April 13 – FC Barcelona are the world’s most valuable club with a valuation of $4.76 billion according to business magazine Forbes. Premier League Manchester United have dropped out of the top three in the ranking.
At the top of the wealth valuation, the Catalan club replace arch rivals Real Madrid, who are worth $4.75 billion. Over the last 15 years either Real Madrid or Manchester United have held the top two positions in Forbes’ top ten list of the world’s most valuable football teams.
The English club, owned by the Glazer family, have been valued at $4.2 billion with German and European champions Bayern Munich moving into the third position, valued at $4.215 billion.
Premier League clubs complete the bulk of the top ten, with Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham all ranked.
Forbes said the average worth of clubs in the top 20 had increased by 30% in the last two years, despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last season, matchday revenue fell to $441m, a 9.6% decrease from the 2017-18 season.
Barcelona’s valuation comes after a season of sporting and financial concern. The club has endured a fractious relationship with talisman Lionel Messi, failed to impress in both the Champions League and La Liga, and Juan Laporta returned to the presidency after tempestuous elections.
The club’s most recent financial report showed that it made a loss of $117 million in 2020 and has debts in excess of $1 billion.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714085410labto1714085410ofdlr1714085410owedi1714085410sni@o1714085410fni1714085410