Off The Ball has teamed up with Pepsi Max who are bringing the Champions League Trophy to Ireland! The legendary piece of silverware lands on Irish soil on February 29th and March 1st, which is the first time Pepsi Max has brought it to Ireland!

Throughout this series, we’ll be looking at the best partnerships, controversies, and goals as well as everything else that makes the Champions League the highlight of our football calendar.

Continuing with the theme of partnerships, this installment looks at some of the greatest partnerships to grace the Champions League.

5. Yorke & Cole

In 1999, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole reached the peak of their careers. Both of these strikers should be eternally grateful to each other for that.

Individually these two were top-quality footballers, but their ability to connect with each other on an almost telepathic level brought both of them to a new level. They showcased this throughout their time in the Champions League

Throughout the three seasons Yorke and Cole enjoyed together they combined in many brilliant moments, particularly in the 1998/99 season, where the pair bagged 13 crucial goals to lead Manchester United for their first triumph in Europe since 1968, including this ridiculous goal at the Camp Nou:

4. Maldini & Nesta

Allesandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini worked together in a variety of positions over a number of years to form part of what is arguably the strongest back four that the Champions League has ever witnessed.

Nesta would often partner Maldini as a left-sided centre back when Maldini was played as a left full back, and the pair played as a centre back partnership during their Champions League final victories in 2003 and 2007. Wherever they played, when they worked together, the fortunate goalkeeper behind them rarely had much work to do.

The pair were the backbone of an iconic Milan team featuring the Ballon D'or winner Kaka, Italian legend Andrea Pirlo, and Champions league icon Clarence Seedorf.

3. Robben & Ribery

Although the pair did not always see eye to eye off of the pitch, they clearly enjoyed each other's company on the field. The dynamic wingers worked together on opposite sides of the pitch to trouble every team they faced throughout their era in the Champions League.

The pair defined Bayern in the 2010s and were key players in the 2013 Champions League triumph. In their prime years, they ensured Bayern were in the semi-final or further in the competition between 2012 and 2016. Their combined efforts meant Bayern were always among the favourites to become champions of Europe.

2. Modric & Kroos

The midfield duo evoked the best from each other with their similar playing styles. The pair won possession back for Los Blancos and retained it in an unrivaled manner during their best years. This meant more potential to make chances for Cristiano Ronaldo, while limiting their opponents time on the ball with the help of Casemiro, which, of course, led to many victories.

Their partnership was huge in the historic squad that was the first team in the Champions League era to defend the trophy, which then defended it again the year after. During these years the pair were intertwined at the heart of one of the great Champions League teams and consistently put in the UEFA Team of the Year.

1. Xavi and Iniesta

This one requires no explanation.

We have these two phenoms to thank for some of the greatest football we have ever witnessed. The pair were the heartbeat in the great Barcelona team that won the Champions League in 2009 and 2011.

The football that these two produced warranted more Champions League medals, and they are unfortunate to have played in the same era as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as we could be talking about two Ballon D'or winners if they had not. Words can not do justice to how well these two worked together.

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Pepsi Max is a proud partner of the UEFA Champions League. On the 29th February, Off The Ball will be running a skills challenge in association with Pepsi Max as we’ll have the Champions League trophy in Dundrum Shopping Centre with David Meyler and Damien Delaney judging the skills. The two former Irish internationals will also be in the Pavilions Shopping Centre on the 1st March for another skills challenge with the trophy, come down either day for your chance to win a signed football from Lionel Messi as well as other spot prizes! Maximum Taste. No Sugar #ForTheLoveOfIt

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