The Champions League anthem has existed since the competition was rebranded from the European Cup in 1992.
An English composer was hired to modify a piece of classical music which was first written for the coronation of King George II in the 18th century.
The iconic tune is accompanied by lyrics in three different languages; French, German and English.
Red Bull Salzburg’s captain Andreas Ulmer was strolling through the city centre with his newborn baby one day in 2019 when a car pulled up at the traffic lights with the windows rolled down and music blasting. Rocking along to the iconic orchestral tones of the official Champions League anthem was his teammate Erling Haaland. A few days later, the future Manchester City superstar marked his debut in the competition with a hat-trick.
Haaland continues to use the signature score as his ringtone. There is a long queue of legendary footballers who have gushed about a 40-second burst of music which sweeps around the grounds of Europe’s best teams before each game in the most prestigious club competition on the planet.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have all shown their appreciation for the Champions League anthem. The inspiring melody is world-famous, but the origins behind a song crafted by a Crystal Palace fan are not so familiar.
Some of the greatest players in football history have played in the Champions League. Here are the highest scorers the competition has ever seen.
Champions League Anthem Lyrics (Plus Translation)
Three languages, but not quite as dramatic as the musical accompaniment
Real Madrid players with the Champions League trophy
UEFA didn’t know the lyrics they wanted for their new anthem but had decided what languages they wanted it to be in – which was a start. The competition’s signature piece of music would have to incorporate French, German and English – UEFA’s three official languages.
The anthem’s English composer, Tony Britten, “came up with a set of superlatives”, to use his own words. Settling upon ‘the greatest’, ‘the best’, ‘the masters’, ‘the main event’ and ‘the champions’, these painfully vague terms would be translated into the set dialects and blasted out alongside the accompanying hymn.
Ce sont les meilleures equipes
Es sind die allerbesten Mannschaften
Eine grosse sportliche Veranstaltung
The lyrics are lost in the royal swells of the overpowering composition, leaving little more than the words ‘the champions’ audible for most fans and players. The translated version doesn’t offer much more nuance, creating a series of repetitive verses which relentlessly underscore the lofty status of the competition. Ironically, the Champions League rebrand in 1992 coincided with an opening up of the tournament. While only domestic league title winners qualified for the European Cup, a wider pool of non-champions were treated to the new Champions League anthem.
Origin of the Champions League Anthem
Created in 1992 when the tournament was rebranded
Sporting themes and anthems had rarely strayed into the rich realm of classical music before the 1990s. Variations of pop and the chirpy Match of the Day tune were widespread until the BBC made the transformative decision to plump for Luciano Pavarotti’s rendition of ‘Nessun Dorma’ as the accompaniment to the opening credits of the 1990 World Cup, which was held in Italy.
Inspired by this universally acclaimed choice, UEFA wanted their own classical hit for the rebranding of their landmark competition in 1992. “The old European Cup had become a very tired competition,” the anthem’s composer, Tony Britten, told the BBC, “and to UEFA’s credit they wanted to elevate the sport around the time when there was of a lot of hooliganism right across Europe. UEFA wanted this competition to be about the best of football rather than the worst and said they must have an anthem.”
The new tournament ditched the European Cup tag which had existed since the 1950s in place of the Champions League branding. The executives at European football’s governing body had been sent a series of tapes for inspiration by Britten and requested something similar to Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’ – which was originally used for the coronation of Great Britain’s King George II in 1727.
I never pretend that it’s great art, but it’s good craft – it did exactly what the client wanted.
Britten is a Crystal Palace fan born and raised in south London who described himself as “a hired hand, a composer for rent”. The task of conjuring a unique spin on a piece of music from the 18th century had to be juggled alongside his work on Amstrad computer adverts and TV dramas. Britten found enough time to gather the choir of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at a studio in north London for a historic – and lucrative – recording session.
