The Ajax academy is one of the most renowned in world football. With the emphasis on developing young talent and fielding homegrown players, they have constantly produced some of the best players ever.
Needless to say, the riches of the Eredivisie are a trifle compared to that of the top-five leagues. Therefore, Ajax heavily depend upon the sales of their academy stars in the future.
That is evident year after year, with Lisandro Martinez and Ryan Gravenberch the latest to leave. Before them came Matthijs de Ligt, Hakim Ziyech, and Donny Van de Beek.
We try and find outWith an array of talents coming through every year, it is no surprise that Ajax are the envy of Europe due to their superb scouting. In that regard, FootTheBall runs down 10 of the best ever players to graduate from the hallowed academy.
Marco van Basten:
One of the greatest strikers of all time who made an everlasting mark at Euro 1988. Van Basten made his debut in 1981 and spent six seasons, winning three league titles.
He was a cheat code in front of goal and remains the third-highest scorer with 152 goals in 172 matches.
However, it was at AC Milan were Van Basten really took his game to another level, winning three European Cups and four Scudetto's. Unfortunately, the three-time Ballon d'Or winner had to retire at the young age of 28 due to repeated injuries.
Piet Keizer:
The left-winger who was one of the members of the 'Total Football' espoused by Ajax in the 1960s and 70s. Keizer was a one-club man who played for 13 years with the Dutch giants.
He won 19 trophies during this spell, and was considered at par or even greater than Johan Cruyff. Keizer was an unstoppable force under manager Rinus Michels and Stefan Kovacs. Even Cruyff, in his autobiography, admitted that Keizer was the ideal star in his position.
Sjaak Swart:
Ajax's all-time leader in appearances with 603 matches played. Swart began his career in 1956 and continued till the end of the club's three-peat in the UEFA Champions League.
Another winger, like Keizer, Swart was part of the golden generation of the previous generation. Ajax were heavily invested in their scouting department who brought them such gems from rival clubs or the lower leagues.
The only player to win the UEFA Champions League with three different teams. Seedorf was a combative midfielder who could open up defences with superb passing. Moreover, his physical prowess made him a no-brainer in terms of impacting the game.
Seedorf was one of the key players in AC Milan's 2011 Serie A triumph. He made his debut in 1992 and his final match for Ajax was the incredible 1995 Champions League final. Seedorf remains one of the most esteemed alumni for Ajax.
Patrick Kluivert:
The game-winner of the aforementioned 1995 final, Kluivert was an instant legend. Kluivert racked up 52 goals in 100 appearances for Ajax with his skilful nature and pacey movement.
Big things awaited him and he left for AC Milan in 1997. However, Kluivert was off to Barcelona after just one season. Moreover, Kluivert was also unstoppable at the international level, scoring 40 times, which was a record then.
Edwin Van der Sar:
The greatest Dutch goalkeeper, Van der Sar was a behemoth in 1995 final. He won four Eredivisie titles before leaving for Juventus. Van der Sar was eventually signed by Manchester United in the 2000s and won four Premier League titles.
His save from Nicolas Anelka in the 2008 Champions League final won the Red Devils their third triumph. Moreover, Van der Sar also remains one of the oldest ever players to played in the English top-flight.
Christian Eriksen:
The newly minted Manchester United signing started his career in native Denmark before Ajax snapped him up at the age of 16. Eriksen's case was another example of Ajax's dogged scouting who paid off handsomely.
He won three consecutive league titles in his five-year stay in the early 2010s. Eriksen joined Spurs where he became an even bigger star, before winning the 2020 Serie A title with Inter.
He made his comeback to football with Brentford in January 2022 and is now beginning the next chapter of his illustrious career.
Wesley Sneijder:
The most capped player for the Netherlands national team, Sneijder was a mesmerizing footballer right from day one. He could open up teams with his extraordinary vision and playmaking talent.
Sneijder made his senior debut in 2002, going onto spend five years with Ajax. Moreover, he was awarded the Dutch Footballer of the Year award in 2004.
Sneijder left for Real Madrid, before enjoying another magnificent spell with Inter as they won the treble in 2010.
The hard-nosed midfielder who was the rock of the team in the early 1980s. Rijkaard cut his teeth with Ajax, spending seven years in his first spell.
He won three Eredivisie titles and the 1987 European Cup Winners' Cup before leaving for AC Milan. It was in Italy that Rijkaard became an even better player under Arrigo Sacchi.
Rijkaard returned to Ajax in 1993 and was one of the more experienced players as they won the Champions League in 1995.
Johan Cruyff:
The greatest Dutch player and Ajax player ever. Cruyff was a genuine master of the game, whose principles reached all around the world. Cruyff is known as the pioneer of the philosophy instilled in the Ajax academy. The pioneer of 'Total Football,' he was the engine room behind the club and nation's rise as a powerhouse in the 1960s and 70s.
On this day in 1970, Johan Cruyff wore the iconic number 14 for the first time. A number that would forever go down as one of the most famous numbers in the all-time history of football. ๐โค๏ธ pic.twitter.com/YOeqvUPsod
โ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ (@TheEuropeanLad) October 30, 2020
Cruyff returned to Ajax in 1981 for a two-year stay, having enhanced with legendary status with Barcelona in the meantime.
