{"match":{"id":768983,"date":"2025-09-16T19:00:00.000Z","status":"fixture","winner":null,"score_a":0,"score_b":0,"venue_type":"home_away","final_period":"soc_p2s","createdAt":"2025-08-30T15:07:47.520Z","updatedAt":"2025-09-15T19:00:24.667Z","gameweek":1,"attendance":0,"display_name":"2025-09-16 19:00:00 Real Madrid CF vs Olympique de Marseille","locale":"en","stb_id":"2025-09-16-19-00-00-real-madrid-cf-vs-olympique-de-marseille","overview":null,"leg":"1/1","result_info":null,"interesting_facts_team_a":null,"interesting_facts_team_b":null,"match_summary":null,"key_quotes":null,"match_statistics":null,"match_timeline":null,"league_standings":null,"head_to_head_analysis":null,"link_buy_ticket":null,"position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0198fb85-29c5-7af5-97e1-73e4cd21071d","overrides":null,"broadcast_link":null,"after_broadcast_link":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"has_odds":null,"has_h2h":true,"has_overview":null,"has_statistics":false,"has_lineups":false,"has_predictions":true,"interesting_facts_team_a_html":null,"interesting_facts_team_b_html":null,"match_summary_html":null,"key_quotes_html":null,"match_statistics_html":null,"match_timeline_html":null,"league_standings_html":null,"head_to_head_analysis_html":null,"team_a":{"id":49874,"name":"Real Madrid CF","short_name":"Real Madrid","tla_name":"RMA","type":"club","gender":"male","status":"active","official_name":"Real Madrid Club de Fútbol","founded":1902,"colors":"White,Purple","nicknames":"Los Merengues,Los Blancos","createdAt":"2024-11-05T09:28:38.949Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-13T04:34:16.807Z","website":"http://www.realmadrid.com","address":"Avenida Concha Espina, 1","address_city":"Madrid","address_zip":"28036","locale":"en","stb_id":"real-madrid-cf","tier":2,"description":null,"top_position":null,"history_and_foundation":"## Real Madrid: FC review\n\n**\"Real Madrid\"** is a professional football club from the **capital of Spain**, founded in **1902**. It is one of **the most titled and most influential clubs in the world**. The team plays at the **Santiago Bernabeu** and is a symbol of **elite football**, great history and **unwavering ambition**.\n\nThis club is **not just a trophy collector**. It is the **personification of the victorious spirit**, where defeats are perceived as **temporary obstacles** rather than defeats. **\"Real\"** is a **brand** that is known and respected in **every corner of the planet**.\n\n> \"Real Madrid is not just a club, it is synonymous with excellence and an insatiable desire to win.\"\n","sporting_achievements":"## History of \"Real Madrid\"\n\nThe history of **\"Real\"** begins at the beginning of the **XX century**. In **1920** the club received the **honorary title of \"real\" (royal)** from the Spanish monarch. From that moment, the **era of ambition** began, which gradually turned the club into a **real giant**.\n\n**The real breakthrough** happened in the **1950s**, when **\"Real\"** under the leadership of **Santiago Bernabeu** assembled the **first super team** — with **Di Stefano, Puskas and Gento**. It was this team that won the **first five European Champions Cups in a row**.\n\n> \"Everyone knew: if there is a peak, Real Madrid will climb it.\"\n\n**In the 80s**, the club shot up with **\"Kinita Buitre\"**, and in the **2000s** launched the **\"Galacticos\"** era, gathering **stars from all over the world** — **Zidane, Beckham, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos**. And then — even louder: **four victories in the Champions League** in **five years (2014–2018)** under the leadership of **Zidane**.","club_identity":"## Real Madrid Stadium\n\n**\"Santiago Bernabeu\"** is a **legendary arena** in the center of Madrid, which is one of the **most famous stadiums in the world**. Opened in **1947**, it has undergone **numerous renovations** and today is a **modern football fortress**.\n\n**After the last reconstruction** (**2023**) **\"Bernabeu\"** became even grander: **closed retractable roof**, mobile field, **latest technologies**, pre-match shows - all at the level of **top arenas in the world**. Holds more than **81 thousand fans**.\n\n> \"Historical matches took place here, legends were born here. When Real Madrid plays at home, it's not just a game, it's a world-class event.\"\n\n## Achievements of \"Real Madrid\"\n\n**No other club in the world** has so many **major trophies**. The main achievements **speak for themselves**:\n\n* **Champions League (15 times)** — **absolute record** in world football.\n* **Champion of Spain (35 times)** — **the most titled club** of the country.\n* **Copa del Rey (20 times)** — including **last triumph in 2023**.\n* **Club World Cup (5 times)** — when **Real Madrid** became **the best on the planet**.\n* **UEFA Super Cup (5 times)** — proof of **dominance in Europe**.","current_status_and_future":"## Famous Real Madrid players\n\nThe list of **Real Madrid** legends is actually **the list of the greatest players of all time**:\n\n1. **Alfredo Di Stefano** — **the architect of the glory of the 50s**, a symbol of the **first great era**.\n\n2. **Raul** is a captain who **personified the style and character** of the club in the **90s**.\n\n3. **Zinedine Zidane** — first as a player, later as a coach — **both roles performed at the highest level**.\n\n4. **Cristiano Ronaldo** — **the best scorer in the history of the club**, **five times won the Champions League**.\n\n5. **Iker Casillas** is a goalkeeper who **defended the goal of \"Real\"** for more than **a decade**.\n\n6. **Luka Modric and Toni Kroos** are midfielders who made **the game in the center of the field a standard**.\n\n## Real Madrid interesting facts\n\n1. In **2000** **FIFA** recognized **\"Real\"** as **the best club of the 20th century** — and this is **official**.\n\n2. **The only club** to **win the Champions League three times in a row** in the current format (**2016–2018**).\n\n3. **Does not sell the rights** to the uniform to sponsors of banks or political projects — **preserves the image**.\n\n4. **Florentino Perez** and the **\"Galacticos\"** project is a transfer model that **overturned the football market**.\n\n5. **The cult of white** — the uniform of **Real Madrid** has become one of the **most recognizable images in sports**.\n\n> \"Real Madrid is not just a football club, it is an institution that defines the standards of excellence in world sports.\"\n\n**It is worth noting** that **Real Madrid** continues to be the **standard of success** in world football, constantly **setting new standards** both on and off the field. Can the club **maintain its dominance** in the new era? One thing is certain - the **spirit of the Santiago Bernabeu** and **the traditions of the Royal Club** make **Real Madrid** a special place where **history is written every day** and **legends are born** with each new generation of players. This is a club that **proves** that true greatness is measured not only by the **number of trophies**, but also by the **ability to inspire millions** around the world.","stb_internal_id":"0192fba7-99a9-744d-8e4e-33d8665918c8","overrides":{"name":"Real Madrid CF"},"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":false,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"

