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.

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Best Barcelona Players of All Time

These legendary individuals left their mark at one of the greatest clubs ever. Let’s take a look at the best players in Barcelona’s history. 

10. Pep Guardiola

Before Pep Guardiola became a legendary coach he became a Barcelona icon as a player. Joining the club’s La Masia youth academy as a 13-year old he rose through the ranks and made his senior debut six years later in 1990. An intelligent and technically gifted defensive midfielder, he was a part of six La Liga titles for the club, and he helped win Barcelona’s first European Cup in 1992. 

9. Gerard Pique

Gerard Pique formed one of the most commanding centre back partnerships in history with Carles Puyol. Pique’s defensive ability was world class and he displayed excellent positioning, composure, intelligence and leadership. Another product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia, he returned in 2008 from a stint with Manchester United and featured in 307 league games in La Liga. He is a 9-time La Liga champion and won three Champions League crowns with Barcelona. 

8. Cesar

Cesar was one of the best centre forwards to ever play for Barcelona with an ability to score with a powerful header and by using both feet. One of the best Barcelona players ever, he won the Spanish title five times during his career. 

In addition to his excellent finishing he could create opportunities with his excellent dribbling skills and he held the record for most league goals for sixty years until Lionel Messi overtook his goal tally in 2012. 

7. Rivaldo

Rivaldo was an unstoppable force at Barcelona, winning two La Liga titles in his five years at the club. Across his 157 league games he scored 86 goals, dazzling across the pitch with his enthralling dribbling, pace, passing and finishing ability. Rivaldo’s career peaked in 1999 after winning the Ballon d’Or, the ultimate rags to riches story after overcoming physical hurdles and a tough upbringing. 

6. Johan Cruyff

The greatest player never to win the World Cup Johan Cruyff revolutionized Barcelona’s style of play. His elegance, intelligence, and technical brilliance earned him many accolades including being crowned the Ballon d’Or three times. Cruyff managed to win one La Liga title in 1973-74 and scored 48 goals in 143 league games. He also helped guide Barcelona to their first La Liga title in nearly 15 years as manager in 1990. 

5. Carles Puyol

Carles Puyol starred for Barcelona across a fifteen-year career, with ten of those spent as club captain. Beginning his career as a right-back he fast became one of the world’s best centrebacks and had a formidable partnership at the back with Gerard Pique. 

Despite his 5-foot-10 height he was physically imposing, great in the air, showed immense bravery and had a no-nonsense mentality which made him one of the most consistent defenders in the world. He won La Liga six times and the Champions League on three occasions.  

4. Ronaldinho

During his prime Ronaldinho was one of the most exciting players to watch in football history. He joined Barcelona from PSG in 2003 and in five seasons, won the Champions League in 2006, and La Liga on two occasions. His silky skill, flair and speed was a key part of the beginning of Barcelona’s domination in European football.

Ronaldinho earned himself the Ballon d’Or in 2005, the same year he became the first person since Diego Maradona to earn a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabéu.

3. Andrés Iniesta

Andres Iniesta was a huge part of Barcelona’s golden generation and is one of the best Barcelona players of all time. Indispensable in midfield, he had immense skill, composure and flair, and he formed a legendary trio with Xavi and Lionel Messi. 

Iniesta played 442 games in La Liga and provided 86 assists. He had an ability to take his game to another level the bigger the occasion was, earning nine La Liga championships, four Champions League titles, was awarded Ballon d’Or runner-up in 2010 and third place in 2012. 

2. Xavi

Xavi is one of the greatest midfielders ever. Beginning his career at the club as a 11-year old he was instrumental in over 500 league games for Barcelona. Able to dictate the pace of games, he could easily find space and is one of the greatest passers in history with 129 La Liga assists. In 17 years with the club he won La Liga eight times and added four Champions League titles. Xavi never won the Ballon d’Or but arguably deserved to in 2010. 

1. Lionel Messi

Arguably the best soccer player of all time, Lionel Messi is certainly the greatest player to ever play for Barcelona. The Argentine joined Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy at the age of 13 in 2000. At 17 years of age he would make his competitive debut for the club against rivals Espanyol wearing the number 30. 

By the time he left in 2021 he made the #10 his own and created an unmatched legacy in his 21 years at Barcelona. Personal accomplishments for Messi include a record 7 Ballon d’Or awards, 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League crowns, and 474 goals in 520 league games. Messi is no doubt the undisputed best Barcelona player of all time. 

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Best Real Madrid Players 

These players left their mark at Real Madrid, a lasting legacy at a club full of history. Let’s take a look at the 10 best Real Madrid players of all time.

