2021-22 Topps UEFA Champions League Soccer has dipped in value following the Chrome release.
The first-ever flagship UCL set from Topps, there are a variety of formats that further dilute the base collection, including a 1st Edition, a Jade Edition, and a Japan Edition.
We picked up a box to check it out for the following review.
We’ve covered everything from box prices to the best RCs to look out for below.
2021-22 Topps UEFA Champions League Soccer: Best Rookie Cards
Rather than the likes of Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, we’ve decided to focus on a trio of top rookie cards found within the 2021-22 Topps UEFA Champions League set.
3. 2021-22 Topps UEFA Champions League Soccer Hannibal Mejbri RC #53 (eBay)
19-year-old Hannibal Mejbri made his first-team debut for Manchester United in May 2021, although he has made only two further appearances for the Red Devils. (He has more playing time for Tunisia’s national team than for Manchester United’s first-team last season.) Expect him to earn more chances in 2022/23.
Parallels: Sparkle (Blaster), Starball (Hobby), Aqua #/299, Yellow #/250, Neon Green #/199, Icy Blue #/99 (Hobby), Silver #/75, Gold Starball #/50 (Hobby), Orange #/25, Icy Black #/10 (Hobby), Red #/5, FoilFractor 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1
Check prices of 2021-22 Topps UEFA Champions League Soccer Hannibal Mejbri RC on eBay
2. 2021-22 Topps UEFA Champions League Soccer Jonathan David RC #176 (eBay)
Jonathan David is one of the bigger success stories from last season, as the striker bagged 15 goals in 38 games for Lille. The Canada international has recently been touted as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski at Bayern, giving some insight into his goalscoring abilities.
Parallels: Sparkle (Blaster), Starball (Hobby), Aqua #/299, Yellow #/250, Neon Green #/199, Icy Blue #/99 (Hobby), Silver #/75, Gold Starball #/50 (Hobby), Orange #/25, Icy Black #/10 (Hobby), Red #/5, FoilFractor 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1
Check prices of 2021-22 Topps UEFA Champions League Soccer Jonathan David RC on eBay
1. 2021-22 Topps UEFA Champions League Soccer Gavi RC #50 (eBay)
Undoubtedly the best RC found in 2021-22 Topps UCL Soccer at this moment in time, Gavi (at 17 years and 62 days) broke an 85-year record by making his debut for Spain while 222 days younger than the previous record-holder (Angel Zubieta in April 1936). The Barcelona starlet is clearly earmarked for greatness along with Pedri.
Parallels: Sparkle (Blaster), Starball (Hobby), Aqua #/299, Yellow #/250, Neon Green #/199, Icy Blue #/99 (Hobby), Silver #/75, Gold Starball #/50 (Hobby), Orange #/25, Icy Black #/10 (Hobby), Red #/5, FoilFractor 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1
Check prices of 2021-22 Topps UEFA Champions League Soccer Gavi RC on eBay
What We Packed
What did we get from our hobby box?
There was no sign of an autograph, which is a real shame. (Signed cards do appear in both Hobby and Value Blaster boxes, so we were a bit unlucky.)
The parallels were pretty good, including a Lionel Messi 1975/76 Topps Footballer (1:5 packs) which uses the retro design with vintage stock.
We also got the Messi Best of the Best (1:24 packs), along with a few decent numbered parallels. Having picked up the box for roughly $70 on eBay, it’s not the worst deal ever.
We were probably saved by the one-of-one RC printing plate, featuring none other than Newcastle summer signing Sven Botman.
Printing plates aren’t anyone’s favourite one-of-one collectible, but it was definitely worth it.
Check prices of 2021-22 Topps sealed Hobby Boxes on eBay
Final Thoughts
2021-22 Topps UCL Soccer hobby boxes have dropped in price massively, and they include a decent chance of packing an auto. We also like the look of the inserts, even if unnumbered copies aren’t worth that much.
Overall, it’s a decent budget rip, even if we did get lucky with the printing plate.