He won eight Eredivisie titles and three European Cups during his career. Moreover, he also remains Ajax's top-scorer with 194 goals in 287 matches.
For more news and articles on Ajax academy, follow Sportz Point.
UEFA Champions League 2025-26, match day 1 all matches LIVE updates, Scores, and News: Liverpool win in last-minute, PSG, Inter and Bayern enjoy easy wins
Get real-time updates, scores, news and commentary of all the 18 matches of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 matchday 1 at a single place on our LIVE blog.
Hello everyone! The grandest football tournament in Europe is BACK, and so are we!
Welcome everyone to our LIVE coverage of UEFA Champions League 2025/26 matchday 1, where we will witness 18 matches from 16th September 2025 to 19 September 2025.
In this LIVE blog, you will get LIVE scores, news, updates and results of each of those 18 matches at a single place.
Arsenal will be in action on the 16th night, while as the night gets deeper, we will have Real Madrid facing Marseille, and Juventus playing Dortmund on the 17th night.
On the 18th, defending champions PSG will be in action while Liverpool, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich will also be playing their matches.
On the final night of matchday 1, we will see FC Barcelona playing Newcastle United, while Manchester City will be facing Napoli. So stay tuned and share the LIVE blog with your friends.
LIVE Updates
Sep 17, 2025, 9:18 PM
Matches left
18th September
Club Brugge vs Monaco at 22:15
Copenhagen vs Leverkusen at 22:15
19th September
Manchester City vs Napoli at 00:30
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Galatasaray at 00:30
Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty at 00:30
Newcastle vs Barcelona at 00:30
Sep 17, 2025, 9:16 PM
Full-time | Ajax 0-2 Inter
Last season's beaten finalists start in impressive fashion, Marcus Thuram heading both goals as Inter see off Ajax.
The Dutch side were unfortunate not to score when an excellent Yann Sommer denied Mika Godts' save before the opening goal, but Cristian Chivu's first experience of the UEFA Champions League as a coach produced a confident victory for the visitors.
Luis Enrique canโt have wished for much more. A swashbuckling attacking display that included four goals and a well-deserved clean sheet.
After a league phase campaign fraught with jeopardy last time round, Paris start their quest for a second consecutive Champions League crown in the most consummate of ways.
As for Atalanta, they toiled and stuck to their task, but will now focus on picking up their first points against Club Brugge in two weeks time.
Sep 17, 2025, 9:09 PM
Full time | Liverpool 3-2 Atletico
Liverpool found a way for a hard-fought three points in their league phase opener.
Atleti deserve huge credit for their response to falling 2-0 down. The hosts fashioned the better chances after the interval, with Mohamed Salah striking the post, but Marcos Llorenteโs late volley was cancelled out by Virgil Van Dijk right at the end.
Sep 17, 2025, 7:53 PM
Half-time | Liverpool 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Liverpool could hardly have wished for a better start at Anfield after Andy Robertsonโs fortuitous opener and Mohamed Salahโs fine effort, but Atleti have done well to gain a foothold and managed to half the deficit through Marcos Llorente on the stroke of half-time.
The hosts will need to hit the ground running in the second half, otherwise it might be back to square one for Arne Slot's team.
Sep 17, 2025, 7:53 PM
Half-time | Ajax 0- 1 Inter
After something of a shaky start, Ajax managed to find their way back into the game.
Ironically, they had the best chance of taking the lead โ Yann Sommer saving expertly from Mika Godts โ seconds before Marcus Thuram headed the visitors in front at the other end.
John Heitingaโs men will now have to commit more men forward in search of an equaliser, which could play into Interโs hands.
Sep 17, 2025, 7:53 PM
Half-time | PSG 2-1 Atalanta
A consummate performance befitting of champions. Paris have started their European campaign in much the same vein they finished the last - in total control. In truth, Atalanta had done well to limit the hosts to Marquinhosโ close-range finish, with Marco Carnesecchi largely to thank, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia eventually added a sumptuous second.
Bradley Barcolaโs missed penalty is the only blemish, while Atalanta will be grateful for the half-time break.
Against Atletico Madrid, Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah have found the net for Liverpool within first 6 minutes of the match.
Sep 17, 2025, 7:08 PM
Full time: Praha 2-2 Bodo
What a contest we have witnessed! Both teams gave everything, competing all the way. Slavia earned a two-goal advantage thanks to a pair of strikes from Youssoupha Mbodji on his full debut, butBodรธ/Glimt displayed the character they so often showed during last season's run to the Europa League semi-finals thanks to substitutes Sondre Brunstad Fet and Daniel Bassi. A breathtaking evening, with both clubs showing why they play at this level.
Sep 17, 2025, 6:54 PM
Full time: Olympiacos 0-0 Pafos
Pafos make a memorable debut in the UEFA Champions League, taking a point despite having ten players for more than an hour. Olympiacos applied plenty of pressure around the opposition box but may feel their finishing could have been better, while the Cypriot club managed to disarm them and escape unscathed.
