10. Arsenal (93.7 million)

For a team that hasn’t won the Premier League since The Invincibles era in 2004, Arsenal have done well to remain one of the most popular football teams in the world. 

Players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are their current generation of stars and the signing of Declan Rice for £105m from West Ham shows they mean business. 

9. Bayern Munich (127 million)

Over the years German giants Bayern Munich has attracted generations of fans with some of the greatest players ever. With almost 60 million Facebook fans and over 38 million Instagram followers, the club is known for its strong youth academy and world-class players. 

The recent signing of Harry Kane that could exceed £100m with add-ons is proof of the pulling power the club has.

8. Liverpool FC (131 million)

Liverpool arguably has the best football fans in England and with 131 million fans on social media is one of the most popular football teams in the world. 

There’s an aura with Liverpool, whether it’s the fans belting out the “You’ll Never Walk Alone” anthem, or the chants from “The Kop” at Anfield. Everyone loves backing a winner, and Liverpool is just that with the most combined English and European trophies.  

7. Manchester City (131 million)

Since the 2008 takeover of Manchester City by Sheikh Mansour the club has seen billions of dollars invested into it and has rapidly become one of the most popular football teams in the world. The club won its seventh Premier League title and first ever Champions League crown in 2023 and continues to grow in popularity as everybody loves a winner. 

6. Chelsea (134 million)

Chelsea have had their struggles in the post-Abramovich despite the big money being thrown around in the transfer market by Todd Boehly. It was Abramovich’s billions that helped Chelsea’s rise to worldwide popularity with superstars such as Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole winning Premier League titles. The club will need to turnaround their recent poor seasons with other clubs surging in popularity because of their success and big name players.

5. Juventus (144 million) 

Juventus is a legendary football club located in Turin, Italy. The club is synonymous with Italian football excellence and has consistently dominated Serie A. Juventus has a global fanbase and has been home to football legends like Alessandro Del Piero and Roberto Baggio.

4. Paris Saint-Germain (187 million)

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has emerged as a global football powerhouse ever since Qatar Sports Investments became a major stakeholder in 2011. The dominance in Ligue 1 and superstar signings including Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi has helped PSG become one of the most popular teams in the world. 

3. Manchester United (206 million)

Similar to Chelsea’s situation, Manchester United’s lack of recent success is taking a hit on the club’s popularity. The Red Devils are still the fourth most popular football club in the world thanks largely to Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy during his 27-year managerial career at the club.

A massive global fanbase exploded on the back of players such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney to name a few. Old Trafford is the best stadium in the league and if you look beyond the “Glory Hunter” fans, the United fanbase is arguably the best in England.

2. FC Barcelona (342 million)

The second most popular football club in the world is Barcelona with 342 million followers on social media and climbing. A European powerhouse, they trail only behind fierce rivals Real Madrid both in Spanish and European football. 

Barcelona’s cultural and social relevance is arguably the most important of any football club in the world, and Lionel Messi was the perfect complement to the club’s history of attractive football during his 20 years at the club.  

1. Real Madrid (363 million)

Real Madrid is the most popular football club in the world with 363 million fans. Madrid won a record eighth Champions League title in 2022 and have been crowned champions of Europe 16 times.

Madrid also won a 35th La Liga crown in 2022 and their success both in Spain and Europe has earned them generations of fans. Cristiano Ronaldo’s nine glorious seasons in Madrid only fuelled Real’s global popularity as the world’s most popular football team.

The post Most Popular Football Teams in the World: 2023 Edition appeared first on Football Blog FC.

Best Bayern Munich Players

A club that is undisputed the greatest in German history, we take a look at the 10 best Bayern Munich players of all time. 

10. Arjen Robben 

With his pace, dribbling skills and ball control, Arjen Robben helped transition Bayern Munich into the modern era of speedy wingers. His iconic left-footed cuts from the right wing became his trademark move during his 10-year career in Munich. 