Real Madrid: FC review

\"Real Madrid\" is a professional football club from the capital of Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the most titled and most influential clubs in the world. The team plays at the Santiago Bernabeu and is a symbol of elite football, great history and unwavering ambition.

This club is not just a trophy collector. It is the personification of the victorious spirit, where defeats are perceived as temporary obstacles rather than defeats. \"Real\" is a brand that is known and respected in every corner of the planet.

\n
\"Real Madrid is not just a club, it is synonymous with excellence and an insatiable desire to win.\"
\n

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

History of \"Real Madrid\"

The history of \"Real\" begins at the beginning of the XX century. In 1920 the club received the honorary title of \"real\" (royal) from the Spanish monarch. From that moment, the era of ambition began, which gradually turned the club into a real giant.

The real breakthrough happened in the 1950s, when \"Real\" under the leadership of Santiago Bernabeu assembled the first super team — with Di Stefano, Puskas and Gento. It was this team that won the first five European Champions Cups in a row.

\n
\"Everyone knew: if there is a peak, Real Madrid will climb it.\"
\n

In the 80s, the club shot up with \"Kinita Buitre\", and in the 2000s launched the \"Galacticos\" era, gathering stars from all over the world — Zidane, Beckham, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos. And then — even louder: four victories in the Champions League in five years (2014–2018) under the leadership of Zidane.

\n","club_identity_html":"

Real Madrid Stadium

\"Santiago Bernabeu\" is a legendary arena in the center of Madrid, which is one of the most famous stadiums in the world. Opened in 1947, it has undergone numerous renovations and today is a modern football fortress.

