23 Most Successful Clubs in Champions League History – Ranked from Lowest to Highest
The UEFA Champions League is known for its drama, unpredictability, and legendary performances. Every season brings surprises, with underdog teams defying expectations and footballing giants reinforcing their dominance. Some clubs have managed to lift the trophy just once, etching their names into history, while others have built dynasties, winning multiple titles across different eras.
As Europe’s most prestigious club competition, the Champions League has seen many of football’s greatest teams battle for supremacy. From historic victories to modern-day dominance, these clubs have shaped the legacy of the tournament.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the most successful clubs in Champions League history, ranking them based on the number of titles they have won.
Red Star Belgrade – 1 Title
Red Star Belgrade became the first and only Serbian club to win the Champions League in 1991. In a tense final against Marseille, the match ended 0-0, and Red Star triumphed 5-3 on penalties, cementing their place in football history.
Read also: The 25 Best Strikers in World Football Right Now - Ranked from Lowest to Highest
Aston Villa – 1 Title
Aston Villa’s European glory came in 1982 when they defeated Bayern Munich 1-0 in the final. The English club, led by manager Tony Barton, shocked Europe with a resolute defensive performance and a crucial goal from Peter Withe.
PSV Eindhoven – 1 Title
The Dutch side PSV Eindhoven lifted the trophy in 1988 under the management of Guus Hiddink. After a 0-0 draw against Benfica, they secured victory in a dramatic penalty shootout, marking their place among Europe’s elite.
Manchester City – 1 Title
Manchester City finally achieved Champions League success in 2023 after years of dominance in domestic competitions. Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the final, with Rodri scoring the historic winning goal.
Borussia Dortmund – 1 Title
Dortmund won their first and only Champions League title in 1997 by defeating Juventus 3-1. Goals from Karl-Heinz Riedle and Lars Ricken secured a memorable victory for the German side.
Read also: The 10 Managers with most points per game in Champions League
Marseille – 1 Title
Marseille remains the only French club to have won the Champions League, triumphing in 1993. A headed goal from Basile Boli gave them a 1-0 victory over AC Milan, making them the inaugural winners of the rebranded competition.
Steaua Bucharest – 1 Title
Steaua Bucharest became the first and only Romanian club to win the tournament in 1986. After a goalless final against Barcelona, goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam saved all four penalties in the shootout, securing a 2-0 win.
Hamburger SV – 1 Title
The German club won their sole Champions League title in 1983, defeating Juventus 1-0. Felix Magath’s early goal was enough to seal victory for Hamburg, making them one of the few German teams to claim the trophy.
Celtic – 1 Title
Celtic made history in 1967 by becoming the first British club to win the European Cup. The Scottish side, known as the “Lisbon Lions,” beat Inter Milan 2-1, playing an attacking style that defined their legacy.
Feyenoord – 1 Title
Feyenoord became the first Dutch club to win the tournament in 1970. Their 2-1 victory over Celtic set the stage for Dutch dominance in the early 1970s, with Ajax soon following in their footsteps.
Chelsea – 2 Titles
Chelsea has won the Champions League twice, first in 2012 after a dramatic penalty shootout against Bayern Munich, and again in 2021 by defeating Manchester City 1-0. Both triumphs were built on defensive resilience and clinical finishing.
FC Porto – 2 Titles
Porto’s first title came in 1987 with a 2-1 win over Bayern Munich. Their second triumph in 2004, under José Mourinho, was a stunning success as they defeated AS Monaco 3-0 in the final, marking the rise of one of football’s greatest managers.
Nottingham Forest – 2 Titles
Nottingham Forest won back-to-back titles in 1979 and 1980, an extraordinary achievement for a club of their size. Led by legendary manager Brian Clough, they defeated Malmö and Hamburg in successive finals.
Read also: The 20 Best Goalkeepers in the World Right Now - Ranked
Benfica – 2 Titles
Benfica won their two titles in 1961 and 1962, becoming the first Portuguese club to claim European supremacy. With the legendary Eusébio leading the attack, they defeated Barcelona and Real Madrid in consecutive finals.
Juventus – 2 Titles
Despite reaching numerous finals, Juventus has won only two Champions League titles, in 1985 and 1996. Their 1985 victory against Liverpool was overshadowed by the tragic Heysel disaster, while their 1996 win came after a penalty shootout against Ajax.
Manchester United – 3 Titles
Manchester United has won the Champions League three times: in 1968, 1999, and 2008. Their 1999 triumph remains iconic, with two injury-time goals securing a dramatic comeback victory over Bayern Munich.
Inter Milan – 3 Titles
Inter Milan’s first two titles came in the 1960s under Helenio Herrera’s tactical guidance. Their third victory came in 2010, when José Mourinho’s side completed a historic treble by defeating Bayern Munich 2-0.
Read also: The Top Penalty Scorers in Europe’s Big Five Leagues This Season
Ajax – 4 Titles
Ajax dominated European football in the early 1970s, winning three consecutive titles from 1971 to 1973 under Johan Cruyff. Their fourth title came in 1995, when a young team led by Louis van Gaal defeated AC Milan.
FC Barcelona – 5 Titles
Barcelona has won the Champions League five times, first in 1992 and then during their golden era from 2006 to 2015. Pep Guardiola’s 2009 and 2011 teams, featuring Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta, are regarded as some of the greatest in football history.
Liverpool – 6 Titles
Liverpool has a rich European history, winning six titles across multiple decades. Their most famous triumph came in 2005, when they overturned a 3-0 deficit against AC Milan to win on penalties in what became known as the “Miracle of Istanbul.”
Bayern Munich – 6 Titles
Bayern Munich has won the Champions League six times, including three consecutive titles in the 1970s. Their most recent triumph came in 2020, when they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in a pandemic-affected tournament.
AC Milan – 7 Titles
Milan has won the Champions League seven times, making them the second-most successful club in the competition’s history. Their dominance in the late 1980s and early 1990s, under Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, saw them win multiple titles with a star-studded squad.
Real Madrid – 15 Titles
Real Madrid is the undisputed king of the Champions League, having won the trophy a record 15 times. They dominated the competition in its early years, winning the first five editions, and have continued their success into the modern era, including their historic three-peat from 2016 to 2018 under Zinedine Zidane.
