Winning the treble is an achievement every club desires. With Barcelona winning it twice, seven European clubs have achieved this feat since 1967 when Celtic won the first ever treble in European football.
Celtic was the first club to claim the treble in 1967
Here is a list of the seven different clubs that have claimed the treble over the years:
1966/67: Celtic
1971/72: Ajax
1987/88: PSV Eindhoven
1998/99: Manchester United
2008/09: Barcelona
2009/10: Internazionale Milano
2012/13: Bayern München
2014/15: Barcelona
So let us take a look at which clubs are still in the running to join the elite list.
Ajax (NED)
UCL: Quarter-finals v Juventus
League: 2nd, five points behind first placed PSV Eindhoven
Cup: Final v Willem II
One of the most entertaining sides in European football. Ajax shocked the footballing world as they knocked out defending champions Real Madrid in the round of 16 after overturning a 1-2 deficit in the first leg.
With eight games to go in the league and five points behind PSV, Ajax have to be wary of not dropping any more points. But their biggest test will be in the quarter-finals of the UCL as they take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus, who made a comeback of their own against Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona (ESP)
UCL: Quarter-finals v Manchester United
League: 1st, 10 points ahead Atletico Madrid
Cup: Final v Valencia
Barcelona will be looking to be the first club in history to win the treble for the third time as no club has won it more than once, let alone twice. With Lionel Messi in some fine form, the Catalans will fancy their chances of claiming their third treble in 10 years.
La Liga is Barcelona's to lose. It is highly unlikely that Barcelona would succumb their 10 point lead with only 10 games to go. But their hopes of a treble will be tested in the UCL against a revitalized Manchester United, who are high on confidence after knocking out tournament favourites Paris Saint-Germain in the previous round.
Manchester City (ENG)
UCL: Quarter-finals v Tottenham Hotspur
League: 2nd, two points behind Liverpool with a game in hand
Cup: Semi-finals v Brighton
League Cup: Winners
If there is any side that could claim the quadruple, it is Manchester City. With one title already in the bag, Pep Guardiola's men will be looking to be the first team in England's history and the first club since Celtic in 1966/67 to claim the quadruple.
City may have counted themselves lucky as they avoided the European giants in the UCL. But it is in the Premier League where things are getting serious. With Liverpool leading at the international break, it looks like the fight for the Premier League title may go on till the final day.
Porto (POR)
UCL: Quarter-finals v Liverpool
League: 2nd, level on points with Benfica
Cup: Semi-finals 3-0 up v Braga with second leg to be played
League cup: Out
Porto's quadruple dreams were crushed after they suffered a 1-1(1-3 on penalties) defeat to Sporting in the final of the Taça da Liga.
A repeat of last year's round of 16 in the UCL. While Liverpool are heavy favourites heading into the tie, Porto will fancy their underdog status after they knocked out last year’s semi-finalists Roma in the round of 16. While in the league, they are tied on 63 points with rivals Benfica with eight games to go.
There have only been eight trebles of league, cup and UEFA Champions League so far. Anyone for a ninth?
