It’s still raining money for the world’s most valuable soccer teams because they attract an incredible number of fans inside stadiums and in front of televisions, particularly for the Champions League
Sponsors salivate, paying more and more money to attach themselves to these teams, knowing their players are global billboards whose likenesses are embedded in the hearts and minds of billions.
According to Forbes, after a two-year hiatus as soccer’s most valuable team, Real Madrid is back on top, worth $4.24 billion. Real Madrid reaped $100 million from winning its third consecutive Champions League in 2018 and is reportedly on the verge of signing the most lucrative kit deal in soccer history—$1.8 billion over 12 years with Adidas.
Real Madrid is followed by rival Barcelona ($4 billion), Manchester United ($3.8 billion), Bayern Munich ($3 billion) and Manchester City ($2.69 billion).
Forbes’ 20 most valuable football teams:
1. Real Madrid $4.239 B
2. Barcelona $4.021 B
3. Manchester United $3.808 B
4. Bayern Munich $3.024 B
5. Manchester City $2.688 B
6. Chelsea $2.576 B
7. Arsenal $2.268 B
8. Liverpool $2.183 B
9. Tottenham Hotspur $1.624 B
10. Juventus $1.512 B
11. Paris Saint-Germain $1.092 B
12. Atletico de Madrid $953 M
13. Borussia Dortmund $896 M
14. Schalke 04 $683 M
15. Inter Milan $672 M
16. AS Roma $622 M
17. West Ham United $616 M
18. AC Milan $583 M
19. Everton $476 M
20. Newcastle United $381 M