UEFA Champions League 2024/25: Looking at the title contenders

The UEFA Champions League (UCL) is the most elite club competition in Europe. All the top clubs and their players dream of winning the Champions league and be called the “Champions of Europe”. 

Real Madrid CF are the greatest team in the competition with 15 titles, followed by AC Milan with seven titles, while FC Bayern Munich and Liverpool FC have six titles each.

As the 2024/25 UCL season is about to start in an all-new format, let’s take a look at the contenders.

Also read: UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Sponsors

Real Madrid CF

Real Madrid are the reigning champions, having won the trophy last year beating by Borussia Dortmund in the final.

This will sound like a cliché, but Real Madrid have to be the favourites to win again. They have won it the most number of times, and it won’t be a mighty surprise if they repeat their feat from the previous season.

Los Blancos have an elite squad with a world class manager in Carlo Ancelotti, who is the most successful manager in UCL history, having won it a record five times. They have further strengthened their team by finally signing Kylian Mbappé and adding the highly-rated Brazilian youngster Endrick to their ranks. Their improved attacking line-up may very well take the Galácticos to a 16th UCL title.

Manchester City FC

Man City finally won their first Champions League trophy in 2022/23 with a historic treble. They are again one of the title favourites for this season.

City are another strong team, with great squad depth and world-class players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Rodri that are coached by a world-class manager in Pep Guardiola.

Under Guardiola, the Cityzens won their record fourth consecutive league title last season. Even though they haven’t made a lot of signings this time round, their existing squad is more than decent enough to take home a second Champions League trophy.

Paris Saint-Germain FC

PSG have come close to winning the Champions League a few times in recent years. They reached the final in 2019/20 season where they lost to Bayern. Since then, despite being considered UCL contenders, the Parisians remain in hunt for their first European trophy.

Headed by an experienced manager in Luis Enrique, PSG boast of some of the most talented players on the European stage. They have also made some eye-catching signings this summer with the likes of João Neves and Willian Pacho. This may well be the season PSG go all the way.

Arsenal FC

Arsenal have enjoyed a lot of domestic success in their 138-year existence, but the Champions League trophy is the one that has always eluded them. They last reached a UCL final in the 2005/06 season, where they lost 1-2 to Barcelona.

However, things may change this season, as manager Mikel Arteta has built a highly competitive squad over the past few years. Arsenal have performed well in the Premier League in recent seasons, taking the title race right down to the wire. They also reached the UCL quarters last term and have more than enough quality to go deeper this time round.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen are the current German Bundesliga champions as well as Europa League runners-up from last season. They were the European Cup winners in 1987/88 and also reached the 2001/02 Champions League final, which they lost 1-2 to Real Madrid.

Leverkusen had an unbelievable season last time round as they won the domestic title unbeaten. Led by Xabi Alonso, they are a tricky opposition for any side. Tactically sound, they play possession-based football with quick intricate passing while being very solid defensively. Their never-give-up attitude has seen them score a lot of late winners and equalisers in recent months, showcasing their ability to punch above their weight.

FC Bayern Munich

Bayern, as mentioned before, have won the Champions League six times, most recently in the 2019/20 season. They also reached the semis last year, where they lost 3-4 on aggregate to Real Madrid.

Even though the Bavarians have appointed a new manager in former Man City defender Vincent Company, their squad hasn’t changed much. Boasting the likes of Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané, and Alphonso Davies, they make for a very formidable opponent for any side in the competition.

That said, it remains to be seen whether Bayern’s young and relatively-inexperienced manager can handle the pressure of leading a top team in Europe’s elite club competition.

Liverpool FC

Liverpool are the most successful English club in the UCL with six titles, the most recent of which came in the 2018/19 season under Jürgen Klopp.

Even though this season is being viewed as a transitional one under their new coach, Arne Slot, Liverpool have a squad decent enough to go deep in all competitions. The nucleus of the squad hasn’t changed much, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson Becker still very much a regular part of the first team.

The Reds have started the domestic season in superb fashion with two wins out of two. However, the lack of Champions League experience on Slot’s part may turn out to be a roadblock for the Merseyside outfit.

Having said that, this a competition that has seen some unforgettable performances from Liverpool in the past, which will again be a motivating factor for their players to target seventh heaven this season.

FC Barcelona

Barça have won the Champions League five times, their most recent title coming in the 2014/15 season when they won 3-1 against Juventus in the final.

Even though the Blaugrana are still trying to recover from the departure of the great Lionel Messi a few seasons ago while also dealing with financial constraints, they remain a force to be reckoned with. Under the leadership of their new manager, Hansi Flick, they will want to regain their old glory days in the Champions League.

Flick has the experience to guide them far in the competition. Also, despite their struggles, Barça boast a team filled with talented La Masia graduates alongside experienced professionals. They may turn out to be this season’s Champions League dark horses.