A few decades ago, football was just one of those sports known majorly to act as a source of entertainment. People were eager to play the game due to the large audience that it had. However, all of these have changed as people seem interested in football due to how lucrative it is at the moment. As a proof of its high earning potentials, the economy of France boosted once she won the 2018 world cup in Russia. Also, don’t forget the lucrative deals which clubs around the world usually sign with top brands. This post aims to reveal the top 10 richest clubs in the world at the moment. Don’t be amazed or shocked once you see your favorite club being mentioned amongst others in the list.
Manchester United FC has always been a powerhouse both on and off the pitch. Although its performances have deepened since 2013 when the legendary Sir. Alex Ferguson retired, its bank account isn’t showing any sign of slowing down. This club has got a history for signing deals with global brands such as Nike, AON, DHL, and many others. Currently, its earnings are reported to be valued at $828.4 million. It is no wonder it has been regarded as one of the strongest and most powerful names in the transfer market.
Over the past decade, only two clubs have been alternating the first and second position of richest clubs in the world – Manchester United FC and Real Madrid FC. Real Madrid has been successful over the years both and off the pitch. Being the first club to conquer the whole of Europe in three consecutive years, it has to make a list as one of the richest. It holds position number two at the moment with reported earnings of about $826.2.million. Although many people are wondering how long it is going to remain in this position given the departure of its greatest player (Christiano Ronaldo) ever to Juventus.
Although the earnings of Barcelona FC dropped due to the departure of Neymar to PSG, it hasn’t affected its position as one of the richest amongst other clubs in the world. Don’t forget that it still has Lionel Messi whom most people consider to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Barcelona sits in position number 3 with earnings of around $794m. It is worth it though given that it has been successful both in Spain and Europe over the years.
Bayern Munich is one of the best in Europe. Although it may come as a surprise to many that this club is payrolls amongst the richest in the world, there is no doubt that it is worth such a position. This club has ten as one of the best in Europe with top players that are making headlines. Also, its deals with top brands and this have been able to put it amongst some of the best clubs. Bayern Munich maintains position number 4 on the list of richest clubs in the world. It has been reported to earn about $720million.
A few years back, Manchester City was just one of the local clubs in England trying to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. However, since its Arab owners took over, the ambition of the club has grown bigger and better. There are even experts who have predicted that within the next ten years, it will be stronger than Manchester United FC who happen to be their neighbors. The wealth of city can be seen on how much it splashes on players every football season. It holds the record of the club with the most defenders (like Walker and Mendy) in the history of the game. Its worth has been reported to be $646.4m.
Arsenal FC has been experiencing a decline over the past ten years. It has all culminated in the legendary Arsene Wenger resigning. However, all of these problems haven’t prevented the club from making as much money as possible. It still has some of the best players in the game on its payrolls such as Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, and others. Even though it has been playing in the Europa league which is a step backward by its standards over the years, it has been able to earn about $597.1m.
Paris Saint Germaine has been able to rise to become one of the most feared names in football by splashing the cash where they deem it necessary. Some years back, this club never nurtured any ambition of winning the UEFA champions league. It felt comfortable qualifying for the group stages and being eliminated later on. Since the takeover, the owners have been able to redefine the club’s focus. They have the most expensive players in the world (Neymar and Mbappe). PSG may not have won Europe’s most prized trophy, but there is no doubt that it is a powerhouse given its earnings of $595.5m.
Chelsea was once like PSG and Manchester City. It was a club that would struggle to qualify for the champions until Roman Abramovich took over in early 2000. That was when the club’s fortune changed for good. Since then it has won a host of trophies both in England and Europe. This has made it be counted amongst one of the richest clubs in the world with earnings of about $524.2m.
Liverpool FC was one of the best clubs in the 80s winning lots of trophies both home and abroad. However, there was a shift of power as Manchester United FC started collecting all the trophies in the early 90s. The good part is that things are beginning to look up for Liverpool after some years of underperforming both on and off the pitch. It has some of the best players in the world at the moment, and they are playing some wonderful football. This has increased their stock and earnings which is reported to be about $519.6m.
With the arrival of Christiano Ronaldo who is one of the greatest players the game has ever witnessed, Juventus may not remain in position number 9 for long. This club has been successful in both Italy and Europe reaching the UEFA champions league finals two times over the past five years. It has some of the most expensive players in its books at the moment, and this tells a lot about its bank account. Juventus’ earnings are about $496.9m.