Top Football Clubs in the World

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Founded in 1902, the men in white from Read Madrid are known for their passion and vigor on the football field. With 10 UEFA Champions League Titles, one FIFA Club World Cup, 32 La Liga titles, and 19 Copa del Rey wins, the team is an unstoppable force in Europe. Real Madrid’s rivalry with Barcelona is legendary.

The blue and red home jerseys of FC Barcelona are among the most popular in the world. Set up in 1899, FC Barcelona recorded a digital fan base of over 117 million fans in 2014. Back home in Spain, about 26 per cent of the population supports FC Barcelona over other clubs – at least in domestic matches.

With some 20 league titles, four league cups, and one FIFA Club World Cup, Man Utd’s matches have a great viewership rate. Also known as “Red Devils”, Manchester United is one of the best-loved football clubs anywhere in the world. In 2013, Manchester United was estimated to have about 659 million supporters worldwide, making it the world’s most popular football club. Man Utd’s rivalry with Liverpool is legendary.

With over 270,000 members, Bayern Munich is the biggest German sports club. The FC Bayern Munich is also the country’s most popular football club. The club has bagged one UEFA Cup, one European Cup Winners’ Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup among other titles. As of early February 2016, there are over 4,065 FC Bayern Fan Clubs worldwide, with more than 317,967 registered fans.

Established in 1880 as St. Mark’s (West Gorton), the club was reborn as Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887. It was renamed Manchester City in 1894. The team was wildly popular in the 60s and 70s but underwent a decline till the first decade of this millennium. In 2008, it regained Premier League status and won a premier league title in 2009. The club’s fan following is in its nascent stage, but the loyalty of its fans is beyond doubt.

This London club is one of England’s favorites with five league titles, seven FA Cups, five League Cups and numerous other wins, Chelsea has been Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United’s arch rival for many years now. Chelsea’s fan following has shown the fastest growth among the football clubs of Europe.

Founded in 1886, Arsenal is a force to be reckoned with – both on field and on Social Media. Arsenal holds the record for the longest winning streak and an unbeaten season record, apart from numerous titles. As of 2015, Arsenal fans were most active on Social Media – the club’s social following being the fifth highest in the world.

Liverpool FC has recorded more championship wins and bagged more titles both back in England and in Europe than any other football club in the continent. The club holds longstanding rivalries with both Manchester United and with Everton. As of 2014, the club is believed to have about 74 million fans worldwide.

With about 22 million fans worldwide, Juventus from Italy is also among the biggest football clubs of the world. Founded in 1897, Juventus hold some 31 official league titles and 10 Italian titles. The club is one of the largest in Italy and has branches all over the country.

AC Milan has a long history of victories. Established in 1899, the club has always remained at the top of the Italian football league and has bagged a great deal of fan following as well. The club has a long-standing rivalry with Juventus and Inter.

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