Top 10 Best Football (Soccer) Clubs in the World

Football fandom is not a quiet hobby. You pick a club, inherit a lifetime of joy and misery, then somehow convince yourself that yelling at a screen is a form of tactical analysis. From packed stadiums to late-night match threads, the world's biggest clubs are judged by trophies, legendary players, unforgettable matches, and the kind of supporters who can turn a routine league fixture into a family emergency.

This list is where you get to weigh all of that. Maybe you care most about European titles. Maybe domestic dominance matters more. Maybe tradition, style of play, youth development, or fan culture pushes a club higher in your mind. There is no single stat that settles the argument, which is convenient because soccer fans were never going to stop arguing anyway.

Vote for the football clubs you think deserve to stand above the rest. Your choices help shape the ranking and show which teams have earned the strongest respect from fans around the world, on the pitch and in the stands.

The Top Ten

FC Barcelona (Spain)

Futbol Club Barcelona, commonly known as Barcelona or Barça, is a professional football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The club was founded in 1899 and has since become one of the most successful and iconic teams in the world. It is also recognized as a symbol of Catalan culture and identity... read more

I think this is one of the best clubs in the world. And I must say this is the first time I've heard of Persib Bandung.

Barca is ten times better than any English club. After all, they play football, not golf!

Hey guys, live in the moment! It's 2011 now! Barcelona has beaten Real Madrid and then Manchester United, and become the champion of the UEFA Championship! No, really, I don't know those clubs from Turkey - Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. No, really, who are they?
Do they have the top players in the world - Messi, Villa, Puyol, Xavi, Pedro, Iniesta, Pique, etc.? No, they don't. Barcelona should be first. Manchester United should be second with Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Scholes, etc. Then Real Madrid with Iker Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo, etc. And then Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, etc., and NOT Persebaya Surabaya, which is less known than our school team.
Real Madrid (Spain)

Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club was founded in 1902 and has become one of the most successful and widely supported football teams in the world. Real Madrid has won numerous La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles... read more

Real Madrid is the best club in the world. Sixth place is not fair. I didn't even hear the name Persib before.

Bigger club than any on the list in terms of trophies, accolades, money, statistics, and achievements. Has any other club here won Club of the Century before?

My name is Shahrukh, and I think Real Madrid is the best club in the world because Real Madrid has the youngest footballers. Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo is also there.
Manchester United (England)

Manchester United Football Club is a professional football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, that competes in the Premier League, the top flight of English football. The club was founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR F.C. and changed its name to Manchester United in 1902. It is one... read more

A historic team known all over the world, most people can name more United players than they can distant relatives. With the current era under Sir Alex being seemingly never-ending, they have every right to claim themselves as the best football team in the world.
No other club is hated by all fans of all teams outside of it.

Look, I like Manchester City and have done so for over 10 years. But even I have to admit that Manchester United is the best football team of all time. Seriously, what's with these other choices? Manchester United has consistently had one of the best teams year after year.
And some of the greatest players ever have played for them: David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Peter Schmeichel, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Bobby Charlton, George Best, etc. All of these players are superb, and all of them had their greatest seasons at United. Come on now... I think the only real rivals to United are Barcelona and possibly Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich (Germany)

Football-Club Bayern München e.V., commonly known as FC Bayern Munich, is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. The club is one of the most successful teams in German football history. They currently compete in the Bundesliga, the top division in German football.

Decent list. Bayern, Real Madrid, Arsenal. I like FC Barcelona and Manchester are well selected too, but FCSB Steaua and Farul Constanta will always have a special place with me.

