Up until 2008, the winners of the Champions League trophy were presented with the real trophy on the pitch, but were then given a replica for their trophy cabinet.
The only exceptions, where clubs were allowed to keep the real trophy, were in the case of teams winning 3 in a row, or 5 overall.
So when Liverpool beat Milan in 2005, their fifth win, they were rewarded with keeping the trophy that was also lifted by the United team on the pitch in 1999.
After 2008, UEFA scrapped the keeping the rule and everyone now gets a replica - ironically just as Real Madrid were about to win their third consecutive trophy...
Posted By: Klobo04, Aug 25, 21:52:01
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