The Champions League is the most popular association football tournament, easily rivaling the FIFA World Cup. Therefore, its winners are immortalized, and their names are engraved in history. However, some of the most popular football teams have yet to become European champions. Therefore, this top ten list is about the most famous clubs still dreaming about winning the Champions League.

10. Sampdoria 

It sounds odd, but Sampdoria was among the best Italian clubs in the early nineties. Furthermore, they reached the Champions League (European Cup) final in 1992, facing Barcelona at Wembley Stadium. This rugged, defensive clash finished scoreless in regular time. Therefore, many believed that penalties would decide the winner. 

Yet, Barcelona scored the decider via their future coach Ronald Koeman in extra time. Therefore, they won their first top European trophy, taking many more in the following decades. As for Sampdoria, the club from Genoa has yet to reach these heights again. Tragically, only six years later, they were relegated to Serie B, where they spent several seasons.

9. Bayer Leverkusen 

Bayer Leverkusen had a tough road to the 2002 UEFA Champions League final. Three of their opponents were from England, and they single-handedly eliminated all the Premier League teams. Bayer defeated Arsenal in the second group round, then Liverpool in the quarterfinals. Finally, in the semis, they beat Manchester United.

On May 15, 2002, they played the Champions League final at Hampden Park in Glasgow against Real Madrid, losing 1-2. The winning goal, scored by Zinedine Zidane, is one of the most famous and beautiful ones in the Champions League finals. Well, maybe the team that never won the national league doesn't deserve to become the champions of Europe.

8. Monaco

As one of the best teams playing in a league of another country, Monaco's only Champions League final came in 2004. That time, they met Porto at the Arena Auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen. Monaco made sensation after sensation in the elimination round to reach the decider. They defeated Lokomotiv Moscow, Real Madrid, and Chelsea, earning their title shot. 

Unfortunately, Porto was better and compellingly defeated Monaco 3-0. Interestingly enough, the Champions League in 2004 was the first one that didn't have a second group stage. Instead, a 16-team elimination round left little room for mistakes. This was also the most surprising final to many, as no one took these clubs seriously.

7. Lazio

Lazio is traditionally one of the best Italian clubs, with strong support and lots of controversy. The team won several national leagues and cups. Furthermore, they usually finish near the top of the league, often second or third. Thus, they have lots of experience in European cups, which includes the Champions League. Interestingly, even though they won their first Serie A in 1974, they weren't allowed to play in European Cup! Thus, their debut in the strongest European competition came only in the 1999/2000 season.

Yet, after a promising debut where they lost in the quarterfinals, Lazio struggled, rarely reaching the knockout stage. That's a surprisingly modest result, especially as all other Italian giants were on top of Europe or at least reached the final. This includes Milan, Juventus, Inter, and Roma. Thus, Lazio is the best club in the country, never to do so.

6. Valencia 

While Valencia has been in two consecutive UEFA Champions League finals, they still don't have any trophies. The first time they were in the finals of the 2000 UEFA Champions League at the Stade de France in Paris, against Real Madrid. The final score was 3-0 for the royal club, not to anyone's surprise.

The very next year, Valencia managed to challenge for another title, this time at San Siro in Milan, Italy. The opponent was Bayern Munich, and Valencia proved to be their equal for 120 minutes. Still, the penalty shootouts favored the Bavarians, who won 5-4.

5. Roma 

So far, Roma has featured in only one final of the Champions League, then European Cup. It was in 1984 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome against Liverpool. The game concluded 1-1, as Phil Neal scored for Liverpool and Roberto Pruzzo for Roma. Therefore, it came down to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.

Liverpool was better, and they secured their fourth Champions League (European Cup) trophy. As for Roma, they came the closest to another final in 2017-18. They reached the semis but lost 7-6 in the aggregate, again against Liverpool.

4. Tottenham 

Interestingly enough, we had to wait for the season 2018-19 to see the first all-English final in the Champions League in ten years. Previously, it happened in 2008 when Manchester United beat Chelsea in Moscow. This time, the rivals were Tottenham and Liverpool.

On June 1, 2019, the final took place at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. Liverpool already had five Champions League trophies, while it was Tottenham's first. Unsurprisingly, Liverpool triumphed 2-0, thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi. Thus, they took the trophy home for the sixth time.

3. Paris Saint-Germain 

Paris Saint-Germain had its own Renaissance after Qatari-based owners took over. The massive investment in the club almost paid off in 2020 when they reached the finals for the first time. Unfortunately, their opponent was the very inspired Bayern Munich. 

The final game took place at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on August 23, 2020. The season before was riddled by a coronavirus, resulting in absent players and delayed games. Consequently, instead of May, the final game was played in August. Bayern Munich put a sad end to the Paris Saint-Germain dreams by winning 1-0.

2. Atletico Madrid 

Atletico Madrid might be the least fortunate club when it comes to Champions League finals. They have participated in three title deciders so far without a victory. The first time Atletico was in the finals was in 1974. That time, they played the double leg against Bayern Munich and lost 5-1 on aggregate. 

Atletico Madrid had to wait 40 years for another chance. In 2014, they clashed with their city rivals Real Madrid for the trophy. Yet, they lost soundly, 4-1. Two years later, Atletico and Real Madrid met in another final. Atletico was much more of an equal opponent to Real this time, but they failed on penalties.

1. Arsenal 

Although they participated in only one Champions League final, Arsenal is undoubtedly the most famous European football club, never to conquer Europe. Their only chance came in May 2006. That time they faced Barcelona at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris.

Yet, the final result was 2-1 in favor of the Catalan team. Samuel Eto'o and Julian Belletti scored for Barcelona, while Sol Campbell hit the target for The Gunners, who actually led. To this day, Arsenal remains the only one of the original English Big Four clubs that didn't win the Champions League. The other three are Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool.

Like every other competitive game, football can have only one winner. However, if there is a winner, there's also a loser. The Championship League is highly competitive, and the stakes are high. Consequently, losing the finals in a competition like that can affect the club significantly. Yet, that's still better than those who didn't even have a chance to win the trophy.

What are your favorite Champions League losers? Will any of these teams change their fortune anytime soon?

Cover photo: TopTens.fun/Midjourney