THE MOST SUCCESSFUL & RICHEST FOOTBALL CLUBS IN THE WORLD – 2013 by Cem Sezgin

CEM SEZGIN’s ANALYSIS OF MOST SUCCESSFUL & RICHEST FOOTBALL CLUBS IN THE WORLD – SEASON 2013

As “Industrial Football” gained popularity – particularly in last two decades, ranking football clubs has become very common. These rankings which are on financial grounds as one would imagine, are based on similar or at least to some extent correlated criterias. As a consequence, their results are not dramatically different and I have referred to the most respected rankings covering this topic. Yet, in my analysis I am linking all these “financial” lists, to the most known “success based” list – the UEFA Rankings. The very idea behind this exercise is simply my quest for answering the questions such as “Do you need to be rich to be successful?” (Or vice versa) and “Do biggest spenders achieve the greatest success?”

The table below is a combination of five different rankings:

1. The first one is the UEFA Team Rankings – based on the success of teams. This ranking is the cumulative of 5 UEFA team coefficients in the last 5 years. These coefficients are computed as the sum of the number of points of each single team plus 20% of each team’s country coefficient.
2. The second one is Deloitte Football Money League – “a classical” reference which ranks the football clubs based on their revenues, which are grouped under 3 major categories: Matchday, Broadcasting & Commercial. The list used was published in January 2013 – being the 16th edition.
3. The third one is the Forbes Football Rich List. The values of the clubs are estimated based on past transactions, market value, debt and stadium. The list is being published annually since 2007.
4. The fourth one is Transfermarkt’s Squad Value Ranking. This list ranks the soccer club’s based on market values – summing up the market value of each player in that team’s squad.
5. The fifth & the final list is Brand Finance’s Football 50 – Counting down world’s most valuable football brands. The list is compiled using, public information regarding market share, market growth & company financials. Deloitte Football Money League is a major source for the list, but as there are other criterias; the two lists are not identical.

CEM SEZGIN’S COMBINED FOOTBALL RANKINGS TABLE – SEASON 2013

EUROPE RULES & THE BIG FIVE LEAGUES DOMINATE

The “Big 5” Leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy & France) dominate all the lists. 12 teams from 4 countries succeeded in appearing all 5 lists. Half of these are English. 6 from England (Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City & Tottenham Hotspur), 3 from Italy (AC Milan, Internazionale, Juventus), 2 from Spain (FC Barcelona, Real Madrid), 1 from Germany (Bayern Munich).

Corinthians is the only non European team to take place in those lists – appearing both on Forbes & Brand Finance rankings. It is also present in Deloitte’s list at #31 as the last club listed, but as only the top 30 are taken; it does not demonstrated in the table.

CAN MONEY BUY HAPPINESS?

The answer is “not necessarily”. But I will be reserving the details for another article. As for now, I can say there are some basic facts – like the tables above demonstrate. For example:

• In all 4 of the “financial lists”, the “Big 5” nations dominate. But in the UEFA Rankings, three other nations – Portugal, Ukraine & Russia, emerge as challengers. In terms of squad value, the picture is similar.
• Turkey despite being presented in three of the those 4 list, does not have a team among the Top 30 in UEFA Rankings.
• Tottenham Hotspur with no major success and cup titles neither in European competitions or Premier League for more than decades managed to take place in all 5 lists.
• Manchester City – a top 10 club in all 4 rankings, stands at only #22 in UEFA Rankings.
• German teams appear to be quite wealthy, but it is only Bayern Munich & Schalke 04 to make top 30 in UEFA Rankings.
• Despite winning the league title in 2011/12 season & becoming runners-up in both Bundesliga & the Champions League in 2012/13, Borussia Dortmund could not make the top 30 list in UEFA Rankings, missing the target very narrowly as it stood at no 31. The team is well presented in all other 4 lists.
• The examples go on and on…

Please post your comments. As my motto is “The truth has only one version, but points of view are limitless“. You can also share your detailed comments with me via sezgincem@gmail.com

Best Regards,

Mustafa CEM SEZGİN, Istanbul – Turkey