Real Madrid most valuable football club in the world; Manchester United pushed to the 3rd spot

Real Madrid the most valuable football club in the world

For the first time since Forbes began ranking the world’s most valuable soccer teams a decade ago, two Spanish teams, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have grabbed the top two spots.

Spanish giants Real Madrid have been declared as the most valuable football club in the world right now with a worth of $3.4 billion (£2 billion), according to the respected Forbes magazine.

The Spanish club, which is owned by its supporters, has grown by 4% in value this year, according to the magazine. Real Madrid took over the top spot from Manchester United, who have slipped to the third spot, after taking a tumble of 11% to $2.8 billion.

United are still the highest placed English club in the Top 10, followed by Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Catalan club Barcelona is just behind their Spanish rivals in the second spot with a new worth of $3.2 billion, according to Forbes.

German champions Bayern Munich, who are also owned by their supporters, was the club with the fastest growth, with an impressive increase of 41% in value $1.9 billion for 2014. The Bavarians were confirmed as the German club champions for the 24^th time in March.

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list of highest earning players with $73m, and he was followed by Argentine wizard Lionel Messi, who earned a grand total of $65m last year from his salary and also his endorsements.

Forbes Most Valuable Football Teams 2014:

1. Real Madrid ($3.44 billion)

2. Barcelona ($3.2bn)

3. Manchester United ($2.81bn)

4. Bayern Munich ($1.85bn)

5. Arsenal ($1.33bn)

6. Chelsea ($868 million)

7. Manchester City ($863m)

8. AC Milan ($856m)

9. Juventus ($850m)

10. Liverpool ($691m)