10 European clubs with the most league titles in football history

European football consists of the best teams from the across the globe which makes for the most recognised and competitive leagues in the world as well. The Premier League in England, the La Liga in Spain and the Bundesliga in Germany are some of the most entertaining and popular leagues followed by several fans.

Teams that win the most titles in these leagues usually garner the highest viewership also boasting huge global fan bases. A league title is not the easiest task in the world but these teams have made a name for themselves by winning league titles.

Here are 10 clubs with the most league titles in football history

#10. Juventus – 30 Serie A titles

Italian giants Juventus are the most successful team from the south European country. The club from Turin have a rich history and have established themselves as the dominant force in Serie in the last 5 years.

Even after 119 years of existence, the Old Lady are still kings of Europe. They won their very first title in 1905 and their latest came last season which was their 5th title in a row since 2011.

They are once again top of the table this season and look like they could make it six in a row. They could have had two more league titles had it not been for the Calciopoli scandal when the club were charged with match-fixing and relegated to the second division.

The next highest tally of league titles won is by AC Milan who have 18, behind Juve by 14. It’s safe to say their record will remain intact for a long time to come.

#9. CSKA Sofia – 31 Bulgarian titles

You can be forgiven if you haven’t heard of this once famous club from Bulgaria. The club from the town of Sofia are the record holders of Bulgarian league also known as the Bulgarian A football group.

Ludogorets have recently emerged as the country’s best side but Sofia are still up and about the top clubs in the country. In fact, Hristo Stoichkov the famous FC Barcelona hitman spent 6 years with the club winning the league title thrice.

Sofia have also managed to reach the semi-finals of the European cup now known as the UEFA Champions league twice. There was a time when Bulgarian football was thriving and every other club were afraid to face them in European competitions.

Their eternal rivals Levski Sofia also have 26 league titles to their name and when the meeting between the two clubs is called the Eternal Derby. But CSKA remain as the only club to have been a prominent force in Europe from their own country.

#8. Rapid Vienna – 32 Austrian titles

Rapid Vienna are a well-known name in European football. The Austrian side have managed to win 32 league titles which is once again a record. Vienna are one of the most historic clubs in Europe and were founded 1899.

The club are popularly known as SK Rapid Wien and won their first title in 1912 and even have the unique honour of winning the German Championship when the country were controlled by Germany during the second world war.

Although recently Red Bull Salzburg and their riches have made it difficult for the traditional teams to compete, Rapid still finish in the top three places but their last title win was in 2008 which shows the decline the club are currently in.

#7. Real Madrid – 32 La Liga titles

In at no. 7 and the only representative from Spain, we have Real Madrid. Los Blancos are arguably the most successful club in the history of football and are easily the most decorated European club of all time.

Madrid are the record holders of the European Cup/Champions League, winning it 11 times. That achievement is complemented with an incredible record in the league as well having won 32 titles.

Barcelona are slowly catching up to that record having won 24 league titles but still have a lot of catching up to do. Madrid recently broke Barcelona’s record of 39 games unbeaten in all competitions after their 3-3 draw with Sevilla in the second leg of the Copa del Rey.

Zidane’s men are on course for only their second league title this decade with the Frenchman having only twice in his entire managerial career so far.

#6. R.S.C Anderlecht – 33 Belgian league titles

Belgian powerhouses Anderlecht are UEFA Champions League regulars and have produced some of the best talents in recent years. Based out of the capital the club were formed in 1908 and are the most successful Belgian team of all time.

Anderlecht have 5 European trophies to their name the most of any Belgian side and are also one of the oldest clubs in the country. They have a very strong youth system as well and Romelu Lukaku is proof of their academy’s excellence and quality.

#5, AFC Ajax – 33 Eredivisie titles

The historic team from the Netherlands taken the 5th spot on this list. A club the revolutionised the way we play football have been very successful when it comes to winning trophies.

They might have lost their status in Europe in recent seasons but there is no denying the team from Amsterdam are one of the greatest in football history. They have win 4 European cups and a UEFA Cup as well.

The likes of Johan Cruyff, Marco Dennis Bergkamp, Marco Van Basten, Clarence Seedorf and several others have donned the famous white strip. It is sad to see a team of their legacy not part of the European elite anymore and fans of the club will hope the glory days are not too far away.

#4. Benfica – 33 Primeira Liga titles

Another former European superpower makes the 4th spot on this list. Benfica are a club with rich history and a lot of bad luck. But they have maintained their status as the best club in Portugal.

The club were formed in 1904 but only began their dominance of the Portuguese league in 1935. But they have had very little competition when it comes to the number of trophies they have won.

FC Porto are their closest competitors in that regard with 27 trophies. Benfica have also won two European cups both coming in the 60s but they remain a perennial presence in the competitions.

#3. Olympiakos – 41 Greek league titles

The Greek league is probably the most one-sided league in European football. Olympiakos almost always win the league title. To put into context their dominance in the league, the league has existed for 89 years which puts their win ratio of the league at almost 50%.

The next best record in the league is Panathinaikos who have managed 20 league titles. In the last 10 years, the current Greek Champions have won 9 league titles with Panathinaikos winning just 1.

#2. Celtic – 47 Scottish Premiership titles

Our runner-up for this list are current Scottish Champions Celtic with 47 titles to their name. The club are currently the best team in the league and have been dominating since their eternal rivals Rangers have just been promoted back to the first division.

Celtic are also a constant team in the UEFA Champions League but they have not yet managed to impress and leave their mark on the competition. With Brendan Rodgers currently at the helm, their dominance over Scotland looks well set to continue.

#1. Rangers – 54 Scottish Premiership titles

Taking gold in our list is Celtic’s Old Firm rival Rangers who have managed to win the Scottish Premier League title a whopping 54 times. That is more the total number of league titles won by Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal combined.

If the Greek League is the most one-sided league in Europe, the Scottish Premiership comes a close second. Rangers also have an impressive 33 Scottish cups but the one thing their arch rivals have over them is European success.

While Celtic have won the UEFA Champions League, Rangers have never had much success in European competitions. but their fans can always taunt their rivals over this particular record, a record which might not stand for too long.

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Edited by Staff Editor