Real Madrid is one of the most successful clubs in the history of the UEFA Champions League, formerly known as the European Cup.
Here is an overview of Real Madrid’s history in the Champions League..
- Early Success
Real Madrid won the first five editions of the European Cup from 1956 to 1960.
Coached by legendary figures such as Jose Villalonga and Miguel Munoz, they featured a team known as the “La Quinta del Buitre” in the 1980s, led by Emilio Butragueño, and won the competition again in 1966.
- 1990s Dominance
Under the management of Dutch coach Rinus Michels and later Jupp Heynckes, Real Madrid achieved success in the Champions League during the 1990s.
They won the trophy in 1998, with players like Predrag Mijatović and Davor Šuker playing pivotal roles.
- Galácticos Era
In the early 2000s, Real Madrid assembled a team of superstar players known as the “Galácticos” under the presidency of Florentino Pérez.
Coached by Vicente del Bosque and later Carlos Queiroz, they won the Champions League in 2000 and 2002, with Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Luís Figo, and Raúl leading the way.
- La Decima
After a relatively lean period in the competition, Real Madrid secured their tenth European Cup/Champions League trophy in 2014, under the management of Carlo Ancelotti.
They defeated city rivals Atlético Madrid in the final after extra time.
- Three in a Row
From 2016 to 2018, Real Madrid achieved an unprecedented feat by winning the Champions League three times consecutively.
Under the guidance of Zinedine Zidane, they defeated Atlético Madrid (2016), Juventus (2017), and Liverpool (2018) in the finals.
- Recent Years
Real Madrid reached the semi-finals in the 2019-2020 season but were eliminated by Manchester City.
In the 2020-2021 season, they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Chelsea.
Overall, Real Madrid has won the European Cup/Champions League a record 13 times, more than any other club in history.
They have also been runners-up on three occasions. Real Madrid’s success in the Champions League is a testament to their rich history and status as one of the most successful clubs in European football.