Shocking! Chelsea, Man City Not Among Top 5 Richest Clubs

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Updated: February 27, 2014

”The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.” Some clubs spend more than they make, some are in debts and they claim to be rich. How does the world measure real wealth in soccer?

Forbes, a magazine focused on wealth, does an annual ranking of the richest clubs in the world. They incorporate revenues, debt, and brand value in their rankings, and then release them to the public. This list will examine the 5 richest clubs in the world according to Forbes, to see which teams have all it takes to impose their financial strength on their opponents in various leagues around the world.

Shocking

1. Real Madrid – $3.3 Billion

Real Madrid is the most successful team in European history, with 9 European Cup/Champion’s League titles. Although 2nd to Barcelona in terms of total Spanish championships, Real Madrid has been considered one of the elite-tier teams in the world for decades without interruption. They have a total brand value of $3.3 billion, up 76% from 2012, and in 2013 pulled in revenues of $650 million. The galácticos policy of bringing in huge stars by paying massive contracts has clearly worked out for the bottom line, if not always on the field. The Real Madrid brand is recognizable even to people who don’t follow soccer, which makes their valuation sky-high. As always, they’ll be looking to add to their legend this year by winning a record 10th European championship, a feat which would send their already astronomical value even further.

2. Manchester United – $3.17 Billion

Manchester United is without question the most prestigious English club of the modern era. Under longtime coach Alex Ferguson they achieved multiple Premier League and Champion’s League titles, and expanded the Man-U brand internationally. Like Barcelona and Real Madrid for the Spanish-speaking world, Manchester United is the most recognizable soccer brand across English-speaking nations. With a stock that is traded on the London Stock Exchange and a valuation of $3.17 billion, the red devils are force of nature in the sporting world. They reaped $502 million in revenues in 2013, and their valuation was up 42% from 2012. New coach David Moyes has had a difficult start, but the gargantuan that is Manchester United will undoubtedly return to their winning ways soon enough.

3. Barcelona – $2.6 Billion

Catalan giants Barcelona have been the most successful squad of the 21st century. Home toLionel Messi, among other world-class players, Barcelona was valued at a massive $2.6 billion in 2013. The club operates under a unique financial structure; the club is owned and operated by the supporters themselves. Barcelona’s valuation in 2013 was up a ridiculous 99% from 2012, and they have become one of the richest and most supported sporting clubs, not just in soccer, but on the planet. They are the most successful team in Spanish league history, and this season are trying to defend their La Liga championship against longtime rivals Real Madrid and the surprising success of Atlético Madrid.

4. Arsenal – $1.33 Billion

Arsenal is one of the most successful English clubs in history, and was founded in 1886 in London, where they remain to this day. Their modern success can be traced to the 1996 appointment of Arsène Wenger as head coach, who led them to multiple cup victories and domestic league titles during his tenure, notably the 2003-2004 season- “The Invincibles” – where they won without losing a single game. Although they have been in a championship drought since 2005, Arsenal is consistently near the top of the Premier League and in the Champion’s League. In 2013 they were valued at $1.33 billion, up 3% from 2012.

5. Bayern Munich – $1.31 Billion

The lone German team on the list is also, arguably, the best team in the world on current form. Bayern Munich won the 2013 Champion’s League against league rivals Borussia Dortmund, and since then has only strengthened its squad with the acquisition of Mario Gotze and, beginning next season, striker Robert Lewandowski. In 2013 they were valued at $1.31 billion, making them by far the most valuable German team in the world. New coach Pep Guardiola, who led Barcelona during their most dominant period in recent memory, has handled Bayern Munich exceptionally well so far. The club’s total value grew 6% from 2012 to 2013, and I can only imagine that it’ll grow at an even bigger pace when the 2014 report is released later this year.

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