Winning the UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle in club football. But some of the biggest clubs in the world, with massive fanbases, history, and money, have never lifted it.
They’ve come close. Some multiple times. But the trophy still eludes them. Here are 6 European giants still chasing their first UCL crown:
Atlético Madrid. The biggest club on this list that’s never won it. Atlético have reached the final 3 times – 1974, 2014, and 2016. The 2014 and 2016 losses to Real Madrid still hurt. Both went to extra time and penalties after Atlético were minutes from glory. They’re still one of Europe’s toughest sides, but the Champions League trophy remains out of reach.
Arsenal. Arsenal’s best shot came in 2006. They led Barcelona 1-0 in the final after Sol Campbell’s header, but lost 2-1 in Paris. They also made the semis in 2009 before being knocked out by Man United. The Emirates era has been full of near misses, and Arsenal fans are still waiting for that first European title.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs’ only UCL final came in 2019. After insane comebacks against Man City and Ajax, they faced Liverpool in Madrid and lost 2-0.
It was their first-ever final in THE competition. Since then, they haven’t gotten close again, but that 2019 run proved they can mix it with Europe’s elite.
Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen’s heartbreak in 2002 is legendary. They reached the UCL final and lost 2-1 to Real Madrid. That same season they finished 2nd in the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal too. It earned them the nickname “Neverkusen”. They’ve been consistent in Europe since, but never gone all the way.
AS Roma. Roma have a history of European heartbreak. In 1984 they reached the European Cup final at home but lost to Liverpool on penalties.
Then in 2018 they pulled off a miracle comeback against Barcelona in the quarters, only to be knocked out by Liverpool in the semis. The Giallorossi still haven’t made it back to a UCL final since.
Galatasaray. Turkey’s biggest club and one of Europe’s most intimidating away grounds. Galatasaray won the UEFA Cup and Super Cup in 2000, so they know how to win in Europe. In the Champions League, their best runs ended in the quarters in 2001 and 2013, both times stopped by Real Madrid. The atmosphere at Rams Park is elite, but the UCL trophy hasn’t followed.
These clubs have the history, the fans, and the pedigree. All they’re missing is that one perfect European run. Which of these clubs do you think is winning UCL soon?
