10 Most Successful Football (Soccer) Clubs in the World

Here we are! Fighting amongst ourselves about which teams should feature in the most successful football (soccer) clubs list. You get the idea how finnicky this business is. Let us take a step back for a moment and reflect: what attributes should some of the best football clubs have? Massive earnings? Devout fan base? Number of trophies, domestic and beyond? Consistency? And, the list goes on.

To us, a bit of all of the above combine to shape up what we can call world’s top 10 best football teams operating in the fiercely competitive sphere. We can only hope that our carefully curated list tickles your fancy.

Founded in 1899, AC Milan enjoys an envious combination of rich history, avid supporters, and attractive financial backing. In Italy alone, it has won 18 Serie A titles, 5 Coppa Italia competitions, and 7 Supercoppa Italiana championships. It has had an amazing record in Europe as well, winning 7 UEFA Champions League, 5 UEFA Super Cup, and 2 Cup Winners’ Cup titles. So far as international club competitions are concerned, the Red and Blacks have clinched 3 Intercontinental Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup. Quite impressive, isn’t it?

If worldwide fan following and popularity was the only criteria, the Blues could have easily featured top amongst the best football clubs all over the world. Established in 1905, this London club is the only one in the city to have won the much-coveted UEFA Champions League title. Besides, it has 2 Cup Winners’ Cups, one UEFA Europa League and one UEFA Super Cup to its name. Chelsea has certainly been more of a force in England, winning 5 English Premier League titles, 7 FA Cup competitions, 5 League Cups and 4 FA Community Shields. If that isn’t proof enough, we don’t know what is!

If you follow even a wee bit of football, it is tough to miss the Black and Yellows. Established in 1909, Borussia Dortmund is one of the most successful football (soccer) clubs in Germany. It is often said that this club deserved a lot more than what it has won. Nevertheless, it has won 16 major competitions in Germany: Bundesliga (8), DFB-Pokals (3) and DFL-Supercups (5). To add to this, they have been winners of Europe’s top competition once, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup once, and the Intercontinental Cup once. Plus, their direct style of play brimming with youthful enthusiasm will make you love them even more!

Founded in 1900, AFC Ajax is one of the top-three of the Dutch football top division is one of the best football clubs in the Netherlands. The Lancers, as they are called by their fans, are one of the few clubs to have won all major European trophies, the most notable of which are 4 Champions League titles. It also bagged the Intercontinental Cup’s top spot twice. However, their most glorious achievements have been in the Netherlands: 33 Eredivisie titles and 18 KNVB Cup trophies. No wonder why this club has given us some spectacular talent over the years!

The Reds have certainly been a force to reckon with in both English and European competitions since their humble beginnings in 1892. One of the in England, the Merseyside-based club have won every domestic competition there is, including 18 Premier League, 7 FA Cup, 8 League Cup, 15 Community Shield, and 1 League Super Cup. In Europe, they have laid hands on 5 UEFA Champions League, 3 UEFA Europa League, and 3 UEFA Super Cup trophies. An eccentric club with a super-eccentric fan base world over!

Established in 1897, The White and Blacks haven’t just stamped their authority in Italy; they have won footballing accolades globally. Don’t be surprised if we say that Juve has 61 official titles to its name, considering both Italian and International competitions. Besides winning the Serie A 32 times and domestic knockout cups 18 times, The Old Lady has 2 UEFA Champion League titles and 2 Intercontinental Cup titles to its name. This club is not only known to have a massive supporter base, it has also contributed more players to the Italian national side than any other club. Hail the Zebras all the way!

The Bavarians, as they are called by their fans, are not only Germany’s most successful side but one of best football clubs all over the world. The Munich-based club, that set the ball rolling in 1900, have won 26 Bundesliga titles and 18 domestic knockout competitions. As far as its record in Europe, it has clinched the UEFA Champions League 5 times (though they have managed to the reach the finals most number of times) and the UEFA Europa League twice. Internationally, the German side has 3 cups to its name (2 Intercontinental Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup). As clinical as it gets!

It wouldn’t come as a surprise that the Red Devils side is the most valuable football brand globally. Even folks who don’t know about football know a bit about of this Old Trafford-based giant. Fanfare aside, their record is simply stunning. The club, that started in 1878 with a different name, have 20 Premier League titles, 12 FA Cups, 5 League Cups and 21 FA Community Shields to their name. Outside England, they have 3 UEFA Champions League trophies, one Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup in addition to one FIFA Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup each. The Red Devils simply never cease to amaze!

This Catalan superpower is referred to as being ‘more than a club’ by its fans. And that’s because unlike other clubs, Barca is owned and operated by its supporters. Started in 1899, this Spanish force majeure has a lot more than bizarre support base. It has achieved unbelievable success not only in Europe but beyond too. Domestically, it has 24 La Liga titles and a record 28 Copa Del Rey trophies to its name. In Europe, FCB has won 14 major competitions, including the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup 5 times each. And, it is the only club to have clinched the FIFA Club World Cup most number of times (3). Now more words, just applause and respect!

At the pinnacle of the world’s top 10 best football teams list stands the mighty Los Galácticos. It has everything you look for in an ideal club: highest earnings, widespread global popularity, top brand value, and stellar records. They have dominated the toughest club competition in the world, the UEFA Champions League, with a record 11 titles. They also are a Spanish club with the most number of La Liga titles (32) and a hefty 19 Copa Del Rey cup wins. They are impressive outside Europe as well: 3 Intercontinental Cups (a joint record) and 2 FIFA Club World Cups. Now, if that’s not Numero Uno material, we don’t know what is!