10. Zidane

Zinedine Zidane joined Real Madrid in 2001 and had an immediate impact. He won the Champions League in 2001-02 and La Liga in 2002-03 with the club and mesmerized fans with his passing, ball control and playmaking ability. 

Zidane only played five seasons at Real Madrid but he left an everlasting impact at the club. In 155 league games for the club, scoring 37 goals and 51 assists before retiring in 2006. 

In 2016 Zidane became manager of Real Madrid, winning two La Liga championships and the Champions League in three successive years.

9. Luka Modric

In 2012 Luka Modric joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur for about £30 million. A midfield maestro, Modric showed technical brilliance and was a major contribution both attacking and defensively, 

The Croatian was a major contributor in Real Madrid’s 2016-17, 2019-20 and 2021-22 La Liga championship sides, and he played a key part in five Champions League titles.

Modric’s biggest achievement was being awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2018 on the back of Croatia making the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final. It was the first time since 2007 that a player outside of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had won the award.

8. Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas is one of the best goalkeepers ever and is one of Real Madrd’s best players ever. He had excellent goalkeeping skills, leadership, and a long-standing loyalty to the club. He won 19 titles in his 25 years at the club. 

He was an exceptional leader for the club and won five league championships and three Champions League titles.

7. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema ended a 14-year career at Real Madrid, joining Saudi giants Al-Ittihad in 2023. He left the club as Real Madrid’s second highest goalscorer of all time, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Benzema won 25 trophies at the club including four La Liga titles and five Champions League crowns. He sensationally was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2022 and is the second oldest winner of the award at 34 years and 302 days old. 

6. Raul

After 16 years at the club Raul retired as Real Madrid’s highest goalscorer in all competitions, Cristiano Ronaldo surpassing him in 2015. 

Raul played 550 games in La Liga and he left his mark as one of the best Real Madrid players ever, his leadership and ability to score at crucial times invaluable. 

He scored 228 goals won six La Liga titles, and also added three UEFA Champions League titles and scored in two finals.

5. Francisco “Paco” Gento 

One of the greatest Spanish footballers ever, Francisco “Paco” Gento is one of the greatest players ever for Real Madrid. The lightning quick winger had exceptional pace and skill and was a major part of the club’s success throughout the 1950s and 1960s. 

In eight European Cup finals, Gento won six of those, and he collected 12 La Liga titles during his 18 seasons at the club. He went on to score 182 goals in 600 official matches and is one of the greatest left wingers in history.

4. Sergio Ramos

One of the greatest defenders in football history, Sergio Ramos joined Real Madrid in 2005 from Sevilla and enjoyed 16 phenomenal seasons at the club.

Not only was he one of the best defensively, he made major attacking contributions and he scored 72 league goals in 469 appearances. 

One of the best Real Madrid players ever, Ramos won five La Liga championships and four UEFA Champions League titles, leaving behind a legacy as a true Real Madrid legend.

3. Ferenc Puskas

Puskas’ goal scoring made him an icon, so much so that FIFA’s annual “most beautiful” goal of the year award is named after him. 

After arriving at Real Madrid from Budapest Honved, Puskas was a key figure in Real Madrid’s golden era during the 1950s and 1960s. 

During eight seasons with Real, Puskás played 180 La Liga games, scored 156 goals, won five Spanish league titles and three European Cups.

2. Alfredo Di Stefano

Real Madrid dominated throughout the 1950s and 1960s and Alfredo Di Stefano was a big part of that. In 11 years with the club he won 8 Spanish championships and five consecutive European Cups.

Di Stefano scored 308 goals in 396 official matches and is quite possibly the best all-round player in history. It was only decades later this goalscoring record would be passed by Raul.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the greatest player of all time and he’s the best Real Madrid player of all time. During his nine-year spell at Real Madrid he set numerous records that are unlikely to ever be beaten. 

After joining from Manchester United for £80 million in 2009, Ronaldo won four Champions League titles and two La Liga titles. He scored an astonishing 450 goals in just 438 appearances for Real Madrid with 311 of those in the league goals from 292 games.

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We’re lucky to have witnessed two generational talents in the same era, and like the LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan debate, there’s a case to make why either of these two are the GOAT’s of football.   

The Messi and Ronaldo Rivalry

Messi and Ronaldo have been locked into a fierce battle for supremacy since Ronaldo made his first team debut for Sporting Lisbon in 2002. Messi would make his debut for Barcelona in 2005.

So what is it about this particular rivalry that has made it so special?

How did it all begin?

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo first crossed paths in 2004, when Ronaldo was a rising star at Manchester United, and Messi was a young prodigy at Barcelona. From the very beginning it was clear that these two players had something special about them.

