It is hard to rank the best teams in the world as there are many credentials to it. You either rank them by the trophies they have won during their history or the latest performances which have brought trophies in the recent years.
Greatest example in this scenario is Real Madrid and Manchester City. Madrid have been a football classic over the years, having won 15 record breaking Champions League trophies.
Meanwhile, City have risen to the title of the best football team over the years after winning Premier League trophies over and over again as well as winning their first UCL under the head coach Pep Guardiola.
So let's take a look at the best football teams in the world.
Top 10 Best Football Teams in the World 2024
1. Manchester City
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City's recent track record includes securing five of the last six Premier League titles, lifting the FA Cup, and claiming their maiden Champions League victory which led the Cityzens into clinching the FIFA Club World Cup's title.
While the Manchester giants boast immense financial resources, a talented coaching staff, and a roster of world-class players, Guardiola remains circumspect about their prospects in the upcoming season. While Rodri's midfield performance shines, there's a growing sense that some rejuvenation in the midfield may be on the horizon.
The team's dominance isn't waning; they still possess ample potential for further accomplishments. The main challenge for their competitors might be that, having conquered their previous goals, the Ctalan manager and his squad may find the motivation to scale new heights that much more arduous.
It appears that in the coming year, the team most capable of surpassing Manchester City are none other than Manchester City themselves.
2. Real Madrid
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A bright future for Real Madrid appears to be on the horizon, set to extend over the next decade. The transfer of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund adds a fresh dimension to Carlo Ancelotti's managerial prowess.
The Italian manager now has the opportunity to oversee a midfield that combines the best of both worlds, blending the vibrancy of youth with the wisdom of experience. Behind this midfield, the team's foundation stands as solid as a rock.
The dynamic duo of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, already impressive, have room to further develop into elite European talents. The only missing piece in this puzzle is a striker to fill the void left by Karim Benzema. With that final addition, Los Blancos could set themselves up for a decade of unrivaled success.
The La Liga giant are currently second in the domestic table with 48 points with a game in hand, as Girona lead the standing with 49 points.
In the Spanish Super Cup clash in Saudi Arabia on January 14, Carlo Ancelotti's side dominated with a convincing 4-1 victory over Barcelona, reigniting the classic rivalry in style.
Seeking payback for their 2023 final defeat, Los Galácticos orchestrated a brilliant comeback. Vinicius Jr. netted a remarkable hat trick within the first 39 minutes, firmly establishing control for his side. Robert Lewandowski added a goal to keep the Catalans in the game. However, any hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the second half when Rodrygo found the net, securing a decisive advantage for Madrid.
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3. FC Barcelona
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Despite casually winning La Liga in 2022/23, Barcelona now find themselves all but ruled out of the current title race. They trail league leaders Girona by a significant eight points and are gradually slipping out of contention behind their longtime rivals, Real Madrid.
The struggles extend to both the defensive and offensive aspects of their game. Blaugrana's solid defense from the previous season, with the most clean sheets in Europe and only 20 goals conceded in La Liga, has proven challenging to replicate.
However, the absence of Sergio Busquets, who played a key defensive midfield role, has left a significant gap, and defensive inconsistency this season, including positional changes and new additions like Joao Cancelo, has disrupted their stability.
As for Robert Lewandowski, who was a brilliant performer for Xavi, winning the Pichichi and leading them to La Liga victory, is now grappling with challenges at 35 due to a lack of creative support. The Catalans' diminished creativity has impacted the former Bayern Munich star's goal-scoring abilities, resulting in missed chances and a noticeable decline in performance compared to three years ago.
4. Arsenal
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One club set to contend to continue shining are Arsenal. The club has made substantial investments to address the disappointments of the past, notably finishing as the second-best team.
The Gunners have acquired three key players to bolster their ranks. The trio comprises Kai Havertz from Chelsea, Jurriën Timber from Ajax, and Declan Rice from West Ham, with the club breaking records with a hefty price tag of £105 million.
Under the guidance of manager Miguel Arteta, the North London stars maintain their commitment to nurturing young talent across every position. The squad boasts promising talents like William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães in defense, and an attacking trio featuring Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli. Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard leads the team as captain in midfield.
