Top 10 Best Football Clubs in the World | Ranked

There are several football clubs all over the world, along with passionate supporters. Several clubs are historic and have performed brilliantly in the past years. When it comes to determining the best football club, it becomes difficult. There can be several factors to determine the best football club in the world. From Arsenal to Real Madrid, many clubs have seen immense success over the years. From brand value to net worth, the clubs have made a name for themselves.

These clubs have years and years of history – some clubs are older than 100+ years, some hold cultural significance for their die-hard fans. These clubs are more than just teams; they are institutions steeped in tradition and backed by passionate fan bases, and of course, driven by the hunger to win accolades. Whether it’s the electric atmosphere of a packed stadium or the brilliance of a perfectly executed goal, each club on this list has carved its name into football history. Through iconic players, legendary managers, and unforgettable moments, they’ve shaped the sport’s past and continue to define its future.

There is often a debate among fans about which are the best football clubs in the world. It can depend on several different factors and success, including the history of the clubs. Discover the top 10 most popular football clubs in the world, ranked by global reach and success. Explore the teams that dominate the sport with loyal supporters and historic achievements. We will also delve deep into the best football club in the world. We will also talk about the top 10 football clubs in the world.

What Sets the Best Clubs Apart: Our Ranking Factors

Trophies Won – This will include continental as well as domestic success of the club. This will show how many trophies the club has won. This factor has helped us to compare the competitiveness of the club and its ability to perform domestically and internationally. For Example, A club that was established in the year 1900 has won only domestic Titles x 4 and Intercontinental Titles x 1; it will be ranked lower than the club that has domestic titles x 5 and international titles x 3 and was established in the year 1950. By balancing short-term success with long-term accolades, we ensure our rankings capture clubs that consistently rise to the occasion, setting the standard for greatness in football’s most coveted arenas.

Legacy – The legacy of a club defines its future and influences the decision-making of the club. In this factor, we will also see the iconic players who were made or produced by the club and the managers who had an impressive stint at the club. Not just players and managers, our rankings are also based on clubs having a good scouting network across the world, which helps to sign great players at a very young age to Academies who nurture raw talent from a very young age and back them until they are fit to play in the first team.

Top 10 Football clubs in the world

Rank	Team	Country	No. of Trophies
10	Chelsea	England	30
9	Manchester City	England	32
8	Paris Saint-Germain	France	46
7	Arsenal	England	48
6	AC Milan	Italy	49
5	Liverpool	England	66
4	Manchester United	England	66
3	Bayern Munich	Germany	76
2	Barcelona	Spain	88
1	Real Madrid	Spain	95

Top 10 Football Clubs in the World

Before we start ranking the top 10 football clubs in the world, we would like to provide further details of our ranking metrics. Rankings are not based on the revenue, budget, or attendees that attend the match in the stadium. It is completely based on the club’s performance over the year and its legacy. Let’s now move on to the list of top 10 best football clubs in the world

10. Arsenal (England)

Kicking off the countdown, Arsenal Football Club, with its illustrious legacy, emerges with a current value of $2.6 billion. Despite a modest 10% one-year value change, the Gunners maintain a formidable revenue of $490 million, solidifying their position as a financial force in the Premier League. The Gunners have a huge fan base all over the world, and the fans are vocal with their support.

They also spend a handsome amount on transfers and bring in great players who become assets for the team. Arsenal recently defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final and can be one of the best clubs in the world. Arsenal in recent years, has done well and now stands in a position among the best football clubs in the world. In domestic football, Arsenal have won 13 league titles (including one unbeaten title), a record 14 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 17 FA Community Shields, and a Football League Centenary Trophy. The Gunners also have a strong fan base that supports them during their thick and thin.

Though the club lacks an intercontinental trophy but with recent development, it is pretty evident that they will compete for it strongly in the coming years. The club has seen iconic players like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, and Patrick Vieira in the Emirates Stadium. Last but not least, Arsene Wenger, one of the best coaches in the world, has coached the English side. These iconic players and coaches played a significant role in pushing the club’s Legacy.

