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Champions League has always been the most showpiece tournament of UEFA since it’s refurbishment back in 1992. Since then, it has become the first priority of all the European heavyweights to lift this prestigious trophy every season.
In this 21st century, it has been mostly dominated by the sides from Spain. Real Madrid has added as many as 5 titles to their trophy cabinets while their arch rival Barcelona had their best period, lifting 4 Champions League titles. Apart from these two superpowers in Europe, English and Italian sides have also tasted more of the success. While Bayern Munich are the only side from Germany to lift this special trophy twice in this century.
Here is the list of five best teams to have won The UEFA Champions League in the 21st century:
5) Manchester United 2008:
Although people still regard the class of 99 as the best Manchester United team ever to embrace the beautiful game but the team which beat Chelsea 6-5 on the penalties in Moscow, was nothing less than a phenomenon under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson. It had all the characteristics to be one of the best teams of this century.
The partnership of Vidić along with Rio Ferdinand was almost as solid as a concrete wall. While the midfield of Carrick, Scholes and Giggs was a well-oiled machine. Upfront, the lion-share of the goals were distributed between Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo.
The winger, Cristiano Ronaldo of 2008 was probably the best we have seen from the Portuguese superstar. This was the year in which Ronaldo won the first of his five Ballon d’ors. He was almost impossible to stop and his conversion rate from knuckle-ball free kicks was out of this world. In short, it was Ronaldo who gave the cutting age to this perfectly balanced side.
4) Bayern 2013:
Under the management of veteran German manager Jupp Heynckes, the Bayern batch of 2013 was one of the most compact teams of this century.
Bayern thumped a heavily built Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals and went on to beat a well drilled Borussia Dortmund side 2-1 in the final.
Back then, Bayern Munich was almost unplayable. They had the pace of Robben and Ribery in the wings while the stability that Schweinsteiger and Javi Martínez provided in the midfield was immense. The guidance and leadership quality of Philipp Lahm was also a key factor in Bayern’s success.
It was Bayern’s 5th European title and their third final in four years. This was also the first time in history that the final was contested between two German teams.
In that season Bayern ended up claiming the treble, winning the Bundesliga, the UEFA Champions League and the DFB-Pokal. They also became the first German side to lift these three titles in history and third European club after Manchester United and Barcelona to achieve this phenomenal f. Bayern broke or equalled around 30 records in that season.
4) AC Milan 2003:
If you want to make a list of the best teams in the history of the Champions League, you just simply cannot ignore the AC Milan side of 2002-03 season. They had some serious talents in their ranks back then. It was no wonder that they dominated every other opponent in Europe and went on to win their 6th European title after beating Juventus 3-2 on the penalties.
The defensive duo of Maldini and Nesta in the heart of the defence was probably the best there was in the history of football. They were so decisive in the back, they could give a masterclass in the subject of defence. The midfield made up of Pirlo, Seedorf and Gattuso was as frightening as it gets and upfront the lethalness that Shevchenko and Inzaghi provided was really pivotal for the Rossoneries.
Although, they failed to complete the treble that season due to their bad run of form in the domestic league their dominance in Europe was noteworthy and fans will always remember them as one of the greatest teams of this generation.
2) Madrid 2017:
The 2016-17 season was one of the most successful campaigns in the history of Los Blancos. Madrid became the first team in history to win back-to-back Champions League trophies since it’s refurbishment back in 1992. In that season they also broke the domestic dominance of Barcelona in Spain and won their 33rd La Liga title.
Madrid swept away all the teams they faced throughout the campaign and thumped Juventus 4-1 in the final Of the Champions League in Cardiff. Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded the man-of-the-match in final because of his two crucial goals. On the basis of his sensational performance, Ronaldo went on to pick up his fifth Ballon d’or and equalled his arch rival Lionel Messi.
The star-studded team was truly full of Galacticos. From defence to the striking zone it was unshakable, and the management of Zidane just provided the cherry on the top for Los Blancos.
1) Barcelona 2011:
Many regard them as the greatest team of all time, the Pep Guardiola-managed Barcelona side of 2011 was a treat to watch for every football fan. The Catalan giants were nothing less than magnificent and outplayed almost every opponent they faced. They dominated every footballing stat in almost every game from ball posession to passes completed percentage.
The holy trinity of Busquets-Xavi-Iniesta in the midfield made it look like they were playing in their own backyard irrespective of which stadium they played in. While, Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi was at the peak of his prowess. His brace in the semi-final against their arch rivals Real Madrid was a masterclass to watch, especially the second goal he scored after almost dribbling past every Los Blancos defender.
The Catalan giants humiliated Sir Alex Ferguson-anaged Manchester United side 3-1 in the Champions League final. Barcelona’s front three, Messi, Pedro and Villa all were on the scoresheet at Wembley while Red Devil superstar Wayne Rooney scored once. This very final will also be remembered as one of the most one sided final ever in the history of UEFA Champions League.
