Do you enjoy watching football? Which football team do you like to support? Well, all the football clubs have a wide fan base throughout the world, as it is the most-watched sport in the world. Football clubs are the growing entertainment industry in the world as they deliver social returns on investment to the average community. Additionally, the rankings of these most popular football clubs in the world are based on the net revenue generated by the club, and popularity is based on fan following over social media.
Hence, in this blog, we have the top 10 ranking of famous football clubs in the world. The rankings of these successful football clubs are based on the fan following across all social media platforms.
Just an update, the famous football teams are shortlisted out of 3,986 clubs across the globe.
So let’s have a look at the major events and characteristics of the 10 most popular football clubs. Go ahead and check out if your favorite club is the most popular club or not. But before that, let’s have a quick look at some fascinating history of this game.
History of Football
Football has a long and exciting history that spans centuries and cultures. It is often said that football was invented with Cuju in ancient China around the 3rd century BC when players kicked a leather ball through an opening into a net. Similar games existed in ancient Greece, like Episkyros, and in Rome, known as Harpastum.
As time went on, various forms of folk football emerged in medieval Europe, particularly in England. These games often had local rules and could involve many players, making them quite chaotic. In 1863, the Football Association (FA) was formed in England, creating standardized rules to make the game more organized and distinct from rugby.
The first recorded match under these rules took place on December 19, 1863, between two London club teams, although specific details about this match are less documented compared to later events. Meanwhile, American Football started on November 6, 1869, when Rutgers played Princeton, winning 6-4 in a match that resembled rugby more than modern American football.
List of 10 Most Popular Football Clubs in the World (Updated 2024)
| Names of the Football Clubs | No. of Followers in Millions (October 2024) |
| Arsenal | 99.7 M |
| Barcelona | 311.8 M |
| Bayern Munich | 110.8 M |
| Chelsea | 128.6 M |
| Juventus | 119.2 M |
| Liverpool | 129.6 M |
| Manchester City | 131.3 M |
| Manchester United | 194.7 M |
| Paris-Saint-Germain | 128.7 M |
| Real Madrid | 359.1 M |
The list is based on the social media followers of the most popular football clubs.
Note: The social media followers include: YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Here’s more to know about the world’s most valuable football clubs
10. Arsenal
- YouTube: 4.26M
- Instagram: 30M
- Facebook: 43M
- X: 22.5M
- Revenue: £446.33 million
- Famous players: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus & Kai Havertz
Arsenal, based in Holloway, North London, is one of the most popular football clubs in England. Founded in 1892, Arsenal played their first match in the same year and has since established itself as one of the big football clubs in the world. The club has won 51 titles, showing their excellence over the years. This season, Arsenal signed Kai Havertz for a record £14.5 million, making him their most expensive player ever. Arsenal’s success is a testament to their strong legacy in English football.
One of Arsenal’s most iconic achievements is their unbeaten league season in 2003-2004, famously known as “The Invincibles”. The team played 38 matches without a single loss, (26 wins, 12 draws, 0 losses) which set a benchmark in English football. Arsenal also holds the record for the most FA Cup victories, with 14 titles. These records highlight Arsenal’s dominance, placing them among the toughest clubs in world football.
9. Bayern Munich
- YouTube: 4.8M
- Instagram: 42.5M
- Facebook: 60M
- X: 3.5M
- Revenue: £715.33 million
- Famous players: Harry Kane, Kingsley Coman & Alphonso Davies
Bayern Munich is a famous football club from Munich, Germany, founded in 1901. They played their first match soon after, marking the start of a proud history in football. Bayern is the most successful club in Germany, with an impressive 32 Bundesliga titles. This season, they signed Harry Kane, their most expensive player, for £21 million. This move highlights their commitment to success, making them one of the most popular football clubs in the world.
Bayern holds remarkable records that showcase their dominance. They won 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles from 2013 to 2023, an unmatched achievement in Europe’s top leagues. In 2020, they became the second-only club to win all six major trophies in a single season, known as the “Sextuple”. Additionally, Bayern scored 101 goals in the 1971-1972 season, a record that still stands. They also set a benchmark by conceding only 17 goals in the 2015-2016 season, reinforcing their status as one of the best soccer teams in the world.
8. Juventus
- YouTube: 8.46M
- Instagram: 60.4M
- Facebook: 47M
- X: 3.4M
- Revenue: £425.16 million
- Famous players: Dušan Vlahović, Federico Chiesa & Dusan Vlahovic
Juventus, based in Turin, Italy, played their first match in 1900. Since then, they have grown into one of the most popular football clubs globally, winning an impressive 70 official titles. Moreover, they’ve dominated the Italian league, Serie A, with a record 36 titles. Notably, Juventus achieved a unique milestone by winning all possible confederation tournaments, a feat no other club has matched as of 2022. With these accomplishments, they undoubtedly stand as one of the best soccer teams in the world.