Key Stats	Figures
Major Trophies Won	Premier League / First Division x 13, FA Cup x 14, League Cup x 2, Community Shield x 17, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup x 1, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup x 1
Established	1886
Recent Approach	Youth Academy – Hale End. Strong focus on promoting youth (e.g., Saka, Smith Rowe), and supplemented by smart signings.

9. Chelsea (England)

Securing the ninth spot is Chelsea Football Club, standing tall with a current value of $3.13 billion. Historically, the Blues had enjoyed immense success during the Roman Abramovich era, lifting successive league titles and signing big names, splashing millions in the transfer market. However, post-ownership change, their on-pitch performances have gone down since 2022, following Todd Boehly’s consortium takeover.

Chelsea has won a total of 34 trophies in their history. This includes six EPL titles, eight FA Cups, five League Cups, two UEFA Champions Leagues, two UEFA Europa Leagues, 2 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups, 2 UEFA Super Cups, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup. Despite a stable value, Chelsea presents a fresh perspective on financial strategy, highlighted by a revenue of $642 million and an operating income of $35 million, signifying both stability and growth.

The English club Chelsea has a big history with iconic players like Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Gianfranco Zola, and Petr Čech playing for the Blues, and managers like José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Thomas Tuchel, who added more accolades to the club’s name. The club now focuses on young talents after Abramovich sold the club to their new owners.

Key Stats	Figures
Major Trophies Won	Premier League x 6, FA Cup x 8, League Cup x 5, Community Shield x 4, UEFA Champions League x 2, UEFA Europa League x 2, UEFA Super Cup x 2, FIFA Club World Cup x 1
Established	1905
Recent Approach	Youth Academy – Cobham. One of the best academies in England; the Club now promotes youth alongside big-money signings.

8. AC Milan (Italy)

AC Milan ranks 8th in the list due to their prestigious history and recent resurgence. With 7 UEFA Champions League titles, they remain one of Europe’s most decorated clubs. Their domestic success includes 19 Serie A trophies, showcasing sustained excellence. While their golden era peaked in the late ’80s and early 2000s, the club faced a period of decline post-2010. Financial instability and mismanagement led to a lack of silverware and poor league finishes.

However, a strong revival under Stefano Pioli, including the 2021–22 Serie A title, marks Milan’s return to elite competition. Their legacy and growing young squad justify their top-10 global ranking. Icons like Paolo Maldini and Kaka shaped Milan’s identity on the field, while legendary managers such as Arrigo Sacchi and Carlo Ancelotti defined their tactical dominance in Europe. The team has now started to perform well domestically and also qualifies for the UEFA Champions League more often than the turmoil period they had before 2020.

Key Stats	Figures
Major Trophies Won	Serie A x 19, Coppa Italia x 5, Supercoppa Italiana x 7, UEFA Champions League x 7, UEFA Super Cup x 5, FIFA Club World Cup x 1, Intercontinental Cup x 3, European Cup Winners’ Cup x 2
Established	1899
Recent Approach	Youth Academy – Milan Primavera. Club historically develops Italian youth (e.g., Maldini) but in recent years has focused more on international scouting and strategic transfers.

7. Paris Saint-Germain (France)

Crossing borders into Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain emerges as a formidable financial powerhouse with a staggering current value exceeding $4.21 billion. On the other hand, the Parisians have continued their dominance in the French top division, securing successive league titles.

Despite facing complexities in football economics, PSG’s remarkable 32% one-year value change and $739 million in revenue underscore their global appeal and financial dominance. Given their lucrative sponsorship deals, broadcasting rights, tickets, and merchandise sales, they have managed to overcome quite a few household names in the European circuit. Although PSG has not won the Champions League title, they have been successful in their domestic league.

The club performs well domestically every season. Their performance in UCL is not consistent, but they are improving. Paris Saint-Germain is widely popular for having players like Beckham, Messi, Neymar, Ramos, and Mbappe. Not only did they have iconic players like we mentioned earlier, but also the team was led by some important coaching figures in the footballing scene, for example, Luis Fernández, Laurent Blanc, Thomas Tuchel, and now Luis Enrique.

