Champions league : A short introduction

The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and contested by top-division European clubs. It is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world and the most prestigious club competition in European football. The competition started in its current format in 1992 and has since been contested every year.
The competition begins with a group stage, in which teams are divided into eight groups of four. Each team plays the others in its group twice, once at home and once away, and the teams with the most points advance to the knockout phase. The knockout phase consists of 16 teams and is played in a two-legged tie format, with the winner advancing to the next round. The final is played at a neutral venue and the winner is awarded the Champions League trophy.
The competition is open to the domestic league champions of all UEFA member associations, as well as the defending Champions League winner. A total of 32 teams are able to qualify for the group stage, with a further 16 teams advancing from the qualifying rounds. The teams that finish in the top two positions in their group advance to the Round of 16, while the teams that finish in third place enter the UEFA Europa League.
The Champions League has produced many memorable moments and iconic players throughout its history. Some of the most successful teams in the competition include Real Madrid, who have won the tournament 13 times, and FC Barcelona and Liverpool with 5 wins each. Some of the greatest players to have played in the Champions League include Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and Paolo Maldini.
The Champions League also has a significant economic impact on the teams that participate in it. The competition generates large amounts of revenue for the teams through broadcasting rights, ticket sales, and sponsorship deals. This revenue can be used to invest in players and facilities, helping the teams to become even more competitive.
In recent years, the Champions League has seen a shift in dominance, with teams such as Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich becoming some of the top teams in the competition. The 2020-2021 season, which was the 66th season of Europe's premier club football tournament organized by UEFA, was won by Chelsea FC, they beat Manchester City in the final.
The Champions League is not only a major sporting event but also a cultural phenomenon. Millions of people tune in to watch the matches, making it one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. The tournament has a rich history and continues to be one of the most exciting and competitive competitions in the world of football.