Well, Istanbul Airport is the place to be. As you explore some of the unique facets of the Airport, you’ll come across the UEFA Champions League Finals exhibition which is open to the at the Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge area at Istanbul Airport.
Football legends Steven Gerrard, Cafu and Ronaldinho visited the exhibition before its opening on April 28, 2023.
The exhibition has items displayed chronologically, and the exhibition begins with the legendary Milan-Liverpool final in Istanbul during 2005, dubbed the “Istanbul Miracle.”
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s autographed jersey after winning the 2005 UEFA Champions League in Istanbul, where he scored a goal and won a penalty as Liverpool came from behind to win the final
This is displayed through to 2023, with 18 finalists and numerous articles about them. What’s more, there is a huge model of Turkish Airlines’ UEFA Champions League-themed Airbus A330 type aircraft.
Here you will also come across jerseys, shorts, cleats, goalkeeper gloves and captain’s armbands worn by significant players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Karim Benzema and Iker Casillas.
Ronaldihno’s autographed jersey displayed at the Istanbul Airport Business Lounge. He helped Barcelona beat Arsenal 2-1 in the 2006 final played in Paris.
The official match ball that was used during the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final hosted in Athens where AC Milan won 2-1 over Liverpool
The 2009 UEFA Champions League final where Barcelona won 2-0 over Manchester United
Midfield maestro Xavi’s Barcelona jersey displayed at the Istanbul Business Lounge. The 2009 UEFA Champions League final saw Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0
Others are Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Arjen Robben, Sadio Mane, Gareth Bale, Gonzalo Higuaín and Thibaut Courtois with the latest being an autographed Erling Haaland Manchester City jersey after lifting the 2023 trophy.
Lionel Messi’s 2009 Barcelona jersey displayed at the Istanbul Business Lounge. The 2009 UEFA Champions League final saw Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0
The 2010 UEFA Champions League was won by Inter Milan that featured Kenyan Macdonald Mariga, beating Bayern Munich 2-0 in Madrid
Lionel Messi’s kit displayed at the Istanbul Airport Business lounge. Messi was on the score sheet as Barcelona beat Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 final.
2012 UEFA Champions League final match ball
Philipp Lahm’s kit displayed at the Istanbul Airport Business lounge. Bayern Munich beat Borrusia Dortmund 2-1 in the 2013 final.
2014 UEFA Champions League match ball
Cristiano Ronaldo’s jersey displayed at the Istanbul Business Lounge. The 2014 UEFA Champions League final saw Real beat Atletico Madrid 4-1
Gareth Bale’s jersey displayed at the Istanbul Business Lounge. The 2014 UEFA Champions League final saw Real beat Atletico Madrid 4-1
Ikar Cassilas’s jersey displayed at the Istanbul Business Lounge. The 2014 UEFA Champions League final saw Real beat Atletico Madrid 4-1
Lionel Messi’s playing short displayed at the Istanbul Airport Business lounge. Barcelona beat Juventus 3-1 in the 2015 final.
There are also memorabilia from the final, such as a referee’s jersey, a flag, a soccer ball, and game tickets.
The acme of the exhibition is from these 18 finals hosted since 2005. This has been featured prominently in the exhibition area of each final for visitors to enjoy.
Turkish Airlines became the first airline sponsor of the UEFA Champions League.
-Man City make history in Istanbul-
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland’s autographed jersey after winning 1-0 against Inter Milan in the 2023 UEFA Champions League in Istanbul
Excitement has been palpable in Istanbul in June where Pep Guardiola’s side Manchester City got their mitts on the coveted Champions League trophy.
UEFA Manager of Sponsorship and Licensing, Guillaume Sabran, was quoted as saying: “The UEFA Champions League Finals Exhibition perfectly encapsulates the passion and enjoyment of past finals. As UEFA, we were proud to host the 2023 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul. This exhibition plays an important role in making the final match on June 10 one of the unforgettable matches in the history of the cup.”
Cafu told reporters on his visit to the exhibition: “Although we failed to win the cup in the 2005 final in Istanbul, we were on the winning side in 2007. I love this city and I believe we will witness an unforgettable final this year in Istanbul. I really liked the exhibition and I extend my thanks to Turkish Airlines and UEFA officials.”
Brazilian star Ronaldinho on his part remarked during the visit: “I visited the UEFA Champions League Finals exhibition at the Turkish Business Lounge Airlines before the opening. The exhibit also features my 2006 kit that I wore during the final we won against Arsenal. I am looking forward to the final that will take place in Istanbul in June.”
