Prior to Real Madrid‘s successful title defence in 2017, no club had won the Champions League in two successive campaigns, following its rebranding in 1992. Since then, a plethora of top clubs have competed in the most prestigious competition in club football, to varying degrees of success. However, there is a set group of elite-level teams that have successfully cemented their place in the history of the UCL, consistently vying for the title every single year. With that notion on our minds, let’s take a look at the 5 clubs that have competed in the Champions League, the most times since 1992.
5. FC Porto – 25 seasons
A surprise entry on such a list, FC Porto comfortably secures fifth place ahead of continental giants like Juventus, Milan, Chelsea and more, having competed in the competition for 25 seasons. While the Portuguese heavyweights have only achieved victory in the competition twice, with their last title coming in 2004, under the stewardship of an upcoming Jose Mourinho, they have been a constant thorn in the eyes of potential candidates. They famously knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Juventus last season in the Round of 16 stage, proving their continental pedigree. At the time of writing, they are placed second in a Champions League group containing the likes of Liverpool, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid.
4. Manchester United – 25 seasons
Manchester United have almost exclusively spent all their Champions League campaigns, post-1992, under Sir Alex Ferguson. Under the Scottish manager, the Red Devils were a force to be reckoned with. Having already opened their title account with a win in 1968, they claimed the trophy twice more under Ferguson. If it were not for an unplayable Barcelona side of the 2010s, Manchester United would have had atleast two more wins to their name. Nevertheless, they are still considered to be an absolute footballing royalty, despite their recent showings. United will be hoping to reclaim their position at the top in the coming years, following the acquisition of master tactician Ralf Rangnick.
3. Bayern Munich – 25 seasons
Another continental stalwart, Bayern Munich have always been a superclub, ever since their inception in 1900. While the German giants have an unparalleled record on the domestic front, they have also achieved great success on the continental stage. The Bavarians have won the title a massive six times, three before the rebranding and three after. Exceptionally proficient at transitioning from one era to the other, Bayern have successfully moved on from their fabled Robben-Ribery phase to the current Lewandowski period. As a result, it comes as no surprise that they have participated a whopping 25 times in 29 years in the Champions League.
2. Real Madrid – 26 seasons
The most successful club in Champions League history, Real Madrid have won the title a record seven times in this duration. Los Blancos had already established their European supremacy in the early years, winning six titles before the tournament’s rebranding. In the late 90s, led by a young Iker Casillas, the men in white came out on top thrice in five years. While they did suffer somewhat of a drop-off following their win in 2002, Real Madrid constantly qualified for the Champions League every season. Their barren run was finally ended by Carlo Ancelotti in 2014 who brought the coveted 10th title to the Bernabeu. The appointment of Zinedine Zidane furthered their continental cause, with Los Blancos completing the historic three-peat under him.
1. FC Barcelona – 27 seasons
Pipping their Clasico rivals to first place, Barcelona are statistically the most consistent side in the history of the reformed Champions League. Following its remodelling in 1992, the Blaugrana have only missed out on qualification just once, having finished sixth in La Liga in the 2002-03 season. Aside from their regularity in the competition, Barcelona have also established their place among the topmost sides in Europe, winning the Champions League title a whopping four times between 2006 and 2015. The exclusive holders of two continental trebles are by far the most consistent side in the Champions League, something that could change in the near future considering their current form.
