The top 11 clubs in the world are all worth more than $1 billion each according to a report from global accounting firm KPMG. Six of the clubs in the top 11 are worth more than $2 billion with five of the world’s richest clubs from the Premier League.
Let’s take a closer look at how these clubs are thriving in the growing football economy.
11. Paris Saint-Germain in France’s Ligue 1 — $1.5 billion
Paris Saint-German has always been one of the most prominent French clubs, featuring some of the world’s best players including Ronaldinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But the club’s value has skyrocketed ever since the Qatar Sports Investments took over in 2011.
Paris Saint-Germain currently have two of the best players in world football — Kylian Mbappe and Neymar — but the team has to go beyond the Champions League quarterfinals. Could this be their year?
10. Juventus FC in Italy‘s Serie A — $1.75 billion
With one of the best players of all-time sporting the black and white stripes, i.e. Cristiano Ronaldo, it’d be unimaginable not to see Juventus appear in the top 11 wealthiest clubs.
With eight Serie A titles in a row, Juventus is looking to win their 35th title again this year.
9. Tottenham Hotspur in England’s Premier League — $1.9 billion
The Spurs are coming off one of the club’s best seasons in history, having made an incredible run all the way to the 2019 Champions League finals. Buttressed by a new state-of-the-art stadium, the Spurs will be looking to capitalize on last year’s success with their eyes set on trophies.
With trophy-laden Jose Mourinho at the helm, some silverware could be headed to North London.
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8. Arsenal FC in England’s Premier League — $2.3 billion
Despite finishing outside the top four for the fourth season running and finding themselves out of Champions League football, the Gunners have managed to stay one of the most valuable clubs in the world. However, the club will need to start turning things around and competing in the Champions League again if its to maintain its primacy.
7. Liverpool FC in England’s Premier League — $2.4 billion
Last year’s Champions League winners and this year’s probable Premier League takers have been on the incredible run ever since boss Jurgen Klopp took over in 2016. Liverpool’s 6th Champions League/European Cup title broke a tie for the 3rd-most all-time.
Even if the club falls short this season in Champions League, Nike’s $39.5m per year kit deal with The Reds plus the support of club-owner and Nike Basketball star Lebron James, expect to see the Liverpool on this list for many year’s to come.
6. Chelsea FC in England’s Premier League — $2.5 billion
The Chelsea Blues have been on a mainstay on the list of the world’s richest football clubs dating back to the year 2003 when Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club.
Chelsea defeated Arsenal to take home the Europa League crown last year. Hampered by FIFA‘s transfer ban last season — American winger Christian Pulisic was the team’s last signing — the team led by boss and former player Frank Lampard have nonetheless found success in promoting academy players like Tammy Abraham and Reece James to the first team.
5. Manchester City in England’s Premier League — $2.8 billion
Manchester City have quickly become one of football’s best clubs this century, having received huge investments in coach and player talents from new owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan who bought the team for £210 million in 2008.
However, facing a looming two-year Champions League ban has cast a shadow over the entire club.
4. FC Barcelona in Spain’s La Liga — $3 billion
One of the most successful clubs of the last decade, FC Barcelona led by superstar Lionel Messi enjoyed another epic season in 2019. Although the club threw a 3-0 lead in the Champions League semifinal to Liverpool at Anfield, the club still went on to win La Liga title last season, the club’s 26th.
While the club’s La Masia academy continues to produce world-class players — Ansu Fati is the latest phenomenon — the looming departure of Messi will leave the club forced to find a worthy replacement.
3. Bayern Munich in Germany’s Bundesliga — $3.1 billion
By far the best club team in Germany for decades, the Bavarian giants Bayern Munich took home their 26th Bundesliga trophy home in 2019. Led by star striker Robert Lewandowski and up and comers Serge Gnabry and Alphonso Davies, the future looks bright for one of Europe’s most successful clubs.
2. Manchester United in England’s Premier League — $3.65 billion
Still one of the most valuable clubs in the world despite struggling to win trophies in the post-Alex Ferguson era, the Red Devils brand continues to stay hyper-relevant. While struggling to find their form last season and this season under caretaker and now permanent head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the arrival of Bruno Fernandes has appeared to reignite the team’s chances of finishing in the top four.
1. Real Madrid in Spain’s La Liga — $3.68 billion
With the ability to attract the world’s best players, Real Madrid continue their predominance as football’s richest club.
Having spent $114m on Belgian wizard Eden Hazard last summer along with over $300 million spent on four other acquired players – Luka Jovic, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, and Ferland Mendy — the Santiago Bernabeau led by three-time Champions League coach Zinedine Zidane appears to be in solid shape.
The club will be looking to take back the La Liga crown from Barcelona this season.