After the last reconstruction (2023) \"Bernabeu\" became even grander: closed retractable roof, mobile field, latest technologies, pre-match shows - all at the level of top arenas in the world. Holds more than 81 thousand fans.

\n
\"Historical matches took place here, legends were born here. When Real Madrid plays at home, it's not just a game, it's a world-class event.\"
\n

Achievements of \"Real Madrid\"

No other club in the world has so many major trophies. The main achievements speak for themselves:

Champions League (15 times) — absolute record in world football.
Champion of Spain (35 times) — the most titled club of the country.
Copa del Rey (20 times) — including last triumph in 2023.
Club World Cup (5 times) — when Real Madrid became the best on the planet.
UEFA Super Cup (5 times) — proof of dominance in Europe.

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Famous Real Madrid players

The list of Real Madrid legends is actually the list of the greatest players of all time:

Alfredo Di Stefano — the architect of the glory of the 50s, a symbol of the first great era.
\n
Raul is a captain who personified the style and character of the club in the 90s.
\n
Zinedine Zidane — first as a player, later as a coach — both roles performed at the highest level.
\n
Cristiano Ronaldo — the best scorer in the history of the club, five times won the Champions League.
\n
Iker Casillas is a goalkeeper who defended the goal of \"Real\" for more than a decade.
\n
Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are midfielders who made the game in the center of the field a standard.
\n

Real Madrid interesting facts

In 2000 FIFA recognized \"Real\" as the best club of the 20th century — and this is official.
\n
The only club to win the Champions League three times in a row in the current format (2016–2018).
\n
Does not sell the rights to the uniform to sponsors of banks or political projects — preserves the image.
\n
Florentino Perez and the \"Galacticos\" project is a transfer model that overturned the football market.
\n
The cult of white — the uniform of Real Madrid has become one of the most recognizable images in sports.
\n

\n
\"Real Madrid is not just a football club, it is an institution that defines the standards of excellence in world sports.\"
\n

