It's hard to remember a time where the Champions League wasn't dominated by a Spanish side – but just who is the most successful team in the competition?
Real Madrid have been the dominant force in Europe in recent times, but their round of 16 elimination this season at the hands of dark horses Ajax could potentially shift the focus to side to steal the spotlight.
Goal rounds up the most successful clubs in Europe's most elite competition.
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Who has won the most Champions League titles?
Los Blancos have won the Champions League a record staggering 13 times. Real Madrid, under Zinedine Zidane, were European champions for three consecutive years between 2016-18, matching Bayern's three-time success in as many years from 1974 to 1976.
The Madrid side have won the Champions League six times since 2000 alone, with four of their most recent triumphs occurring over the last five seasons. In that period, they faced local rivals Atletico Madrid twice in the final, and their most recent success came against Liverpool in Kiev where they bested the Anfield club 3-1.
They are followed by Milan in second place, who have clinched seven Champions League titles. They last won the competition in 2007, also against Liverpool. The victory came as revenge for the famed 2005 final held in Istanbul, where they squandered a 3-0 lead in the first half after the Reds scored three goals in four minutes – sending the game into a penalty shootout, where they lost.
Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Barcelona have each won the trophy five times. Liverpool's last two appearances in the final have come in losses – to Milan in 2007 and Real Madrid in 2018.
Ajax have won the tournament four times though have not managed to do so post-1995, while Inter and Man United are on three trophies apiece.
Juventus are still seeking their first Champions League trophy since 1996, which would be their third victory.
| Club | Titles | Runners-up | Seasons won | Seasons runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 13 | 3 | 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 | 1962, 1964, 1981 |
| Milan | 7 | 4 | 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007 | 1958, 1993, 1995, 2005 |
| Bayern Munich | 5 | 5 | 1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013 | 1982, 1987, 1999, 2010, 2012 |
| Liverpool | 5 | 3 | 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005 | 1985, 2007, 2018 |
| Barcelona | 5 | 3 | 1992, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015 | 1961, 1986, 1994 |
| Ajax | 4 | 2 | 1971, 1972, 1973, 1995 | 1969, 1996 |
| Inter | 3 | 2 | 1964, 1965, 2010 | 1967, 1972 |
| Man United | 3 | 2 | 1968, 1999, 2008 | 2009, 2011 |
| Juventus | 2 | 7 | 1985, 1996 | 1973, 1983, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2015, 2017 |
Who was the last non-Spanish team to win the Champions League?
Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have dominated the Champions League in the 2000s. Since the 2010 season, Real Madrid and Barcelona have lifted the trophy six times altogether. The two sides were champions of the tournament for a consecutive five seasons, from the 2013-14 season to 2017-18.
Bayern are the last non-Spanish side to have lifted the Champions League trophy, when Jupp Heynckes's side defeated German rivals Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Wembley in 2012.
Chelsea are the last English team to win the competition, with the Blues victorious just one season before Bayern Munich's triumph.
The London side actually defeated the Germans through penalty shootout at Bayern Munich's home of the Allianz Arena, after Didier Drogba netted a late equaliser to cancel out Thomas Muller's 83rd-minute strike – which was thought to have won the game.
Which teams get to keep the Champions League trophy?
Sides who have won the Champions League multiple times receive the honour of getting an additional piece of silverware to commemorate their achievements.
Teams who have won the tournament three times in a row – or five times overall – receive a multiple-winner badge. This privilege has been earned by just six clubs: Real Madrid, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Barcelona.
Since the 2009 season, teams who have won the tournament more five or more times receive a full-size replica of the trophy, while the original is retained by UEFA.
