The European Cup, now known as the UEFA Champions League, was established in 1955. Real Madrid, led by Alfredo Di Stéfano, won the first title after defeating Swiss Servette and Partizan Belgrade. They faced tough competition but eventually won the final against Stade de Reims with a 4-3 victory.
In the second edition, Real Madrid signed Raymond Kopa and won the final against Fiorentina, securing their second consecutive title. They continued their dominance in the following years, winning the title three more times.
The 1960s saw Real Madrid win their third, fourth, and fifth titles, with significant victories against clubs like Milan, Barcelona, and Eintracht Frankfurt. The 1970s and 1980s were marked by a period of dormancy for the club, but they returned to prominence in the 1990s, winning their sixth title.
The new millennium saw Real Madrid win their seventh title in 2000, followed by their eighth in 2002, and their ninth in 2014. In 2016, Real Madrid won their tenth title, marking the first time they had won the tournament under the Champions League format.
In 2018, Real Madrid won their eleventh title, becoming the first team to repeat the title under the Champions League format. They continued their success in the 2020s, winning their thirteenth title in 2021 and their fourteenth in 2022.
Throughout their history, Real Madrid has been led by legendary players such as Di Stéfano, Kopa, Puskás, and Cristiano Ronaldo. They have also been coached by notable figures like Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane. Despite the departure of some legends, the club has remained competitive, winning their fourteenth title in 2022.
1. The Legend of the European Cup began in 1955.
2. Real Madrid, led by Di Stéfano, advanced rounds after eliminating Swiss Servette and Partizan Belgrade.
3. Madrid overcame a tough semifinal against Milan and reached the final in Paris against the Stade de Reims.
4. Real Madrid won the first European Cup in history after a 4-3 victory.
5. For the second edition of the tournament, Madrid strengthened itself with the signing of Raymond Kopa.
6. Real Madrid won the European Cup for the second time in a row after defeating Fiorentina.
7. Real Madrid began their second defense of the title by thrashing Royal from Romania and reached the final in Brussels.
8. The third European Cup was won in extra time with a decisive goal from Gento.
9. Real Madrid strengthened with the arrival of Puskás and reached the final after defeating Atlético de Madrid in a tiebreaker.
10. The game for the title was played in Stuttgart, where Real Madrid and the Stade de Reims met again.
11. Real Madrid and Barcelona met in the semifinals of the fifth edition of the European Cup and both teams won their respective matches.
12. Real Madrid and Eintracht from Frankfurt played the final at Hampden Park in Glasgow in front of 130,000 spectators.
13. Real Madrid won the sixth European Cup after a victory over Partizán Belgrade.
14. Madrid reached a new European Cup final in 2005 with a team that included homegrown players and Spanish players.
15. Real Madrid won the seventh European Cup in 2000 after a memorable goal from Pedja Mijatovic.
16. In the 99-2000 season, Madrid was on the road to disaster, but with the arrival of Vicente del Bosque on the bench, they reached the final in Paris.
17. In 2000, Madrid and Valencia starred in the first final between two teams from the same country.
18. In the year of its Centenary, the new "Galactic Madrid" reached a new final after eliminating Bayern and Barcelona.
19. In 2014, Real Madrid won their tenth European Cup after a dramatic match against Atlético de Madrid.
20. In 2016, Real Madrid won their eleventh Champions League and Zidane made his debut among the elite.
21. The following season, Real Madrid put together the best squad in their history and reached their second consecutive final.
22. In 2018, Real Madrid won their twelfth European Cup after a victory over Liverpool.
23. After the departure of legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid was regenerated with young talents and Carlo Ancelotti replaced Zidane in his second spell as white coach.
24. The Merengue team reached the final after 3 ties with incredible comebacks.
25. In 2020, Real Madrid won their thirteenth European Cup after a victory over Liverpool.