Bayern is historically the most successful team in German football, as they have won the most championships and the most cups. They are also Germany's most successful team in international competitions, having won eleven trophies. Bayern is one of only four clubs to have won all three major European competitions. Additionally, they are the last club to have won the European Cup three times in a row, entitling them to wear a multiple-winner badge during Champions League matches.
European
UEFA Champions League / European Cup
Winner 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 2000-01, 2012-13
UEFA Europa League / UEFA Cup
Winner 1995-96
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
Winner 1966-67
UEFA Super Cup
Winner 2013
Worldwide
Intercontinental Cup
Winner 1976, 2001
FIFA Club World Cup
Winner 2013
Chelsea (England)

Chelsea Football Club is a professional football club based in London, England, that competes in the Premier League. Founded in 1905, the club has played at its home ground, Stamford Bridge, since its inception. Chelsea won their first league title in 1955 and secured several domestic cup victories between... read more

Definitely should be higher on this list. The Blues are usually in the top few teams in the league, and they do well in UEFA. But it's not just about winning your league (even though the Blues did that). It's unfair because the only competition in La Liga is between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Of course, one of those teams is going to win the league. Chelsea rises above with tons of competition. The EPL is unpredictable. You can't count any team out. Look at Leicester. They were in the Championship league, gained promotion, and are doing great this year with Jamie Vardy. All within a few years.
Legends called Chelsea home: Lampard, Drogba, Terry. These are all enduring players.
Arsenal (England)

Arsenal Football Club is a professional football team based in Islington, London, England. The club competes in the Premier League, which is the highest level of English football. Arsenal has a rich history, including multiple league titles and domestic cup victories.

Arsenal are by far the classiest team in English football and are far bigger than Chelsea, as they have over double the league titles.

1. Chelsea is a club funded by oil money, while Arsenal generates its own revenue.
2. Arsenal has a history of over 100 years, whereas Chelsea's history spans only 80 years.
3. Arsenal fans have been loyal supporters for decades, whereas Chelsea fans are often labeled as glory hunters who started supporting the club only in the past few years after the takeover.
4. Arsenal achieved its success through its own efforts, whereas Chelsea acquired success through significant investments.
5. Arsenal has had a great manager in Arsene Wenger, while Chelsea has experienced uncertainty with its managers.
6. The owner of Chelsea has been involved in criminal activities and is banned from his own country.
7. Arsenal is considered a more respectable club, whereas Chelsea is seen as a disgrace by some.
8. Arsenal has a strong player development system, while Chelsea primarily relies on buying and selling players.
9. In my opinion, Arsenal has a better stadium.
10. Some believe that Chelsea won the Champions League by luck.
11. Arsenal is known for playing attractive football, while Chelsea is criticized for playing defensive football.
Juventus (Italy)

Juventus Football Club S.p.A., colloquially known as Juve, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont. Founded in 1897, it is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Italian football history. Juventus has won numerous domestic and international titles, including over 30 Serie... read more

While not currently the best in the world, they have long been the standard-bearer of the Italian Serie A. Barca has to be seen as the number one team in the world right now. The only thing holding me back from saying they are the greatest starting XI of all time is Valdes in goal. He is average on a great team. If you make a starting XI of the greatest ever Juve players, I think we could give any team a run for their money.

Juve is the best team because all their talent combined creates goals. Pirlo has great accuracy in passing the ball. Vidal excels in defending. Tevez has speed to go through gaps in defenses.
Juve has also created legends like Zinedine Zidane, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Del Piero, Michel Platini, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
AC Milan (Italy)

Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan, is a professional football club based in Milan, Italy. It was founded in 1899 and is one of the most successful football clubs in the world. With the exception of the 1980-81 and 1982-83 seasons, the club has spent its entire... read more

Milan is one of the most successful clubs in the world with 6 UEFA Champions League titles, making it the second most successful in Europe in terms of UEFA Champions trophies, and 18 Serie A titles, making them the second most successful club in Italy. On top of this, they, among other clubs like Barcelona and Manchester United, are well known for developing soccer nations like the United States.

