World Football: 12 Most Successful Club Seasons of the New Millenium

The new millennium has seen its fair share of good seasons and good results.

However, there are only so many campaigns that can truly be considered great.

After a weekend that saw the final results of some great competitions, we look back at this season and the 11 seasons before it in World Football since the turn of 2000 to see just which clubs had the best campaigns.

Al Ain FC 2002-03

While Asian-based football clubs do not always get noted by many, as their leagues are not considered as important as those of Europe or South America, the 2002-03 version of Al Ain FC did something no other Asian club had done.

The United Arab Emirates side is the only Asian club to have won a treble in the new millennium—having won their league cup, the UAE Pro League and the AFC Champions League.

Real Madrid 2011-12

Although Real Madrid only won a single trophy in 2011-12, they did it in superior fashion.

Jose Mourinho's side became the first club in Spanish history to hit the 100-point barrier, surpassing the previous record of 99 points held by Barcelona from the 2009-10 season.

Arsenal "Invincibles" 2003-04

Arsenal failed to win any other competition in the 2003-04 season.

However, their flawless English Premier League campaign will forever be remembered.

Juventus "Invincibles" 2011-12

After having been through the ringer due to match-fixing and multiple other scandals, Juventus finally put their demons behind them in 2011-12.

The Old Lady opened their new stadium with an undefeated Serie A season, winning the Scudetto on 84 points, four ahead of defending champions AC Milan.

Juventus also have a date for the Coppa Italia Final with Napoli on May 20th, where they could turn their season's haul into a fantastic double.

Valencia 2003-04

While Spain has been dominated by Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, there are those few moments when a smaller club manages to play giant killer.

That is exactly what Rafael Benitez led Valencia to do in both 2002-03 and 2003-04 when he took Los Che to the top of La Liga.

In 2003-04, he also led them to the UEFA Cup title and was runner-up to the Spanish Super Cup.

Liverpool 2000-01

In the calendar year of 2001, Liverpool were untouchable in every competition they competed in save for the 2000-01 English Premier League, a title that continues to elude them into the new millennium.

Liverpool battled their way to an English domestic double of the FA Cup and Carling Cup as well as winning Europe's second tier UEFA Cup, now the Europa League.

The club would also win the 2001 UEFA Super Cup, and the 2001 Community Shield.

Sao Paulo 2005

One of Brazil's most storied clubs, Sao Paulo dominated South American football in 2005 winning both the Brazilian Serie A as well as the 2005 Copa Libertadores.

Sao Paulo also won the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup defeating my beloved Liverpool 1-0.

FC Porto 2004

Jose Mourinho is a spotlight hog, but his managerial prowess cannot be doubted.

His first crowning moment of success was leading the 2003-04 rendition of FC Porto to the Portuguese Liga title, Portuguese Super Cup title and the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League.

Manchester United 2007-08

Sir Alex Ferguson won his second UEFA Champions League title in 2007-08 as well as completing another double by also winning the English Premier League.

On top of that, the club were also the 2007 Community Shield winners, although that is not ever counted as part of a domestic double.

FC Barcelona 2005-06

The first of Barcelona's trebles in the new millennium saw the club win the Spanish title, Spanish Super Cup and the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League by defeating Arsenal.

Inter Milan 2009-10

Jose Mourinho's greatest achievement in club football to date is his two-year stint at Inter Milan for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.

While Mourniho's 2008-09 domestic double was a great achievement, it was his 2009-10 season that was his best.

In 2009-10, Mourinho took the Nerrazzuri to the top of the Serie A, won the Coppa Italia and defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 UEFA Champions League final to win a massive treble.

With that being the greatest he could achieve, he then left for Real Madrid and continues to try and turn Spain's most successful club back into European champions.

FC Barcelona 2008-09

In 2008-09, FC Barcelona flexed their muscles both domestically and on the European front.

Pep Guardiola led his side to an impressive treble campaign securing the Spanish double of the Copa Del Rey, La Liga and 2008-09 UEFA Champions League title after defeating Manchester United in a dominant performance.

Conclusion

What is the best campaign of the new millennium in your opinion?

Get the debate going in the comments section below.

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