IFFHS Club World Ranking 2025: Real Madrid Secures Top Spot

Key Takeaways

European Dominance

European clubs, particularly from Spain and England, command the top of the 2025 rankings. This reflects the continent's superior performance in major international and domestic competitions.

• UEFA teams occupy all of the top 10 spots.
• Real Madrid and FC Barcelona hold the #1 and #2 positions, respectively.
• The English Premier League has five clubs in the top 20.

Global Football Landscape

While Europe leads, South American clubs are the primary challengers, with teams from other confederations further down the list. This highlights the current power balance in international club football.

• Brazil's Botafogo is the highest-ranked non-European team at #11.
• CONMEBOL clubs from Brazil and Argentina feature prominently in the top 50.
• The highest-ranked team from the United States, Los Angeles FC, is positioned at #196.

Top Ranking

#1 Real Madrid CF 470.0 pts

Real Madrid's position at the zenith of the IFFHS Club World Ranking for 2025 is a reflection of their sustained excellence and unparalleled success on both the domestic and European stages. With 470.0 points, the Spanish giants have once again demonstrated their status as a global football powerhouse. This ranking is built on a foundation of consistent victories in La Liga, where they perpetually challenge for the title, and their formidable performances in the UEFA Champions League, a competition they have historically dominated. The club's ability to blend world-class superstars with prodigious young talent creates a dynamic and resilient squad capable of competing at the highest level year after year. Their global brand, immense financial resources, and a winning culture that permeates every level of the organization ensure they remain the benchmark against which all other clubs are measured. The 2025 ranking reaffirms their legacy and current standing as the world's leading football club.

#2 FC Barcelona 434.0 pts

FC Barcelona secures the second spot with 434.0 points, underscoring their role as a perennial contender in world football. As the primary domestic rival to Real Madrid, their high placement is a testament to their consistent competitiveness in La Liga and their strong showings in European tournaments. The club is renowned for its distinctive, possession-based style of play, a philosophy that has influenced football globally. Despite facing financial and transitional challenges in recent years, Barcelona has maintained a high standard of performance by integrating promising talents from its famed La Masia academy with established international stars. This blend allows them to remain competitive and challenge for top honors. Their ranking reflects not only their on-field results but also their stature as one of the most iconic and widely supported clubs in the world, with a rich history of success and a commitment to an attractive footballing identity.

#3 Inter Milan 419.0 pts

Inter Milan's ranking as the third-best club in the world with 419.0 points highlights their resurgence as a dominant force in both Italian and European football. The Nerazzurri have built a formidable squad characterized by tactical discipline, defensive solidity, and a potent attack. Their success in Serie A, where they have re-established themselves as title contenders, combined with deep runs in UEFA competitions, has propelled them to the upper echelon of this global ranking. The club's strategic recruitment and the astute management have been crucial in crafting a balanced and experienced team capable of executing a demanding, high-intensity game plan. This placement is a clear indicator of Inter's return to prominence and their capacity to compete with the very best, solidifying their status as a powerhouse of European football and the leading club from Italy in the 2025 standings.

#4 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 402.0 pts

Paris Saint-Germain's position at #4 with 402.0 points confirms their status as a modern European superpower. Fueled by significant investment, PSG has dominated French football, consistently securing the Ligue 1 title while also making a significant impact in the UEFA Champions League. The club has become a global brand, attracting some of the world's most high-profile players and assembling a star-studded squad with immense attacking firepower. Their ability to consistently reach the latter stages of Europe's premier club competition is a key factor in their high ranking. While the ultimate prize of a Champions League trophy has remained elusive, their domestic supremacy and consistent presence among Europe's elite demonstrate their established place in the top tier of world football. The 2025 ranking reflects their continued strength and ambition to translate financial power into continental glory.

#5 Arsenal F.C. 362.0 pts

Arsenal F.C. rounds out the top five with 362.0 points, marking their return to the elite of European football. After a period of transition, the London-based club has re-emerged as a major force in the highly competitive English Premier League and has demonstrated its quality on the European stage. Under strategic leadership, Arsenal has cultivated a young, dynamic, and technically gifted squad that plays an exciting, attacking brand of football. Their consistent performances and ability to challenge for the Premier League title against formidable rivals have been key to their ascent in the rankings. This high placement is a reward for their progress and a clear sign that they are once again a team capable of competing for the biggest honors. It solidifies their position not only as one of England's top clubs but also as a significant power in the global football landscape.

#196 Los Angeles FC 107.5 pts

Los Angeles FC's ranking at #196 with 107.5 points positions them as one of the leading clubs in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the CONCACAF region. Since their inception, LAFC has been a model of ambition and success in American soccer, quickly establishing a winning culture and a passionate fan base. Their performance in domestic competitions, including the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield, alongside their notable runs in the CONCACAF Champions League, contributes to their global standing. The club has been successful in attracting high-profile international talent while also developing promising domestic players, creating a competitive and entertaining team. While their ranking highlights the performance gap that still exists between MLS and the top European leagues, it also signifies LAFC's status as a benchmark for soccer in the United States and a club with the ambition to grow its presence on the international stage.