The most internationally-decorated football club in the world, Milan's, is without a doubt the best. Its 1989 team was voted the best club side to ever play the game by a poll of experts conducted by World Soccer magazine. It has had lots of the world's biggest football legends play for it, including Van Basten, Rijkaard, Altafini, Weah, Baresi, Maldini, Baggio, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Crespo, Inzaghi, Ibrahimovic, Nesta, Pirlo, and many, many others.
Liverpool (England)

Liverpool Football Club is a Premier League association football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. Founded in 1892, the club has won numerous domestic and international titles, including multiple UEFA Champions League trophies. Anfield is the club's home stadium.

Oh dear, it would appear that this list is incorrect on so many levels. I can understand Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Barcelona being up near the top. I've never heard of the team who is number one, and trust me, I know my football. Also, Chelsea ahead of Liverpool? Let's look at the facts, people.
Chelsea is an incredible club at the moment, but once the money dries out, they will crash and burn. Clubs like Liverpool, United, Arsenal, Madrid, and Barcelona are timeless. They may slip down from time to time, but they will never disappear. Liverpool is the best of them all. The crowd, the fans, the atmosphere, the history, the loyalty, the intimidation, the fear in the team's rivals even when the club is struggling - very few teams in world football can claim to be able to do that, and none do it as gracefully as Liverpool.
Manchester City (England)

Manchester City Football Club, commonly known as City, is a football club in Manchester, England. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's, it became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894. The club has won multiple Premier League titles in the 21st century and is one of England's... read more

My favorite team. Pure passion, creativity, goal-scoring ability, and in the end, winning titles. No drama or controversy, just pure football.

They're an amazing team with every single skill there is, whether it's shooting, creativity, or saving. They've got a player that's good at it with Sergio Aguero. They will continue to kick those balls in the back of the net, and their plans continue to be more and more creative with David Silva. Even when Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure, two of their best players, have left, they will still be a great team! Personally, I believe they should be higher up this list.

The Newcomers

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Barnet FC (England)
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AC Monza (Italy)

The Contenders

Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Borussia Dortmund is a football club based in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was founded on December 19, 1909, by a group of young men who were unhappy with their church-sponsored team and decided to form their own club at a pub in Dortmund. The name Borussia came from a nearby brewery and is the... read more

One of the best stadiums in the world, with 85,000 seats. The fans have heart and do not chase success blindly. It's always sold out and offers very attractive football, despite having a tiny budget compared to other clubs. It's just a shame that greed often triumphs over the players' passion, causing them to leave for any club that offers more money, like mercenaries. You have to experience being in this stadium to agree with me. I changed my mind after visiting there. It was awesome.

Best support in Europe. Led Europe in average attendance even when they weren't challenging in Europe, let alone the domestic league. Great history, biggest standing terrace, home of one of the great football temples.
First German team to lift a European Trophy (1966 Cup-Holders Cup against Liverpool), the first German team to win the Champions League (new format, 1997 against Juventus).
Persib Bandung (Indonesia)

Persib is not just a football club. Persib is flesh and blood and has become a tradition that West Java and Bandung pass down from grandparents and parents to their children.
Persib will always be in our hearts. No matter what happens, we will always support Persib.

I like Persib because Persib is a football club that is very popular and has the greatest fans in Indonesia, including my family and I, who are fanatical Persib supporters.
Persib is well known in foreign countries, as they often play friendly matches with clubs from abroad, such as AC Milan, Ajax, PSV, Sampdoria, and other clubs, and Persib even reached the Asian League quarter finals in 1995.
Paris Saint-Germain (France)

Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, commonly known as Paris Saint-Germain, Paris SG, or PSG, is a French professional football club based in Paris. The club was founded in 1970 and has since become one of the most successful teams in French football history. They are known for wearing red-and-blue kits... read more

PSG is great, underrated but still a great team. Just look at the attack: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the talismanic striker. Edinson Cavani, the modern striker. And Ezequiel Lavezzi, the lightning-fast striker.
The midfielders are no less impressive, with Lucas Moura, Marco Verratti, and Thiago Motta. And let's not forget about the defense, led by Thiago Silva. Oh, enough said!

