Great European Soccer Clubs and Leagues

The following stats and comments are for European soccer clubs.

Before I go on, let's salute the great South American clubs from Argentina (the continents most accomplished league, as shown by the Copa Libertadores. It also has won more Copa America's than any South American country), Brazil (the world's most trophied World Cup nation and the embodiment of improvised soccer) and Uruguay (home to one of the world's greatest soccer club in Penarol). Some of the great clubs from that continent include: Boca Juniors, River Plate, Santos, Flamengo, Fluminense (though they never won a major South American trophy), Colo Colo from Chile, Independiente and of course Penarol. To name a few obvious ones. Indeed, South American clubs hold an overall advantage against their European counterparts in World Club action.

That said, as I mentioned, this little exercise is for European clubs. We always debate who was the 'greatest' club or 'greatest' league. Much of it is based on subjective arguments. I'm not much interested in such debates if there isn't a certain amount of objectivity involved. In any event, this is not meant to try and rank any league or clubs. The following is a list of clubs from predominantly the top leagues in Europe (Italy, Spain, England, Germany, Portugal and Holland). Scotland, France and Belgium are also mentioned. In any event, you can see for yourself the pattern that emerges and can pretty much deduce who are the top clubs and leagues in Europe by this information and statistics. Though they don't tell the whole picture (I would like to soon post a list of head to head records for these clubs) but they are revealing in the end.

Interpret this as you would like.

CL (Champions League); FC (Fairs Cup); UC (UEFA Cup); CWC (Cup Winners Cup); SC (Super Cup); WC (World Championships)

Honourable Club: one that met some of the following criteria: Never won CL but still found success in other major tournaments (ie Valencia, Anderlecht, Parma etc.). Teams that dominate or have found success in their respective domestic league (ie Rangers).

Italian Clubs overall:
CL: 11-14; FC: 1-2; UC: 9-6; CWC: 7-4; SC: 9-3; WC: 7-5
Total: 43-34 (.560%)

Selected Clubs:

AC Milan: 17 domestic league titles
CL: 7-4; CWC: 2-1; SC: 5-2; WC: 3-4
Total: 17-11 (.607%)

Juventus: 27
CL: 2-5; FC: 0-2; UC: 3-1; CWC: 1-0; SC: 2-0; WC: 2-1
Total: 10-9 (.526%)

Internazionale Milano: 13
CL: 2-2; UC: 3-1: WC 2-0
Total: 7-3 (.700%)

Honourable Club: Parma UC: 2-0; CWC 1-1; SC 1-0 - Total 4-1
* Parma never won Scudetto in Serie A.

Other important major tournaments Italy participated in:

Mitropa Cup (1927-1991): Overall record 11-9 in finals (Milan 1-0)
Latin Cup (1949-1957): Overall record 2-1 (Milan 2-1)

Italy leads all leagues with 43 trophies for tournaments selected. Total increases to 55 when Mitropa and Latin Cup included. Italian clubs have reached the finals in 8 tournaments an impressive 98 times since 1927 for a record of 55-43 (.561%). Milan's totals increase to 18-11 (.621%) making it the most trophied club in Europe one ahead of Real Madrid. However, Real did not participate in Mitropa. Latin Cup was restricted to only Spain, Portugal, France and Italy and so I have decided not to include them in the overall total. It was, nonetheless an important tourney and deserved mention.

Spanish clubs overall:
CL: 11-10; FC: 6-3; UC: 5-4; CWC: 7-7; SC: 6-7; WC: 4-4
Total: 39-36 (.520%)

Selected Clubs:

Real Madrid: 29 domestic league titles
CL: 9-3; UC: 2-0; CWC: 0-2; SC: 1-2; WC: 3-2
Total: 15-9 (.625%)

Barcelona: 16
CL: 2-3; FC: 3-1; CWC: 4-2; SC:2-3; WC 0-2
Total: 11-11 (.500%)

Honourable Club: Valencia: 6
EC: 0-2; FC: 2-1; UC: 1-0; CWC:1-0; SC: 2-1
Total: 5-4 (.556%)
*Some may think that Atletico Madrid (and now Sevilla) should be here but Valencia's 5 trophies trumps AM's 2.

