As we continue to await the return of the Champions League – and sports in general – there’s no better time to look back on the past. Today, we’re ranking all the Champions League winners from the 21st century.
19. Liverpool (2005)
Liverpool‘s epic comeback against AC Milan – the Miracle of Istanbul – is among the most stunning moments in football history, let alone in the Champions League. It will live on forever. But strictly from a talent perspective, this team was surprisingly underwhelming outside of Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso. Djimi Traore started in the final!
18. FC Porto (2004)
The shock factor here can’t be overstated. Prior to FC Porto‘s unlikely triumph, it had been nine years since a club from outside Europe’s top five leagues won the premier continental trophy. It hasn’t happened since. Using a squad built almost exclusively around Portuguese products, the victory over AS Monaco in the final rocketed Jose Mourinho to prominence.
17. Real Madrid (2016)
Every champion has benefited, in one way or another, from some fortunate breaks on their title-winning journey. This Real Madrid team was a prime …read more