It is worth noting that Real Madrid continues to be the standard of success in world football, constantly setting new standards both on and off the field. Can the club maintain its dominance in the new era? One thing is certain - the spirit of the Santiago Bernabeu and the traditions of the Royal Club make Real Madrid a special place where history is written every day and legends are born with each new generation of players. This is a club that proves that true greatness is measured not only by the number of trophies, but also by the ability to inspire millions around the world.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/720_78e2557d14.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_720_78e2557d14.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_720_78e2557d14.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_720_78e2557d14.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_720_78e2557d14.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_720_78e2557d14.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_720_78e2557d14.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}}},"team_b":{"id":69144,"name":"Olympique de Marseille","short_name":"Marseille","tla_name":"OM","type":"club","gender":"male","status":"active","official_name":"Olympique de Marseille","founded":1898,"colors":"White,Blue","nicknames":"Les Marseillais,OM","createdAt":"2024-11-22T09:44:57.671Z","updatedAt":"2025-07-31T13:35:41.699Z","website":"http://www.om.net","address":"La Commanderie, 33, traverse de La Martine","address_city":"Marseille","address_zip":"13012","locale":"en","stb_id":"olympique-de-marseille","tier":null,"description":null,"top_position":null,"history_and_foundation":null,"sporting_achievements":null,"club_identity":null,"current_status_and_future":null,"stb_internal_id":"01935342-a4a7-7e3d-ad05-f718f11c0096","overrides":{"name":"Olympique de Marseille"},"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"","sporting_achievements_html":"","club_identity_html":"","current_status_and_future_html":"","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/582_036e52d709.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_582_036e52d709.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_582_036e52d709.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_582_036e52d709.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_582_036e52d709.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_582_036e52d709.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_582_036e52d709.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}}}},"league":{"id":580,"name":"UEFA Champions League","gender":"male","type":"club","format":"international_cup","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:42:08.837Z","updatedAt":"2025-07-18T01:08:59.658Z","stb_id":"uefa-champions-league","position":null,"locale":"en","description":"# UEFA Champions League\n\n## Introduction\n\nThe **UEFA Champions League** stands as the premier club football competition across Europe, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). This prestigious tournament represents the highest level of continental club football, bringing together the most successful teams from various European domestic leagues. The UEFA Champions League football competition has established itself as the ultimate prize for European clubs, with matches regularly attracting hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. UEFA Champions League statistics demonstrate its unparalleled popularity, with the competition being broadcast in over 200 countries, making it a truly global sporting phenomenon.\n\n## History\n\nThe UEFA Champions League history dates back to 1955 when it was initially established as the European Cup. The UEFA Champions League creation was inspired by the South American Championship of Champions and was proposed by French sports journalist Gabriel Hanot. The inaugural tournament took place during the 1955-56 season, with \"Real Madrid\" claiming the first title, beginning their remarkable dynasty in the competition.\n\nThe UEFA Champions League development has seen several significant transformations over the decades. Between 1955 and 1992, the tournament operated as a straightforward knockout competition exclusively featuring domestic league champions. A landmark moment came in 1992 when the tournament was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League, introducing the group stage format that became its hallmark. Further expansions occurred between 1997 and 1999, allowing runners-up from stronger leagues to participate, followed by additional changes permitting third and fourth-placed teams from top leagues to enter the competition.\n\n## Competition Format\n\nThe UEFA Champions League format has continuously evolved to enhance competitiveness and spectator appeal. Until recently, the tournament featured qualifying rounds leading to a 32-team group stage, where participants were divided into eight groups of four teams each. The UEFA Champions League rules dictated that teams play home and away matches against each group opponent, with the top two finishers advancing to the knockout phase.\n\nThe UEFA Champions League tournament then proceeded through the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, all contested over two-legged ties, before culminating in a single-match final at a pre-selected neutral venue. Points were awarded on the traditional system: three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss.\n\nA significant transformation is set for the 2024-25 season, with UEFA introducing a 36-team \"Swiss model\" league phase to replace the traditional group stage. Under this new system, each team will play eight matches against different opponents, adding greater variety to the competition's early stages.\n\n## Famous Teams\n\nThe UEFA Champions League teams feature the continent's most prestigious football clubs, with several establishing remarkable legacies in the competition. \"Real Madrid\" stands as the undisputed king of European football, having secured an unprecedented 14 UEFA Champions League titles. Their dominance spans both the competition's early years—winning the first five tournaments from 1956 to 1960—and recent history, with four triumphs between 2014 and 2018.\n\nOther UEFA Champions League clubs with illustrious histories include \"AC Milan\" with seven titles, while both \"Liverpool\" and \"Bayern Munich\" have claimed six championships each. \"Barcelona\" follows closely with five titles to their name. The competition has fostered iconic rivalries, such as the \"El Clásico\" battles between \"Real Madrid\" and \"Barcelona\" on the European stage, and the intense encounters between English giants \"Liverpool\" and \"Chelsea\".\n\nIn terms of national supremacy, Spanish UEFA Champions League winners have been the most successful, followed by clubs from England, Italy, and Germany, underlining the strength of these countries' domestic leagues.\n\n## Statistics and Records\n\nUEFA Champions League records showcase extraordinary achievements throughout the competition's history. \"Real Madrid\" holds the record for most titles (14) and final appearances (17). The Spanish giants also achieved the remarkable feat of winning five consecutive tournaments between 1956 and 1960, a record unlikely to be broken.\n\nAmong individual UEFA Champions League statistics, Cristiano Ronaldo leads as the all-time top scorer with 140 goals, followed by Lionel Messi with 129. Ronaldo also holds the record for most goals in a single season, netting 17 during the 2013-14 campaign with \"Real Madrid\".\n\nUEFA Champions League players have set numerous impressive benchmarks. Francisco Gento of \"Real Madrid\" holds the record for most winners' medals by an individual player with six. Meanwhile, Iker Casillas has made the most appearances in the competition with 177 matches.\n\nThe highest-scoring final occurred in 1960 when \"Real Madrid\" defeated \"Eintracht Frankfurt\" 7-3, while the largest margin of victory in a knockout match was achieved by \"Liverpool\" in 2007, defeating \"Besiktas\" 8-0.\n\n## Current State\n\nThe UEFA Champions League season continues to evolve, with the competition maintaining its status as the pinnacle of club football. The current format features 32 teams, though this will expand to 36 for the 2024-25 season under the new \"Swiss model\" league phase. The UEFA Champions League today reflects increasing dominance by clubs from the wealthiest leagues, particularly those from England, Spain, Germany, and Italy.\n\nUEFA Champions League overview in recent years shows growing financial disparities between participating teams, with clubs from the \"Big Five\" leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France) generally outperforming teams from smaller football nations. The competition provides substantial financial benefits to participating clubs, with prize money, broadcasting revenues, and commercial opportunities creating a powerful economic incentive.\n\nThe UEFA has implemented several recent changes, including the abolition of the away goals rule in 2021, aiming to maintain competitive balance and spectator interest in the tournament.\n\n## Interesting Facts\n\nUEFA Champions League facts reveal numerous fascinating aspects of this storied competition. The tournament's anthem, composed by Tony Britten in 1992 based on Handel's \"Zadok the Priest,\" has become one of the most recognizable pieces of sports music worldwide.\n\nUEFA Champions League interesting moments include \"Liverpool's\" miraculous comeback in the 2005 final, when they recovered from a 3-0 halftime deficit against \"AC Milan\" to eventually win on penalties in what became known as the \"Miracle of Istanbul.\" Similarly, \"Manchester United's\" last-minute victory against \"Bayern Munich\" in 1999, securing a treble of major trophies, remains one of football's most dramatic finishes.\n\nUEFA Champions League stories feature remarkable achievements like Celtic's 1967 victory with a team composed entirely of players born within 30 miles of Celtic Park, earning them the nickname \"Lisbon Lions.\" The competition has also witnessed underdog triumphs, such as \"Porto's\" unexpected victory under José Mourinho in 2004 and \"Chelsea's\" against-the-odds success in 2012.\n\nThe prestigious \"big ears\" trophy stands 73.5 cm tall, weighs 7.5 kg, and is one of the most coveted prizes in world sport, symbolizing the ultimate achievement in European club football.","active":true,"short_code":"UEFA CL","category":1,"top_position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0192f732-6707-71ba-9776-ac0cd8e4a571","overrides":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"inactive":null,"description_html":"