I say PSG deserves to be the 8th best team because the attack is amazing with Zlatan, Cavani, and Lucas. The midfield is amazing with Matuidi, Di Maria, and Verratti. The defense is 50% solid.
Sirigu is a brick wall, and PSG will prove that they are better than what people think they are when PSG goes against Real Madrid.
Atlético Madrid (Spain)

Club Atlético de Madrid, SAD, commonly known as Atlético Madrid, or simply Atlético or Atleti, is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid that competes in La Liga. The club plays its home games at the Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 70,460. Atlético Madrid... read more

How can I not love a team that puts their passion first instead of money? It's Atleti, and although I admit it's never easy to beat Barcelona and Real Madrid, who usually occupy the first and second places, at least Atleti has shown them how to play with passion, stamina, and ambition, rather than simply relying on money. But I also think that Diego Simeone is the key who contributes the most to the team's growth.

What Atletico has achieved in 2014 cannot be compared to anything else in football. A team with no stars like Cristiano or Messi, and the best coach, Simeone, has beaten the opponents, winning La Liga and nearly the Champions League.
All I feel for this group of men is respect.
Inter Milan (Italy)

Inter is without a doubt the best football team of all time. It is the only Italian team that has never been relegated from Serie A, and it is also the only Italian team that is a member of the exclusive UEFA treble winner's club (just 8 clubs in the world).
Black and blue are the best colors in the world. Forza Inter! Amala!

Inter is my life! I've been a fan of Inter for 15 years. I always wait for the time when we become the champions, and in 2010, we reached the treble, the first team in Italy. That's a very impressive achievement, man! FORZA INTER!
Galatasaray (Turkey)

As an ultra fan of Galatasaray, I can say that TT Arena (formerly Ali Sami Yen) is always a hell if the fans (UltrAslan) take the match seriously.
Of course, Galatasaray is not the best club in the world. It always changes. For instance, in 2000 to 2001, Galatasaray was number 1 in the UEFA official football club rankings, ahead of Real Madrid.
However, as I said, Ali Sami Yen (currently TT Arena) is the last place you want to play if you have a serious match with Galatasaray. Galatasaray has the best fans and football atmosphere in the world.

Galatasaray are no PSG nor Manchester City. They can sign high profile players using the club's natural resources. The club has more than 25,000,000 fans in Turkey alone and more than 32,000,000 worldwide.
A total European footballing club of 108 years, with French Turkish roots, being home to many talented world class players and having a huge fan base and countless trophies, Galatasaray are surely a legendary establishment.
Esteghlal (Iran)

Esteghlal Iran, with more than 30 million fans all around the world.

Iranian football club.
This club has 2 Asian championships.

Esteghlal FC is the crown of Asia, which has more than 40 million fans around the world. It is the most successful Iranian club on the continent, as well as the most successful club in the country.
Esteghlal FC is the pride of Persia (Iran).
Persepolis (Iran)

This team has the most supporters in Iran. They are always red like Liverpool FC.

Persepolis is the name of the ancient Persian capital founded by the great King of Kings, Cyrus, about 2,500 years ago, and we Persian people are honored to be the fans and supporters of this club.
It is the biggest club in the largest continent on earth, Asia. Esteghlal FC fans, for your information, you barely have 10 million fans worldwide, so please keep it down and learn this. We keep the flag flying high because Persepolis will never die.
Ajax (Netherlands)

This is the perfect example of how so many silly people with no knowledge of football attach themselves to this great game. For Ajax to be outside the top 20 is simply despicable. At most, there are only three or four clubs in the world who have had more success than them.
Football is about being successful. Money and size of fanbase aren't factors. Clubs aren't there to have the most money or the biggest fanbase. They're there to win the most trophies. Otherwise, why would they exist? Use your brains, people.