Up next, potentially greater hurdles for both sides: Olympiacos travel to London for their game against Arsenal, while Pafos play host to Bayern Munich.
Sep 17, 2025, 4:27 PM
Matches tonight
17th September
Olympiacos vs Pafos at 22:15
Slavia Praha vs Bodรธ/Glimt at 22:15
18th September
Paris vs Atalanta at 00:30
Bayern Mรผnchen vs Chelsea at 00:30
Liverpool vs Atlรฉtico Madrid at 00:30
Ajax vs Inter at 00:30
Club Brugge vs Monaco at 22:15
Copenhagen vs Leverkusen at 22:15
Sep 17, 2025, 5:08 AM
Full-time: Real Madrid 2-1 Marseille
A pair of penalties from Kylian Mbappรฉ helped Real Madrid turn a deficit into victory in Xabi Alonso's first Champions League game at the helm.
After withstanding early pressure from the hosts, Marseille struck first through Timothy Weah's emphatic finish, but Alonso's side were quickly level when Mbappรฉ converted from the spot following a foul by Geoffrey Kondogbia on Rodrygo.
Although Madrid had Dani Carvajal sent off in the 72nd minute, Mbappรฉ struck again with nine minutes left after Facundo Medina was penalised for handball.
Sep 17, 2025, 5:05 AM
Full time: Juventus 4-4 Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund and Juventus shared the spoils after an eight-goal thriller in Turin thatequalled the record for the highest-scoring Champions League draw.
Khรฉphren Thuram and Loรฏs Openda both went close for the hosts in the first half, before Karim Adeyemiโs 52nd-minute finish sparked the encounter into life.
Kenan Yฤฑldฤฑz, Felix Nmecha and Duลกan Vlahoviฤ all scored in a four-minute flurry before Yan Couto's powerful finish made it 3-2 to Dortmund.
The visitors looked to have sealed victory through Ramy Bensebaini's 85th-minute penalty, but Juventus rescued a draw in added time thanks to Duลกan Vlahoviฤ's finish and a Lloyd Kelly header.
Sep 17, 2025, 4:58 AM
Full time: Benfica 2-3 Qarabag
Qarabaฤ claim a historic win here in Lisbon โ and few can argue with the result. Benfica were 2-0 up after 16 minutes, but after Leandro Andradeโs goal, the Azerbaijan champions grew in confidence and made the most of their momentum to level and ultimately win it in the closing stages. Welcome back, Champions League!
Sep 16, 2025, 6:51 PM
Full time: PSV 1-3 USG
What an excellent performance by Sรฉbastien Pocognoliโs men. Throughout the match they seemed able to absorb any pressure, remain calm when in possession, and now and again turn up the heat to inflict damage on the home side.
Great displays all round, with Anouar Ait El Hadj and Christian Burgess particularly impressive. An amazing start to the clubโs UEFA Champions League career.
Sep 16, 2025, 6:48 PM
Full time | Athletic 0-2 Arsenal
Substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard strike to give Arsenal a winning start in a tight contest in Bilbao, where Athletic Club performed admirably on their much-anticipated return to the competition.
Sep 16, 2025, 5:39 PM
Half-time | Athletic 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal have failed to score in Spain in the first half.
Mikel Arteta's men looked good but not sharp enough. Meantime Athletic have done well to defend and attack on the chances they got.
Important 45 minutes to come.
Sep 16, 2025, 5:32 PM
PSV vs Union SG: Anouar Ait El Hadj extends the lead | PSV 0-2 USG
Anouar Ait El Hadj extends the lead for Union SG. The newcomers are on fire!
Sep 16, 2025, 5:13 PM
PSV vs Union SG: Promise David scores for Union SG | PSV 0-1 Union SG
Image : UEFA.com
Pepi fouled Burgess inside the box, and Union SG won the penalty. Promise David perfectly sent Matฤj Kovรก the wrong way to hit the low corner of the goal.
The newcomers take the lead.
Sep 16, 2025, 5:07 PM
Lineups for PSV vs Union SG lineups!
