Champions League

The European Cup is the most prestigious club tournament in world football and in the last few years, since its expansion into its current Champions League format, the tournament has become even more honoured (if that's even possible!) with teams battling away every season to become part of the rich history of the European Cup.

It is this history which makes the tournament so alluring to players and fans alike, with some of the world's greatest ever teams and players taking part over the years with certain clubs, through shear consistency, becoming synonymous with the tournament. Here are the most successful teams in the history of this great tournament...

Real Madrid

Madrid have won more European Cups than any other club and, with 9 trophies, will forever be inextricably linked to “the cup with the big ears”. The Spanish Giants won the first five European Cup titles with a team that included such giants as Alferdo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas, and their win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1960 final, a match that finished 7-3, is thought of as one off the greatest finals in history. Real's history in the last 20 years isn't so bad also, with the side winning the 1998, 2000 and 2002 tournaments as well, led by the mercurial talents of Pedrag Mijatovic, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane respectively.

Milan

AC Milan are truly giants of the European game and with seven European Cups, they have a trophy cabinet to back this assertion up. Milan, with players such as Gianni Rivera in their side and legendary manager Nereo Rocco in control, won two trophies in the 1960s and Legendary skipper Paolo Maldini guided the Rossoneri to 5 more titles between 1989 and 2007.

Liverpool

England's most successful club are next on the list having won 5 titles. Bob Paisley wrapped up the first three of these titles in the late 1970s and early 80s in a period of English dominance in the competition, before Joe Fagan defeated Roma in the 1984 final. Their most famous victory probably came against Milan in the 2005 final when they came back from 3-0 down at half time to win on penalties.

Although there are many new faces in the Champions League this season, the same old faces are favourites for the title with teams like Madrid, Barcelona, Milan and Inter highly fancied to win the tournament. If you need to find out all the latest news and football betting tips once the Champions League kicks off again this season, try be win football betting, a one-stop football portal for all your footballing needs!

Picture by El Ronzo.