One of Juventus’ most expensive players this season is Dušan Vlahović, whose transfer value for the current season is £18 million. The club has set several distinctive records, including earning the most points in a single Serie A season, with 102 points in 2013/14. Juventus also completed the 2011/12 season unbeaten, cementing their place among the world’s most valuable football teams.
7. Chelsea
- YouTube: 5.44M
- Instagram: 42.3M
- Facebook: 55M
- X: 25.9M
- Revenue: £494.22 million
- Famous players: Enzo Fernández, Reece James & Marc Cucurella
Chelsea Football Club, based in Fulham, London, played their first match in 1905. They have since become one of the most popular football clubs, winning 34 titles in total. Their current most expensive player is Reece James. They signed him for £13 million. Chelsea is known for their remarkable achievements, including being the only London club to win the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. These milestones set them apart among the big football clubs in the world.
Chelsea also holds some impressive records. They are the only club to have won all three major European competitions twice, which include the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. Another standout feat is their Premier League record for the fewest goals conceded in a season, with only 15. In the 2009-10 season, they scored a staggering 103 goals, making them one of the world’s most valuable football teams.
6. Paris-Saint-Germain
- YouTube: 8.21M
- Instagram: 63.5M
- Facebook: 52M
- X: 5M
- Revenue: £675.87 million
- Famous players: Ibrahim Mbaye, Nordi Mukiele & Gianluigi Donnarumma
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), based in Paris, France, played their first match in 1970. Since then, they’ve become one of the most popular football clubs in the world. PSG has won an impressive 49 titles, making them a dominant force in French football. Ousmane Dembélé is their most expensive player this season, signed for £16.7 million. Over the years, they have set remarkable records, including winning five consecutive Coupe de la Ligue titles from 2014 to 2018—a rare feat in French football.
PSG is also known for their consistency and dominance in domestic competitions. In the 2022–23 season, they became the only team to lead Ligue 1 from start to finish. Moreover, PSG has twice won the Coupe de France without conceding a single goal, in the 1992–93 and 2016–17 seasons. Their 1996 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup victory made them the second after Olympique de Marseille among French clubs to win a major European competition.
5. Liverpool
- YouTube: 10.4M
- Instagram: 45.7M
- Facebook: 49M
- X: 24.5M
- Revenue: £670.42 million
- Famous players: Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk & Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool, based in Liverpool, England, is undeniably one of the most popular football clubs in the world. Established in 1892, the club played its first match that very same year. Over the years, Liverpool has won 67 titles across all tournaments, thus solidifying its position as one of the premier football clubs globally. Notably, for the 2024-25 season, their most expensive player is Mohamed Salah, who was signed for £18.2 million. This investment clearly demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a top spot in world football.
Liverpool also holds impressive records. They became the first team to win the Premier League with seven games left, doing so during the 2019-20 season. Additionally, they set a record for the most points in a Premier League season, with 104 points. Other notable achievements include Luis Suarez’s 20 league goals in just 15 games and Robbie Fowler’s fastest hat-trick, scored in 4 minutes and 33 seconds.
4. Manchester City
- YouTube: 7.76M
- Instagram: 54.8M
- Facebook: 51M
- X: 17.8M
- Revenue: £670.42 million
- Famous players: Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne & Rodri
Manchester City, based in Manchester, England, began its journey in 1880 as St. Mark’s. The club played its first match shortly after its formation, showcasing its passion for football. Over the years, Manchester City has grown into one of the most popular football clubs in the world, winning an impressive 44 trophies. This success includes being the first English club to hold five major trophies simultaneously: the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
In the current season, Kevin De Bruyne stands out as Manchester City’s most expensive player, signed at £20.8 million. Moreover, City made history by winning the Premier League for four consecutive seasons, breaking a 136-year-old record. They also became the first club to win an English domestic treble and recently matched the all-time unbeaten run record in the UEFA Champions League at 25 games.
3. Manchester United
- YouTube: 9.42M
- Instagram: 64.1M
- Facebook: 83M
- X: 38.2M
- Revenue: £624.56 million
- Famous players: Marcus Rashford, Matthijs de Ligt & Amad Diallo
Manchester United, one of the most popular football clubs, is based at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester, England. Founded in 1885 as Newton Heath LYR F.C., they played their first match that same year. Over the years, they’ve collected an impressive 67 titles across various competitions. Notably, they are the only team to have won the Premier League three times in a row on two different occasions—first in the 1990s and then again in the 2000s. Consequently, this incredible achievement has helped Manchester United secure their place among the biggest football clubs in the world.
