Kings of Europe. Which teams have reached the Champions League semi-finals the most often?

Next week we have the opening Champions League quarter-final clash. It is a great achievement to reach the final fights in the most prestigious club competition. Which team has done it the most times in history?

The Champions League’s predecessor was the Champions of Europe Cup (PMEZ). The first edition was played in the 1955/56 season. The competition was reorganised into its current form in the 1992/93 season.

Let’s focus on the separate Champions League. If we take it through the optics of the players, Cristiano Ronaldo has been among the top four the most times, making the semi-finals on 21 occasions. Behind him are Xabi Alonso (17), Sergio Ramos (16) and Xavi Hernández (16).

Of course, the Portuguese phenom also has the most goals in the semi-finals. Ronaldo netted 13 goals before the gates of the final. Second Robert Lewandowski scored 7 goals in the semi-final, third Lionel Messi 6.

And what about the clubs? None other than the most successful team in the entire competition, Real Madrid, can have the most appearances in the semi-finals.

Most appearances in the Champions League semi-finals:

15 – Real Madrid
12 – Barcelona
12 – Bayern Munich
8 – Chelsea
7 – Manchester United
7 – Juventus

The standings get a bit mixed up when you take into account the entire Champions League since its inception, including the PMEZ.

Most appearances in the semi-finals of the European Cup (Champions League, PMEZ)

31 – Real Madrid
20 – Bayern Munich
16 – Barcelona
12 – AC Milan
12 – Juventus
12 – Liverpool
12 – Manchester United

In the individual statistics, however, Ronaldo remains in first place. Real Madrid’s Paco Gento scored two fewer semi-final appearances (19), Real Madrid’s Alfredo di Stéfano scored two fewer goals (11).

Real Madrid also has the most consecutive semi-final appearances. It was among the top four in eight consecutive seasons from 2010/11 to 2017/18.

Real Madrid or Chelsea, Bayern Munich or Manchester City, Benfica or Inter and Napoli or AC Milan can increase their collection of semi-final appearances.

Source: UEFA