Have Real Madrid ever failed to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds?

Real Madrid are synonymous with the UEFA Champions League. Between the current format and the European Cup, Los Blancos have been crowned European champions 14 times, seven more than AC Milan, who are second on the list. They won the tournament four times in five years from 2014 to 2018 and are already on the verge of progression to the knockout stage this season despite having played only three of their six group Games.

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When did Real Madrid first play in the Champions League?

The European Cup became the Champions League in time for the 1992-93 season, which is when the group stage concept was introduced. As only domestic champions qualified for the first five editions, Madrid’s first appearance didn’t come until 1995-96, when they reached the quarter-finals.

That same season, they finished sixth in LaLiga and missed out on Europe altogether in 1996-97, which would be unthinkable nowadays. But they haven’t once failed to appear in the Champions League since 1997-98, which is when they won the comPetition for the first time under its “new” moniker.

How many times have Los Blancos played in the Champions League?

But not only have they qualified for the Champions League in 26 successive seasons, they have incredibly made it through the group stage in all of them too. When that debut appearance in 1995-96 is factored in, they have progressed to the knockout rounds 27 times out of 27 (and out of 31 groups, with seasons 1999-2000 through to 2002-03 having two group stages).

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2023-24 will almost certainly be no different after three wins in a row at the start of this year’s campaign. Madrid host Braga at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday knowing they only need a draw to ensure a top-two finish. Whether man-of-the-moment Jude Bellingham plays or not, it’s surely only a matter of time until they extend their incredible streak.