chelsea/Atlético/Juventus/AC Milan (5)
23: Frank Lampard, Chelsea/Manchester City (3)
18: Phil Foden, Manchester City (3)
16: Michael Ballack, Leverkusen/Bayern/Chelsea (3)
16: Bernado Silva, Monaco/Manchester City (5)
16: Serge Gnabry, Arsenal/Bayern (6)
16: Guti, Real Madrid (3)