How many times have Real Madrid won the Champions League? All-time trophy wins, record in UEFA competition

Brad Cox

How many times have Real Madrid won the Champions League? All-time trophy wins, record in UEFA competition image

When European football has Real Madrid in a final, its outcome often feels predestined.

A famous saying among Madrid fans, "Noventa minuti en el Bernabeu son molto longo", emphasises the club's knack for conjuring up the most dramatic of victories.

Originally uttered by Italian forward Juanito in the 1980s after a 2-0 loss to Inter Milan, this phrase — which translate as "90 minutes in the Bernabeu are very long" summarises Real Madrid's resilience. They won the return leg 3-0 and eventually the 1984/85 UEFA Cup, setting a precedent for their enduring European dominance.

On June 1, they claimed a 2-0 win at Wembley Stadium against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final, to be crowned champions of Europe for a record-extending 15th time. In many ways, facing this team in a European final is football's ultimate challenge.

The Sporting News takes a look back at Madrid's overall finals, their wins in the Champions League, and the competition's most successful clubs.

MORE: Who are the most successful players in the history of the Champions League?

How many times have Real Madrid won the Champions League?

Real Madrid have won the Champions League (or European Cup as it was known prior to 1992) a record 15 times.

They won the first five editions of the tournament from 1956 to 1960 and have lifted the trophy in six of the past 11 seasons.

Getty Images

Real Madrid's record in Champions League finals

For Madrid, their clash with Borussia Dortmund on June 1 at Wembley Stadium was their 18th final in this competition. They had only lost three of their previous 17.

Their 15 Champions League wins are more than double the number of their nearest competitor, AC Milan. Despite sometimes not being the best team statistically, their mental game and clutch performances in critical moments have set them apart from the rest: Sergio Ramos' stoppage-time equalizer in the final against Atletico Madrid in 2014, or Karim Benzema's extra-time winner in the semifinals vs. Man City in 2022, are prime examples.

Their success of course must also be attributed to managers like Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, who have opted to place faith in individual brilliance over a rigid system at times. Their approach encourages belief, no matter the odds.

It's almost impossible to bet against Los Blancos. Just take a look at their record in finals...

SeasonWinnerRunner-upScore
2023/24Real MadridDortmund2-0
2021/22Real MadridLiverpool1-0
2017/18Real MadridLiverpool3-1
2016/17Real MadridJuventus4-1
2015/16Real MadridAtletico Madrid1-1 (5–3 pens)
2013/14Real MadridAtletico Madrid4-1 (a.e.t.)
2001/02Real MadridBayer Leverkusen2-1
1999/2000Real MadridValencia3-0
1997/98Real MadridJuventus1-0
1980/81LiverpoolReal Madrid1-0
1965/66Real MadridPartizan2-1
1963/64InterReal Madrid3-1
1961/62BenficaReal Madrid5-3
1959/60Real MadridEintracht Frankfurt7-3
1958/59Real MadridReims2-0
1957/58Real MadridAC Milan3-2 (a.e.t.)
1956/57Real MadridFiorentina2-0
1955/56Real MadridReims4-3

All-time most Champions League trophies by club

Real Madrid are the undisputed kings of the Champions League, with their victory against Dortmund at Wembley, London in 2024 seeing them claim a record 15th win in the competition. 

The Spanish club dominated the Champions League from the outset — when it was known as the European Cup — picking up five straight titles from the competition's inception. More recently, they also claimed three straight between 2016-2018, before winning again in 2022 and now in 2024. 

Italian giants AC Milan are the next best performing club, with seven titles to their name, but they haven't tasted success in the competition since 2007.

Liverpool and Bayern Munich are tied for third with six wins.

ClubTitlesFinals won
Real Madrid151956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024
AC Milan71963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007
Liverpool61977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019
Bayern Munich61974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013, 2020
Barcelona51992, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015
Ajax41971, 1972, 1973, 1995
Manchester United31968, 1999, 2008
Inter31964, 1965, 2010
Juventus21985, 1996
Benfica21961, 1962
Chelsea22012, 2021
Nottingham Forest21979, 1980
Porto21987, 2004
Celtic11967
Hamburg11983
Steaua Bucharest11986
Marseille11993
Borussia Dortmund11997
Feyenoord11970
Aston Villa11982
PSV Eindhoven11988
Red Star Belgrade11991
Manchester City12023


Brad Cox

Brad Cox Photo

Brad is a content producer for The Sporting News and has previously worked for the likes of Squawka and The Athletic. His career highlight to date is reporting from the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final in Paris.