Setting records

(Baonghean) - A round of matches without too many surprises but setting many new records in Europe's most prestigious competition. Xavi of Barcelona became the player with the most appearances; Totti, with his goal against Man City, became the oldest player to score, and Terry of Chelsea joined the "100 Club" in this tournament.

Terry (pictured), along with Totti and Xavi, made history in the Champions League.

A memorable round of matches that commemorated the individuals who set records in the tournament. Even more admirable is the loyalty of players like Xavi, Totti, and Terry, as all three played for only one club throughout their entire careers.

Totti has always been revered by the Italians, who affectionately call him "the prince." Beyond his striking appearance, the AS Roma captain's playing style is also remarkably elegant. The player who won the 2006 World Cup with Italy was once a target not only for domestic clubs. However, due to his loyalty and unwavering dedication to the Italian capital club, Totti rejected all offers, remaining with AS Roma throughout his career.

In recent seasons, despite his advanced age and the retirement of most players of his generation, Totti, driven by his love for AS Roma, persevered through difficult times for the team. At 38, he still shouldered significant responsibilities, leading many to believe his role was merely to provide moral support to the team. However, the "prince" of Rome proved he was far from finished. In the match between the home team at the Olympico Stadium and the English giants Manchester City, Totti made history in the Champions League as the oldest player to score. Although his goal didn't secure a victory, his exquisite lob over the Manchester City goalkeeper demonstrated to the world that age had yet to defeat him.

For Chelsea's captain, glory and fan admiration are equally significant. In 2001, Terry officially joined Chelsea's first team and has remained loyal to the London club ever since. Over 10 years of dedication and unspoken contributions have made Terry a part of The Blues' history. Many appreciate Terry because, in a team like Chelsea, many coaches have come and gone, many stars have joined, but none have shown such undying love for the club. But Terry is different; despite the team's ups and downs, his love is eternal. That's why, on the day he joined the "Club of 100" in the Champions League, many mentioned Terry as a special figure, because what makes people respect and cherish him is worth far more than the 27 players who had been honored before.

And on that special night, the history of the Champions League had to acknowledge Xavi, a Barcelona legend. The Spanish player officially played his 143rd match, surpassing the record of 142 matches held by his predecessor Raul Gonzalez, thus entering the history books of the tournament. No one witnessed as many ups and downs at Nou Camp as Xavi, not even Puyol, who held the captaincy for a long time and retired at the end of last season.

Xavi played for Barcelona for 17 seasons, experiencing both glory and heartbreak with the Catalan club. While Messi is often mentioned, it was Xavi who was the heart of Barcelona's tiki-taka style of play, ushering in the best days of Barca's history.

Each player takes a different path to making history in the Champions League, but what they have in common is their loyalty, dedication, and their indispensable role in the history and development of the club they play for.

Vinh Liem