Real Madrid has won 15 UEFA Champions League titles compared to Barcelona's 5, and leads in total La Liga championships with 36 versus Barcelona's 27. Barcelona excels in domestic Spanish football historically but Real Madrid dominates in European competition and has surpassed Barcelona in overall trophy count.
Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Real Madrid is the more successful club in European competition and has dominated La Liga in recent years, making it the better choice for fans who prioritize winning major titles and consistent competitive excellence. FC Barcelona remains a historically elite club with legendary players and a larger stadium, better suited for those valuing football heritage and tactical innovation, though it currently lags behind Real Madrid in both domestic and European success.
Compare Real Madrid Club de Fútbol vs FC Barcelona
Spanish football giant with record 8 UEFA Champions League titles and 15 La Liga championships.
Spanish football club with record 27 La Liga titles and historic La Masia academy system.
Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona with 109 attributes.
La Liga Titles (Last 20 Years: 2006-2026)
European Cup/Champions League Win Rate Advantage
Total Major Trophies (All Competitions Combined)
UEFA Champions League/European Cup Titles
Champions League Titles in Last 10 Years (2016-2026)
Years as Consecutive European Cup/Champions League Record Holder
Peak Dominance Period Win Rate (Major Trophies per Year)
Consecutive Champions League Titles (Best Streak)
Total Major Trophies (League + Cup + European)
La Liga Titles Won (Last 20 Years: 2006-2026)
Total Major Titles (La Liga + Champions League)
European Titles (All European Competitions)
Spanish Domestic Titles (All Competitions)
Trophy Success Rate (Trophies per Decade)
La Liga Titles in 2020s Decade (2020-2026)
Longest Consecutive Title Wins (All-Time)
Longest Consecutive La Liga Title Streak
Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona.
Which club has won more European titles?
Real Madrid dominates European competition with 15 UEFA Champions League titles, the most of any club in history. Barcelona has won 5 Champions League titles, all during their peak period from 2006-2015. Real Madrid's European success far exceeds Barcelona's, particularly in the last decade.
Who is the better team right now in 2026?
Real Madrid is currently the stronger team. They won La Liga in 2024 with 84 points and maintained competitive excellence through 2025-2026. Barcelona is in a rebuilding phase since 2019, having not won La Liga for 7 years. Real Madrid's squad depth and recent trophy success give them a clear advantage in current performance.
What is the El Clásico rivalry and why is it significant?
El Clásico is the intense rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, considered one of sport's greatest matchups. It combines football excellence with political symbolism—Real Madrid representing Spanish monarchy and Barcelona representing Catalan independence. Since 1943, they've played 250+ official matches with Real Madrid holding a slight historical edge, and the rivalry has produced legendary moments that define Spanish football.
How did Barcelona's financial crisis affect their competitiveness?
Barcelona accumulated €1.3 billion in debt by 2020-2021, forcing them to sell future revenue, reduce wages by 110 million euros, and most notably, release Lionel Messi in August 2021. This financial collapse ended their La Liga dominance—they haven't won since 2019—while Real Madrid strengthened their squad, creating the current competitive gap.
Which club has the better youth academy?
Barcelona's La Masia academy is historically legendary, having produced Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets. However, Real Madrid's academy (Cantera) has recently strengthened with players like Jude Bellingham and emerging talents. Both maintain elite youth programs, but Barcelona's historical production remains unmatched, though Real Madrid's recent recruiting success shows improvement.