Next Thursday, September 19, FC Barcelona will make its debut in the new 24/25 Champions League against Monaco, at the Louis II stadium in Monte Carlo. In this match, the Blaugrana will complete 70 consecutive seasons competing in Europe, being the only club to take part in all the Old Continent's tournaments, which began in the 1955-1956 season with the Fairs Cup.
The Blaugrana have participated in the Champions League 29 times (1992-2024, this season being their 30th), 13 times in the Cup Winners' Cup (1963-97), 11 times in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1955-71), 11 times in the UEFA Cup (1972-2004), 5 times in the European Cup (1959-92) and two times in the Europa League (2021-23). They have also participated in the Inter-Cities Fairs Final once (1971) and in the European Super Cup nine times (1979-2015).
The start of Barça's European adventure
Barça's first appearance in a continental tournament took place at Christmas 1955, when the Catalans faced a Copenhagen team (6-2) at the Les Corts ground, in a match corresponding to the first edition of the Fairs Cup, a tournament that lasted until May 1958.
The goals in the Barça debut was scored by Esteban Areta (x2), Justo Tejada (x2), Villaverde and Kubala.
El húngaro Ferenc Plattkó estaba sentado en el banquillo y el once inicial estuvo conformado por Ramallets; Seguer, Biosca (Brugué, m. 44), Gràcia; Bosch, Segarra (captain);Tejada, Villaverde, Kubala, Areta and Manchón.
Barça's brutal statistics in Europe
Since this match, the history of the Blaugranas in continental competitions has not come to an end. The Catalans have recorded a total of 605 matches, with a record of 337 victories, 137 draws and 131 defeats; 1,187 goals scored and 634 conceded.
Barça's European titles
The Catalans' record is enviable, with 18 European titles: they have won one European Cup (1991-92), four Champions Leagues (2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11 and 2014-15), four Cup Winners' Cups (1978-79, 1981-82, 1988-89 and 1996-97), three Inter-Cities Fairs Cups (1955-58, 1958-60 and 1965-66), one Inter-Cities Fairs Final (1971) and five European Super Cups (1992, 1997, 2009, 2011 and 2015).
| TITLE | YEARS |
|---|---|
| Champions League | 2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11 y 2014-15 |
| European Cup | 1991-92 |
| European Super Cup | 1992, 1997, 2009, 2011 y 2015 |
| Recopas | 1978-79, 1981-82, 1988-89 y 1996-97 |
| Fairs Cups | 1955-58, 1958-60 y 1965-66 |
| Final of Fairs | 1971 |
The Barça players with the most games in Europe
On the other hand, a long list of legends have defended the Barça shirt in Europe, with Xavi Hernández being the one who has worn the Barça shirt the most times with a total of 173 matches. Below the former midfielder are the historic Lionel Messi (153), Sergio Busquets (139), Andrés Iniesta (138), Gerard Piqué (133), Carles Puyol (126) and Víctor Valdés (118).
| PLAYER | GAMES |
|---|---|
| Xavi Hernández | 173 |
| Lionel Messi | 153 |
| Sergio Busquets | 139 |
| Andrés Iniesta | 138 |
| Gerard Piqué | 133 |
| Carles Puyol | 126 |
| Victor Valdés | 118 |
Barça's top scorers in Europe
Likewise, some of the most lethal 'killers' in the history of European tournaments have worn the Barça kit, with Lionel Messi being the one who has celebrated the most goals as a Barça player with a total of 123 strikes. The list is completed by authentic 'cracks' such as Rivaldo (31), Luis Enrique Martínez (27), Luis Suárez and Patrick Kluivert (26), Stoichkov (22) and Neymar (21).
| PLAYER | GOALS |
|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 123 |
| Rivaldo | 31 |
| Luis Enrique Martínez | 27 |
| Luis Suárez | 26 |
| Patrick Kluivert | 26 |
| Hristo Stoichkov | 22 |
| Neymar | 21 |
Barça, a major player at European level
Barça's European journey has left us with several memorable moments, such as Ronald Koeman's goal against Sampdoria to win their first European Cup, the apotheosis of the Cup Winners' Cup final in Basel 1979 against Fortuna Düsseldorf (4-3) or the Champions League won under Guardiola. And despite the fact that the team's performances in recent years have left some disappointment, the reality is that the Catalans are and will continue to be protagonists at a continental level, where they will continue to be for another 70 years and more.