If there's one thing sports fans love, it's discussing who's the best. While most fans will always be fond of their teams or players, we also love ranking teams.
There are so many things to consider, and for our ranking, we've looked at lots of historical data and rankings from other sources. We've come up with the top 20 soccer clubs throughout history.
Here they are.
1. Real Madrid
The Spanish team Real Madrid is easily the most successful club in European Club soccer history. For example, the team's record in the UEFA Champions League is unmatched by anyone else.
Real Madrid has won the competition an astonishing 15 times. AC Milan are the next most successful club with 7 wins.
15 UEFA Champions League titles
35 La Liga titles
20 Copa del Rey titles
4 UEFA Super Cups
4 FIFA Club World Cups
2. Barcelona
Barcelona, the arch-rivals of Real Madrid, have experienced a remarkable rise in success over the past few decades, firmly establishing themselves as one of the most dominant football clubs of the 21st century. Their achievements on both domestic and international stages have been nothing short of extraordinary, with numerous La Liga titles, UEFA Champions League triumphs, and other prestigious trophies to their name. Under the leadership of iconic players and managers, Barcelona have not only built a legacy of victory but also earned a reputation for their distinct style of play, which has captivated fans worldwide.
An iconic team with iconic players, the stats also speak for themselves.
5 UEFA Champions League titles
27 La Liga titles
31 Copa del Rey titles
3 FIFA Club World Cups
4 UEFA Cup Winners' Cups
3. Manchester United
Manchester United, England's most successful soccer club, holds a significant place in the history of the sport. Domestically, the club has more English Premier League titles than any other club and is just behind Liverpool in Europe.
Under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United saw its most successful era, a testament to the influence of a great manager on the team's performance. Since Ferguson left the club, Manchester United has struggled to repeat the success it found under his stewardship.
3 UEFA Champions League titles
20 English Premier League titles
12 FA Cups
1 FIFA Club World Cup
4. AC Milan
The Italian club AC Milan may share a city and a stadium with its rivals, Internazionale (often called Inter Milan), but in this ranking, AC Milan outperforms them.
AC Milan is the second-most successful club in the UEFA Champions League, with seven titles. It also boasts many Italian league titles (Serie A) and the Italian domestic cup (Coppa Italia).
7 UEFA Champions League titles
19 Serie A titles
5 Coppa Italia titles
3 Intercontinental Cups
5. Liverpool
Liverpool was dominant in English football during the 1970s and 1980s. They won the English First Division many times and the Premier League once (the First Division became the Premier League in the 1990s).
The club also won the precursor to the UEFA Champions League (then known as the European Cup) four times and the Champions League twice, coming back from 3-0 in the 2005 final to force extra time and win on penalties.
6 UEFA Champions League titles
19 English Premier League titles
8 FA Cups
4 UEFA Super Cups
6. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich is widely regarded as the most successful football club in German history. Over the years, it has established itself as a dominant force in the Bundesliga, having secured a record 32 league titles. Particularly in recent seasons, Bayern has shown remarkable consistency, winning the Bundesliga title for 11 consecutive years. This unparalleled success reflects the club’s strong leadership, exceptional talent, and unwavering commitment to excellence, making Bayern Munich a symbol of footballing supremacy both in Germany and on the international stage.
6 UEFA Champions League titles
32 Bundesliga titles
20 DFB-Pokal titles
2 Intercontinental Cups
7. Juventus
The Italian soccer club Juventus is one of the most famous in Italian football. Its historic record in the Italian league (Serie A) is why the club is ranked so highly.
Juventus has also found success in international club soccer, winning the UEFA Champions League twice and the UEFA Cup 3 times.
2 UEFA Champions League titles
36 Serie A titles
14 Coppa Italia titles
3 UEFA Cups
8. Ajax
The Dutch football club Ajax, based in Amsterdam, has a long history of success domestically in the Netherlands.
The club's unique style of play, which was behind the tactical 'Total Football' concept, has left a lasting impact on the sport.
In the 1970s, the club was behind the tactical "Total Football" concept, which extended to the Dutch national side.
4 UEFA Champions League titles
36 Eredivisie titles
19 KNVB Cups
2 Intercontinental Cups
9. Inter Milan
Internazionale is the other soccer club in Milan, and English speakers often call it Inter Milan. The club has been very successful throughout its history and is one of the most successful clubs in Italy.
The club has also been very successful in international competitions in Europe, particularly during the 1960s and the 2010s.