“The PRS [royalties] from that help me to fund all the other things!” Britten told M Magazine in 2011, allowing him to embark upon a career creating his own films and musical scores. The gig has also afforded the Norfolk-based composer numerous trips to some of the greatest Champions League finals ever contested. Such a lofty legacy was not what Britten was expecting when he reluctantly shelved his commercial work back in 1992. “If everyone is totally honest,” Britten later reflected, “at the time we made this we had no idea it was going to become as big as it has.”
From Carlo Ancelotti to Pep Guardiola, European football’s biggest competition has seen some managerial heavyweights take charge.
Changes to the Champions League Anthem
There was some refinement in 2024/25
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin looks on
Many composers would be wary of tampering with their masterpiece but not Britten. As the English artist once admitted, he doesn’t even consider it to be his greatest contribution to the arts. “Of course, I’m proud of its popularity,” he shrugged, “but I don’t think it’s necessarily the best thing I’ve ever written.” While Britten regards the 2016 film ‘ChickLit’ which he wrote and directed as his magnus opus – The Guardian review derided it as a “groanworthy bonkbuster” – he had no hesitation in tweaking the Champions League anthem.
We have tried messing around with it a bit. We did a funk version and a beats version, and it worked really well. We sent it to the broadcasters, and they all said it was great, but they would stick to the original.
It wasn’t until the 2024/25 campaign, that a new version of the anthem was belatedly released. In the same season that a dramatic format change was unveiled, the musical alterations were relatively minor. There are no synthesizers or dubstep beats and neither the lyrics nor vocals have been touched. The instrumental section of the original anthem is slightly richer than the new, accentuated version, but the powerful impact of an iconic hymn is still in full effect.
How it compares to Handel’s Zadok the Priest
Each deals with coronation
As noted, Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’ served as the sonic underpinning for Britten’s Champions League Anthem and, though one can certainly hear the foundational inspiration, they remain very different songs. For one, Handel’s anthem runs to over six minutes long, as opposed to the 40-second burst of Britten’s effort.
Nevertheless, they both deal with coronations – Zadok with the anointing of King George II and the Champions League Anthem with the crowning of the European champions.
If you are a fan of Britten’s Champions League Anthem, it is very much worth taking the time to familiarise oneself with the song that served as its artistic bedrock.
Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal to sign Bournemouth star Marcos Senesi, with a contract to be signed soon, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.
The Lilywhites avoided disaster on the final day of the Premier League season by claiming all three points against Everton, keeping them in the division and maintaining their status as an ever-present club in the top-flight since it’s inception in 1992.
Now manager Roberto De Zerbi is keen to make big additions to his squad in the upcoming summer transfer window to improve the team, and ensure that is a scenario they are never in again.
Tottenham Agree Deal for Senesi
Senesi, who has been described as ‘outstanding’, is set to become a free agent at the end of June when his Bournemouth contract expires, and he is understood to be a target for a number of top clubs.
But after months of talks with the north London club, Spurs have now won the race for his signature, with the Argentina international making a final decision over his future.
Senesi has now agreed all terms over his contract and is expected to formally put pen to paper on his deal in the coming days, with Galetti describing the deal as ‘done’.
The 29-year-old is expected to be named in Argentina’s World Cup squad for the tournament this summer, where he will be alongside Cristian Romero, who is expected to depart Tottenham this summer after months of speculation.
Senesi will join the club alongside Andy Robertson, who is expected to sign after leaving Liverpool when his contract expires this summer, after a deal that was initially agreed in January collapsed.
Manchester United have submitted a bid to sign Botafogo midfielder Danilo as their summer plans to strengthen their central midfield continue.
Man United clearly have big plans to significantly improve their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.
Red Devils chiefs are ready to back Michael Carrick in the transfer market following his appointment as permanent United manager, as he secured a third-place finish in the Premier League having beaten all of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa during his caretaker spell in charge.
While United could look at bolstering their attack, in the full-back areas and in goal if players depart Old Trafford during the close season, the undoubted priority is in central midfield.
Just months after he asked to leave on loan, they have been boosted by the form of a rejuvenated Kobbie Mainoo in the centre, but now they need to find players to complement him ahead of the new season.
