Real Madrid are gearing up to play their 500th game in the European Cup at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday. Real Madrid host Atlético de Madrid in the first leg of the round of 16, as they're set to become the first team to achieve the milestone in the competition's history - a competition they've won a record 15 times.

Since the inaugural European Cup back in 1955, no other club has managed more victories, nor come through more knock-out round, nor been involved in the tournament on as many occasions (44) as Real Madrid. Their record in the 499 games played in the continent's top competition to date reads: 301 wins, 85 draws and 113 defeats. Our club also tops the all-time scoring charts with a total of 1,101.

Real Madrid hold the record for most European Cup final appearances (18), winning 15. They came out on top in the first five consecutive tournaments, and have gone on to win six in the last 10 years as well. They are the reigning champions, having lifted La Decimoquinta at Wembley in June with victory over Borussia Dortmund (0-2).

Other historic figures

Real Madrid played their first ever European Cup game in its inaugural edition, in September 1955. Swiss side Servette were the opposition for the showpiece held at Geneva's Charmilles stadium, with Real Madrid coming out on top 0-2. Their 100th game came 17 seasons later, a clash with Dynamo Kyiv at the Santiago Bernabéu (0-0).

The madridistas also made their 200th appearance in the elite competition on home turf, this time hosting Porto (3-1). The 300 milestone came in September 2007 with victory over Werder Bremen (2-1), while their 400th game saw them run riot against Legia Warszawa (5-1). Behind Real Madrid in the all-time European Cup appearances chart sit Bayern Munich (404) and Barcelona (357).