Real Madrid have been named the world’s most valuable football team by Forbes, with a staggering value of $6.6 billion.
Forbes attributed Madrid’s incredible performance on the field, which includes winning four out of the last eight UEFA Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles in three seasons, as a key factor in sustaining their value.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s success on the field, winning the La Liga title this season and also reaching the Champions League final, has undoubtedly contributed to their financial success.
Ancelotti’s side can add another Champions League title to their trophy collection when they face Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley Stadium on 1st June.
Manchester United follow closely behind Real Madrid with a value of $6.55 billion, making them the second most valuable football team in the world.
Even though they have failed to win any major trophies in recent years, the Red Devils continue to be a financial powerhouse in the world of football.
Barcelona, on the other hand, find themselves in third place with a value of $5.6 billion.
The Catalan club have been dealing with financial difficulties in recent times, but their strong brand and global fan base have helped them maintain a high valuation.
Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Arsenal round out the top ten most valuable football teams in the world.
These clubs have all established themselves as top contenders in their respective leagues and have built strong commercial foundations to support their success both on and off the pitch.
Here are the top ten most valuable teams in the world in 2024:
- 1. Real Madrid ($6.6 billion)
2. Manchester United ($6.55 billion)
3. Barcelona ($5.6 billion)
4. Liverpool ($5.37 billion)
5. Manchester City ($5.1 billion)
6. Bayern Munich ($5 billion)
7. Paris Saint-Germain ($4.4 billion)
8. Tottenham Hotspur ($3.2 billion)
9. Chelsea ($3.1 billion)
10. Arsenal ($2.6 billion)1
How Forbes calculates the valuation of teams
Forbes uses the yardstick of maintaining wages while reducing expenses to value teams.
On a broader scale, clubs experienced increased profitability as several European teams maintained player wages at similar levels to the previous season in 2022/23.
Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Juventus were among the clubs that notably reduced player expenses.
Furthermore, Forbes emphasized the importance of advancing deep into the Champions League in determining club valuations, with seven clubs earning over US$100 million.
The financial rewards for performing well in the competition are expected to grow even further next season as the Champions League expands to 36 teams and the number of games increases from 125 to 189, resulting in a one-third increase in television money for Uefa.
As the financial landscape of football continues to evolve, these valuations serve as a reminder of the immense value that top football clubs hold in today’s global market.