Ronaldo was a skilful and showboating athletic marvel with a rocket of a shot. Messi was a creative genius with an out-of-this-world ability to dribble and score goals.

Both Ronaldo and Messi consistently raised the bar for what was possible on the pitch and they pushed each other to new heights as the years went on.

So let’s take a look at the reasons why Messi and Ronaldo have the greatest rivalry ever. 

Messi and Ronaldo Differences

While both Messi and Ronaldo are widely regarded as two of the greatest football players of all time, they both have very different skillsets and a different style of play.

Ronaldo is known for his pace, power, and aerial ability, and he’s scored an incredible number of goals with his head as well as his feet. He’s an excellent free-kick taker and has scored some truly breathtaking set-piece goals throughout his career.

On the other hand, Messi is small in stature but he more than makes up for it with his incredible ball control and dribbling skills. He’s a master at creating space for himself and his teammates, has an incredible understanding of the game, and is clinical at finishing.

Despite their differences in strengths, both Ronaldo and Messi have consistently put up staggering numbers throughout their careers. 

In 2022 during his second spell at Manchester United, Ronaldo scored his 800th career goal. Messi scored his 796th career goal in 2023 in PSG’s 2-1 win over Toulouse.

At the time of his goal against Toulouse, Messi had also made 350 assists from 1008 appearances. Ronaldo had 234 assists from 1,148 games. 

Trophies

Both Messi and Ronaldo have won numerous individual and team accolades, and they have consistently been at the top of the scoring charts in whatever league they’ve played in. 

Ronaldo’s won the English Premier League three times, the Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A twice each, the UEFA Champions League five times, and has also won numerous domestic competitions.

Messi has won La Liga 10 times, Copa del Rey 7 times, the UEFA Champions League on four occasions as well as countless other competitions much like Ronaldo.

One of the biggest defining factors however, in the Messi and Ronaldo debate and who is better is the amount of Ballon d’Or titles each of them has won. Messi has won the award 7 times. Ronaldo has won it 5 times. 

On the international stage, Ronaldo won Euro 2016 with Portugal. In 2022 Messi went a long way to settling the debate in many people’s eyes, winning the World Cup to add to Argentina’s Copa America title they had won a year earlier. 

Messi vs Ronaldo Head to Head 

Messi and Ronaldo have battled it out with some of the most memorable games in the modern era. Since meeting each other for the first time in the 2008 Champions League semifinal, the pair have played each other 36 times head-to-head.

Some of the most memorable games head-to-head between Messi and Ronaldo was Barcelona’s 5-0 “La Mainta” win in 2010, and Messi’s 92nd-minute winner in 2017, with Messi famously took his shirt off and holding it to the Real Madrid crowd in a 3-2 win. 

The most important battle between Messi and Ronaldo however, was the 2009 Champions League Final. Messi and Barcelona went on to win the game 2-0, and completing their first ever league, cup and European treble in the process. Messi even scored a header in that game!  

El Clásico, the biggest football rivalry in the world, laid the platform for the Messi and Ronaldo rivalry with match-ups between the two always a high stakes game.

Messi wins against Ronaldo head-to-head, with 16 wins in competitive matches, compared to 11 wins for Ronaldo. The pair have drawn nine games against each other and Messi has the edge with one more goal in their match-ups.

Global Influence

Both players can generate so much attention and excitement, and teams are willing to pay for it. Messi’s contract he signed with PSG in 2021 is worth £35m a year. Ronaldo’s contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr is worth a staggering £172m a season. 

Anything Messi or Ronaldo does will trend and go viral, and both have lucrative endorsement deals with the biggest companies on the planet. 

Ronaldo has a 10-year deal with Nike worth more than £14 million a season, plus bonuses. He also has his own hotel chain called Pestana CR7, with hotels in Portugal, Spain, Morocco and New York. He even launched a gym called CR7 Fitness based in Madrid.  

Messi has a lifetime deal with Adidas which earns him £18 million every year and he has a huge list of endorsement deals worth at least £45 million.

When Ronaldo moved to Juventus in 2018, the club sold over £50 million in jerseys in the first 24 hours. When Messi arrived at PSG it generated 830,000 jersey sales in the first 24 hours, generating over £80 million in revenue. 

In conclusion, both players are hugely influential and the pair have captured the attention and imagination of fans all around the world. It’s a rivalry that has transcended the sport of soccer and is likely going to be an eternal debate. 

Who’s the better player in the Messi and Ronaldo rivalry? You be the judge. One thing is for sure. The rivalry will be remembered, celebrated, and debated for generations to come. 

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