UEFA have released the best-ranked European clubs for the 2024-2025 season. Below are the rankings, mirroring their form at domestic leagues and European competitions over the past seasons;
- 1. Manchester City
Manchester City featured at the top of UEFA’s new club ranking with 123.000 points. The Cityzens sealed their fourth Premier League title in as many seasons, underlining their supremacy over English football last term.
The team’s performance in the 2023-24 Champions League was phenomenal. They were close to defending the title, reaching the semi-final before losing to Real Madrid through a penalty shootout after settling for a 4-4 draw on aggregate. Despite the semi-final setback, they have been one of the strongest teams in Europe.
2. Real Madrid
Real Madrid finished second with 119.000 points. The Spanish giants tore up trees by collecting both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in some style. The continued success in European competitions keeps them among the best-ranked European clubs. Much of this came down to Carlo Ancelotti’s good leadership and the high-level performance of Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham.
The hallmarks of their success in recent years have been the ability to produce good performance under pressure and win important matches in the knockout stages. Their attacking flair and sturdy defense have combined well to hand the Spanish side the bragging rights.
3. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are third in the rankings with 108.000 points. German giants lost the league to Bayer Leverkusen after a serial triumph in 11 successive seasons. They went as far as the Champions League semi-finals last season.
Although Bayern Munich didn’t win any trophies last season, Thomas Tuchel still has them among the top in Europe with endless great performances from players like Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala. Their high pressing and effectiveness in ball control have been a big part of their performances.
4. Liverpool
Liverpool are fourth on the log with 96.000 points. The Reds finished third in the Premier League to cling to the Champions League after competing in the Europa League in the 2023-2024 campaign, where they got eliminated in the quarterfinals.
However, under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool has always been one of the most difficult sides in European competitions. Key players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have been the main reason behind their success.
What helped the team get back on its feet after the disappointing season last year was the press and attack strategy. With this system, Liverpool has become a fierce competitor in almost every tournament.
5. Roma
Roma are fifth on best-ranked European clubs with 90.000 points. This Italian club did magnificently well in this season, ultimately ending up in the top six of Serie A and earning a Europa League spot for the upcoming season. Roma finished at the semifinals of last season’s Europa League, so they are more than capable in European competitions.
Thus far, under Danielle De Rossi, Roma has been a team that is hard to be watched without interest, Players like Lorenzo Pellegrini and Tammy Abraham have led the revamp. Their disciplined defense has been one of the keys to their European exploits with efficient counter-attacks.
The team’s solid backline has been crucial in their mild successes on the domestic and European scene. They also boast one of the best counter-attacking setups and are known for strong offensives.
6. PSG
Ligue 1 giants, PSG, occupy the sixth place on the ladder with 85.000 points, thanks to their unrivaled dominance and a strong Champions League campaigns. They reached the last four of the last edition of the competition, before crashing out with a narrow loss to Borussia Dortmund.
Despite their enduring deadlock on the European scene, they are a great force in both national and European football. Their fluid attacking play aligned with their solid defensive performance.
7. Villarreal
The seventh team is Villarreal with 83.000 points. The Spanish team slid down to eighth in the La Liga table and will not feature in European competitions next season.
In the Europa League, Villarreal lost in the round of 16 to Marseille; still, the win in the 2022/2023 Europa League, defeating Roma on penalties, is one that cannot be discounted. Under Unai Emery’s management, Villarreal has always punched above their weight in European competitions.
8. Borussia Dortmund
The Black and Yellows are placed eighth on 79.000 points. Dortmund ended last Bundesliga campaign fifth but reached Champions League football final, where they lost to Real Madrid.
They have been the breeding ground for European football’s top talents like Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland. The most integral factors behind the recent successes of Dortmund have been playing high-tempo attacking football and successful work in their youth development program.
9. Chelsea
Chelsea are ninth on the list of the best-ranked European clubs with 79.000 points. They recorded a difficult Premier League campaign last term and finished sixth. In the 2022-23 season, they finished 12th on the log, missing out of European football.
So, it was a pretty better campaign last term but they will be playing in Europa Conference League instead of Europa League due to Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Manchester City at Wembley.
Chelsea will have to hold high tactical flexibility and robust defensive organization if they are to achieve their ambitions in the European campaign.
10. Inter Milan
The Serie A club emerges tenth on the log with 76.000 points after winning the Italian league and thus qualifying for the Champions League. They had a good drive in the Champions League, where they reached the round of 16 but were sent off by Atletico Madrid.
Inter made it to the UCL final in the 2022/2023 season, losing to Manchester City 1-0. With top contenders like Lautaro Martinez and Nicolò Barella, they keep on being a force to reckon with in European football. Their symmetrical approach and high tactical input have made Inter crucial in recent successes.
Clubs ranked from 11 to 20 are as follows;
11.Bayer Leverkusen 72.00
12. FC Porto – 70.000
13. RB Leipzig – 70.000
14. Manchester United – 70.000
15. Benfica 69.000
16. West Ham United 69.000
17. Atlético Madrid – 67.000
18. FC Barcelona – 67.000
19. Arsenal 62.000
20. Atalanta 61.000
The rankings authenticate the performances and the fight given by these top-ranked European clubs in leading domestic and organized competitions. You can find more information and the full rankings on UEFA Official Website HERE
