The competition lasted from 1949 to 1957 and Real Madrid won both tournaments which they entered, the same number as Barcelona and Milan.

It also holds the distinction of being the only club to defend the title in the Champions League era, as well as to win it three times in a row.

Real Madrid, with 33 continental and worldwide trophies, is the most successful team in international club football.

European clubs could not afford hefty travel costs so the Copa Latina was staged at the end of every season in a single host country.

They defeated Belenenses 2–0 in their semi-final at the Parc des Princes in Paris, before beating Reims 2–0 in the final at the same venue.

Real Madrid won the 1957 competition at the Santiago Bernabéu, defeating Milan in the semi-finals and then Benfica 1–0 in the final.

Since then, Real Madrid has won the competition nine times (1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024), and established itself as one of the premier sides in European football.

In 1975, the club's second participation, Real advanced to the quarter-finals, losing to Red Star Belgrade in a two-legged tie on penalties.

They advanced to their second final in 1983; however, Real's aspirations to get a hold on the trophy were cut short by Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen in a thrilling extra time victory.

[56][57][58] In January 2000, Real Madrid were invited to the inaugural championship in Brazil, by virtue of winning the 1998 Intercontinental Cup in the previous season.