Europe's elite

Since its rebranding in 1992, the UEFA Champions League has redefined elite European club football with its new format, global reach and iconic anthem. The competition has seen dynasties rise, underdogs triumph and legends made on football’s grandest club stage. Here, we'll take a look at every team to win the Champions League in the modern era.

2024-2025: Paris Saint-Germain

PSG wrote their name into European folklore with their first-ever Champions League win as they beat Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich. After a torrid start to the campaign, Luis Enrique's side went from strength to strength and romped the final thanks to goals from Achraf Hakimi, Desiré Doué (two), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu.

2022-2023: Manchester City

In 2022-2023, it was Manchester City's moment to shine, when Rodri sealed the deal against Internazionale. His composed strike in the second half secured a 1–0 victory and delivered the club’s long-awaited first Champions League title. It capped off a historic treble-winning season for Pep Guardiola’s side, marking their place among Europe’s elite.

2021-2022: Real Madrid

Real Madrid saw off Liverpool in a spirited final thanks to a Herculean effort from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who masterfully gave up his body to send away several Liverpool shots on goal. Vinicius Jr. was the only goalscorer in the Paris contest, as he put one in the back of the net in the 59^th minute.

2020-2021: Chelsea

Chelsea squeezed past fellow Premier League rivals Manchester City in a tight 1-0 affair in Porto in 2021. The second half was filled with intensity, after Chelsea’s Kai Havertz scored a few minutes before the break. The Blues did a memorable job keeping Manchester City off the scoresheet as they chased the game.

2019-2020: Bayern Munich

In what was yet another close-to-the-vest tilt, Bayern Munich were able to secure a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain. It was the first time in seven years that a Bundesliga club was able to claim Champions League bragging rights. Kingsley Coman scored in the 59th minute, and that proved to be the difference.

2018-2019: Liverpool

Familiar Premier League foes did battle in this Champions League final, as Liverpool took on Tottenham in Madrid. Liverpool won 2-0 and were in control from start to finish. Striker Mohamed Salah scored a penalty in the second minute of the game, and Divock Origi applied the finishing touch with a goal in the 87^th minute.

2017-2018: Real Madrid

Capping off what was a special run in the 2010s, Real Madrid won their third straight Champions League final. They beat Liverpool 3-1, with all scoring coming after half-time. Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale got on the scoresheet for 'Los Galácticos', taking advantage of a nightmare evening for Reds' keeper Loris Karius.

2016-2017: Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s second of three consecutive titles came when they dispatched Juventus 4-1. This was the Cristiano Ronaldo show, as he scored two goals in the contest. Casemiro also got in on the act, as well as Marco Asensio. Juventus tried to hang tough early on with a spectacular Mario Mandžukić goal, but it wasn’t enough.

2014-2015: FC Barcelona

Real Madrid’s dominant Champions League run was briefly interrupted by FC Barcelona, who kept honours in Spain in 2015. Barça beat Juventus 3-1, putting the pressure on their opponents from the opening whistle. Ivan Rakitić scored in the fourth minute, while Luis Suárez and Neymar finished things off in the second half.

2013-2014: Real Madrid

As if a trio of consecutive titles wasn’t enough in the middle of the decade, Real Madrid added a singular Champions League victory early in the 2010s as well. They defeated Atlético Madrid 4-1 in a game that was closer than the score would suggest. Real Madrid got all four of their goals after the 90^th minute.

2012-2013: Bayern Munich

The Bundesliga took great pride in the 2013 Champions League final, which showcased an all-German clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The match remained tightly contested throughout the second half, but in the 89th minute, Dutch star Arjen Robben scored a decisive goal, securing Bayern's victory.

2011-2012: Chelsea

Bayern Munich also made the 2012 Champions League final, but could not get past Chelsea in a tight contest. Bayern seemed to have the game in hand when Thomas Müller scored a goal in the 83^rd minute, but Chelsea’s Didier Drogba had an answer in the 88^th minute with a goal of his own. Drogba would score the game-winning goal in penalty kicks.

2010-2011: FC Barcelona

Spanish and English football clubs would have another memorable clash, as FC Barcelona and Manchester United faced one another. Barcelona got the win by a final score of 3-1. 2022 World Cup hero Lionel Messi left his mark in this game, scoring the goal that would put Barcelona on top for good.

2009-2010: Inter Milan

It has been a long time since a club from Italy’s Serie A won a Champions League title, with Inter Milan the last team to do so, back in 2010. They defeated Bayern Munich 2-0, as Diego Milito had a game he will never forget. The Argentinian forward scored in the 35th and 70th minutes, accounting for all the scoring in the contest.