Robben won 20 trophies while at Bayern Munich including eight Bundesliga titles. He scored 143 goals in 309 appearances, none more important than the 2013 Champions League Final winner which cemented his legendary status at Bayern. 

9. Philipp Lahm 

Phillip Lahm is one of the greatest fullbacks in football history and his versatility made him one of Bayern Munich’s biggest assets as he was able to play in midfield as well as on both sides of the pitch. 

Midway through the 2010-11 season Lahm became Bayern Munich captain. A true leader, he led the club to a historic treble in 2013 including a Champions League win. He also won eight Bundesliga titles and was never red carded in his entire career.  

8. Bastian Schweinsteiger

Midfield maestro Bastian Schweinsteiger is one of the best Bayern Munich players in history. He spent 17 seasons at the club after coming through the youth academy and he played in 500 matches across all competitions, scoring 68 goals.

Schweinsteiger played with an incredible work rate and he controlled the midfield with his excellent passing, strength, skills, and an incredible shot from range. He won eight Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal seven times and the Champions League in 2013. 

7. Sepp Maier 

Across an 18-year career with Bayern Munich, Sepp Maier played a key role in 473 Bundesliga games for Bayern Munich including an incredible 442 consecutive games, a Bundesliga record. 

Maier was able to dominate the box and he kept 137 clean sheets thanks to his speed, agility and his reflexes. A remarkably consistent goalkeeper, he’s seventh on our list of best Bayern Munich players ever. 

6. Lothar Matthäus

Lothar Matthäus was intelligence and versatility personified. He excelled either as a box-to-box midfielder, as a deep-lying playmaker or even as a sweeper. He was so technically gifted he could score no matter where he played. 

Matthäus never won the Champions League but in 12 seasons with Bayern Munich he scored an impressive 121 goals from 464 games. In 1990 he also earned himself the Ballon d’or while at Inter Milan. 

5. Oliver Kahn

Oliver Kahn was one of the most commanding presences in football history, playing with an aggressive style combined with great mental strength, excellent reflexes, agility and technique. He won eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokals and the Champions League in 2001. 

Kahn played 557 games in the Bundesliga with 429 of those at Bayern Munich. One of the greatest ever goalkeepers, he kept a-then record 204 clean sheets before Manuel Neuer overtook him in 2001. 

4. Manuel Neuer

Considered by many to be the greatest keeper of all time, Manuel Neuer is credited with revolutionising the modern day goalkeeper and is the definition of a sweeper-keeper. Tall, physically strong and athletic, he’s known for his composure and ability to adapt to any in-game situation. 

Neuer has always had complete command over his area and beyond, as he’s able to read the game and anticipate opposition plays by rushing off his line. He’s won the Bundesliga eleven times and the Champions League twice with Bayern Munich.  

3. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is one of Bayern Munich’s greatest ever players. Strong with both feet, he was physically imposing and was versatile, able to play both through the middle or out wide. 

With his pace, dribbling and heading skills he could score from both close and long range. Rummenigge helped the club earn back-to-back European Cup wins in 1983 and 1984, won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal twice, and was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1980 and 1981.

2. Gerd Müller

Gerd Müller was a predator in front of goal. He was a clinical finisher, especially from close range, and he had a natural instinct for the game, able to score with his left and right feet as well as with his head. 

Muller was a four-time Bundesliga champion and he won the European Cup three times. In 607 games for Bayern Munich Muller scored 566 goals. One of football’s greatest goalscorers, he won the Ballon d’Or in 1970

1. Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer is the best Bayern Munich player in history and one of the greatest defenders of all time. He dominated in defence and he helped Bayern to four Bundesliga championships and three consecutive European Cup victories from 1974 to 1976.

Beckenbauer started out as a midfielder before making his name as a central defender, credited with popularising the modern sweeper role. So versatile was Beckenbauer he scored 57 goals in 535 games for Bayern Munich and he’s the only defender in history to win the Ballon d’Or twice. 

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