Originally released in March 2021, the 2020-21 Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 UEFA Champions League collection was an online exclusive available through the UK website which sold out almost instantly. 

With an RRP of £90, it’s based on the famous 1995 Merlin sticker set. There are classic profile images, and a range of rare autos to chase. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 UCL collection, including the best cards to look out for, and lots of relevant stats and info about the set. 

2020-21 Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 UEFA Champions League: Key Stats

Here are some key stats and facts about the 2020-21 Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 UEFA Champions League collection:

• Based on the famous 1995 Merlin sticker set
• Sale Date: March 31, 2021
• Product Configuration: 8 cards per pack, 10 packs per box
• Contains one autograph per box
• The base set contains 141 cards
• Gio Reyna autos were inadvertently left out of packs 
• Boxes contain a 3D card, as well as 3D glasses 

The Best 2020-21 Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 UEFA Champions League Cards

We’ve listed five of the best cards from 2020-21 Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 below.

5. 2020-21 Merlin Heritage ’95 UEFA Champions League Erling Haaland #25 (eBay)

We begin with Erling Haaland, a season and a half after the release of his famous 2019 rookie cards. Despite the lack of an RC logo, it’s still one of the more popular parallels from the set if you’re looking at sold prices on sites like eBay. 

The talented striker can barely fit within the borders of the card, looking every bit of his 1.94 meter frame. 

Haaland is also included in a dual auto card along with teammate Gio Reyna.

• Parallels: B/W Background #/99, Blue #/50, Purple #/25, Red #/10, Orange #/5, Gold 1/1

4. 2020-21 Merlin Heritage ’95 UEFA Champions League Giovanni Reyna RC Auto (eBay)

Sticking with the Dortmund theme, Gio Reyna is another massive hit from the collection, although the card was originally missing from boxes that were sent out from Topps UK.

The sole on-card auto from the collection, it’s now confirmed that there are 333 in total, which were later sent out to buyers at random. The USMNT star has batted with muscle and tendon injuries in recent seasons, but should be fit in time for the 2022 World Cup.

3. 2020-21 Merlin Heritage ’95 UEFA Champions League Pedri RC #10 (eBay) 

Pedri was always going to make the list, as one of the breakthrough rookies for a massive European side in the form of Barcelona. In fact, manager Xavi was recently forced to dismiss claims that the team is too reliant on the young star, which has been coined a ‘Pedridependencia’. 

“I wouldn’t say that,” Xavi said.

“Look, he’s an extraordinary player. Don’t skimp on the praise for him. He’s a player that excites me and one that can make a difference. He’s scored a great goal [against Levante], but I don’t think there is [a dependence on him].”

Many would disagree, especially after multiple game-changing performances this season.

• Parallels: B/W Background #/99, Blue #/50, Purple #/25, Red #/10, Orange #/5, Gold 1/1

2. 2020-21 Merlin Heritage ’95 UEFA Champions League Eduardo Camavinga RC Auto (eBay)

Eduardo Camavinga may have since moved to Real Madrid, but his signed Rennes RC is one of the more valuable cards from the Merlin ‘95 collection. The midfielder is finally settling in, and could potentially replace either Luka Modric or Toni Kroos in the long term. 

There are both signed and unsigned copies of his rookie card, which features the player standing off at a side angle, rather than face on like the rest. The parallels listed below can be found with both versions.

• Parallels: B/W Background #/99, Blue #/50, Purple #/25, Red #/10, Orange #/5, Gold 1/1

1. 2020-21 Merlin Heritage ’95 UEFA Champions League Jude Bellingham RC #22 (eBay) 

Jude Bellingham takes the top spot on this list thanks to an RC featuring the English international in a simple profile shot. 

Bellingham is one of the biggest talents in world football, and holds multiple records for Dortmund at the tender age of 18. 

He’s the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League match. He broke a record previously set by Phil Foden.

There’s also a signed version of the card which sells a premium price tag, although the autograph is of the stickered variety. 

• Parallels: B/W Background #/99, Blue #/50, Purple #/25, Red #/10, Orange #/5, Gold 1/1

2020-21 Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 UEFA Champions League: Buyers Guide 

The Heritage ‘95 set is one of the more popular 2021 soccer releases overall, with no shortage of buyers for the rarest cards. Here’s what we think of the current state of the market for the collection.

The Best Cheap 2020-21 Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 UEFA Champions League Cards

The majority of cards from the collection aren’t particularly expensive, even when looking at parallels numbered to 99. Even graded versions can be picked up for next to nothing, so it shouldn’t be difficult if you’d like a complete set.

The Best 2020-21 Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 UEFA Champions League Investment Card 

Of the cards listed above, we think that the signed RCs have the most potential for profit over a longer period of time. Bellingham, Pedri, and Camavinga all offer something different. It depends on who you believe has the most potential to succeed overall. 

2020-21 Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 UEFA Champions League: Hobby Box Prices (eBay)

A number of hobby boxes are still unopened, and can be found on sites like eBay. Recent sales put them at the £200/$275 mark, and that’s without accounting for shipping. 

Check prices of 2020-21 Topps Merlin Heritage ‘95 UEFA Champions League hobby boxes

Final Thoughts

With the release of the new Merlin ‘97 set, there has been renewed interest in the 2021 ‘95 version. We’re big fans of the set.

Slowly but surely, supplies of hobby boxes continue to dwindle, and the best players from the collection have been reasonably successful so far in 2022.

We think that it’s an underrated set. There’s a number of solid hits and a talented rookie class to keep an eye on during the winter World Cup.