Top 10 Football clubs – Most popular in the world 2023

Over the past decades, football has changed a lot. Club football is now more widely favoured compared to international football. Football fans around the globe rally behind their respective clubs in substantial numbers. The dominance of Spanish clubs over the world is at another level, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid proving it. In addition, we have powerhouses from the English Premier League, reigning champions from Germany, titleholders from Italy, and the exceptional team from France’s capital city. These European football clubs have earned acclaim as some of the finest in the world. While there are other notable teams, these are the top 10 best football teams in the world.

Top 10 Best Football Clubs in the World

1. Real Madrid FC

League – La Liga

Instagram followers – 143M

Famous Players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl González

With more than 450 million fans worldwide, Real Madrid is the most popular and biggest football team in world football. The club was founded in 1902, and it has achieved significant success domestically and internationally, clinching an impressive 13 European Cups. Real Madrid is celebrated for its offensive playing style and has created some of the best players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane. Among all clubs, the Spanish team holds the record for the most European titles, having won 14 so far. Additionally, they have secured 34 league titles, the most accomplished by any club.

Regarding domestic football, Real Madrid shines with a remarkable total of 68 trophies under their belt. Their collection includes 35 La Liga titles, 19 Copa del Rey triumphs, 12 Supercopa de España victories, one Copa Eva Duarte, and one Copa de la Liga. The club has an impressive following of over 275 million people on social media platforms. The club has attracted and signed numerous galacticos throughout the years, leading to many accolades. Undeniably, Real Madrid is among one of the most successful football clubs in the world.

2. FC Barcelona

League – La Liga

Instagram followers – 122M

Famous Players: Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Maradona 

Barcelona is the second most popular Spanish professional football club. 
Founded in 1899, FC Barcelona is ranked among the best football clubs worldwide and is a well-liked team. Barcelona is renowned for its possession-oriented style of play and has been home to some of the greatest football players, such as Lionel Messi and Johan Cruyff. The club has an impressive record, winning various tournaments such as Champion League, UEFA Super Cup, Copa Del Ray, and Club World Cup. Furthermore, Barcelona has secured 26 Spanish first-division trophies and five European cups.

3. Manchester United FC

League – Premier League

Instagram followers – 62M

Famous Players: Lisandro Martínez, Antony

Manchester United, also called Man United, is the largest English football club in the Premier League. 

The English club was established in 1902 and is widely recognized as one of the most popular teams worldwide. Manchester United has achieved impressive victories, including 20 League titles, 12 FA cups, and 21 FA community shields. They have been crowned champions in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League three times and have also claimed the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, the Super Cup of UEFA, the Intercontinental Cup, and the FIFA Club World tournament once each. With a massive fan base, the Red Devils boast over 160 million followers on social media.

The Red Devils had great players like Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Rooney, and Cristiano. The list of the top 10 best teams worldwide can only be completed by mentioning this club. It is one of the best in the football world.

4. Chelsea

League – Premier League

Instagram followers – 40M

Famous Players: Gianfranco Zola, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Drogba, and Peter Osgood

Chelsea is another English football team with a worldwide following of more than 200 million supporters. The English professional football club was established in 1905 and has achieved several national and international championships, including one triumph in the Champions League. The London club is renowned for emphasizing defence and has been home to exceptional players like Frank Lampard and John Terry. 

5. Juventus

League – Serie A

Instagram followers – 58M

Famous Players: Del Piero, Dino Zoff, Michel Platini, Pavel Nedved, and Gigi Buffon

Juventus football club is considered one of the most successful clubs in football history. Although they may have yet to achieve as much success in European competitions as AC Milan, who have secured 7 UCL titles, Juventus has undeniably dominated domestically. Over the years, the club has secured 36 official league championships, 14 Coppa Italia titles, and 9 Supercoppa Italiana titles. Additionally, they have won two Intercontinental Cups, two UEFA Champions Leagues, one European Cup Winners’ Cup, 3 UEFA Cups (a national record), two UEFA Super Cups, and one UEFA Intertoto Cup (a national record). They might be the most hated club in their country but have won more than any other Italian side.  The club has a massive following of over 110.6 million supporters. Throughout its history, the Italian football club has been home to numerous exceptional players such as Del Piero, Dino Zoff, Michel Platini, Pavel Nedved, and Gigi Buffon. All in all, Juventus is one of the premier soccer teams in the world.

6. Bayern Munich

League – Bundesliga

Instagram followers – 39M

Famous Players: Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Frank Ribery

In 2020, Bayern Munich triumphed in all four major tournaments: the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA World Cup. In German football history, Bayern is the third most valuable team, generating $4.215 billion in revenue last year, surpassing Manchester United. Their victorious achievements have secured the players’ positions on the list of preferred athletes among soccer enthusiasts. The German football club has clinched 32 domestic championships and is the biggest club in Germany in earnings.

Bayern has won 32 Bundesliga titles and 20 DFB-Pokal titles and is only the second European club to win 6 League/Champions League titles in one season. Robert Lewandowski, one of the best strikers in the world, left the club at the end of the last season.

7. Manchester City

League – Premier League

Instagram followers – 47M

Famous Players: Colin Bell, Bert Trautmann, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, and Sergio Aguero

Manchester City is a popular football team from England with a worldwide following of over 50 million supporters. Commonly known as City, it is a football club in Manchester, England. Founded in 1880, the club has achieved numerous successes in domestic competitions, securing seven Premier League titles. Manchester City football club is renowned for its offensive tactics and has had the privilege of having one of the best soccer players, like Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany. 

8. Liverpool

League – Premier League

Instagram followers – 42M

Famous Players: Ian Callaghan, Ian Rush, Alan Hansen, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Steven Gerrard, and Fernando Torres

Liverpool is one of the best football clubs based in the UK. The club has succeeded in national and prestigious competitions, including the UEFA Super Cup and the UEFA Champion League. In 2009, Liverpool football club won the primary FIFA World Cup Title and secured victory in two European cups in 2005 and 2019. Regarding the number of championships, Liverpool holds the second position with 19 league titles. Under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp and Rafael Benitez, the club proudly clinched their 19th league title.

9. Arsenal

League – Premier League

Instagram followers – 26M

Famous Players: Thierry Henry, David OLeary, Tony Adams, Cesc Fabregas, and Robin van Persie

Arsenal is one of the top football clubs in the world based in the UK. The English team has won 13 championships in the premier league tournament and has also triumphed in the FA Club 14 times. The team has been adorned with numerous trophies and accolades throughout its history but has recently struggled to replicate its former glory. Arsenal football club is known for its possession-based style of play and has had some of the greatest players, such as Thierry Henry and Tony Adams.

10. Paris Saint Germain

League – Ligue One

Instagram followers – 67M

Famous Players: Lionel Messi, Safet Sušic, Pauleta, Ronaldinho, Ibrahimovic, Mustapha Dahleb, and Thiago Silva

Commonly called PSG, Paris-Saint-German is currently the most adored French soccer team globally. When Neymar Jr. moved to the club from Barcelona in 2017, it resulted in a lavish transfer worth $222 million. PSG attained the second-place spot in the Champions League for the 2019-20 season. Due to the pandemic, the club lost $224 million in 2020.
The French football club is known for its attacking style and has had some of the greatest players, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Neymar Jr.

In conclusion, football clubs possess a vast number of supporters all over the globe, and the top 10 football clubs across the world possess an enormous fan base. These clubs have achieved countless triumphs in national and international competitions and have been home to some of the most remarkable football players ever. Regardless of whether one’s allegiance lies with Real Madrid or Manchester City, it is undeniable that football instils fervour and exhilaration among fans worldwide.