Power Ranking Real Madrid's 9 European Title Wins so Far

Real Madrid are famed for having the most glittering history in European football. They have been crowned Europe's best on nine occasions, which is more than any other club.

Los Merengues have won those titles in just two different eras really, five of coming from 1956-60 and three more between 1998-2002. The victory in 1966 was the only side to not carry over their success into serials victories on Europe's grandest stage.

With more than a decade having passed since the last time that they claimed what is now known as the Champions League, there is even more pressure than ever for Jose Mourinho to deliver what the fans have named La Decima (The 10th).

It is possible that the added glory surrounding a 10th European Cup might make it Real Madrid's greatest triumph, especially given the prolonged wait.

Even without being a witness, it is well known that Real Madrid during the late fifties were one of the greatest club sides ever. They dominated European football and probably triggered a sense of prestige surrounding the European cup, particularly after Chelsea had famously snubbed being a participant in the inaugural version.

Here are their nine triumphs power ranked.

Please feel free to chip in with your views on where these crowning glories rank in Real Madrid's history.

9. 2000: 3-0 vs. Valencia

It's always difficult to take such a glorious moment in a football club's history and define it as being the least exciting of their European cup victories.

However, with the nostalgia of reclaiming Europe's most coveted football prize two years earlier and sweeping aside a good—not great—Valencia side, the achievement did not feel as outstanding as the others.

Fernando Morientes, Steve McManaman and Raul were on the score sheet for Real Madrid's eighth triumph.

Fielding what we would define today as a 3-4-1-2, it was a formation that was set up to get the best out of Raul. If some want to argue that this triumph should be ranked higher, it could be suggested that Raul was at his best in this side and the current Al Sadd striker is one of their all-time great players.

8. 1959: 2-0 vs. Stade De Reims

Real Madrid beat Stade de Reims for the second time in a European Cup final with a 2-0 victory in Stuttgart.

Enrique Mateos and Alfredo Di Stefano were the goal scorers against a Reims side that was inspired by Just Fontaine.

Fontaine had won the golden boot at 1958 World Cup less than a year before and the golden shoe for club football in Europe that season.

Not only was this a great victory, but Los Merengues also beat city-rivals Atletico Madrid in the semifinal.

7. 1958: 3-2 vs. AC Milan

This came against a great Milan side and it took extra-time to secure the European Cup this season.

Paco Gento score the decisive goal, with Di Stefano and Hector Rial also getting on the goal sheet in this famous final that also involved Nils Liedholm for the Rossoneri.

The great Swede would lead his national team to the World Cup final later in the years. This would further underline Real's success to get past one of the most historic sides in Milan's history, a club that has won more trophies than any other club in world football.

6. 1998: 1-0 vs. Juventus

Another side that was inspired by the great Raul, thus one that will be very special to Real Madrid fans as he revelled in his role playing off front pair Fernando Morientes and Predrag Mijatovic.

A couple of things that made this victory extra special were the glory of dumping the reigning champions Borussia Dortmund out in the semi-finals and the strength of a Juventus side that starred one of the greatest players ever, Zinedine Zidane.

Mijatovic scored the only goal on the night in a historic moment that ended 32 years without a European Cup.

5. 2002: 2-1 vs. Bayer Leverkusen

This win was extra special due to one of their greatest players, Zidane, and his best moment in his club career.

Zizou lashed home a spinning volley that made football appear to be more like ballet in the majestic way the Frenchman dispatched the ball into the back of the net.

Raul had earlier given Real the lead, only for Lucio to equalise for the Germans.

This might have been the toughest triumph due to the quality of opposition that Real faced along the way.

Under the old system, there was a second group phase that was divided into four groups. Real Madrid beat two of the other winners—Barcelona and Leverkusen—as well as Bayern Munich in one of the toughest routes to glory.

4. 1957: 2-0 vs. Fiorentina

This was a triumph had a special meaning to Madrid fans due to that fact that is was won on home soil.

124,000 were in attendance to see Real Madrid beat Fiorentina 2-0 in Santiago Bernabeu with goals from Di Stefano and Gento.

Real beat one of Manchester United's greatest sides in the semi-finals, known as the Busby Babes. That side possessed Bobby Charlton and Duncan Edwards, two of the greatest players that English football has ever produced.

3. 1966: 2-1 vs. Partizan Belgrade

In 1966, Paco Gento captained an all-Spanish side that was without Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano.

Amancio Amaro and Fernando Serra scored the goals in a 2-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade.

This was a great win due to beating the reigning two-time European champions Internazionale Milan in the semi-finals.

That year's Nerazzurri side is considered one of the greatest ever. It was led by one of the all-time great managers, Helenio Herrera, and an all-time great defender, Giacinto Facchetti.

2. 1960: 7-3 vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

This one could be the greatest European Cup final of all time.

Real Madrid changed football this night against Eintracht Frankfurt and dazzled football fans with a scintillating attacking display.

It was inspired by Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano, who are possibly the greatest attacking pair of all time.

Puskas scored four and Di Stefano had a hat trick on this famous night at Hampden Park that was witnessed by 127,000 in attendance.

But the even bigger triumph may have been beating Barcelona in the semi-finals. Barcelona were led by the great Hungarian striker Sandor Kocsis, a member of the historic Hungarian side known as the Mighty Magyars.

1. 1956: 4-3 vs. Stade De Reims

The first one is always the most special and that is why Alfredo Di Stefano will probably never be usurped as Real Madrid's greatest player in the eyes of most fans.

Real Madrid beat the French side Stade de Reims 4-3 thanks to goals from Di Stefano, a double from Hector Rial and another from Marquitos.

Reims possessed the great Raymond Kopa, who would later join Real Madrid and win the Ballon d'Or in the famous white shirt.

The run to the final also involved a great Milan side in the semi-finals that starred maybe the greatest striker to ever play in Italian football, Gunnar Nordahl.