Real Madrid usually and rightfully get called the best team in Europe on a number of occasions.
They are the most successful and the biggest. Every player wants to play for a club of this stature and there is not a lot anyone can do about it.
However, this season, Real Madrid have not exactly shown the qualities expected from Europe's best side.
They have struggled against big teams, their Champions League campaign started on a rough basis and they have been inconsistent in the league too. Even Real Madrid fans would agree that their team have not been at their best all year.
According to Liverpool manager Arne Slot - who beat Real Madrid in November and has had a brilliant first season as the Reds' coach - just said Real Madrid are still the best team in Europe, and he gave a very specific reason for it.
Arne Slot spoke to the presser before Liverpool's 1-0 win vs PSG in France, and was asked about who he thinks is the best team in the world.
He said: "The best team in Europe at the moment is still Real Madrid, because they are the current holders."
That is one way to put it, and to be fair to Slot, it is a fair assessment. Based on the titles won, Real Madrid had the most last season. They may not be the most in-form team in the world, but they have won the most titles in the last year which makes them the most successful team currently. It could change, but at the moment, it is true.
Real Madrid's job now is to keep going the way they were last season and win titles this year for the remark to stick on for another year.
Real Madrid have improved in the Champions League since their first few games, and if they were to face Liverpool again, Slot would face a version much closer to the best team in Europe than he did back in November.