Ajax should be at least in the top ten! They have some of the most talented footballers I've ever heard of and have had a much better history than Persib, Galatasaray, and Manchester City.
You need to be thinking about changing this list!
Fenerbahçe (Turkey)

Fenerbahce Sports Club is so big that it makes even its rivals bigger than they deserve. Fans and its history make the club the best. But most importantly, it is not only a football club.
Perhaps Fenerbahce is the largest sports club in the world. Besides football, there is basketball, volleyball, athletics, boxing, swimming, ping pong, rowing, and more. There are many world and European championships and Olympic medals. The best without doubt.

Far and away the best football club in Turkey. Because of the rich investors of Galatasaray, people who don't live in Turkey may think Galatasaray is the biggest, as it seems, but this is not true. They have just money.
Tottenham Hotspur (England)

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English football club located in Tottenham, Haringey, London. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. Founded in 1882, Tottenham has won multiple domestic and international trophies, including two... read more

Spurs embody the greatness of the Premier League as one of the best leagues in the world. They are able to play spectacularly and stand up to the giant clubs despite having a far smaller budget (of course, still more than other clubs). Their history is amazing, being the first to win the double and the first non-league to win the FA Cup.
The number of legends that have made their way through Spurs is huge, and we're already graced by a legend in the making in Harry Kane! THE HURRICANE! But most importantly, it's the passion of the players and fans alike that makes it one of the best in the world. Honestly, be amazed when you come down to White Hart Lane yourself. COYS!
Tractor Sazi (Iran)

This team is an anti-racism symbol in the Middle East and in Iran. Tractor Sazi is located in the Azerbaijan area, which has a different mother tongue and language (Turkish), and for this reason, the Iran federation has deliberately discriminated against this team.
Turkish people make up 30 million people in Iran and are completely boycotted by Iranian political people. Please announce this protest to FIFA.

A great football team with fantastic fans!
It has approximately 35 million fans throughout the country who support their beloved team enthusiastically. In every match, it draws about 70,000 fans to the stadium in Tabriz.
A.S. Roma (Italy)

Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly known as Roma, is a professional football club based in Rome, Italy. The club was founded in 1927 through a merger of three local teams. Roma has played in Italy's top-tier league, Serie A, for all seasons except the 1951-52 campaign.

Regardless of Juventus's domination in Serie A in recent years, AS Roma is still the best football club in Italy and one of the best in the world. So many great players have been made by Roma, like Totti, De Rossi, Aldair, Cafu, Miralem Pjanic, Florenzi, etc.
Roma has made a big impact in football almost every season by finding talented players.

AS Roma is the first team of the Eternal City, the capital of the great Roman Empire! A great team for a great city!

Roma, the best Italian club of all time. With club legends like Totti and Pep Guardiola, Roma is not just an average top 7 club. They are a top 1 club.
FC Porto (Portugal)

Hailing from Porto, Portugal, Futebol Clube do Porto competes in the Primeira Liga, the top flight of Portuguese football. Established in 1893, the club has been highly successful, capturing numerous domestic and international titles, including two UEFA Champions League trophies. The team's official... read more

Porto ranks among the top 20 clubs globally, not because it's bankrolled by an oil-rich sheikh or a tax-haven prince. It's not due to its record-breaking transfer fees, nor is it because it sells vast volumes of team shirts featuring the name of the latest multi-million-dollar summer signing. It's not because the club was founded in the 19th century, or due to the capacity of its Estadio do Dragao, which it owns outright. It's also not because of the number of social media clicks or the demographic dimension of the city it represents.
It has earned its spot because of its serious, down-to-earth nature and its simple focus on playing football. Its consistent achievements on the sporting front speak for themselves. FC Porto and its fan base don't need the recognition of France Football - the prestigious football periodical that creates rankings best suited to what it believes serves the interests of clubs in the Big Five leagues - to be included in the world's top 30 clubs. Porto has simply earned that right on its own merit and legacy as a winning team. Their loyal fans will always believe in that and will ardently testify to that fact.
Sevilla FC (Spain)

First team to win the Europa League three consecutive times. They may never be considered a top team, but they will always be known as the best of the rest.