Europe is the home of football; and the top football clubs in Europe are the most dominant in world. As a matter of fact; players from every corner of the world make their way to Europe to play the beautiful game because that is where they can get satisfaction, and get the highest number of fans to watch them play.
Nevertheless, some clubs are more appealing than others; players and fans would much rather be affiliated with some clubs, and will only settle for others if necessary.
Europe is quite a large continent; but it is not very difficult to list out the football clubs in order of power.
Top 100 Football Clubs In Europe
1. Real Madrid
Real Madrid is called the king of clubs; and with good reason; it is the most successful football club in the world in terms of brand value, number of trophies, and financial standing. Real Madrid tends to go for the best players and managers, and the goal is to add more silverware to the trophy room at the end of every year.
Over the years, the club has dominated Europe in terms of the UEFA champion’s league, and has remained the most consistent of all clubs when it comes to the quality of football, and the expectations of the fans.
Therefore, it is no surprise that Real Madrid has the most supporters, and is the most recognized football club in the world.
2. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich has similarly dominated Germany; and it has also been one of the most iconic clubs in the world. Traditionally, all the best players in Germany have to play for Bayern Munich, and all the hottest talents around the world are usually associated with the club.
Bayern Munich commonly features some of the best players in the world; and regularly adds to its collection of trophies. This is one of the richest football clubs in Europe; and as for brand identity, it is one of the highest.
3. Manchester City
Manchester City was established in 1880, but has only become a force in England within last 6 years. This has been the club of the decade in England; winning several league titles, as well as FA Cups and other trophies.
Such a feat has effectively turned around the fortunes of the club which was once known as the “noisy neighbors” by their counterparts in the red part of the city.
Manchester city’s meteoric rise has been noticed by the football world; and this has brought in fans and admirers from all over the world. It has also boosted the club’s ability to bring in top players; now the best young prospects are eager to play for Manchester City.
4. Paris Saint Germain
Paris Saint Germain was established in 1970, but is having the best phase of its existence right now. The club has been dominant in its native France for the past 13 years; that was since the Qatari royals took over the club, and gave it the financial power to turn its fortunes around.
Since then the club has won the ligue 1 title almost every year. The club has become one of the most popular in the world; a feat it has achieved by bringing in some of the most talented players including the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, Neymar, and Messi.
5. Liverpool
Liverpool was established in 1892; and has been one of the most consistent clubs in Europe. The club has made its impact felt in European competitions on a similar level as Bayern Munich, despite playing in a much more competitive league. This means that Liverpool is a much stronger football brand than most people give it credit for.
The club is noted for having some of the fiercest supporters in the world- Anfield is a notoriously difficult ground to play.
6. Manchester Utd
Manchester Utd is the most popular club in England; the Red Devils as it is called, has fans in every part of the country, and every part of the world. Sadly though, with the retirement of long time manager Sir Alex Ferguson the club has faced a long and continuous decline.
Manchester United has lost ground to such clubs as Manchester City and Chelsea; and while the club is still very popular, many of its supporters are among the older generation.
Fresh investors have taken over the club; perhaps it is time for the club to retake its position as one of the most admired clubs in Europe.
7. RB Leipzig
In terms of European competitions, RB Leipzig has become more of a threat to big teams than Leverkusen and Dortmund- both of who are more established teams.
The club has certainly gained the world’s attention; now, young players who are confident in their talent come to the club to prove themselves by beating big clubs. People who bet on games often pick this club to play its usual role of giant killer.
In the near future this will be an important club; if the momentum can be sustained.
8. Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the most successful clubs in Europe; the Spanish giants are so popular because of the peculiar style of football they play, and because they often have some of the best talents on display.
Barcelona has always been home to some of the most spectacular players in the world; people like Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi have been worshiped by the fans due to the superhuman feats they performed at the club.
Barcelona is more than just a club; it is a community project supported by the people of Barcelona; and in this regard it is one of the most successful community projects ever.
9. Juventus
Juventus has been the most dominant club in Italy for the past decade; however its importance as a football club did not start recently. The old lady of Turin has been one of the most hallowed shrines of football in the world- and is well recognized across the globe.
The club has had legendary players battle for honors in its colors; the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Andre Pirlo, Pavel Nedved, and Alexandro Del Piero have stamped their names in the club’s history, and today they serve as motivation for the younger generation of players.
10. Chelsea
Chelsea came from a long period of obscurity to become one of the foremost clubs in England. The clubs journey to greatness started circa 2012 when the club was bought by billionaire Russian investor Roman Abrahamovic.
Chelsea has grown as a brand; the club has gained a global following, and has won every trophy available to be won. The club is often used as an example of how a club can completely turn its fortunes around.
The following is a more extensive list of the top 100 football clubs in Europe.
