10 Best Champions League Teams in History

The UEFA Champions League has been home to Europe’s most elite teams since its inception. A club competition that effectively pits the best Champion League teams in the world from each league against each other, it has long been the source of some of the most iconic events in football history. Over the years, we’ve also seen squads that have delivered us countless incredible turnarounds, comebacks, moments of magic, brilliance, and pure euphoria. 

Be it teams that were stacked with some of the best players in the world or underdog teams that turned out to be a big surprise, the Champions League has seen it all. With a new champion of Europe crowned each year, there is no shortage of teams that defy all odds and reach massive triumphs at the end of a storied campaign. Sometimes, these triumphs even include a few losses along the way, however, as any good team, it also includes them bouncing back to deliver when it matters the most. 

Best ever Champions League teams

Since its founding in 1955 and subsequent rebranding in 1992, the Champions League has seen representation from teams far and wide across Europe. As such, the top leagues have often contributed some of their best champions and teams to the Champions League in a bid to determine who is the greatest of them all. Over the years we have seen some clubs lift the Champions League on numerous occasions, thus establishing a tradition of finding triumph in the competition. 

That said, some clubs may find themselves on the list multiple times with different Champions League seasons. In such cases and throughout the rest of the list, the magnitude of their achievement and the surrounding feats that year, along with their overall impact will determine their standing on the list. As such, whilst some teams may have been better in terms of ability, we will strictly be taking into account and giving emphasis to what they were able to achieve in a given year.

Naturally, some may be a little biased in their rankings owing to their allegiance to certain clubs. As for us, we have tried to remain strictly objective with our rankings, providing valid reasoning for each pick as well. Regardless, it may be difficult to appease all the football fans so without much further ado, let’s dive into the 10 best Champions League teams in history.

10. Ajax (1994/1995)

Often viewed as one of the most talented Ajax sides ever, the Dutch side created history when they went unbeaten for an entire domestic campaign, thumping in 106 goals as they cruised their way to the Eredivisie title. However, it was their ability to carry the same form into the Champions League that has placed them on this list. 

With the likes of Jari Litmanen, Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert, Edwin van der Sar, Marc Overmars, Clarence Seedorf, Danny Blind, and Frank Rijkaard among their ranks, the team flawlessly triumphed to Champions League victory, beating the likes of Bayern Munich and prime AC Milan along the way. 

9. Bayern Munich (2012/2013)

With six Champions League titles to their name, the Bavarian giants are without a doubt one of the most successful Champions League teams ever. However, the 2012/2013 Champions League team deserves a special mention on this list owing to the excitement and entertainment that they provided throughout one of their most iconic campaigns. 

For one, Bayern obliterated the likes of Barcelona (7-0 agg.) and Juventus (4-0 agg.) on their way to one of the most riveting Champions League finals of all time against Borussia Dortmund. In addition to their Champions League triumph, the club went further and added the DFB-Pokal, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup to round off a historic year, second only to one other. 

8. Barcelona (2010/2011)

Now for the Blaugrana’s first entry in the list, we have their 2010/2011 side, one of their best-ever Champions League teams which quite frankly was a joy to watch. With Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez at the peak of their powers, along with a supporting cast of Messi, Thiago, Sergio Busquets, David Villa, and more, the team was always destined to accomplish something special. 

However, a Copa del Rey loss to Real Madrid ruined their near-perfect campaign which saw them collect a La Liga and a Champions League trophy. Notably, their thrilling Wembley encounter against Manchester United in the final made for an exhilarating watch as well.

7. Liverpool (2018/2019)

Whilst their historic night in Istanbul may be more memorable for some Liverpool fans, even they cannot deny that this Liverpool squad with Jurgen Klopp at the helm was a force to be reckoned with. Closely contesting Manchester City for the Premier League title, Klopp’s side fell agonizingly short, by a singular point. 

Regardless, their run in Europe made them one of the best teams, one which completed a historic comeback at Anfield and beat league rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to secure the European trophy. With one of the most devastating attacking trios in the world leading the line, a prime Van Dijk in defence, and two of the best offensive fullbacks in the world on the flanks, the team deserves to be this high up on the list. 

6. Barcelona (2014/2015)

From one devastating trio, we now come to another with quite possibly one of the most iconic and feared frontlines in footballing history. Owing to the magic that Messi, Suarez, and Neymar created (MSN), Barcelona made up for their shortcomings of 2010/2011 by dominating the league, securing the Copa del Rey before thrashing Juventus in the Champions League final. 

A force to be reckoned with throughout its existence, MSN became known worldwide for terrorizing defences across Europe. At a time when seemingly no one had the answer or the wherewithal to prevent the inevitable, Barcelona triumphed, and emphatically so. 

Also Read: Top 12 players with most Champions League goals in a single match

5. Manchester City (2022/2023)

In what was a major feat for any English side for a very long time, Manchester City completed their historic treble. After fending off Arsenal and Manchester City in the league and FA Cup respectively, the Citizens looked to exorcise the ghosts of the past as they looked to finally clinch the elusive Champions League title. 

In the past, Guardiola’s seemingly unbeatable teams somehow crumbled at the door of European success, even losing out to Chelsea the year prior. That said, the Manchester side finally held their nerve as they bested Inter Milan 1-0 in the finals to break their deadlock and complete a much-deserved treble. 

4. Bayern Munich (2019/2020)

Bayern Munich’s previous entry saw them claim almost every title under the sun. However this time, with Hansi Flick at the helm, the Bayern team had a sense of relentlessness that brought forth the 8-2 drubbing of Barcelona in the Champions League as well.

In addition to that, this time around, after capturing the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, the Bavarian giants set their sights not just on the Champions League, but also the DFL Supercup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup to complete one of two sextuples in footballing history. 

3. Manchester United (1998/1999)

The next entry on the list may be debated among fans, mainly questioning their ranking for a variety of reasons. That said, Manchester United completed a historic treble in 1998/1999 staving off Arsenal in the league and Newcastle in the FA Cup to complete the domestic double. 

However, it was one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s career-defining moments that saw their Champions League team pull off an epic turnaround with two injury-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskajaer. In an iconic moment for the United faithful and their first European triumph, the side deserves all the flowers for what was a very important feat, considering the era and circumstances of course. 

2. Real Madrid (2016/2017)

With Real Madrid being the most successful side in the history of the competition, they have had numerous Champions League teams that could have made this list. However, their 2016/2017 campaign saw them achieve something truly special and their incredible journey is what made it even more iconic. 

With Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line, the Galacticos went on a superb run, besting the likes of Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus in thrilling encounters that truly embodied the spirit of the Champions League. Not only that but the squad also had La Liga, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup trophies to show for it as well.

1. Barcelona (2008/2009)

As we mentioned previously, Bayern Munich completed a historic sextuple in 2019/2020. However, the feat was already accomplished by a Barcelona side in 2008/2009 that featured the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry, and a young Lionel Messi who was already well on his way to conquering football. 

In what was an epic campaign by all measures, the side collected the La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. However, what sets this Champions League a step above the rest is Pep Guardiola’s management which saw the team play a brand of football so stunning yet effective, that it sealed their legacy as the best of all time.

Also Read: List of all men’s Ballon d’Or winners so far

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