Top five teams with most Europa League titles

European football has seen so many changes over the years. The addition of the UEFA Europa League and rebranding from the same from UEFA Cup has added additional value to the same. While the UEFA Champions League has added glamour, the competition has added fierce sportiveness to European football. This has been a competition where tactical brilliance meets raw passion and for some clubs a route back to the Champions League. The tournament has evolved over time. It has seen the dynasties being formed and a few clubs dominating the competition. 

Some clubs have made this competition their own personal playground, lifting the trophy multiple times and etching their names into European football folklore.

In this article, we shall look at the top five teams with the most Europa League titles while dominating the same: 

1) Sevilla - 7 Titles

Sevilla, the undisputed kings of the Europa League, have dominated the competition and turned it into their personal domain. The Andalusian club started romancing towards European glory in 2006 when they registered a win against Middlesbrough, but then what followed was complete dominance. They won in 2006 and 2007 before winning three consecutive titles under Unai Emery. In 2020, they won under Julen Lopetuigi, one of the dream campaigns. 

In 2020, the triumph against Inter Milan showcased the Sevilla magic. They activated the magic after going two goals behind, with Luuk de Jong scoring twice. The 2016 campaign was one of the most impressive, with them overcoming the likes of Liverpool, Athletic Bilbao, and FC Porto. Players like Jesús Navas, Éver Banega, and Ivan Rakitić have become Europa League legends wearing white and red. Sevilla’s achievement is more remarkable when you see them achieving the heights in this competition while they see a constant attrition in managers, players, and football style in itself.

2) Liverpool - 3 Titles

A European royalty, Liverpool, have been successful in its quest to win both the Europa League and the Champions League. While they have been a side that has won more Champions League, they have been a formidable side in the UEFA Cup a.k.a Europa League as well. The Merseyside giants won their first title in 1973 under Bill Shankly, whereas their next triumph came in 1976 under Bob Paisley. They won their third title in 2001 after registering a 5-4 win against Alaves in Dortmund. 

The 2001 final remains one of the most entertaining in competition history, featuring golden goal extra time and showcasing Liverpool's fighting spirit. That season formed part of their unique cup treble, alongside FA Cup and League Cup victories. Their most recent near-miss came in 2016, when Jürgen Klopp's developing side reached the final only to fall to Sevilla. The competition has witnessed legendary Reds performances from Steven Gerrard's inspirational showing against Olympiacos to Michael Owen's brilliance in 2001, cementing Liverpool's reputation as European royalty across multiple competitions.

3) Inter Milan - 3 Titles

Inter Milan's Europa League story is one of sustained excellence spanning different eras. The Nerazzurri claimed their first UEFA Cup in 1991 under Giovanni Trapattoni, defeating Roma in an all-Italian final. Their dominance continued with back-to-back victories in 1994 and 1998, with the latter two triumphs coming under the guidance of tactical mastermind Gianpiero Marini and then Luigi Simoni. The 1998 victory over Lazio, secured by a solitary Ronaldo goal, completed a remarkable period of success in the competition.

Inter's 1994 campaign was particularly memorable as they eliminated Borussia Dortmund and Casino Salzburg before defeating Austria Wien 2-0 in the final, with Dutch internationals Dennis Bergkamp and Wim Jonk scoring the decisive goals. Throughout their Europa League history, legendary figures like Lothar Matthäus, Giuseppe Bergomi, and Javier Zanetti have worn the famous blue and black stripes, embodying the club's commitment to excellence on the European stage.

4) Atlético Madrid - 3 Titles

Atlético Madrid’s Europa League success perfectly encapsulates the club’s identity under Diego Simeone and beyond. While they have consistently tried to get over the line in the Champions League, it is the Europa League where they have found significant success. In 2010, Rojiblancos registered their first ever victory with an extra-time winner over Fulham as Diego Forlán scored in injury time. 

Simeone again took them over the line in 2012 with a dominant 3-0 performance against Athletic Bilbao, which featured a Radamel Falcao show. Their most recent success came in 2018 when Antoine Griezmann's brace helped defeat Marseille 3-0 in Lyon. The 2018 tournament has been a significant one for them, with them not only defeating the likes of Lisbon, Arsenal, and Marseille but also breaking multiple records on their route to victory.

5) Juventus - 3 Titles

The Old Lady of Turin is the final team on the list with most Europa League titles. This has been a result of their adaptability over the eras. The first UEFA Cup victory came in 1977 when they won under Giovanni Trapattoni, whereas the second came in 1990 when they defeated Fiorentina in an all-Italian final. While they have not won the competition in a while, their last victory came in 1993 when they registered a comprehensive victory against Borussia Dortmund. 

In the 1990 campaign, Juventus navigated past formidable clubs like Paris Saint Germain, Cologne and Fiorentina. The period represented a golden era for Italian clubs in the competition. Alessandro Del Piero and Roberto Baggio formed a devastating partnership in the early 1990s, keeping the opposition at bay. The Bianconeri’s success in this competition provided the foundation for their subsequent domestic dominance and established winning habits that became ingrained in the club's philosophy.