Real Madrid on the brink of historic milestone with Atletico Madrid showdown looming | OneFootball

Real Madrid are set to mark a significant milestone in their illustrious history, as they take to the field for their 500th match in the European Cup.

The occasion becomes even more special as it comes against their city rivals, Atletico Madrid. This fixture brings back memories of past encounters, with Atletico proving to be a tough opponent in this competition.

Real Madrid’s journey in the European Cup began almost seven decades ago, in September 1955. Their first-ever match in the competition was played in Switzerland, at the Charmilles stadium, against Servette.

According to AS, the Spanish giants secured a 2-0 victory that day. The match was witnessed by 10,000 spectators, marking the start of what would become one of the most legendary stories in European football.

Making history since

Since that historic day, Real Madrid has played 499 matches in the competition across 55 editions. Their record in this prestigious tournament is truly remarkable.

Out of those games, they have won 301 times, which accounts for over 60% of their total matches.

Real Madrid will play their 500th UCL game. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

They have drawn 85 matches and suffered 113 defeats. In terms of goals, Madrid has scored 1,101, averaging 2.20 per game, while conceding 551.

When compared to their closest competitors, Madrid’s dominance is clear. Bayern Munich rank second in terms of appearances in the competition, having played 404 matches across 34 campaigns. Barcelona follow in third place with 357 matches in 28 campaigns.

Real Madrid’s success in this tournament is unrivalled, as they have appeared in 18 finals, winning 15 of them. Their closest challengers, AC Milan, have managed seven titles, while Bayern Munich and Liverpool have each won six.

Legends of the club

Over the years, several legendary players have played a key role in Madrid’s success in Europe.

Iker Casillas holds the record for most appearances in the competition for the club, featuring in 150 matches. Cristiano Ronaldo, another iconic figure, netted an incredible 105 goals in just 101 matches.

Meanwhile, players such as Gento, Luka Modric, Nacho, and Dani Carvajal have all won six European titles with the club, further cementing Madrid’s legacy as the undisputed kings of the competition.