For most people, football is just a post – maybe the most popular in the world – but behind some of the most amazing matches, with thrilling moments, missed penalties and goals in the 90th minute, there are a lot of money. Keeping it short, football is a business.
Investors, entrepreneurs, companies or sheikhs are putting a lot of money into this game and the results can be impressive. If you’re wondering how much money is your favorite team worth, we’ve made a short list with the richest football clubs in Europe, based on Forbes’ Soccer Valuations.
1. Real Madrid
This doesn’t come as a surprise, considering that Madrid is the home of the most expensive and well paid players in the world: Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. With a total value of $3.26 billion and a $746 million yearly revenue, Real Madrid maintained their position and they’re currently number one in the richest football clubs in Europe top.
2. FC Barcelona
La Liga is present with another team on our list. Currently having one of the ‘deadliest’ attacking trios in the world, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, FC Barcelona is a real goldmine, having a total value of $3.17 billion and a yearly revenue of $657 million.
3. Manchester United
Despite their the biggest brand in football, Manchester United is only on the third position in the richest football clubs in Europe hierarchy. Over the last seasons, they were a bit far from the top of the Premier League, but still managed to reach a value of $3.10 billion and a yearly revenue of $703 million.
4. FC Bayern Munich
The Bundesliga champions are pretty much going to their best period in the last years, becoming one of the richest football clubs in Europe, with a total value of $2.34 billion and a yearly revenue of $661 million. After all, just the team’s manager, Josep Guardiola, is receiving almost $20 million per season!
5. Manchester City
Sheikh Mansour’s huge investments in the London-based club are finally bringing results. After spending hundreds of millions on transfers and manager wages, Manchester City is currently the 5th in this top, with a value of $1.37 billion and a yearly revenue of $562 million.