UEFA Champions League

Introduction

The UEFA Champions League stands as the premier club football competition across Europe, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). This prestigious tournament represents the highest level of continental club football, bringing together the most successful teams from various European domestic leagues. The UEFA Champions League football competition has established itself as the ultimate prize for European clubs, with matches regularly attracting hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. UEFA Champions League statistics demonstrate its unparalleled popularity, with the competition being broadcast in over 200 countries, making it a truly global sporting phenomenon.

History

The UEFA Champions League history dates back to 1955 when it was initially established as the European Cup. The UEFA Champions League creation was inspired by the South American Championship of Champions and was proposed by French sports journalist Gabriel Hanot. The inaugural tournament took place during the 1955-56 season, with \"Real Madrid\" claiming the first title, beginning their remarkable dynasty in the competition.

The UEFA Champions League development has seen several significant transformations over the decades. Between 1955 and 1992, the tournament operated as a straightforward knockout competition exclusively featuring domestic league champions. A landmark moment came in 1992 when the tournament was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League, introducing the group stage format that became its hallmark. Further expansions occurred between 1997 and 1999, allowing runners-up from stronger leagues to participate, followed by additional changes permitting third and fourth-placed teams from top leagues to enter the competition.

Competition Format

The UEFA Champions League format has continuously evolved to enhance competitiveness and spectator appeal. Until recently, the tournament featured qualifying rounds leading to a 32-team group stage, where participants were divided into eight groups of four teams each. The UEFA Champions League rules dictated that teams play home and away matches against each group opponent, with the top two finishers advancing to the knockout phase.

The UEFA Champions League tournament then proceeded through the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, all contested over two-legged ties, before culminating in a single-match final at a pre-selected neutral venue. Points were awarded on the traditional system: three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss.

A significant transformation is set for the 2024-25 season, with UEFA introducing a 36-team \"Swiss model\" league phase to replace the traditional group stage. Under this new system, each team will play eight matches against different opponents, adding greater variety to the competition's early stages.

Famous Teams

The UEFA Champions League teams feature the continent's most prestigious football clubs, with several establishing remarkable legacies in the competition. \"Real Madrid\" stands as the undisputed king of European football, having secured an unprecedented 14 UEFA Champions League titles. Their dominance spans both the competition's early years—winning the first five tournaments from 1956 to 1960—and recent history, with four triumphs between 2014 and 2018.