Key Stats	Figures
Major Trophies Won	Ligue 1 x 11, Coupe de France x 14, Coupe de la Ligue x 9, Trophée des Champions x 11, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup x 1
Estblished –	1970
Recent Approach	Youth Academy – PSG Academy. Produces quality youth (e.g., Coman), but club mainly relies on marquee signings.

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6. Bayern Munich (Germany)

Representing the German Bundesliga, Bayern Munich stakes its claim as a financial giant with a current value of $5 billion. Bundesliga heavyweights, Bayern Munich, are the biggest and most successful club in Germany. Currently leading the league table, they are yet to clinch another league title. Boasting a well-balanced financial portfolio, Bayern’s 14% one-year value change, coupled with $739 million in revenue and an operating income of $133 million, exemplifies German precision both on and off the pitch.

While the broadcasting deal brought the least amount of profits, subsequently, the Bundesliga club charted 765.4 million Euros in 2024. Bayern are already one of the most widely supported clubs in the world, with millions of followers in a variety of different countries. Bayern is definitely one of the best football clubs in the world. The club supporters have seen the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Oliver Kahn, Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller playing for their club, and German coaches like Ottmar Hitzfeld, Hansi Flick also. making the club one of the best clubs to ever exist on this planet.

Key Stats	Figures
Major Trophies Won	Bundesliga x 33, DFB-Pokal x 20, DFL-Supercup x 10, UEFA Champions League x 6, UEFA Cup x 1, UEFA Super Cup x 2, FIFA Club World Cup x 2, Intercontinental Cup x 2
Established	1900
Recent Approach	Youth Academy – FC Bayern Campus. Focus on German youth and strategic signings. Strong domestic scouting.

5. Manchester City (England)

Manchester City takes the fifth spot with a meteoric rise in recent years, boasting a current value of $5.1 billion. With an impressive 18% one-year value change and substantial revenue of $815 million, the Sky Blues demonstrate strategic financial management, solidifying their position as a Premier League powerhouse. Manchester City have enjoyed significant success under Pep Guardiola‘s reign, from their first-ever treble-winning season in 2022-23 to dominating the football scene in England by lifting consecutive league titles. City’s recent success has made them one of the best clubs in the world.

They are highly rated and can be the best club in the world. Commercial deals have been a key factor in their profits, bringing the most amount of profit, followed by broadcast and Matchday. Man City has been successful in recent years and can surely be called one of the best football clubs. The club was lately criticised for its spending on top players around the club, but things have shifted now, Manchester also focuses on young talents.

The club has seen players like Colin Bell, Sergio Agüero, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Touré, all these players have contributed a lot to the club’s success domestically as well as in the European Championships. The managers Joe Mercer, Roberto Mancini, and Cityzens’ favourite Pep Guardiola raised the bar for the upcoming Manchester City manager.

Key Stats	Figures
Major Trophies Won	Premier League x 9, FA Cup x 6, League Cup x 8, Community Shield x 6, UEFA Champions League x 1, UEFA Super Cup x 1, FIFA Club World Cup x 1
Established	1880
Recent Approach	Youth Academy – City Football Academy. Heavy focus on global transfers but integrates academy talent like Phil Foden.

4. Liverpool (England)

Liverpool Football Club secures the fourth position with a current value of $5.37 billion, experiencing a remarkable 19% one-year value change. The Merseyside club is one of the most popular football teams in the world, and it reflects on its financial sheet as well, making them one of the richest clubs in England. In terms of sporting success, they have numerous Premier Leagues, UEFA Champions Leagues, and several domestic championships in their cabinet.

With a staggering revenue of $793 million and an operating income of $129 million, Liverpool combines on-field success with significant financial power within the English Premier League. They are one of the best football clubs in the world. Liverpool have performed well this season in the Premier League and are one of the best football club. Liverpool are one the best football club in the world with a huge fanbase of around 131.6 M.

The club has a smooth and one of the best systems to find the best playing XI for the club. The former players are the backbone of the club and play a key role in decision-making. Some iconic players which have appeared for the club are – Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard, Ian Rush, John Barnes, Mohamed Salah along with great mangers – Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Jürgen Klopp.