Currently, the club’s most expensive signing is Casemiro, who was bought for £18.2 million this season. Furthermore, Manchester United holds the record for the most top-division titles, having won 20 league championships, which remains unmatched by any other team. Additionally, Ryan Giggs has made the most appearances for the club, playing 963 matches, while Wayne Rooney is the top scorer, with 253 goals.
2. Barcelona
- YouTube:18.6M
- Instagram: 130M
- Facebook: 114M
- X: 49.2
- Revenue: £670.42 million
- Famous players: – Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong & Pedri
Barcelona, one of the most popular football clubs in the world, is based in Catalonia, Spain. They played their first match in 1899, and since then, the club has become a football powerhouse. Barcelona holds an incredible record of 165 titles, proving their dominance in Spanish football. Their current most expensive player is Robert Lewandowski, valued at £27.9 million, making him the most expensive Spanish footballer of this season. This makes Barcelona not just one of the big football clubs but also among the richest clubs in world football.
Barcelona’s achievements are unmatched. In fact, they became the first club to win the Treble twice, in 2009 and 2015, thereby securing La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League in the same season. Furthermore, in 2009, they made history by winning six major titles in a single year, thus becoming the first-ever club to win the “Sextuple”, including the FIFA Club World Cup. In addition, their 39-game unbeaten streak in La Liga during the 2017-2018 season is a remarkable record.
1. Real Madrid
- YouTube: 15.5M
- Instagram: 168M
Facebook: 124M - X: 51.6M
- Revenue: £898.81 million
- Famous players: Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé & Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid, based in Madrid, Spain, played their first match in 1902. Since then, they have become one of the most popular football clubs globally, winning 157 titles, including 36 La Liga championships. Moreover, their European success is unmatched, with 15 UEFA Champions League titles, making them the team with the most victories in this prestigious competition. Recently, they made headlines by securing their most expensive player, Kylian Mbappé, for an impressive £26.2 million.
Real Madrid holds many unique records, including being the only team to win three consecutive Champions League titles in both the 1950s and 2010s. Their latest achievement came with a 15th Champions League win, proving their dominance in Europe. They also set a remarkable record of remaining unbeaten in 50 consecutive matches across La Liga and the Champions League, cementing their place among the richest clubs in world football.
Final Round
These are the 10 most popular football clubs in the world, each with a great history and record. Moreover, football is becoming more popular and commercially successful every year. In addition, all football players develop different skills, such as public speaking, decision-making, and problem-solving. As a result, football clubs and players are gaining enormous fan bases on social media platforms. In this article, you can catch a glimpse of how football clubs harness the collective energy of players, coaches, and administrators. Ultimately, we hope this article has enriched your knowledge about the most popular soccer teams.
FAQs
- What are the top 10 popular football clubs?
The 10 most popular football clubs are: 1. Real Madrid, 2. Barcelona, 3. Manchester United, 4. Manchester City, 5. Liverpool, 6. PSG, 7. Chelsea, 8. Juventus, 9. Bayern Munich & 10. Arsenal.
- Which is the most popular football team in the NFL?
The The Dallas Cowboys is the most popular football team in the NFL with a growing and loyal fanbase of over 17.7 Million passionate followers.
- Which are the most popular football clubs in Belfast?
The derby between the most popular football clubs in Belfast, Linfield and Glentoran, is known as the Big Two, Bel Classico, or simply the Belfast derby.
- Which is the best soccer club in the world?
Real Madrid is currently recognized as the best soccer team in the world.
- Which club is most successful, Barcelona or Real Madrid?
Real Madrid is considered the more successful club between Barcelona and Real Madrid, primarily due to their superior records in La Liga titles and Champions League wins, holding the record for the most of both.
- What is the best football club jersey?
The best football club jersey currently is the AC Milan Home jersey, celebrated for its iconic design and strong fan support.
- What are some popular fantasy football names?
Creative fantasy football names include “Hurts So Good” (Jalen Hurts), “You’re a Wizard, Harris!” (Najee Harris), “Kupp Fiction” (Cooper Kupp), and “Waddle Vision” (Jaylen Waddle), and many more.
- Which is the best international football team in the world currently?
Argentina is currently recognized as the best international football team in the world.
- What are the top football clubs in the UK?
Top football clubs in the UK include Manchester United F.C., Chelsea F.C., Arsenal F.C., Real Madrid, and Liverpool F.C., and more.
- Which football clubs are popular in Spain?
Popular football clubs in Spain include Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Sevilla FC, and Valencia CF, and more.