PSV Starting XI M. Kovรกล, S. Dest, R. Flamingo, A. Obispo, Y. Gasiorowski, I. Saibari, J. Schouten (c), J. Veerman, I. Periลกiฤ, R. Pepi, R. van Bommel
Union Saint-Gilloise Starting XI K. Scherpen, K. Mac Allister, C. Burgess (c), F. Leysen, A. Khalaili, A. Zorgane, M. Rasmussen, O. Niang, A. A. E. Hadj, K. Rodrรญguez, P. David
Real Madrid (ESP), Villarreal (ESP), Bodรธ/Glimt (NOR), Monaco (FRA)
Kairat Almaty
Real Madrid (ESP), Club Brugge (BEL), Olympiacos (GRE), Pafos (CYP)
Inter (ITA), Arsenal (ENG), Sporting CP (POR), Copenhagen (DEN)
Leverkusen
Paris (FRA), Villarreal (ESP), PSV (NED), Newcastle (ENG)
Man City (ENG), Benfica (POR), Olympiacos (GRE), Copenhagen (DEN)
Liverpool
Real Madrid (ESP), Atletico Madrid (ESP), PSV (NED), Qarabaฤ (AZE)
Inter (ITA), Frankfurt (GER), Marseille (FRA), Galatasaray (TUR)
Manchester City
Borussia Dortmund (GER), Leverkusen (GER), Napoli (ITA), Galatasaray (TUR)
Real Madrid (ESP), Villarreal (ESP), Bodรธ/Glimt (NOR), Monaco (FRA)
Marseille
Liverpool (ENG), Atalanta (ITA), Ajax (NED), Newcastle (ENG)
Real Madrid (ESP), Club Brugge (BEL), Sporting CP (POR), Union SG (BEL)
Monaco
Man City (ENG), Juventus (ITA), Tottenham (ENG), Galatasaray (TUR)
Real Madrid (ESP), Club Brugge (BEL), Bodรธ/Glimt (NOR), Pafos (CYP)
Napoli
Chelsea (ENG), Frankfurt (GER), Sporting CP (POR), Qarabaฤ (AZE)
Man City (ENG), Benfica (POR), PSV (NED), Copenhagen (DEN)
Newcastle United
Barcelona (ESP), Benfica (POR), PSV (NED), Athletic Club (ESP)
Paris (FRA), Leverkusen (GER), Marseille (FRA), Union SG (BEL)
Olympiacos
Real Madrid (ESP), Leverkusen (GER), PSV (NED), Pafos (CYP)
Barcelona (ESP), Arsenal (ENG), Ajax (NED), Kairat Almaty (KAZ)
Pafos
Bayern Mรผnchen (GER), Villarreal (ESP), Slavia Praha (CZE), Monaco (FRA)
Chelsea (ENG), Juventus (ITA), Olympiacos (GRE), Kairat Almaty (KAZ)
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
Bayern Mรผnchen (GER), Atalanta (ITA), Tottenham (ENG), Newcastle (ENG)
Barcelona (ESP), Leverkusen (GER), Sporting CP (POR), Athletic Club (ESP)
PSV Eindhoven
Bayern Mรผnchen (GER), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Napoli (ITA), Union SG (BEL)
Liverpool (ENG), Leverkusen (GER), Olympiacos (GRE), Newcastle (ENG)
Qarabaฤ
Chelsea (ENG), Frankfurt (GER), Ajax (NED), Copenhagen (DEN)
Liverpool (ENG), Benfica (POR), Napoli (ITA), Athletic Club (ESP)
Real Madrid
Man City (ENG), Juventus (ITA), Marseille (FRA), Monaco (FRA)
Liverpool (ENG), Benfica (POR), Olympiacos (GRE), Kairat Almaty (KAZ)
Slavia Praha
Barcelona (ESP), Arsenal (ENG), Bodรธ/Glimt (NOR), Athletic Club (ESP)
Inter (ITA), Atalanta (ITA), Tottenham (ENG), Pafos (CYP)
Sporting CP
Paris (FRA), Club Brugge (BEL), Marseille (FRA), Kairat Almaty (KAZ)
Bayern Mรผnchen (GER), Juventus (ITA), Napoli (ITA), Athletic Club (ESP)
Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund (GER), Villarreal (ESP), Slavia Praha (CZE), Copenhagen (DEN)
Paris (FRA), Frankfurt (GER), Bodรธ/Glimt (NOR), Monaco (FRA)
Union SG
Inter (ITA), Atalanta (ITA), Marseille (FRA), Newcastle (ENG)
Bayern Mรผnchen (GER), Atletico Madrid (ESP), PSV (NED), Galatasaray (TUR)
Villarreal
Man City (ENG), Juventus (ITA), Ajax (NED), Copenhagen (DEN)
Borussia Dortmund (GER), Leverkusen (GER), Tottenham (ENG), Pafos (CYP)
Sep 16, 2025, 12:35 PM
How to watch the matches?
Although all the matches will be streamed in India, a few of the matches will be streamed on the Sony LIV app and website. The matches will also be televised on Sony Sports Network channels in India.
Sep 16, 2025, 12:34 PM
Matches on matchday 1
Tuesday 16 September 2025 22:15 - PSV vs Union SG 22:15 - Athletic Club vs Arsenal
Wednesday 17 September 2025 00:30 - Real Madrid vs Marseille 00:30 - Benfica vs Qarabaฤ 00:30 - Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund 00:30 - Tottenham vs Villarreal 22:15 - Olympiacos vs Pafos 22:15 - Slavia Praha vs Bodรธ/Glimt
Thursday 18 September 2025 00:30 - Paris vs Atalanta 00:30 - Bayern Mรผnchen vs Chelsea 00:30 - Liverpool vs Atlรฉtico Madrid 00:30 - Ajax vs Inter 22:15 - Club Brugge vs Monaco 22:15 - Copenhagen vs Leverkusen
Friday 19 September 2025 00:30 - Manchester City vs Napoli 00:30 - Frankfurt vs Galatasaray 00:30 - Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty 00:30 - Newcastle vs Barcelona
Till now, 9 European clubs (Under UEFA) have managed to win a treble, which includes the premier national league competition, the main national cup competition, and the UEFA Champions League/UEFA Europa League.
