Thomas Partey Misses Out as These 5 Ghanaian Stars Shine in UCL History

• Thomas Partey's quest to triumph the Champions League rubric with Arsenal came to a crashing extremity connected Wednesday, May 7
• Partey's heartbreak and Arsenal's elimination mean nary Ghanaian has won Europe's premier nine contention since 2012
• YEN.com.gh takes a look astatine the 5 Ghanaian players who person hoisted the big-eared trophy

Thomas Partey's pursuit of UEFA Champions League glory was brought to a halt erstwhile more, arsenic Arsenal bowed retired of the contention astatine the semi-final stage.

The Ghanaian midfielder, who had reached the last with Atletico Madrid backmost successful 2017, was chasing a career-defining milestone by aiming to go lone the sixth subordinate from his federation to assistance European football’s astir coveted nine trophy.

Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien and Samuel Osei Kuffour are among the 5 Ghanaians to triumph the UCL trophy. Photos by Mike Egerton - PA Images, Patrik Stollarz and ullstein bild.
Source: Getty Images

Partey misses retired connected Champions League glory

Partey's imagination was dashed pursuing a 3-1 aggregate decision astatine the hands of a well-drilled Paris Saint-Germain side.

The Gunners, contempt flashes of committedness crossed some legs, were undone by PSG's objective execution and Gianluigi Donnarumma's outstanding performances betwixt the sticks, per Sky Sports.

Thomas Partey looks connected during a grooming league astatine Arsenal's Sobha Realty Training Centre. Photo by Stuart MacFarlane.
Source: Getty Images

With Partey’s exit, Ghana’s hopes of Champions League silverware done idiosyncratic practice came to an extremity this season.

PSG are present acceptable to look Inter Milan connected May 31 successful the final, but nary Ghanaian subordinate volition diagnostic successful the showpiece successful Istanbul.

The 5 Ghanaian winners of the Champions League title

As Partey exits the spotlight, it’s worthy reflecting connected those fewer but mighty Ghanaian stars who managed to conquer Europe’s grandest stage.

Here's a look astatine the prime 5 who etched their names into Champions League history.

5. Abedi Ayew Pele – 1993

The pioneer of Ghanaian excellence successful Europe, Abedi Ayew, was instrumental successful Olympique Marseille's maiden and lone Champions League triumph.

It was Ayew’s country that unlocked AC Milan's defence, curling the shot perfectly onto Basile Boli’s caput for the decisive goal, according to Ghanasoccernet.

Though Boli netted the winner, Ayew's creativity and relentless power passim the run earned him the hero’s mantle.

4. Ibrahim Tanko – 1997

A prodigious endowment whose vocation was blighted by recurring injuries, Tanko was portion of Borussia Dortmund’s historical tally to their archetypal Champions League crown.

While his relation successful the run was peripheral, with conscionable 3 appearances and nary successful the final, helium remained a subordinate of Ottmar Hitzfeld’s title-winning squad.

3. Samuel Osei Kuffour – 2001

No Ghanaian has displayed specified earthy emotion connected the Champions League signifier arsenic Samuel Kuffour did aft Bayern Munich’s infamous 1999 nonaccomplishment to Manchester United.

Two last-gasp goals near Kuffour pounding the turf successful despair.

But the defender's resilience would beryllium rewarded 2 years later. In the 2001 final, Bayern edged Valencia connected penalties aft a tightly contested stalemate, and Kuffour was rock-solid throughout.

2. Sulley Muntari – 2010

Jose Mourinho’s 2010 Inter Milan squad was built connected tactical subject and ruthless efficiency, and Sulley Muntari was a trusted cog successful that machine.

Known for his carnal beingness and assertive midfield play, Muntari helped Inter grind done hard ties, nary much truthful than the semi-final 2nd limb against Barcelona.

Although helium lone played a abbreviated cameo successful the last astatine the Santiago Bernabéu, entering with the crippled already sealed astatine 2-0, Muntari’s contributions passim the run validated his medal.

5. Michael Essien – 2012

Of each Ghanaian Champions League winners, Michael Essien's travel was possibly the astir poetic.

Nicknamed “The Bison” for his powerhouse style, helium suffered heartbreak successful 2008 erstwhile Chelsea narrowly mislaid the last to Manchester United.

Four years later, redemption arrived.

Although Essien didn't diagnostic successful the melodramatic last against Bayern Munich, his years of work to the nine and contributions during the campaign, earned him a deserved spot among the elite.

The magnitude Partey's Arsenal earned aft UCL exit

In an earlier report, YEN.com.gh highlighted that though Arsenal's Champions League travel ended astatine the semi-final signifier against PSG, it wasn’t without reward.

The Gunners are acceptable to person £12.7 cardinal successful prize money, a fiscal boost that could assistance Mikel Arteta’s plans to bolster his squad during the summertime transportation window.

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Source: YEN.com.gh