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According to a former Chelsea star, the Blues could have been European Champions in 2008 if captain John Terry had allowed an African star to take the spotlight
The heartbreak of Chelsea’s 2008 Champions League final defeat is etched into football history, but new revelations have added another painful layer to the Blues’ loss.
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Former Blues midfielder Claude Makelele has come forward with claims that John Terry changed the penalty order at the last minute, costing the team European glory.
Makelele reveals Terry’s last-minute change
According to French midfielder Makelele, the chaos did not begin when John Terry slipped on his decisive penalty; it started moments before, when the planned order of penalty takers was suddenly shuffled.
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In the original lineup agreed upon by both the coaching staff and players, it was Salomon Kalou who was supposed to take what could have been the trophy-winning spot-kick. But with the chance to become the club’s ultimate hero, Terry reportedly stepped up instead, snatching the moment from the young African forward.
Speaking about the ill-fated match, Makelele said, “The dressing room after the game was like fire. There was no happiness whatsoever – it was a sad place to be.
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“We made a big mistake ahead of the penalties. We had an order which was agreed with the players and the manager, but it changed at the last minute.
“It was supposed to be Salomon Kalou taking the last penalty, but John [Terry] took the opportunity off him. I think we lost this competition because football is very harsh sometimes and if you don't do things the right way, you get punished.”
Terry's quest for glory ends in regret
Makelele did not spare his former captain from criticism for the decision, saying, 'I was very angry when he missed the penalty because it was a chance that I knew a lot of the young players wouldn't get. I'd won the Champions League before, but in this moment, John had to be the leader and do what was best for the team.
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“He didn't make sure we won the trophy, he tried to be a hero. If he knew this, he would have been a hero because he would have lifted the trophy.”
In hindsight, Terry himself has not shied away from the pain of that night. Speaking last year on the Up Front Podcast, he admitted it was "probably the worst moment" of his career, saying that he has never truly recovered from it.
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Watching Manchester United lift the trophy while knowing his penalty could have sealed it for Chelsea has left a scar that still stings over a decade later. Yet, what makes it even more haunting is the suggestion that Terry’s desire to be the man who sealed the win may have cost another player a life-changing moment, and Chelsea the title.
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