In football, a team wins a treble when they win three major trophies in a single season. Winning the continental treble means winning the premier national league competition, the main national cup competition, and the main continental trophy, for UEFA, which is the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League.
Though winning the Europa League is also considered a treble, it is not accepted wholeheartedly by the pundits and fans as winning the UEFA Champions League.
Till now, 9 European clubs have been able to win the continental treble. Before we discuss all the European treble winners in men's football history, we must know about the types of Trebles we have in football.
Barcelona is the only club to win multiple trebles with both their men's and women's team, completing the feat in 2024.
Continental treble
This is considered the actual treble in football where a team go on to win the national league, national cup competition and the main continental trophy. Celtic Football Club in 1966-67 became the first team in football history to win a Continental treble. Till now, 22 men's teams have won the Continental Treble, with 30 being the total number of times. In Europe, only 8 football teams have been able to accomplish the feat.
Domestic treble
Generally, for most of the footballing nations, winning a domestic treble is not possible since they do not allow first-division teams to win any secondary cup or league. A domestic treble includes winning three national competitions, including the national league title, the national cup competition, and one secondary competition. Countries which were under British or French possessions once allowed domestic trebles to happen. Celtic with 8 domestic trebles, and Rangers, with 7, are the most successful teams when it comes to winning domestic trebles.
European treble winners in men's football history
1. Celtic | 1966-67
Celtic team with their 1966-67 European Cup trophy. Image | Celtic Star
In the 1966-67 season, Celtic became the first team ever to win the continental treble when they won the Scottish Football League, Scottish Cup and European Cup (UEFA Champions League now).
Celtic with 58 points in the Scottish Football League went past Rangers to clinch the national league. In the Scottish Cup, they defeated Aberdeen Football Club by 2-0 in the final to win the trophy. William Wallace was the goalscorer for them in the final.
In the European Cup, Celtic defeated Inter Milan by 2-1 in Lisbon to become the first-ever Treble winner in football history. Thomas Gemmell and Thomas Chalmers were the scorers for Cletic that day.
2. 1971-72 | Ajax
Ajax 1971-72 team that won the European Treble | Image: X
Ajax, the football club from the Netherlands became the second European team to win the treble in the 1971-72 season. They won the Eredivisie, their national league and then won the KNVB Cup and later on won the European Cup to complete their treble. That season, Ajax were nearly the invincible team losing just one game in the whole season.
In the Eredivisie, Johan Cruyff became their top goal scorer with 25 goals. Ajax with 63 points, 8 points cleared Feijenoord in the second position. In the KNVB Cup, they defeated FC Den Haag in the final by 3-2 to win the cup. Cruyff had scored the opener in that game also and scored three goals in the tournament.
In the European Cup, they defeated Inter Milan by 2-0 with Johan Cruyff scoring a brace for them. In all together Cruyff had scored 33 goals for them that season in the three tournaments.
In the 1987-88 season, PSV became the second team from the Netherlands to win the historical treble. That season they won the Eredivisie, the KNVB Cup and the European Cup. They won their 10th Eredivisie title with 59 points, 9 points clear of Ajax in the league table. Wim Kieft scored 29 goals in that season for PSV in the league.
In the KNVB Cup final they defeated Roda JC by 3-2 in the extra time. Then, they went on to win the European Cup by defeating Benfica in the final by a 6-5 penalty shootout. Ronald Koeman came out as one of the standout performers for PSV that season.
Manchester United players with their 1999 UEFA Champions League trophy. Image | FC Barcelona
It took 11 more years for any team to win the European Treble and Manchester United became the first team from England to achieve that feat. United, under Sir Alex Ferguson won the Premier League, FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League after not winning any trophies in the previous season. The treble is regarded as the achievement in his career, and he was awarded the knighthood in November 1999 after that success.
They won the Premier League with 79 points, 1 point more than Arsenal. Dwight Yorke with 18 goals was their and League's joint-highest goal scorer in that season. In the FA Cup, despite facing difficult opponents throughout the tournament, Ferguson's men kept on fighting back, and after two semi-final replays against Arsenal and a final against Newcastle United, they won the FA Cup. Paul Scholes and Teddy Sheringham scored for them in a 2-0 win in the final.
In the Champions League, they were drawn into the group of death alongside FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Brondby. They qualified for the knockouts as the runner-up from the group and defeated Inter Milan and Juventus in the quarter and semi-finals, respectively, before beating FC Bayern Munich in a historic comeback in the final. In front of 91000 people in Barcelona, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored in the added minutes to hand Manchester United a terrific 2-1 win over Bayern.
Barcelona players with their 2009 UEFA Champions League trophy. Image | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona in the 2008-09 season became the first Spanish team to win the European Treble. Under their former captain, and Barcelona B coach Pep Guardiola, the Spanish giants reached their peak in that season winning the La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League. They are still the only Spanish team to win the European Treble.
After selling players like Deco and Ronaldinho, Barcelona started to reorganise their shape as a club and Lionel Messi alongside Samuel Eto'o became their hero at the front. They won La Liga with 87 points, 9 points clear of Real Madrid. Samuel Eto'o with 30 goals in the league was their top scorer.
