The UEFA Champions League, the most watched soccer tournament aside from the World Cup, is a competition in which the best clubs in Europe compete for victory and the UCL trophy.

Many students have chosen a European soccer club to root for, with most supporting their favorite players, similar to the World Cup. Clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Liverpool, AC Milan, and PSG are popular clubs students root for.

“I personally support Barcelona. I loved them ever since I was a little kid, and I really love watching Lionel Messi play, and I rooted for Argentina in the World Cup. Ever since I was a kid, my dad introduced me to watching soccer, and he loved Messi as well, and has a signed jersey of him. Messi is basically the reason I am a Barcelona fan because even though he left in 2020 to PSG, I got too attached to the club,” said Mikail Mirza (‘23). 

A lot of soccer fans around the world that are from countries or cities that cannot qualify for the Champions League every year tend to support British clubs from the Premier League that qualify almost every single year. 

“I support Chelsea because I loved them ever since I watched soccer as a kid, and I loved John Terry. I really love supporting a British club because the atmosphere inside of Stamford Bridge is incomparable to any other country in the world. I know we may not be the best right now, only getting through to the quarterfinals by one goal. and currently 10th in the Prem. I always have hope in this club,” said Ali Ulusu (‘23).

The Premier League is regarded as the most competitive soccer league in the world. Millions of people throughout the United Kingdom and across the world tune in to watch their favorite club play on match day. 

“I support Liverpool in the UCL. I became a fan of the club last year, and I really love being a part of a big English club. Being a fan of a club so big and historic makes me feel great because I feel like a part of a bigger group of people,” said Amir Salehifar (‘23).