2008-2009: FC Barcelona

This game is a reminder of just how good Lionel Messi has been for an extended period of time. He scored in the 70^th minute for FC Barcelona against Manchester United, which put the game out of reach for a 2-0 triumph. Teammate Samuel Eto’o got things started with a goal in the 10^th minute of the game.

2007-2008: Manchester United

Manchester United had to fight tooth and nail to get past Chelsea in 2008, and it took a penalty shoot-out to accomplish it. There was no scoring in the second half or overtime, as United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea’s Frank Lampard scored in the first 45 minutes. It was Ryan Giggs’ penalty kick, after John Terry's famous slip, that gave United the win.

2006-2007: AC Milan

Liverpool deserved credit for competing until the very end in this game, as Dirk Kuyt scored in the 89th minute of the Champions League final. However, it would not be enough, as AC Milan had the game in hand after two Filippo Inzaghi goals earlier in the contest. This team featured many players who were in the 2006 Italian World Cup title squad.

2005-2006: FC Barcelona

Fans of FC Barcelona and Arsenal will remember a tight tilt in this Champions League final. Barcelona were able to come out on top 2-1, and Arsenal fans will wonder what could have been if Jens Lehmann was not sent off in the 18^th minute. They played a man down for most of the game, but Barcelona were only able to take advantage of this late.

2003-2004: FC Porto

Porto, massive underdogs led by José Mourinho, stunned Europe with a 3–0 win over Monaco in Gelsenkirchen. Carlos Alberto, Deco and Dmitri Alenichev got the goals in a clinical display. It was a triumph of tactics and teamwork, launching 'The Special One' onto the global stage.

2002-2003: AC Milan

In an all-Italian showdown at Old Trafford, AC Milan beat Juventus 3–2 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. The match was cagey and tense, with few clear chances. Andriy Shevchenko scored the winning penalty, as Milan secured their sixth European crown.

2001-2002: Real Madrid

Madrid claimed their ninth title with a 2–1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow. Raúl opened the scoring, but Lucio equalised shortly after. Zinedine Zidane then produced one of the all-time great final goals—a left-footed volley into the top corner just before half time (pictured).

2000-2001: Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich edged Valencia in a tense final in Milan, winning 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Gaizka Mendieta and Stefan Effenberg scored from the spot in normal time, with three penalties awarded during the match. Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn (pictured) starred in the shootout with crucial saves.

1999-2000: Real Madrid

In the first-ever all-Spanish Champions League final, Real Madrid overwhelmed Valencia 3–0 in Paris. Fernando Morientes, Steve McManaman and Raúl found the net in a stylish display. It was Madrid’s eighth European title and the second in three years.

1998-1999: Manchester United

In one of football’s most dramatic finishes, Manchester United beat Bayern Munich 2–1 in Barcelona. Mario Basler had given Bayern an early lead, but stoppage-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær turned the game on its head and United completed an unforgettable treble.

1997-1998: Real Madrid

Real Madrid ended a 32-year wait for their seventh European Cup by beating Juventus 1–0 in Amsterdam. Predrag Mijatović scored the winner in the 66th minute, following up on a rebound. The victory marked the beginning of Madrid’s modern-era Champions League dominance.

1996-1997: Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund shocked defending champions Juventus with a 3–1 win in Munich. Karl-Heinz Riedle struck twice in the first half, and Lars Ricken sealed it with a sublime lob (pictured) seconds after coming on. Alessandro Del Piero scored Juventus’ lone goal with a backheel.

1995-1996: Juventus

Juventus beat Ajax in Rome after a 1–1 draw, triumphing 4–2 on penalties. Fabrizio Ravanelli (pictured) opened the scoring for Juve, before Jari Litmanen equalised for Ajax. Goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi was the hero in the shootout, helping Juve lift their second European Cup.

1994-1995: Ajax

In Vienna, it was a triumph for youth and homegrown talent under manager Louis van Gaal (pictured) as Ajax captured their fourth European title by defeating holders AC Milan 1–0. Teenage substitute Patrick Kluivert scored the winner in the 85th minute, sliding the ball past Sebastiano Rossi.

1993-1994: AC Milan

AC Milan stunned the football world with a 4–0 demolition of Barcelona in Athens. Daniele Massaro scored twice in the first half, with Dejan Savićević and Marcel Desailly (pictured) adding to the rout. Despite missing key players, Milan delivered one of the most dominant final performances in history.