Originating from Wolves and 2... journalists
For a tournament with a heroic history, it is unbelievable to say that the European Cup was inspired by the victory of a team like Wolves. So far, Wolves' influence has rarely reached the Midlands. But when Stan Cullis' side, captain Billy Wright, beat Hungarian champions Honved 3-2 in 1954, it sparked a reaction in France, which had a profound impact on the future of European football.
A humid winter evening in Molineux, in a way, is the foundation for the concept of a tournament for Europe's top clubs. Gabriel Hanot - Editor-in-Chief of L'Equipe (France), has long campaigned for a European club tournament, although his vision has not been shared by national federations, many of whom are afraid that domestic tournaments will be weakened. However, when the British press called Wolves world champions after beating Honved, before that, they defeated Spartak Moscow 4-0 - all of which were friends - Hanot took action.
The former France international wrote to L'Equipe: Before declaring Wolves as invincible, let them go to Moscow and Budapest. And there are other famous international clubs: Milan and Real Madrid. The idea of a world club championship, or at least a European championship - more scale, more meaningful than the Mitropa Cup and more unique than a tournament for national teams - should be initiated. dare to take risks".
That vision made the entire team at L'Equipe's Paris headquarters excited to support the plan. After establishing a basic format, including the first leg of the midweek, L'Equipe began to attract interest from Europe's top clubs and national federations.
UEFA and FIFA cautious
James Ferran, an editing committee member, drafted the first set of rules. However, Ferran realized that organizing such a large-scale tournament required L'Equipe's support far beyond their ability. LEquipe did not imagine organizing a tournament like they did with the Tour de France, he said. We do not have the resources to manage such a big event, nor do we want to face national and international federations that always maintain their authority.
Therefore, Hanot and Ferran went to Vienna ( Austria) to attend the UEFA congress in March 1954, where they met in Paris. European football has just had a new management agency, but immediately showed caution before the tournament could conflict with national federations. UEFA President Ebbe Schwartz said: "Whether clubs are allowed to participate in such an event or not is up to the federations."
UEFA's hesitation discouraged Hanot and Ferran. They have known that gaining support from national federations is necessary, and although gaining support from UEFA will certainly help achieve more goals. Ferran even wrote prophesically: As the European Cup has existed for a few years, we may wonder why it was not created sooner. Maybe at that time, this young and hesitant UEFA will take responsibility for the tournament, which will give it a reason to exist".
FIFA, saying the tournament was beyond their authority, also cautiously let L'Equipe continue to advance alone. And in early April, they called up 16 clubs, each with a representative, to attend because they were the most prestigious names, to a meeting at the Ambassador Hotel in Paris.
The UK is represented by Chelsea Secretary John Battersby, but it is the powerful Real Madrid President Santiago Bernabeu who plays a key role in ensuring L'Equipe's plans are accepted. Ferran added: TheSantiago Bernabeu was the deciding factor for the success of the meetings. The personality and influence of a big club like him are very important.
UEFA, which was struggling to reform the Mitropa Cup with only Central European clubs participating, underestimated Hanot's determination and the support he had gathered. Therefore, they have no choice but to transfer the dossier to FIFA, and the approved organization - on the condition that the tournament is organized under the management of UEFA and the participating clubs must have the consensus of the national federation.
L'Equipe completes its mission
The Equipe did not feel disadvantaged when the tournament was approved by UEFA's executive committee as the " European Champions Clubs' Cup" on June 21, 2015, no longer under their control. Ferran added: Our only goal is to kick off the tournament so that a sport we love can truly develop.
England, through the intervention of the Football League, had no representative in the first year of the European Cup, when Chelsea were advised to withdraw. Since then, the great trophy has returned to the foggy land 9 times, despite mockery, never placed in Molineux's trophy cabinet, even though it was the "origin of the world champions".
After 70 years, the Champions League has turned into a "giant" with 36 teams and billions of followers. The change from the 29 matches of the 1955 - 1956 season to the current 198 matches reflects not only the expansion but also the strong commercialization, making the Champions League a global entertainment product.
The power of communication
The success of the Champions League affirms the power of the press and media in sports. L'Equipe not only reported, but also changed the history of football thanks to the vision of Ferran and Hanot. This story proves that sports journalism is not just an observer, but can become a creator.
Today, the media is much different from the 1950s. The press no longer has exclusive information, but the influence is still clear. Modern football is a comprehensive media product, where technology, images and data are exploited to retain fans. From television, social networks to mobile applications, the Champions League is a typical example of how sports combine with media to build brands.
Cultural symbolism and appeal
The Champions League is not only a place for teams to compete, but also a global cultural stage. Every big match becomes a "f festival" for fans around the world. The familiar trademark music played before each match has become a ritual, like the bell ringing a legendary night coming. The star logo and the "elephant whip" trophy are an un explanatory symbol, reminiscent of historical moments and legends.
From Celtic winning the 1967 championship with the entire squad born less than 50km from home, to Paris
Saint-Germain 2025 with a multinational squad spanning 5 continents, the Champions League reflects the strong changes of football and society. Football has crossed the border, becoming a common language connecting millions of people.
The European Cup was originally a playground for national champions. But today's Champions League is a measure of the class of top teams. Achievements in this tournament not only bring titles but also define brand value. Of course, the rich-poor differentiation is also more evident, despite UEFA's great efforts in its goal of increasing income for "the disadvantaged".
Each era is different, but looking at the Champions League is looking at the history of football over the past 70 years, from the era of local clubs, through the period of industrialization, to the era of globalization, commercialization, surrounded by the strength, speed, endurance, the skills of the players are strategy, finance and science.
The Champions League is a cultural heritage of football, where the dreams and emotions of millions of fans are preserved.