Other UEFA Champions League clubs with illustrious histories include \"AC Milan\" with seven titles, while both \"Liverpool\" and \"Bayern Munich\" have claimed six championships each. \"Barcelona\" follows closely with five titles to their name. The competition has fostered iconic rivalries, such as the \"El Clásico\" battles between \"Real Madrid\" and \"Barcelona\" on the European stage, and the intense encounters between English giants \"Liverpool\" and \"Chelsea\".

In terms of national supremacy, Spanish UEFA Champions League winners have been the most successful, followed by clubs from England, Italy, and Germany, underlining the strength of these countries' domestic leagues.

Statistics and Records

UEFA Champions League records showcase extraordinary achievements throughout the competition's history. \"Real Madrid\" holds the record for most titles (14) and final appearances (17). The Spanish giants also achieved the remarkable feat of winning five consecutive tournaments between 1956 and 1960, a record unlikely to be broken.

Among individual UEFA Champions League statistics, Cristiano Ronaldo leads as the all-time top scorer with 140 goals, followed by Lionel Messi with 129. Ronaldo also holds the record for most goals in a single season, netting 17 during the 2013-14 campaign with \"Real Madrid\".

UEFA Champions League players have set numerous impressive benchmarks. Francisco Gento of \"Real Madrid\" holds the record for most winners' medals by an individual player with six. Meanwhile, Iker Casillas has made the most appearances in the competition with 177 matches.

The highest-scoring final occurred in 1960 when \"Real Madrid\" defeated \"Eintracht Frankfurt\" 7-3, while the largest margin of victory in a knockout match was achieved by \"Liverpool\" in 2007, defeating \"Besiktas\" 8-0.

Current State

The UEFA Champions League season continues to evolve, with the competition maintaining its status as the pinnacle of club football. The current format features 32 teams, though this will expand to 36 for the 2024-25 season under the new \"Swiss model\" league phase. The UEFA Champions League today reflects increasing dominance by clubs from the wealthiest leagues, particularly those from England, Spain, Germany, and Italy.

UEFA Champions League overview in recent years shows growing financial disparities between participating teams, with clubs from the \"Big Five\" leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France) generally outperforming teams from smaller football nations. The competition provides substantial financial benefits to participating clubs, with prize money, broadcasting revenues, and commercial opportunities creating a powerful economic incentive.

The UEFA has implemented several recent changes, including the abolition of the away goals rule in 2021, aiming to maintain competitive balance and spectator interest in the tournament.

Interesting Facts

UEFA Champions League facts reveal numerous fascinating aspects of this storied competition. The tournament's anthem, composed by Tony Britten in 1992 based on Handel's \"Zadok the Priest,\" has become one of the most recognizable pieces of sports music worldwide.

UEFA Champions League interesting moments include \"Liverpool's\" miraculous comeback in the 2005 final, when they recovered from a 3-0 halftime deficit against \"AC Milan\" to eventually win on penalties in what became known as the \"Miracle of Istanbul.\" Similarly, \"Manchester United's\" last-minute victory against \"Bayern Munich\" in 1999, securing a treble of major trophies, remains one of football's most dramatic finishes.

UEFA Champions League stories feature remarkable achievements like Celtic's 1967 victory with a team composed entirely of players born within 30 miles of Celtic Park, earning them the nickname \"Lisbon Lions.\" The competition has also witnessed underdog triumphs, such as \"Porto's\" unexpected victory under José Mourinho in 2004 and \"Chelsea's\" against-the-odds success in 2012.

The prestigious \"big ears\" trophy stands 73.5 cm tall, weighs 7.5 kg, and is one of the most coveted prizes in world sport, symbolizing the ultimate achievement in European club football.

\n","has_description":true,"area":{"id":10343,"name":"Europe","country_code":"EUR","iso_code":null,"createdAt":"2024-11-04T11:59:12.049Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T06:27:27.477Z","locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0192f70b-1639-7b91-baca-b5f375430636","overrides":null,"icon":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/Europe_EU_f58c38cec9.svg","mime":"image/svg+xml","caption":null}}}}

Samuel Gigot: Profile