With this rejuvenated lineup, Arteta's squad seeks to end a 19-year drought since their last Premier League title triumph in 2004, during the tenure of club legend manager Arsene Wenger. However, the club are currently sitting fourth in the domestic league after their recent winless streak.
5. Bayern Munich
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In the quest for a prolific goal-scorer, one team stands out as they continue to amass top talents from the Bundesliga. Their recent arrivals, Harry Kane, Konraid Laimer and Raphael Guerreiro, promise to inject quality into a midfield that may require players with a defensive mindset, especially when competing in the Champions League.
Thomas Tuchel's 2023/24 squad boasts a wealth of seasoned talent, providing an ideal canvas for a top-tier coach to introduce fresh tactics and strategies. However, upon closer examination, a subtle yet significant ingredient seems to be lacking.
Could the addition of the English goal machine be the solution? The answer remains uncertain, but the hope is that one of these potential signings could provide that extra spark needed to complete the puzzle for success.
6. Inter Milan
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Inter Milan have showcased their prowess as a formidable Serie A team in recent months. The prospect of them contending for the Scudetto title looms large, yet the journey to establish similar dominance among Europe's elite clubs is an arduous one.
If they manage to retain Lautaro Martinez, they secure a talismanic figure on the other side. Inter's ambitions for European glory are apparent, but they are keenly aware that this is a venture that necessitates time and strategic development to rival the continent's top-tier teams.
7. AC Milan
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AC Milan stand at a pivotal juncture, with the future outlook significantly hinging on the decision surrounding Rafael Leao's tenure. The presence of this key player carries the potential to mold the Serie A giants' trajectory in 2024, providing a stable foundation.
Yet, an air of uncertainty looms off the pitch. The contentious departure of Paolo Maldini has stirred disquiet among the club's talented young squad, leading to an unsettling atmosphere. The repercussions of this abrupt management change remain shrouded in uncertainty, and the upcoming summer could be marked by turbulence. These external factors have the capacity to influence Milan's position in the rankings.
For the club, maintaining a delicate equilibrium is crucial while off-field challenges pose a looming threat. The Rossoneri must navigate these complexities as they approach a new chapter in their storied history.
8. Tottenham
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The mood among Tottenham Hotspur supporters was rather gloomy ahead of the 2023/24 season. The previous season had been lackluster, and the departure of their star player, Harry Kane, had cast a cloud of uncertainty over the North London club.
Many had expected that Ange Postecoglou's appointment would mark the beginning of a long and challenging rebuilding process. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Spurs have made a strong start under the Australian manager's guidance.
They currently lead the Premier League, sparking discussions among fans about the possibility of an unexpected title challenge. On the other hand, James Maddison has thrived in his role as the club's new attacking midfielder this season. The England international star serves as the crucial link between the midfield and the attack, with the freedom to roam.
9. Bayer Leverkusen
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Following a notable transfer window bolstered by acquisitions like Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface, and Jonas Hofmann, Bayer Leverkusen entered the season with high expectations.
However, their remarkable start has exceeded even the loftiest predictions. They embarked on a record-breaking journey, remaining unbeaten in their first eight matches, winning seven and drawing one, all while notching an impressive 25 goals. This scintillating run has propelled them to the summit of the Bundesliga, as they have led the league for five of the eight matchdays thus far.
Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso and his free-flowing philosophy, Leverkusen's precision in passing is unparalleled, leading the league with a remarkable 89.7% pass completion rate.
10. Al- Hilal
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The Saudi Pro League's rise to prominence continues, attracting a growing number of European football stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema.
Al Hilal are Saudi Arabia's most decorated football club with an impressive 66 trophies, solidifying its position as Asia's most successful team. On August 2023, Neymar Jr's unveiling marked a pivotal moment in the club's history, with over 65,000 ecstatic fans in attendance.
This transformation into a global football hub began with Ronaldo's arrival at Al Nassr in January, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract reportedly worth over $400 million. His move paved the way for a sensational summer transfer window, with high-profile transfers. Benzema, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, Jordan Henderson, and N'Golo Kante were among the notable names to make the switch from European leagues to the Middle East.
In the summer of 2023, the Saudi Pro League invested over $900 million in transfer fees to acquire foreign players, ranking it as the second-highest spender after the English Premier League.