In the Copa del Rey final, they defeated Athletic Bilbao by 4-1 as Yaya Toure, Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Bojan scored for them after conceding an early goal.
In the 2008-09 Champions League, Barcelona had to clear the qualifying round first to enter the group stage. They defeated Wisลa Krakรณw in a two-legged qualifying round before entering the group stage alongside Shakhtar Donetsk, Sporting CP and Basel.
That header from Lionel Messi that saw FC Barcelona win the 2009 Champions League.
They topped the group stage and then went on to beat Lyon, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea in the knockouts before beating Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in the final in Rome. Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi scored one goal each as Barcelona scripted history. Messi finished with 38 goals in all competitions that season. That season saw Lionel Messi win his first Ballon d'Or award with a record margin of 240 points than second-position Cristiano Ronaldo.
Barcelona in 2009 became the first team to win a "sextuple" in European football history.
6. 2009-10 | Inter Milan
Inter Milan players after their historical 2009-10 European Treble
Right after Barcelona's historical 2008-09 season, Inter Milan created their history as they became the first and still the only Italian team to win the European treble. They were the sixth European Treble winners in the men's football history. It was the "special one", Jose Mourinho's second and last season with the club that helped the Italian giants create history.
After a historical season with FC Barcelona, Samuel Eto'o was swapped with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and was sold to Inter Milan. Eto'o that season went on to become the only player to win back-to-back European Treble. That season Inter Milan won their fifth consecutive Serie A title, Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League.
They first won the Coppa Italia by beating Roma in the final. Diego Militao scored the lone goal for them in the final. Then, they won the Serie A on the final match day with 82 points, 2 points more than Roma.Diego Militao scored 22 goals in the league season for them.
In the UEFA Champions League, they were clubbed with Barcelona, Dynamo Kyiv and Rubin Kazan and progressed to the knockout stage as the runner-up of the group. In the knockouts, they defeated Chelsea, CSKA Moscow and Barcelona before winning 2-0 against Bayern Munich in the final. Militao scored a brace for them and won the player of the match award as well.
FC Bayern Munich with the UEFA Champions League 2012-13 trophy
In the 2012-13 season, FC Bayern Munich became the first and only German team to win the European Treble. Under head coach Jupp Heynckes, they won their 22nd Bundesliga title, and 5th UEFA Champions League title alongside the DFB-Pokal title.
Before the season they brought in players like Xherdan Shaqiri, Dante, Claudio Pizarro, Mitchell Weiser, Tom Starke and Mario Mandzukic alongside Javi Martinez for a then-record signing fee.
In the league, they acquired a record-breaking 91 points as Mario Mandzukic finished with 15 goals against his name. In the DFB-Pokal, they defeated VfB Stuttgart in the final by 3-2 as Mario Gomez scored a brace for them.
In the Champions League, they were grouped with Valencia, BATE Borisov and Lille. They moved to the next stage as the group champions and then faced Arsenal, Juventus and Barcelona in the knockouts. In an all-German final, they defeated Borrusia Dortmund by 2-1 to complete their treble. Mario Mandzukic and Arjen Robben scored for them in the final.
8. 2014-15 | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona players after winning the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League. Image | FC Barcelona
Under head coach Luis Enrique, FC Barcelona in the 2014-15 season became the first team in European football history to win the treble more than once. In the summer, Barcelona signed Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez which helped them create one of the most successful trios in football history in M-S-N with Messi, Suarez and Neymar. They had also signed Marc-Andrรฉ ter Stegen and Ivan Rakitic same season.
They won the La Liga narrowly with 94 points, 2 points clear of Real Madrid. Lionel Messi (43) was outscored by Cristiano Ronaldo (48) in the league that season. Neymar also scored 22 goals for Barcelona in the league that season.
In the Copa del Rey final, they defeated Athletic by 3-1 as Messi scored a brace and Neymar netted once.
In the Champions League, they faced PSG, Ajax and APOEL in the group stage and advanced to the knockout stage as the champions of the group. They then went on to beat Manchester City, PSG and Bayern Munich before beating Juventus by 3-1 in the final. Neymar, Rakitic and Suarez scored in that final. Messi with 58 goals in all competitions was their top scorer. After that performance, Messi went on to beat Ronaldo and Neymar to win his 5th Ballon d'Or.
9. 2019-20 | FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich won their second European Treble in the 2019-20 season
Post Barca's remarkable success in the 2014-15 season, German club FC Bayern Munich went on to equal their records as the second team in European Football history to win the treble more than once. Under coach Hansi Flick they went on to become the second team in European football to win the "sextuple".
Niko Kovac was the manager for FC Bayern Munich when they started the season, and then Hansi Flick was named as the interim manager. In a season hit by Covid-19, Bayern were forced to play behind closed doors.
However, that did not restrict them from being their brutal best. Robert Lewandowski broke the record for the most goals scored in a single Bundesliga season (34) as Bayern lifted the league for the 29th time.
In the DFB-Pokal final, they defeated Bayer Leverkusen by 4-2 as Robert Lewandowski scored a brace for them.
