Real Madrid are synonymous with the UEFA Champions League. Between the current format and the European Cup, Los Blancos have been crowned European champions 14 times, seven more than AC Milan, who are second on the list. Even though they have only played three of their six group games this season, they have already qualified for the knockout stage and have won the tournament four times in the five years between 2014 and 2018.

When did Real Madrid first play in the Champions League?

With the introduction of the group stage concept for the 1992–93 season, the European Cup was renamed the Champions League. Madrid did not participate in the competition until 1995–96, when they advanced to the quarterfinals, as only national champions were allowed to compete in the first five editions.

It would be unimaginable today that they missed out on Europe entirely in 1996–97 and finished sixth in La Liga that same season. But they haven’t once failed to appear in the Champions League since 1997-98, which is when they won the competition for the first time under its “new” moniker.

The number of times Los Blancos have participated in the Champions League

But not only have they qualified for the Champions League in 26 successive seasons, they have incredibly made it through the group stage in all of them too. Including their 1995–96 debut, they have advanced to the knockout stages 27 times out of 27 (and out of 31 groups, since seasons 1999–2000 through 2002–03 have two group stages).