After a 1-1 draw in Moscow, the 2008 UEFA Champions League final went to penalties. Petr Čech saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty, putting Chelsea in a favorable position. Then it was John Terry’s turn to take the fifth penalty and secure the title for the Blues.

However, Chelsea’s captain slipped, and his shot hit the post. The penalties entered a critical phase, and Edwin van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka’s penalty, securing the prestigious Champions League trophy for Manchester United.

Before Terry, Michael Ballack, Juliano Belletti, Frank Lampard, and Ashley Cole had all converted their penalties. Salomon Kalou and Nicolas Anelka, both forwards, had not yet taken their kicks when Terry stepped up from the halfway line. Now, Makélélé has revealed that the legendary Chelsea defender’s desire to be in the spotlight ultimately cost his team the trophy.

Makélélé said on TalkSport’s Line Up program: “The dressing room after the match was like fire. There was no happiness, just a very depressing atmosphere. We made a big mistake before the penalties. The order of takers had been agreed upon between the players and the coach, but it changed at the last moment.

Salomon Kalou was supposed to take the last penalty, but John Terry took that opportunity away from him. I think we lost this trophy because football can be very cruel, and if you don’t do everything right, you get punished. When he missed that penalty, I was very angry because I knew this opportunity might never come again for many young players.”

I had already won the Champions League before, but at that moment, John should have been a leader and done what was best for the team. He didn’t guarantee that we would win the trophy; instead, he tried to be the hero. If he had succeeded, he would certainly have been the champion because he would have lifted the trophy himself.”