Key Stats	Figures
Major Trophies Won	English First Division / Premier League x 19, FA Cup x 8, League Cup x 9, Community Shield x 16, UEFA Champions League x 6, UEFA Europa League x 3, UEFA Super Cup x 4, FIFA Club World Cup x 1
Established	1892
Recent Approach	Youth Academy – Kirkby Academy. Mix of youth (Trent Alexander-Arnold) and high-profile signings. Balanced approach.

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3. Barcelona (Spain)

Entering the top three, Barcelona maintains its financial stronghold with a current value of $5.6 billion. Despite a modest 10% one-year value change, the club’s revenue of $721 million and operating income of $53 million emphasize its sustained dominance within Spanish La Liga.The La Liga giants might have struggled to maintain their financial accounts due to mismanagement and monetary obligations, forcing them to spend huge money in the transfer market, which also hindered their process of registering new signings last season. Barcelona are definitely one of the best football club in the world.

Despite their downfall in the early 2020s, the club remained focused and promoted academy players & Barca B players to their main team, also taking steps like selling costly players, in which the likes of Lionel Messi, Coutinho, and Antoine Griezmann were included. The club is now back to winning ways and is in contention for winning domestic and European Trophies. The club was once home for great players like – Johan Cruyff, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and was also managed by some of the best managers – Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique

Key Stats	Figures
Major Trophies Won	La Liga x 27, Copa del Rey x 31, Supercopa de España x 14, UEFA Champions League x 5, UEFA Super Cup x 5, FIFA Club World Cup x 3, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup x 3
Established	1899
Recent Approach	Youth Academy – La Masia. Strong focus on developing players internally (Messi, Xavi, Iniesta), though major transfers are also key.

2. Manchester United (England)

In the runner-up position, Manchester United stands tall with a current value matching arch-rival Real Madrid at $6.55 billion. With a substantial 30% one-year value change and impressive revenue of $779 million, Manchester United’s financial mastery solidifies its status as a formidable force within the footballing world. The fan favorite players for this club were – George Best, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo.

They dominated the financial charts last year, being one of the world’s most popular teams and one of the richest clubs in England. The Red Devils made significant progress under Erik Ten Hag, clinching two domestic triumphs, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, respectively. Man United are also rated as one of the best football clubs in the world. Man United have a huge fanbase in and around the world. They are certainly one of the best football clubs in the world.

Key Stats	Figures
Major Trophies Won	Premier League x 20, FA Cup x 12, League Cup x 6, Community Shield x 21, UEFA Champions League x 3, UEFA Europa League x 1, UEFA Super Cup x 1, Intercontinental Cup x 1, FIFA Club World Cup x 1
Established	1878
Recent Approach	Youth Academy – Carrington. Strong legacy of homegrown talent (e.g., Class of ’92). Emphasis on youth development while also investing in transfers.

1. Real Madrid (Spain)

Topping the charts is none other than Real Madrid. They are always rated as the best football club in the world. With a commanding current value of $6.06 billion, Real Madrid’s financial prowess remains unmatched. Credit goes to their matchday ticket sales and high match attendance at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu.Their management has made various key decisions in revenue and profit handling while spending the funds on investing in the signing of world-class players. Under the supervision of Fiorentino Perez, they are expected to dominate the rich list.

Despite a modest 19% one-year value change and a minor operating income deficit, the club’s robust revenue of $807 million cements its position as the undisputed champion of financial value in world football. Los Blancos are certainly one of the best football clubs in the world. Real Madrid have won 15 Champions League which makes them stand first among the best football clubs in the world.

Key Stats	Figures
Major Trophies Won	La Liga x 35, Copa del Rey x 20, Supercopa de España x 12, UEFA Champions League x 15, UEFA Super Cup x 5, FIFA Club World Cup x 5, Intercontinental Cup x 3
Established	1902
Recent Approach	Youth Academy – La Fábrica. Club focuses on signing world-class talents but has also produced key players like Raúl and Carvajal from its academy.

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