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The top five leagues in Europe are widely considered to be the most competitive in the world. Thus it comes as no surprise that teams from these leagues dominate the list of most valuable teams in club football. The top ten teams on that list have as many as five clubs from the Premier League - the richest league in the game.
Unsurprisingly, teams from Europe's top five leagues have dominated the big competitions. For instance, only one team (Porto) from outside the top five leagues have won the Champions League in the last two decades.
However, there are teams outside the top five leagues who have assembled expensive rosters as they look to break into the game's elite. On that note, here's a look at the ten most valuable teams outside Europe's top five leagues.
#10 Flamengo (Brazil) - €148 million
Reigning Brazilian Serie A champions Flamengo are one of the richest club teams outside Europe's top five leagues. They are the only non-European club on this list.
The legendary Brazilian club have won seven top-flight titles. Flamengo are also two-time winners of the Copa Libertadores, South America's equivalent of the UEFA Champions League.
Currently third in the Brazilian Serie A standings, Flamengo acquired David Luiz from the Premier League this summer as they look to retain their league title.
The Mengao have four players valued at €10 million or above, led by centre-forward Gabriel Barbosa (€26 million). Captain Diego, goalkeeper Diego Alves and left-back Felipe Luis, all 36, are the oldest players on their roster.
#9 Club Brugge (Belgium) - €150 million
Club Brugge recently made headlines for holding a star-studded PSG team to a 1-1 draw in their opening 2021-22 UEFA Champions League game. The reigning Belgian champions unexpectedly dominated the match for large swathes, and could have taken all three points on the night.
Brugge have six players, led by left winger Noah Lang (€22 million) who are valued at at least €10 million. The 17-time Belgian top-flight winners will next be in action against Leuven before they travel to Leipzig for their second Champions League game.
#8 RB Salzburg (Austria) - €152 million
RB Salzburg are one of the most valuable European club teams outside the continent's top five leagues.
The reigning Austrian champions have made a perfect start to their domestic campaign, winning all eight league matches. In their opening Champions League game, they missed two penalties in a 1-1 draw at Sevilla. That marked the first time four penalties were awarded in a Champions League game - three for Salzburg and one for Sevilla.
Salzburg have five players, led by centre-forward Karim Adeyemi (€20 million), who are valued at €10 million or more. The Austrian powerhouse will take on Kalsdorf in the Austrian Cup in midweek before they travel to Wolfsberg for a league game over the weekend.
#7 PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) - €158 million
PSV Eindhoven are one of the most famous club teams in Europe outside the top five leagues.
The 24-time Eredivisie winners failed to qualify for the Champions League this season as they fell in the playoff round to Benfica. They lost 2-1 in the first leg at Benfica and a goalless draw at home ultimately ended their qualification hopes.
PSV, who are second in the 2021-22 Eredivisie table, have five players on their roster who are valued at €10 million or more. Left winger Cody Galpo (€22 million) is their most valuable player.
The Eredivisie giants fell to a 4-0 home defeat to Feyenoord on Sunday after opening their Europa League campaign with a 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad.
#6 Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia) - €174 million
Reigning Russian league champions Zenit St. Petersburg opened their UEFA Champions League campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat at holders Chelsea. The Russian team put up a commendable fight, as they conceded just once against the mighty Blues.
Zenit, who are the most valuable team in the Russian Premier League, are leading the league table this season. Center forward Sardar Azmoun (€25 million) and right winger Malcom (€22 million) lead a group of eight Zenit players who are valued at at least €10 million.
The Russian champions will host Malmo next week as they seek to get off the mark in their Champions League group.
#5 Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) - €184 million
Shakhtar Donetsk opened their 2021-22 UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-0 defeat at competition debutants Sheriff. The Ukrainian giants, who finished second in their league last season, struggled to get going throughout the match.
Shakhtar, who are second in their league table this season, have many valuable players on their roster. Wingers Tete and Manor Solomon, and left-back Dodo, all valued at €20 million, are three of six Shakhtar players who have a valuation of at least €10 million.
The team has a busy next few days coming up. Shakhtar take on Dynamo Kyiv in the Ukrainian Super Cup final in midweek. They will then welcome Veres Rivne for a league game before Serie A champions Inter Milan visit them next week.
#4 Sporting CP (Portugal) - €194 million
Reigning Portuguese league winners Sporting CP have made a disastrous start to their 2021-22 Champions League campaign. The Primeira Liga giants succumbed to a heavy 5-1 defeat at home to Ajax.
Sebastien Haller starred in that game, becoming only the second player in competition history to score a quadruple on his debut.
Sporting, though, have some quality players on their roster. Pablo Sarabia (€25 million), on loan from PSG, leads a pack of six Sporting players who are valued at at least €10 million.
The Portuguese giants host Maritimo in a league game this weekend before they travel to Borussia Dortmund in midweek.
#3 Porto (Portugal) - €262 million
Porto are one of the most famous teams outside Europe's top five leagues. They opened their Champions League campaign this season by holding two-time finalists Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw at the Wanda Metropolitano.
The Primeira Liga giants took the game to their hosts, but couldn't breach their determined rearguard, making the result a fair one for both teams.
The 29-time Primeira Liga champions have many valuable players on their roster. They are led by midfielders Jesus Corona (€30 million), Luis Diaz (€25 million) and Otavio (€21 million).
Porto will visit Gli Vicente in the league this weekend before they travel to Liverpool in midweek.
#2 Benfica (Portugal) - €287 million
Benfica are one of the most valuable clubs outside Europe's top five leagues. The record Primeira Liga champions, despite a midseason resurgence, were pipped to the league title by Sporting CP last season.
They opened their 2021-22 Champions League campaign with a goalless draw at Dynamo Kyiv.
Benfica, the most valuable club team in Portugal, have more than ten players who are valued at €10 million. Right winger Rafa Silva (€23 million) is the most valuable player on their roster.
After two league games in the next few days, Benfica will welcome struggling La Liga giants Barcelona in the Champions League.
#1 Ajax (Netherlands) - €343 million
Former European giants Ajax are the most valuable club team outside the continent's top five leagues.
The Eredivisie giants opened their 2021-22 Champions League campaign with a resounding 5-1 win at Sporting CP. Sebastien Haller starred with a quadruple on debut, making him only the second player to score four goals in his first Champions League game.
Central midfielder Ryan Gravenberch (€33 million), goalkeeper Andre Onana (€30 million) and centre-forward Haller (€27 million) are the most expensive players on the Ajax roster.
Following on from their big win at Sporting, Ajax thumped Cambuur 9-0 in the Eredivisie. They have two more league games in the next few days before they welcome Besiktas to Amsterdam next week.
