Top 10 Most Popular Football Clubs in the world
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.
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Here’s more to know about the world’s most valuable football clubs
10. Arsenal
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
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.