The UEFA Champions League title stands as one of the most prestigious and sought-after accolades in the realm of European club football. It comes as no surprise that each season, clubs elevate their performance to unprecedented levels in their pursuit of this highly esteemed title.
Champions League history – who has won the most titles?
With a total of 14 Champions League titles under their belts, Real Madrid stands tall as the club with the highest winner in the tournament’s history. Real Madrid quickly became a powerhouse in Spanish football and made history in the European Cup (now the UEFA Champions League).
Their inaugural triumph came in 1956 when they defeated Stade de Reims 4–3 in the final, with stars like Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, and Francisco Gento leading the charge. From 1956 to 1960, Real Madrid dominated the competition, securing five consecutive titles under coach Miguel Muñoz.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Real Madrid’s “Galácticos” era saw the signing of high-profile players like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, and David Beckham. In 2002, they won their ninth European Cup with Zidane’s famous volley against Bayer Leverkusen.
After a long wait, they claimed their tenth title (La Décima) in 2014, defeating Atlético Madrid 4–1 in a dramatic final under Carlo Ancelotti, with key contributions from Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
More recently, Real Madrid continued their European dominance by winning three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018 under Zinedine Zidane, securing victories against Juventus and Liverpool twice. It is expected that the Carlo Ancelotti side pick up their 15th title in the 2023/2024 Champions League final scheduled for June 1, 2024.
Clubs with the highest number of Champions League titles
The Champions League, previously known as the European Cup, has been won by 22 different clubs. Established in 1955, the UEFA Champions League has been categorized as one of the most prestigious football competitions worldwide and with clubs going the extra mile to play on such a big stage, here is the list of clubs with the highest number of Champions League titles:
| N0. | Club | Number of Titles | Seasons won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 14 | 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 |
| 2 | AC Milan | 7 | 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 6 | 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019 |
| 3 | Bayern Munich | 6 | 1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013, 2020 |
| 5 | Barcelona | 5 | 1992, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015 |
| 6 | Ajax | 4 | 1971, 1972, 1973, 1995 |
| 7 | Manchester United | 3 | 1968, 1999, 2008 |
| 7 | Inter | 3 | 1964, 1965, 2010 |
| 8 | Juventus | 2 | 1985, 1996 |
| 8 | Benfica | 2 | 1961, 1962 |
| 8 | Chelsea | 2 | 2012, 2021 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 2 | 1979, 1980 |
| 8 | Porto | 2 | 1987, 2004 |
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