Real Madrid’s five-in-a-row, the European Cup record that still stands | OneFootball

The European Cup, forerunner to the Champions League, immediately anointed the team that would own it most, Real Madrid. Between 1956 and 1960 the Merengues won five in a row, a record that still stands. They now have 15 European crowns, with AC Milan on 8.

According to L'Équipe, Bernabéu, president from 1943 to 1978, modernised Madrid and gave his name to the stadium in 1955. He backed the European Cup first proposed by the paper’s journalists in December 1954, guiding talks at the Hotel Ambassador on 2 and 3 April 1955, after which UEFA took charge and made him vice-president.

Legend has it he even drafted a defeat speech before the 1956 final in Paris against Reims, only for Madrid to win 4-3. Four years later in Glasgow they overwhelmed Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 to clinch a fifth straight crown.

European dominance did not bring domestic hegemony, Madrid won only two Ligas, in 1957 and 1958, and no Spanish Cup in that span. Their road was bumpy at times, edging Partizan in 1956 after a 4-0, 0-3 swing, needing a replay against Rapid Vienna in 1957, and extra time to beat Milan in 1958.

The era was defined by Alfredo Di Stéfano, Héctor Rial, Raymond Kopa and Paco Gento. Bernabéu gambled on Ferenc Puskás in 1958, aged 31 and inactive for two years, and he scored 242 goals. His four in the 1960 final remain the European Cup final record.

Source: L'Équipe