Created more than half a century ago, the UEFA Super Cup has a rich history. Since its inaugural edition in 1973, it has pitted the winner of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup (later renamed the Champions League in 1992) against the winner of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, which was abolished in 1999 before being merged with the UEFA Cup, now known as the Europa League.

For the first 25 years of its life, the competition was organised during the winter months and played in a two-legged format, allowing both teams to compete in front of their home fans. This format is no longer used, as the two champions face each other in a single match to officially kick off the football season.

Rather than a continental version of the English Community Shield, UEFA’s Super Cup is universally upheld as a significant trophy. Here are the clubs and players that have enjoyed the most success in this prestigious competition.

UEFA Super Cup Winners List

Reuters

Since the UEFA Super Cup was founded in 1972, 25 clubs have lifted the trophy, but none more so than Real Madrid. The most prolific Champions League winners claimed a record-breaking sixth Super Cup with a convincing 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the 49th edition of the competition in August 2024.

The brainchild of Dutch journalist, Anton Witkamp, the first unofficial Super Cup was held in 1972 when European champions Ajax faced off with Scottish giants Rangers, who had won the European Cup Winners’ Cup but were subsequently banned from UEFA competition due to crowd trouble. Ajax defended their European title and so appeared in the inaugural, sanctioned edition of the competition, thrashing AC Milan 7-1 across two legs.

Clubs With Most UEFA Super Cup Trophies

Just behind Real Madrid’s six triumphs, Barcelona and AC Milan can boast five trophies apiece. The Catalan giants didn’t win their first UEFA Super Cup until 1992 after Johan Cruyff had overseen the club’s maiden triumph in the European Cup at Wembley Stadium. Cruyff had been part of the Ajax side which won the first unofficial Super Cup in 1972, scoring in both legs against Rangers.

Barcelona had lost their first three appearances in the competition and have finished as runners-up on four occasions. Only fellow La Liga outfit Sevilla have suffered more Super Cup defeats than Barcelona, losing six of their seven appearances. Incidentally, the Andalusians’ only triumph in the continental showpiece was against Barcelona in 2006.

Clubs With Most UEFA Super Cup Appearances

Barcelona and Real Madrid — the two undisputed giants of Spanish football — share the record for most Super Cup appearances with nine each. Milan have graced this vaunted stage on seven occasions. The Italian behemoths were practically ever-presents in the competition as the 1980s bled into the ’90s, gatecrashing four Super Cups in six years.

Arrigo Sacchi’s revolutionary high-pressing machine backed up consecutive European Cup wins with a pair of Super Cup victories in 1989 and 1990. A young Fabio Capello took over from the former shoe salesman and maintained Milan’s illustrious continental record.

Players With the Most UEFA Super Cups

REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel

Given the club’s modern dominance, and the reluctance of the ownership to break up a winning team, it’s unsurprising that a Real Madrid duo boasts the most UEFA Super Cup triumphs. Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal surpassed Toni Kroos‘s record haul of four victories when defeating Atalanta in 2024.

The brilliant German midfielder, who won his first title with Bayern Munich in 2013 retired after Euro 2024, thereby ceding his joint record – which was shared by the likes of Karim Benzema and Paolo Maldini – to a pair of his former teammates. Kroos could have taken his tally to five wins, but injury forced him to miss out on Madrid’s 2016 triumph against Sevilla.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 12th August 2026.

The European Athletics Championships kicked off this week, and a lot of the attention has been on the ‘disgusting’ food and drink prices for fans attending in person.

Stars like Keely Hodgkinson, Dina Asher-Smith and Katarina Johnson-Thompson are looking to make this Championship a memorable one; the chance to perform on home soil in such an important event certainly won’t be lost on any of the athletes.

However, what should have been a celebration of British competitors on home soil has turned sour thanks to the prices that are being charged in Birmingham.

European Athletics Championship Hit By Pricing Row

REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

It’s not only fans who are being priced out of attending as families and friends of the athletes have not been given complimentary, or even discounted, tickets to watch their loved ones. At most major championships, athletes are given at least one complimentary ticket, and the fact that this has not happened this year has caused some upset.

An anonymous athlete told The Times that ‘it is a little bit of a surprise, a bit of a shame’ and that it would have been ‘good to have more family and friends there’.

With tickets costing as much as £150, it’s no surprise that the city’s Alexander Stadium has featured plenty of empty seats in the early stages of the track and field events. As pricey as tickets are, though, even more backlash has been directed towards the price of food and drink at the event – and with good reason. A photo of the extortionate full menu has now emerged online.

Food and Drink Prices at European Athletics Championships Go Viral

Fans, who have already parted with big money for tickets, are then expected to fork out £18.50 for a BBQ pork roll, £15 for a bratwurst dog and £12 for a portion of loaded fries!

It is not only the food that is extortionate, but even a bottle of water will set you back £3.95 amongst the extreme heat that the country is experiencing currently.

Former England footballer Stan Collymore was active on social media and criticising the pricing: ‘No wonder crowds yesterday were poor. Woeful optics…£18+ for a pork roll, £150 for a Cat A ticket. Could have got a £20 ticket for this morning’s session, but how many can go on a Tuesday in the school holidays?’

Users on social media have not been shy in putting over their frustrations, with one saying: ‘Sorry but this is disgusting and a sure-fire way to turn people off a sport that gets only a couple of opportunities to show itself off each year. European Athletics Championships organisers in Birmingham need to be called out for this price gouging.’

Despite the backlash, organisers have said that: ‘Birmingham 2026 are delighted with ticket sales for the championships, which have far surpassed our targets. Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening sessions are approaching sell-out, with several other sessions close to capacity.’

The European Athletics Championships are currently in full swing, taking place from August 10-16, and Great Britain have put out a field of 96 competitors looking to win big at home.

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a 15-word message to his long-term football rival Lionel Messi following the devastating news that his father, Jorge, passed away last week.

Jorge, 68, was confirmed to have passed away on Saturday following a long illness. Just weeks after his son played in the 2026 World Cup final.

Messi was emotional after scoring in Argentina’s first group game against Algeria, with the Inter Miami star later confirming that he cried due to his father’s health issues.

Lionel Messi Breaks Silence After Jorge’s Passing

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Messi has already been back on the pitch since finishing second at the World Cup, playing for Inter Miami against Columbus and San Luis. It is now uncertain when he’ll return to action for his club after the devastating loss.

The 39-year-old has now paid an emotional tribute to his father, who always followed him throughout his career. He revealed that his dad wasn’t well enough to travel to the World Cup final to see Argentina vs Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Classy Message to Messi

REUTERS/Stringer

Ronaldo, who has competed with Messi throughout his career to be recognised as the best on the pitch, showed the level of respect the two icons have for each other. He responded to Messi’s lengthy tribute on social media, wishing him and his family well in the tough time they are experiencing.

The Portugal international said: “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo. Stay strong.”

Messi’s future in football looks uncertain. At 39 years old, the iconic Argentine is already in the twilight of his career, but his letter included a hint that he may be closer to the end than some thought.

He signed off the emotional statement by simply saying: “I love you, Dad.”