Spain was 4-1 in Latin Cup finals. Thus bumping their record to 39-32 (.549). Spanish clubs have proven their greatness as they reached the finals 71 times. Real Madrid was 2-0 and brings their overall total to 17-9 (.654%). Barcelona moves to 13-11 (.545%) when the Latin Cup is added. In terms of total trophies Spain is second only to Italy. Nonetheless, Spain is home to the legendary Real Madrid. Real's historical pedigree can not be denied. Though its recent nomination as being the century's greatest club has more to do with subjective posturing than it does statistically. If we were to measure it strictly on subjective terms, then yes Real played some of the most beautiful football - especially during DiStefano's and Puska's reign. Madrid has a wonderful CL's record. Both Barcelona and Valencia, for their part, have witnessed disappointments at the CL's level.

English clubs overall:
CL: 10-4; FC: 4-4; UC: 6-4; CWC: 8-5; SC: 7-5; WC: 1-6
Total: 36-28 (.563%)

Liverpool: 18 domestic titles
CL: 5-2; UC: 3-0; CWC: 1-0; SC: 3-2; WC: 0-3
Total: 12-7 (.632%)

Manchester United: 16
CL: 2-0; CWC: 1-0; SC: 1-1; WC: 1-1
Total: 5-2 (.714%)

There's a bunch of honourable mentions from England. I suppose one can settle on Arsenal because after the two aforementioned, they have won the most domestic Premiership titles. However, despite their overall 2-5 record, they have never won Champions League . Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa have each won CL titles but have known little success since their triumphs. Overall, solid winning percentages for English clubs.

Which leads me to my next comment. There is no league in the world that is more storied than England's. No less than thirteen clubs have won trophies for the Premiership. Compare this with Germany's and Italy's 9 and Spain's 5 and an argument can be made of the depth of the English league. Indeed, their 58 league final appearances could have been higher had it not been for the ban on English clubs in the 90s. Looking at their numbers, a couple of things stand out: Their fantastic CL's record and atrocious WC record.

Other Leagues:

At this point, I will go ahead and mention the Scottish and French leagues. Scotland has an overall record of 4-7. It is clear that Scotland is dominated by two fierce arch-rivals Celtic (38) and Rangers (50) who have won 88 league titles between them. For a tiny league with a limited talent pool it is nonetheless impressive to have won a CL's. Celtic, in fact, have reached the finals on two occasions for a 1-1 record. They are 1-3 overall. Rangers for their part are also 1-3 in tournament play but their successes were in the CWC. Strangely, neither of these clubs have won the most tournaments. Aberdeen, which has won the third most league titles with 4, has won 2 (CWC; SC) to lead all Scottish clubs.

All this adds up, surprisingly enough, to a better record than the French league. France has always been somewhat of enigma and disappointment. While Spain is a perennial under-achiever at the national club level, France has at least smelled success at the World Cup. Not since the days of Stade de Reims, has French soccer at the league level seen such success. With Monaco as a finalist in the CL's in 2004, where they lost to FC Porto, France has seen its clubs compete and threaten alongside the great power leagues. Maybe we will see an improvement on their dismal 2-12 overall record. France is led mainly by Marseille and Paris St-Germain. Lyons and Monaco are making a pitch and may further deepen the resurgence in the upcoming years.

German clubs overall:
CL: 6-7; UC: 6-7; CWC; 4-4; SC 0-7; WC; 3-2
Total: 19-27 (.413%)

Bayern Munich: 18 domestic league titles
CL: 4-3; UC: 1-0; CWC: 1-0; SC: 0-3; WC: 2-0
Total: 8-6 (.571%)

Hamburg: 6
CL: 1-1; UC: 0-1: CWC; 1-1: SC: 0-2; WC: 0-1
Total: 2-6 (.250%)

Borussia Dortmund: 6
CL: 1-0; UC: 0-2; CWC: 1-0; SC: 0-1; WC: 1-0
Total: 3-3 (.500%)

The Bundesliga's overall record is not one we would normally associate with Germany's reputation for success on the national level. Indeed, Germany's record among European national sides is unmatched. Though the Azzurri and their fans can argue they have known some successes themselves and in particular against German sides. In any event, one can't blame Bayern Munich, one of the world's great soccer clubs, for Bundesliga's lukerwarm record. Recently, Borussia Dortmund have risen to challenge. Germany's performance at the Super Cup hasn't been strong. Still, 46 appearances in finals is a number worthy of praise.

