By Adegboyega Adeleye
Paris Saint-Germain may have retained the UEFA Champions League title after defeating Arsenal in Saturday’s final, but the French giants will not be allowed to keep the original trophy.
Under current UEFA regulations, Champions League winners receive a full-size replica, while the original trophy remains in UEFA’s possession.
Before the rule was changed in 2009, clubs could permanently keep the original trophy if they won the competition five times overall or lifted it three consecutive times. Only five clubs achieved that feat.
Here is the full list of the five clubs allowed to keep the original trophy:
5. Liverpool
Liverpool earned the right to keep the original trophy after winning their fifth European Cup in 2005, famously coming from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in Istanbul.
4. AC Milan
The Italian giants became the fourth club to secure permanent ownership of the trophy after claiming their fifth European crown in 1994.
3. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich kept the trophy after completing three consecutive European Cup triumphs between 1974 and 1976, led by club legend Franz Beckenbauer.
2. Ajax
The Dutch side earned the honour after winning three straight European Cups from 1971 to 1973 during the era of Johan Cruyff and Total Football.
1. Real Madrid
Real Madrid were the first club allowed to keep the trophy after winning the first five editions of the European Cup between 1956 and 1960.
The Spanish giants remain the competition’s most successful club and were awarded the original trophy in 1967.
Why Barcelona cannot keep the trophy
Despite winning the Champions League five times, Barcelona do not own an original trophy.
UEFA abolished the rule in 2009, meaning clubs can no longer permanently retain the silverware regardless of how many titles they win.
Instead, teams that win five titles or three consecutive crowns receive a special UEFA Badge of Honour on their shirts.