The history of football is replete with teams that have demonstrated the verve and artistry of the beautiful game. Since the turn of the twentieth century, many European and South American football teams have emerged from obscurity to dominate their respective eras. At the same time, the sport has evolved to encompass a greater array of skills and a higher degree of fitness. The best football teams need to have won at least one trophy. They need to have played attractive but effective football in a climate of high technical standards. Most importantly, they need to have endured an era of stiff competition and intense rivalry. Forbes has recently released the latest rankings of most valuable football clubs in the world in 2021. La Liga giants FC Barcelona ranks at the top of the list, while several other elite European clubs have also featured in it. The La Liga giants have narrowly beaten their league rivals Real Madrid CF, who have settled for the second spot. Presented here are the five best men’s football teams that meet those criteria. They are chosen from the entire history of international and club football.
FC Barcelona
The Spanish giants have been ranked at the top spot among the most valuable football clubs in the world, ending a 16-year hegemony of Manchester United and Real Madrid. The La Liga outfit have earned a similar revenue as that of Los Blancos, in the region of $792 million, but thanks to lower operating costs, they have narrowly surpassed them. The club dominated the market ahead of the 2020/21 season due to the rumors of their legend Lionel Messi leaving, who later stayed another year.
Real Madrid CF
Led by Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskas, the Real Madrid team of the late ’50s dominated world football. They won the European Cup (Champions League) five times in a row from 1956 to 1960. This culminated in the 1960 final when they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 in one of the greatest footballing displays of all time. Real Madrid have been dethroned this time around and have to settle for the second place in the rankings. Their value is in the region of $4.75 billion, thereby becoming the second-most valuable club in the world. The La Liga giants are one of the most renowned clubs all over the world boasting of a huge fanbase. Their last year’s revenue was gauged to be in the region of $792 million.
Bayern Munich
Heading into the top three, Germany’s FC Bayern Munich are the third most valuable club and the most valuable from the Bundesliga. They are valued around $4.215 billion, narrowly overtaking Manchester United. The defending UCL winners also secured the Bundesliga and the FIFA Club World Cup among other honors in 2020. Their winning efforts earned them a huge revenue of $703 million last year.
Manchester United
Manchester United have slipped out of the top three and settled in the fourth place. The club is valued at $4.2 billion. The Red Devils remain Premier League’s most valuable football club, despite not winning the league title since the 2012/2013 season. Thanks to their massive fanbase all over the globe, merchandise sales and market dominance, United were able to generate a revenue of $643 million in 2020.
Liverpool
Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool occupies the fifth spot among the most valuable football clubs in 2021 with a valuation of $4.1 billion. The defending Premier League champions have been in a breathtaking phase over the past couple of years, also winning the UCL in the process. Their value has increased a whopping 88% in terms of two-year change.
