When it comes to European royalty, no club commands more respect than Real Madrid. The Spanish giants are synonymous with success in the UEFA Champions League, having built a dynasty that stretches across decades. So, how many times have Los Blancos lifted the famous trophy?
The answer: 15 times—more than any other club in the competition’s history.
Real Madrid’s Champions League titles at a glance
| Year | Opponent | Result | Final Location |
| 1956 | Stade de Reims | 4-3 | Paris, France |
| 1957 | Fiorentina | 2-0 | Madrid, Spain |
| 1958 | AC Milan | 3-2 (AET) | Brussels, Belgium |
| 1959 | Stade de Reims | 2-0 | Stuttgart, West Germany |
| 1960 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 7-3 | Glasgow, Scotland |
| 1966 | Partizan Belgrade | 2-1 | Brussels, Belgium |
| 1998 | Juventus | 1-0 | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 2000 | Valencia | 3-0 | Paris, France |
| 2002 | Bayer Leverkusen | 2-1 | Glasgow, Scotland |
| 2014 | Atletico Madrid | 4-1 (AET) | Lisbon, Portugal |
| 2016 | Atletico Madrid | 1-1 (5-3 pens) | Milan, Italy |
| 2017 | Juventus | 4-1 | Cardiff, Wales |
| 2018 | Liverpool | 3-1 | Kyiv, Ukraine |
| 2022 | Liverpool | 1-0 | Paris, France |
| 2024 | Borussia Dortmund | 2-0 | London, England |
The pioneers of European glory: Five straight titles (1956-1960)
Real Madrid dominated the inaugural years of the European Cup, winning the first five editions. The team, led by legends such as Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, and Francisco Gento, revolutionized attacking soccer.
Their most iconic early triumph came in 1960, when they demolished Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 at Hampden Park in front of over 127,000 spectators. Di Stefano scored a hat-trick and Puskas netted four in what many still consider the greatest final in European history.
The sixth crown and a long wait – 1966 to 1998
Real Madrid’s sixth title arrived in 1966 under manager Miguel Munoz, with a squad known as the “Ye-Ye team”, featuring all-Spanish players. However, a 32-year drought followed despite multiple deep runs.
That wait ended in 1998, when Predrag Mijatovic’s goal secured a 1–0 victory over Juventus in Amsterdam. Under Jupp Heynckes, Los Blancos finally reclaimed their European throne.
Galactico glory – 2000 and 2002
Real Madrid’s resurgence continued with Vicente del Bosque at the helm and stars like Raul, Fernando Hierro, Roberto Carlos, and Iker Casillas. The Galacticos beat fellow Spaniards Valencia 3-0 in 2000, then returned in 2002 to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.
That final is best remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s stunning left-footed volley, one of the most iconic goals in soccer history.
The Zidane era and the three-peat – 2016 to 2018
Real Madrid made history again under Zinedine Zidane, becoming the first team to win three consecutive Champions League titles in the modern era.
- 2016: Ronaldo converted the decisive penalty in a shootout win over Atletico.
- 2017: Madrid overwhelmed Juventus 4–1, with Ronaldo scoring twice.
- 2018: A 3-1 victory over Liverpool included Gareth Bale’s unforgettable bicycle kick and two errors from goalkeeper Loris Karius.
During this era, Cristiano Ronaldo was the tournament’s top scorer each season and became the all-time leading UCL scorer with over 100 goals for Real Madrid alone.
La Decimoquinta – The 15th title in 2024
Los Blancos’ most recent triumph came in 2024, when Carlo Ancelotti led a new generation, featuring Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Thibaut Courtois, to a 2–0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.
It was a performance defined by patience, precision, and control. Ancelotti became the first manager to win five Champions League titles, four of them with Real Madrid.
Legacy written in silver
Real Madrid’s 15 titles are not just a number—they tell the story of decades of excellence, reinvention, and dominance. From Di Stefano to Zidane, Raul to Ronaldo, the club has consistently produced or attracted the world’s best.