Casemiro’s exit is already confirmed on the expiry of his contract next month, while Manuel Ugarte is expected to follow him out of the club after a disappointing two-season spell at Old Trafford.
Should the Uruguayan leave, United could add up to three new midfielders to Carrick’s squad.
Botafogo ‘Receive Offer’ From Man United for Danilo
Nottingham Forest’s Danilo
Manchester United are already ‘very close’ to an agreement to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, according to Fabrizio Romano, but he might not be the only Brazilian midfielder arriving at Old Trafford in the coming months should a move get the green light.
According to UOL Esporte, United are one of four European clubs to submit an offer to Botafogo to sign 25-year-old midfielder Danilo this summer.
Serie A duo AC Milan and Atalanta have also made offers for the Brazilian ‘phenomenon’, as well as Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg.
After Danilo received a call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup, Botafogo believe that he could be worth more after the tournament has concluded.
Despite interest from fellow Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Palmeiras, the former Nottingham Forest star is more inclined to seal a return to European football this summer.
Man United ‘Close to Agreement’ to Sign Sandro Tonali
While United are being linked with the likes of West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes and Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, it’s starting to appear as though Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali might become a key target with hopes of a deal for number one target Elliot Anderson fading.
The Nottingham Forest midfielder is the Red Devils’ top midfield target, but he is currently more likely to join Manchester City instead.
Reports in Italy over the last few days have suggested that Carrick has told United chiefs that he wants Tonali at Old Trafford after he established himself as one of the best in his position in the Premier League.
A separate report believes that the Red Devils are actually closing in on an agreement to sign the Italy international from the Magpies, who are said to have placed a €100m (£86m) price tag upon his head.
United aren’t messing around in their bid to strengthen their midfield, but now they must decide which deals they are going to give the green light to, with a clear intention to wrap up at least some of their business before the World Cup kicks off on June 11.
Beyond most notably Arsenal’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the domestic season is now over for Real Madrid and most other major European teams. As such, the transfer rumour mill has already started to pick up.
The Scottish star could be back in England this summer.
Mbappe Tipped for England Move Amid Issues at Madrid
Kylian Mbappe
In May, it was reported that Mbappe is becoming ‘increasingly isolated’ at Real Madrid and many of his teammates are ‘frustrated’ with his behaviour. The Frenchman is said to have shown an extremely ‘self-centred’ attitude both on and off the pitch, allegedly disrespected a member of staff during training and once arrived 40 minutes late for a team lunch.
He wasn’t punished for the incidents, which may explain why he reportedly has lost support within the dressing room. It’s claimed he is now only close with Real Madrid’s French players: Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.
Speaking on TalkSport, he said: “I think Real Madrid was always the dream and he’s got long-term contract. He’s 27 going on 28. He will be 28 in December. I think I can see him staying there for a long time but then I don’t think it’s impossible to see him [leave] at some point.
“We know that Liverpool is the club that his mum loves. They were the team and the club that they watched the most and they were really loving.
“It’s funny because all those of English teams tried to sign him when he was 12, 14, 15, 17. Some went all the way to Nice and parked the private jet at the airport just waiting in case he was not staying in Monaco and decided to leave.
“They were all there ready to make him an offer. So, maybe one day, I think he would be great in the Premier League. “I think he’s got the game for it and he watches it all.”
Mbappe Has Admitted His Mum ‘Loves’ Liverpool
That the player has actually already been linked with a move to Anfield this summer will only add fuel to the speculation. What’s more, Mbappe has previously gone on the record about how his mother, who also works as his agent, is such a big fan of the Premier League giants. Explaining how he considered a move to Liverpool in 2017, he recalled:
“We talked a little bit, but not too much. We talked a little bit.
“I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum. My mum loves Liverpool. I don’t know why, you will have to ask her! It’s a good club and we met them five years ago. When I was in Monaco I met them. It’s a big club.”
It remains to be seen if any move is a realistic option to even consider this summer for Mbappe, Madrid and Liverpool. However, the Reds will likely look to the transfer market to help deal with the high-profile exit of Mohamed Salah.
