It began as the European Cup, and only domestic champions took part in it. However, themajor prize in the continenthas developed through the years, and already known as the UEFA Champions League since 1992, it started to expand to more teams. In 1997, runners-up from local leagues began to take part, and in 1999, UEFA‘s best-ranked leagues were granted up to four berths. Still, the road to achieving the trophy was not for everyone. Chelsea have won the 2021 Final, in an exciting all-English duel against Man City.
From the early years in which Real Madrid reigned and cementedthemselves as one of the mightiest soccer clubs in the world, the prestigious European competition established itself as the most coveted trophy not only in the continent but for most of the players all around the world .
Throughout its history, this tournament has seen teams becoming powers of the region as well as underdog sides pulling off unexpected triumphs. Here, check out every winner of the famous Champions League since its inception in 1955, when it was namedEuropean Cup.
Every UEFA Champions League winner by year
Chelsea won the 2021 UEFA Champions League over Manchester City (Getty).
The first-ever European Cup took place in 1955, and from that very initial edition, Los Blancos began to buildtheir legacy as arguably the strongest team in the world. Alfredo Di Stéfano was one of the first superstars that featured in this competition, leading the way for the ones who emerged many years later.
For the first five years, Real Madrid didn’t let anyone else get their hands in the trophy, as they lifted itfive straight times. Afterwards, though, other European giants started to rise. In 1992, the tournament was renamed as we know it nowadays, with the addition of the group stage, and it became an even more famous, high profile event in the world. These are all the European Cup – Champions League winners by year:
| Year | Club |
| 1956 | Real Madrid |
| 1957 | Real Madrid |
| 1958 | Real Madrid |
| 1959 | Real Madrid |
| 1960 | Real Madrid |
| 1961 | Benfica |
| 1962 | Benfica |
| 1963 | AC Milan |
| 1964 | Inter |
| 1965 | Inter |
| 1966 | Real Madrid |
| 1967 | Celtic |
| 1968 | Manchester United |
| 1969 | AC Milan |
| 1970 | Feyenoord |
| 1971 | Ajax |
| 1972 | Ajax |
| 1973 | Ajax |
| 1974 | Bayern |
| 1975 | Bayern |
| 1976 | Bayern |
| 1977 | Liverpool |
| 1978 | Liverpool |
| 1979 | Nottingham Forest |
| 1980 | Nottingham Forest |
| 1981 | Liverpool |
| 1982 | Aston Villa |
| 1983 | Hamburger SV |
| 1984 | Liverpool |
| 1985 | Juventus |
| 1986 | Steaua Bucuresti |
| 1987 | Porto |
| 1988 | PSV |
| 1989 | AC Milan |
| 1990 | AC Milan |
| 1991 | Red Star Belgrade |
| 1992 | Barcelona |
| 1993 | Olympique de Marseille |
| 1994 | AC Milan |
| 1995 | Ajax |
| 1996 | Juventus |
| 1997 | Borussia Dortmund |
| 1998 | Real Madrid |
| 1999 | Manchester United |
| 2000 | Real Madrid |
| 2001 | Bayern |
| 2002 | Real Madrid |
| 2003 | AC Milan |
| 2004 | Porto |
| 2005 | Liverpool |
| 2006 | Barcelona |
| 2007 | AC Milan |
| 2008 | Manchester United |
| 2009 | Barcelona |
| 2010 | Inter |
| 2011 | Barcelona |
| 2012 | Chelsea |
| 2013 | Bayern Munich |
| 2014 | Real Madrid |
| 2015 | Barcelona |
| 2016 | Real Madrid |
| 2017 | Real Madrid |
| 2018 | Real Madrid |
| 2019 | Liverpool |
| 2020 | Bayern Munich |
Chelsea have won the 2020/21edition of the Champions League in a thrilling final against Manchester City, being the second time the Blues got their hands in the continental trophy.
UEFA Champions League titles by club
Real Madrid are the UCL winningest team with 13 trophies (Getty).
Real Madrid have been the most successful club in the competition, having achieved a record 13 trophies. Behind them stand AC Milan with seven titles, while Liverpool and Bayern Munich hold six, and Barcelona claimed it five times. This is the list of UCL titles by club:
- Real Madrid x 13
- AC Milan x7
- Bayern x 6
- Liverpool FC x 6
- FC Barcelona x 5
- Ajax x 4
- Inter x 3
- Manchester United x 3
- Juventus x 2
- Benfica x 2
- Nottingham Forest x 2
- Porto x 2
- Chelsea x 2
- Celticx 1
- Hamburger SV x 1
- Steaua București x 1
- Olympique de Marseillex 1
- Borussia Dortmund x 1
- Feyenoord x 1
- Aston Villa x 1
- PSV x 1
- Red Star Belgrade x 1