3 UEFA Champions League titles
19 Serie A titles
7 Coppa Italia titles
3 UEFA Cups
10. Benfica
Sport Lisboa e Benfica is Portugal's most successful soccer club. Commonly referred to as "Benfica", the club is one of three to have never been relegated from Portugal's top division, sharing the honour with Sporting CP and FC Porto.
2 UEFA Champions League titles
38 Primeira Liga titles
26 Taça de Portugal titles
3 Intercontinental Cup runner-ups
11. Porto
FC Porto is Portugal's second-most successful club, renowned for its domestic and international triumphs. The club’s prominence soared under José Mourinho, who managed Porto from 2002 to 2004. During his tenure, Porto secured two Primeira Liga titles, the Taça de Portugal, and the UEFA Cup in 2003. Their most significant achievement came in 2004 with a UEFA Champions League victory, solidifying the club’s standing in European football. This era not only elevated Porto’s status but also launched Mourinho’s career, establishing him as one of football’s most distinguished managers.
2 UEFA Champions League titles
30 Primeira Liga titles
19 Taça de Portugal titles
2 Intercontinental Cups
12. Arsenal
Arsenal is one of England's most successful soccer clubs and was arguably most famous for the team during the 1990s and 2000s, culminating in the incredible 2003-2004 season. In the English Premier League that season, Arsenal finished the season undefeated. That year is commonly referred to as their "invincibles" season.
3 Premier League titles
14 FA Cups (record)
2 League Cups
1 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
13. Chelsea
Chelsea became one of the major clubs in English soccer when Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the team in 2003.
The club has enjoyed most of its success over the last two decades, with trophies remaining largely elusive for the rest of its history.
This is also the team that legendary Aussie footballer Mark Schwarzer played for. When he did, he became the oldest player to ever play in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
2 UEFA Champions League titles
6 Premier League titles
8 FA Cups
1 FIFA Club World Cup
14. Celtic
Celtic is one of two major soccer clubs in the Scottish city of Glasgow. While Celtic's rivals Rangers can boast more Scottish League titles than Celtic, Celtic remains the only Scottish team to have won the European Cup, becoming the first British team to do so in 1967.
1 European Cup title
53 Scottish League titles
41 Scottish Cups
19 Scottish League Cups
15. Rangers
Rangers is the most successful club in Scottish football in terms of overall trophies. Like Celtic, the club has also played a lot of soccer in European competitions, but it has yet to match Celtic's achievement of winning the biggest European soccer competition, the European Cup or the UEFA Champions League.
1 Cup Winners' Cup title
55 Scottish League titles (record)
34 Scottish Cups
27 Scottish League Cups
16. Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors, based in Buenos Aires, is one of Latin America’s most successful football clubs. Known for its passionate fanbase, the club has secured numerous Argentine league titles and continental honours, including multiple Copa Libertadores victories.
6 Copa Libertadores titles
35 Argentine Primera División titles
4 Intercontinental Cups
3 Recopa Sudamericana titles
17. River Plate
River Plate is another giant Argentine soccer club. The club's record is very similar to that of Boca Juniors, but Boca Juniors has more international trophies.
The club is based in Buenos Aires, but the name is the English for the Río de la Plata.
4 Copa Libertadores titles
37 Argentine Primera División titles
1 Intercontinental Cup
3 Recopa Sudamericana titles
18. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
Paris Saint-Germain is a French soccer club based in the nation's capital. The club's history, particularly regarding success, is much shorter than that of other clubs in our ranking.
Once the Qatari government-backed investment fund Qatar Sports Investments bought the majority share in PSG and invested heavily in the club, Paris Saint-Germain has dominated Ligue 1, winning every year except during the 2016-2017 and 2020-2021 seasons.
1 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
11 Ligue 1 titles
14 Coupe de France titles
9 Trophée des Champions titles
19. Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid is one of Spain’s elite football clubs, known for its resilience and success both domestically and internationally. Competing alongside giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona, Atlético has consistently claimed major titles, including La Liga and European honours, while maintaining a passionate fan base.
3 UEFA Europa League titles
11 La Liga titles
10 Copa del Rey titles
3 UEFA Super Cups
20. Santos FC
Santos FC, a renowned Brazilian football club, is celebrated not only for its domestic and international triumphs but also for being the club where the legendary Pelé emerged. With a rich history and numerous titles, Santos FC’s contribution to football, especially through its development of legendary soccer player Pelé, has cemented its place as one of the sport's most iconic clubs.
3 Copa Libertadores titles
8 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles
2 Intercontinental Cups
Numerous state championships in São Paulo
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