| Rank | Football club | Country | League |
| 1 | Real Madrid | Spain | Spanish La Liga |
| 2 | Bayern Munich | Germany | German Bundesliga |
| 3 | Manchester City | England | English Premier League |
| 4 | Paris Saint Germain | France | France Ligue 1 |
| 5 | Liverpool | England | English Premier League |
| 6 | Manchester Utd | England | English Premier League |
| 7 | RB Leipzig | Germany | German Bundesliga |
| 8 | Barcelona | Spain | Spanish La Liga |
| 9 | Juventus | Italy | Serie A |
| 10 | Chelsea | England | English Premier |
| 11 | Leverkusen | Germany | Germany Bundesliga |
| 12 | Atlético Madrid | Spain | La Liga |
| 13 | Inter | Italy | Serie A |
| 14 | Dortmund | Germany | German Bundesliga |
| 15 | Lille | France | Ligue 1 |
| 16 | Napoli | Italy | Serie A |
| 17 | Tottenham | England | English Premier League |
| 18 | M’gladbach | Germany | German Bundesliga |
| 19 | Arsenal | England | English Premier League |
| 20 | Atalanta | Italy | Serie A |
| 21 | Porto | Portugal | Portugal Primeira Liga |
| 22 | Milan | Italy | Serie A |
| 23 | Sevilla | Spain | La Liga |
| 24 | Wolfsburg | Germany | Bundesliga |
| 25 | Everton | England | English Premier league |
| 26 | Leicester City | England | English Premier League |
| 27 | Lazio | Italy | Italian Serie A |
| 28 | Roma | Italy | Italian Serie A |
| 29 | Eint Frankfurt | Germany | German Bundesliga |
| 30 | Wolves | England | English Premier League |
| 31 | Slavia Prague | Czech Republic | Czech First League |
| 32 | West Ham | England | English Premier League |
| 33 | Southampton | England | English Premier League |
| 34 | Aston Villa | England | English Premier League |
| 35 | Real Sociedad | Spain | Spanish La Liga |
| 36 | Sporting CP | Portugal | Portugal Primeira Liga |
| 37 | Hoffenheim | Germany | Germany Bundesliga |
| 38 | Villarreal | Spain | Spain La Liga |
| 39 | Benfica | Portugal | Portugal Primeira Liga |
| 40 | Ajax | Netherlands | Dutch Eredivisie |
| 41 | Olympiacos | Greece | Greece Super League |
| 42 | Freiburg | Germany | Germany Bundesliga |
| 43 | Dinamo Zagreb | Croatia | Croatia First League |
| 44 | Shakhtar | Ukraine | Ukraine Premier League |
| 45 | Braga | Portugal | Portugal Primeira Liga |
| 46 | RB Salzburg | Austria | Austrian Superliga |
| 47 | Dunkerque | France | France Ligue 2 |
| 48 | Stuttgart | Germany | Germany Bundesliga |
| 49 | Club Brugge | Belgium | Belgium Jupiler |
| 50 | Rangers | Scotland | Scotland Premiership |
| 51 | Leeds United | England | English Premier League |
| 52 | Brighton | England | English Premier League |
| 53 | Crystal Palace | England | English Premier League |
| 54 | Osijek | Croatia | Croatia First League |
| 55 | Red Star | Serbia | Serbia SuperLiga |
| 56 | Union Berlin | Germany | Germany Bundesliga |
| 57 | Burnley | England | English Premier League |
| 58 | Young Boys | Switzerland | Switzerland Super League |
| 59 | Newcastle Utd | England | English Premier League |
| 60 | Lyon | France | France Ligue 1 |
| 61 | Sheffield Utd | England | English Premier League |
| 62 | Fiorentina | Italy | Serie A |
| 63 | Hertha BSC | Germany | German Bundesliga |
| 64 | Sassuolo | Italy | Italian Serie A |
| 65 | Granada | Spain | Spanish La Liga |
| 66 | Werder Bremen | Germany | Germany Bundesliga |
| 67 | Athletic Club | Spain | Spain La Liga |
| 68 | Valencia | Spain | Spain La Liga |
| 69 | Pau FC | France | France Ligue 2 |
| 70 | Arminia | Germany | German Bundesliga |
| 71 | Levante | Spain | Spain La Liga |
| 72 | Augsburg | Germany | German Bundesliga |
| 73 | Zenit | Russia | Russia Premier League |
| 74 | Fulham | England | English Premier League |
| 75 | Köln | Germany | Germany Bundesliga |
| 76 | Brentford | England | England Championship |
| 77 | Hellas Verona | Italy | Italian Serie A |
| 78 | Mainz 05 | Germany | German Bundesliga |
| 79 | Getafe | Spain | Spanish La Liga |
| 80 | Gorica | Croatia | Croatia First League |
| 81 | Marseille | France | France Ligue 1 |
| 82 | LASK | Austria | Austrian Superliga |
| 83 | Norwich City | England | England Championship |
| 84 | Swansea City | England | England Championship |
| 85 | Vitória | Portugal | Portugal Primeira Liga |
| 86 | Bournemouth | England | England Championship |
| 87 | Betis | Spain | Spain La Liga |
| 88 | Udinese | Italy | Italy Serie A |
| 89 | AZ Alkmaar | Netherlands | Dutch Eredivisie |
| 90 | Schalke 04 | Germany | Germany Bundesliga |
| 91 | Osasuna | Spain | Spain La Liga |
| 92 | Bochum | Germany | Germany Bundesliga 2 |
| 93 | Düsseldorf | Germany | Germany Bundesliga 2 |
| 94 | Watford | England | England Championship |
| 95 | Bodø/Glimt | Norway | Norway Eliteserien |
| 96 | Galatasaray | Turkey | Turkey Super Lig |
| 97 | Celtic | Scotland | Scotland Premiership |
| 98 | Sampdoria | Italy | Italy Serie A |
| 99 | Hamburger SV | Germany | Germany Bundesliga 2 |
| 100 | Metz | France | Ligue 2 |
Related
- Top 100 Football Leagues In The World
- Top 100 Richest Sportsmen In The World
- Top 100 Richest Celebrities In The World
Closing
The list of the top football clubs in Europe shows just how quickly the power rankings can change in football; it doesn’t take very long to acquire a reputation as a strong club, or to see a reputation built over years destroyed.