In the UEFA Champions League round of 16, they defeated Chelsea. Then, they humiliated Barcelona by an 8-2 win (the biggest margin in a UEFA Champions League knockout game) and thrashed Lyon by 3-0 before beating PSG by 1-0 in the final. Kingsley Coman scored the all-important goal for them in the final.
10. 2022-23 | Manchester City
Manchester City with their first-ever Champions League trophy in 2022-23 season
In the 2022-23 season, Manchester City became the second English team and 8th overall team to win a European Treble. Pep Guardiola created one of his records as he became the first coach in European history to win the treble more than once.
Manchester City were coming into the season as the Premier League defending champions and signed players like Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips and Julian Alvarez to strengthen their squad. Erling Haaland went on to break the record for the most Premier League goals scored in a single season as he scored 35 goals in the whole season. City went on to win their 7th Premier League title with 89 points.
In the FA Cup final, City's captain Iikay Gundogan scored the fastest goal in the FA Cup final's history as they defeated Manchester United by 2-0 in the final.
The Haaland riot continued in the UEFA Champions League as well as he scored four goals against RB Leipzig in the round of 16. They then went on to beat Bayern in the quarters and Real Madrid in the semis before beating Inter Milan in the final by 1-0. Rodri scored the lone goal for them in the final and was named player of the final as well.
Erling Haaland scored 52 goals in his 53 games for Manchester City that season. However, despite that performance, he could not beat Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or trophy.
11. 2024-25 | PSG
PSG became the latest team to win the European treble under Luis Enrique as they clinched their first-ever Champions League trophy, and also lifted the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France trophies.
In Ligue 1, they clinched the French Championship with 84 points, as Ousmane Dembele, with 21 goals, won the Ligue 1 Golden Boot.
In the Coupe de France final, they defeated Reims by 3-0 as Bradley Barcola scored a brace and Achraf Hakimi scored another goal to seal the win.
In their historic Champions League season, Dembele finished as their top scorer of the season while Desire Doue scored a stunning brace to help them lift the title. Achraf Hakimi scored in all quarters, the semis and the final to become one of the heroes for them.
With this win, Luis Enrique became the second manager to win two European trebles with two different teams.
Discover the PSG phenoms Senny Mayulu and Desire Doue, who etched their names in the history of youngest goalscorers in Champions League finals after scoring against Inter Milan to win their first UCL title.
The UEFA Champions League final represents the pinnacle of Europeam Club football, a stage where heroes are crowned. For any player, scoring in this momentous match is a big achivement, and for a few, that moment comes at an astonishingly young age!
Dive into the list of 5 youngest goalscorers in Champions League finals, with the spotlight on recent additions of Paris Saint-Germain's Mayulu and Doue, who have etched their names on this exclusive list.
5. Lars Ricken (20 years 322 days) | 1997
Lars Ricken scoring a goal against Juventus in 1997 Champions League finals. Image | Bundesliga
In 1997, Borussia Dortmund's local boy, Lars Ricken etched his name into Champions League final history with a goal against Juventus. Coming on as a substitute, he took just 16 seconds to score the goal after entering the pitch!
At just 20 years and 322 days old, his impactful goal helped Dortmund secure a 3-1 victory, and it still remains one of the most iconic moments in UCL finals history.
4. Desire Doue (19 years 362 days) | 2025
Desire Doue celebrates after scoring a brilliant goal against Inter Milan in 2025 Champions League finals. Image | Instagram
The 2025 UEFA Champions League final saw a remarkably young talent make his mark on field. Desire Doue added his name in this list of youngest goalscorers with scoring twice (20' , 63') in the finals against Inter Milan.
He scored the second and third goal of the match, which significantly gave PSG a boost in this high-stakes match. His attacking style and dominant gameplay at just 19 years and 362 days of age, was great to watch.
Doue's name will be forever treasured in the books of PSG's success in UEFA Champions League.
Carlos Alberto celebrates his goal in the 2004 Champions League finals. Image | Instagram
Carlos Alberto of FC Porto scored a stunning goal in the 2004 Champions League finals at the age of 19 years and 167 days. He scored the first goal of the match, which eventually led to a victory of 3-0 against AS Monaco FC.
He delivered a memorable moment for the team and became the key figure in Porto's surprising triumph, that too, for their second UCL title.
2. Senny Mayulu (19 years 14 days) | 2025
Senny Mayulu celebrates after scoring a goal for PSG in 2025 Champions League. Image | BBC
In the electrifying final of 2025 Champions League, PSG got another young talent who didn't just play; he made history. Senny Mayulu, at just 19 years and 14 days old, became the second-youngest goalscorer ever in the Champions League final.
Mayulu scored the final goal in their 5-0 victory against Inter Milan, and his strike in a match of such immense pressure solidified his status as an emerging player for the Parisian giants.
Patrick Kluivert celebrates his 1995 Champions League final goal for Ajax. Image | Instagram
Topping the list as the youngest goalscorer in Champions League final is Patrick Kluivert. In 1995 final, playing for Ajax, he scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, securing a 1-0 victory against AC Milan.