Dutch clubs overall:
CL: 6-2; UC: 4-2; CWC: 1-1; SC: 3-3; WC: 3-1
Total: 17-9 (.654%)

Ajax: 29 domestic league titles
CL: 4-2; UC: 1-0; CWC: 1-1; SC: 3-1; WC: 2-0
Total 11-4 (.733%)

Feyenoord: 14
CL: 1-0; UC: 2-0; SC: 0-1; WC: 1-0
Total: 4-1 (.800%)

PSV Eindhoven: 17
CL: 1-0; UC: 1-0; SC: 0-1; WC 0-1
Total: 2-2 (.500%)

So much for the reputation the Dutch have for being careful. The masters and inventors of 'total' football, which is anything but careful, have also been extremely efficient and opportunistic with their chances. The Dutch league is essentially led by three squads in tournaments and all three have won the CL's. Holland's winning percentage in finals is outstanding. Ajax is the clear leader. PSV still deals with financial weakness and this makes them the perennial number 3 squad.

Forgotten in all this is Belgium. While their clubs have never won a CL's, it can be argued they have known more tournament success than French clubs. Belgium's record is 7-8 overall and the bulk of this comes from one club: Anderlecht which has 27 domestic league titles to its name only Brugge rivals them with 12: UC 1-1; CWC: 2-2; SC: 2-0 for an overall 5-3 (.625%) record. With one CL Anderlecht is one step removed from joining the ranks of the great clubs. Right now, Anderlecht is close.

Portuguese clubs overall:
CL: 4-5; UC: 1-2; CWC: 1-1; SC: 1-2; WC: 2-2.
Total: 9-12 (.429%)

Porto: 19 domestic lead titles
CL: 2-2; UC: 1-0; CWC 0-1; SC: 1-2; WC: 2-0
Total: 6-3 (.667%)

Benfica: 27
CL: 2-5; UC: 0-1; WC: 0-2
Total: 2-8 (.200%) (3-9 when Latin Cup added).

Portugal is literally ruled by three clubs. The two previously mentioned and Sporting Lisbon (Benfica's bitter rival) who have won 18 domestic titles. That is, until recently, when Boavista won a title in 2001. Like all countries who suffered the displeasure of having a dictatorship, sports programs are sometimes cut back. For a small country like Portugal this can prove overwhelming. Portugal has always produced great player's and stars, yet they have qualified precious few times for the World Cup. All this is changed now. Expect to see Portuguese clubs perform well on a regular basis.

I'd like to add a last honourable mention: An interesting league and country to watch in the upcoming months or years is Greece. Was the Euro a harbinger of things to come? Their clubs, led Panathinaikos and Olimpiakos, have never won a major title but have performed well over the years. Time will tell.

One parting shot: some clubs perform better at the domestic level and others in club tournaments. For example, in Italy, while Juve dominates the Scudetto, AC Milan have had the edge in tournaments. Same picture with Porto and Benfica.

As for other clubs not mentioned: Steaua Bucuresti, Crvena Zvezda, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Dynamo Kiev, Moscow Dynamo, Red Star Belgrade, FK Austria, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Zaragoza, Aberdeen, Mechelen, Lazio, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Torino, Leeds United, Borussia Monchengladbach, Goteburg and Galatasaray have all tasted success on some level.

With the information above one can discern quite confidently who are Europe's great clubs and leagues irrespective of 'style' and other subjective notions. From this point forward we can even rank them if we so choose. Maybe I'll try this next time.

Note: Tournaments last updated Oct. 2007. Domestic titles not updated.