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Football is known around the globe as the 'beautiful game'. The beautiful game has obviously garnered fans all over the world and is arguably the most popular sport on the planet. As such, it is a sport that has immense potential for commercialization and this has enabled football clubs to grow at an incredible rate.
The revenue generated by football clubs across various avenues like sponsorship deals and prize money is staggering and it often flows from millions to billions of Euros. As such, football players and football clubs are two entities that have been marketed to great lengths.
On that note, let's take a look at five of the most valuable football clubs at present.
All stats courtesy of Transfermarkt.com
#5 Paris Saint-Germain - €772.88 million
Paris Saint-Germain have been synonymous with big money ever since Tamim bin Hammad Al Thani, the ruler of Qatar, took over the club via the Qatar Sports Investment in 2011. It immediately made them the richest club in France and PSG have dominated the Ligue 1 ever since.
They were able to sign two of the most expensive players in the world in Neymar and Kylian Mbappe and finally stepped up last season, making it to the finals of the UEFA Champions League. As a result, their value has increased significantly.
This has enabled them to overtake the likes of some European giants like Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid and break into the top five most valuable clubs in the world right now. Given the manner in which they're progressing, their value is set to increase over the coming years.
#4 Bayern Munich - €788.27 million
Bayern Munich have been flying both in Europe and in the Bundesliga and is arguably the best side in the continent right now. Under the tutelage of Hans Dieter-Flick, they became the intercontinental treble winners in the 2019-20 season.
The Bavarians have been able to consistently field some of the finest players and have remained sat among the elite for a long time now. They have been tipped to replicate their exploits from last season and defend their Champions League crown this term and if you look at the starpower within their ranks, you wouldn't ask why.
Bayern Munich's value has definitely increased following their absolutely dominant performance in the 2019-20 season and it doesn't look like they are going to lose momentum any time soon.
#3 Barcelona - €790.38 million
These have been testing times for Barcelona both on the pitch and away from it. There has been a lot of discontentment between the players, the board and the fans and it has all now culminated in Josep Maria Bartomeu and his board of directors tendering their resignation.
The 2019-20 season was a largely forgettable campaign for the Cules as they went trophyless for the first time since 2007. However, that has still not been able to put a major dent in Barcelona's value as a club as they continue to be one of the top three most valuable clubs in the world.
It would have perhaps taken a major hit had Lionel Messi left the club like he had decided back in the summer transfer window. Messi is one of the most followed sporting personalities in the world and having him on his payroll has definitely helped Barcelona's case.
#2 Manchester City - €971.64 million
Like Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City were catapulted back into prominence following the takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008 which led to an incredible amount of funds being pumped into the club. Manchester City have now become a massive club.
They have been the most dominant unit in the English top-flight over the past decade and under Pep Guardiola, they have shown signs of being world beaters though they have continuously pulled up short in Europe.
Manchester City are packed to the hilt with superstars from across the world and have one of the best football managers of all time, Pep Guardiola, coaching them. As such, the €971.64 valuation comes as no surprise.
#1 Liverpool - €973.35 million
It has been a road full of thorns, fire and potholes for Liverpool since the beginning of the Premier League era but it's safe to say now that they have reached the summit. Jurgen Klopp has achieved the incredible feat of guiding the Merseysiders to a Champions League trophy and then the Premier League crown in successive seasons.
It has been a meticulously planned trip to the top with Liverpool investing wisely in the transfer market and making some shrewd signings that have got them incredible returns. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, and Firmino were all relatively cheap signings but they took Liverpool to the top of Europe in captivating fashion.
They are tipped to defend their Premier League crown this season but the English top-flight continues to be unpredictable and there's no telling which way the 2020-21 season is going.