At just 18 years and 327 days of age, his crucial finish brought Ajax's fifth UCL title home, and established him as an iconic talent who made history in European football's grandest stage.
Last season, Real Madrid went on to win the UEFA Champions League for a record 15th time. As we inch closer to this season's final, we take a look at the Champions League winners list since 1956.
The Champions League was earlier called the European Cup, and it started in 1955, and the first winner was Real Madrid. For the next 5 years, Real Madrid did not let anyone get close to the trophy.
Since then, 23 teams have won the glory, with Manchester City being the most recent one. As we get close to another UEFA Champions League final, we take a look at the Champions League winners list since 1965.
Real Madrid with their 15th UCL title in 2023-24 season.
The Champions League winners list since 1955/56 is:
1956 - Real Madrid 1957 - Real Madrid 1958 - Real Madrid 1959 - Real Madrid 1960 - Real Madrid 1961 - Benfica 1962 - Benfica 1963 - AC Milan 1964 - Inter Milan 1965 - Inter Milan 1966 - Real Madrid 1967 - Celtic 1968 - Manchester United 1969- AC Milan 1970- Feyenoord 1971 - Ajax 1972 - Ajax 1973 - Ajax 1974 - Bayern 1975 - Bayern 1976 - Bayern 1977 - Liverpool 1978 - Liverpool 1979 - Nottingham Forest 1980 - Nottingham Forest 1981 - Liverpool 1982 - Aston Villa 1983 - Hamburger SV| 1984 - Liverpool 1985 - Juventus FC 1986 - Steaua Bucureศti 1987 - FC Porto 1988 - PSV 1989 - AC Milan 1990 - AC Milan 1991 - Red Star Belgrade 1992 - Barcelona 1993 - Olympique de Marseille 1994 - AC Milan 1995 - Ajax 1996 - Juventus FC 1997 - Borussia Dortmund 1998 - Real Madrid 1999 - Manchester United 2000 - Real Madrid 2001 - Bayern 2002 - Real Madrid 2003 - AC Milan 2004 - Porto 2005 - Liverpool 2006 - Barcelona 2007 - AC Milan 2008 - Manchester United 2009 - Barcelona 2010 - Inter Milan 2011 - Barcelona 2012 - Chelsea FC 2013 - Bayern Munich 2014 - Real Madrid 2015 - Barcelona 2016 - Real Madrid 2017 - Real Madrid 2018 - Real Madrid 2019 - Liverpool 2020 - Bayern Munich 2021 - Chelsea FC 2022 - Real Madrid 2023 - Manchester City 2024 - Real Madrid
Let's have a look at the teams with the most trophies since 1955/56:
Real Madrid x 15 AC Milan x 7 Bayern x 6 Liverpool FC x 6 FC Barcelona x 5 Ajax x 4 Inter x 3 Manchester United x 3 Juventus x 2 Benfica x 2 Nottingham Forest x 2 Porto x 2 Chelsea x 3 Celtic x 1 Hamburger SV x 1 Steaua Bucureศti x 1 Olympique de Marseille x 1 Borussia Dortmund x 1 Feyenoord x 1 Aston Villa x 1 PSV x 1 Red Star Belgrade x 1 Manchester City x 1
Ajax announces to bring back the classic logo from 2025-26 season
Ajax Amsterdam has announced that the Dutch outfit will bring back its classic logo after 34 years, officially from the 2025-26 season for its 125-year celebration.
Ajax Amsterdam has announced that the club will return to its iconic logo to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2025. The classic Ajax logo which was used in Ajax shirts from 1928 to 1991, will return to illuminate the Dutch side's outfit after 34 years. Ajax will permanently use the classic emblem from the beginning of the 2025-26 season.
Ajax CEO Menno Geelen confirms that the club thinks that the 125th-anniversary celebration in 2025 is the "perfect moment" to honour the history of Ajax by bringing back the classic logo. He also stated that the iconic logo perfectly explains the club's ambitions. Geelen stated via the club's media:
"Ajax will celebrate its 125th anniversary on March 18. The celebrations will include the announcement of the return of the classic logo. We know that the majority of our fans have cherished this wish for years, and we felt that our 125th anniversary was the perfect moment to give back the classic logo to our fans and ourselves."
"Furthermore, history has shown that we are at our best when we remain true to the Ajax DNA. Thatโs why we are doing everything within the club to uphold that DNA, from our football philosophy to our core values. Bringing back the classic logo symbolizes this commitment and serves as both a tribute to our rich history and an inspiration for the futureโa future that relies on everything we hold dear about our club."
'This might be one of the greatest gifts we can give to the supporters, the club, and ourselves.'
This special occurrence in the Dutch club will be celebrated today at the Johan Cruyff Arena where the Ajax Legends will take on Real Madrid Legends and this game preliminarily commences the club's celebration of 125 years into existence.
Ernst Boekhorst, the chairman of the Board of Directors of Ajax, has also expressed his thoughts about the thoughtful change as well:
"The 125th anniversary feels like a very fitting moment to give the logo back to the club, the fans, and ourselves. We are delighted to make such a contribution."
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