Manchester United named world’s most valuable football club! MLS dominates top 50 list - the Messi effect?

Digital content entity ‘Sportico’ has unveiled its list of the world’s most valuable football clubs, with the English powerhouse Manchester United seizing the coveted top spot. The Red Devils have clinched this remarkable distinction despite their recent lacklustre on-field performances, nowhere near the heights achieved during the glorious reign of their legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

According to Sportico’s assessments, United boasts a staggering valuation of $6.2 billion (£4.96bn). Trailing closely behind are other illustrious European clubs like Real Madrid ($6.06bn), Barcelona ($5.28bn), Liverpool ($5.11bn) and Bayern Munich ($4.8bn), rounding up the top five spots.

Real Madrid, fresh off their recent progression to the Champions League final, was named the most valuable club ahead of Manchester United in Forbes’ prior listing, released in May 2023.


Sportico’s valuation methodology mirrors that of the Forbes football rich list, meticulously tracking and computing the total values of football clubs.

The revenue streams are analysed based on figures published by club accounts. The revenue figures are broken down into three categories: broadcast (domestic and international media deals), commercial (sponsorships, advertising, corporate hospitality, catering and non-matchday events) and matchday ( ticket sales, membership income).

Moreover, Sportico employs “team-specific multipliers” that consider various factors such as historical sales, brand strength, on-field performance, debt obligations, projected future economic factors for the team and the league, among others.

MLS dominance - the Leo Messi effect?

Remarkably, an impressive 20 teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States have secured spots on the global top 50 list, defying Europe’s traditional football dominance. Leading this MLS contingent is Los Angeles FC ($1.15bn), securing the 15th position, followed by Atlanta United, Inter Miami, LA Galaxy, and New York City FC, all within the top 20 ranks.

This MLS surge can be attributed to recent strategic moves, including a lucrative 10-year broadcast agreement with Apple, the United States’ hosting role in the 2026 World Cup, and the high-profile arrival of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

Meanwhile, the English Premier League is the second most represented league in the top 50, boasting nine clubs. It is followed by Italy’s Serie A with six, the German Bundesliga with four, and Spain’s La Liga with three clubs.