Real Madrid in 1st in the IFFHS ranking; Botafogo and Flamengo among the 10 best in the world

Real Madrid


The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) has released its annual ranking of the best football clubs in the world for 2024, placing Real Madrid at the top of the list. The Spanish giants, reigning UEFA Champions League winners, reaffirmed their dominance in global football, surpassing strong contenders like Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta, which secured second and third places, respectively. Among the top 10, Brazil has two representatives: Botafogo in 5th place and Flamengo in 8th, highlighting the strength of South American football.

With 690 clubs ranked throughout the year, the IFFHS classification is based on each team’s performance in national and international competitions, including tournaments like the Copa Libertadores and Europa League. The presence of Brazilian clubs in the top 10 reflects the high level of competitiveness in the country’s domestic league, with Botafogo winning both the Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship, while Flamengo secured the Copa do Brasil title.

The ranking also features other Brazilian clubs in prominent positions, such as Atlético-MG, São Paulo, and Corinthians in the top 30, while Palmeiras ranks 32nd. The IFFHS considers several technical and statistical criteria, including points earned, victories, goals scored, and the significance of the tournaments played throughout the year.

Brazilian clubs among the best in the world in 2024

Brazilian football showcased its international strength, with several clubs ranking among the world’s top 50. Here are the positions of some of the country’s most successful teams in the IFFHS list:

  • Botafogo – 5th place (Libertadores and Brasileirão champions)
  • Flamengo – 8th place (Copa do Brasil winners)
  • Atlético-MG – 13th place
  • São Paulo – 29th place
  • Corinthians – 30th place
  • Palmeiras – 32nd place
  • Cruzeiro – 42nd place
  • Fortaleza – 43rd place
  • Red Bull Bragantino – 46th place
  • Internacional, Athletico-PR, and Fluminense – 50th place

Other Brazilian teams also appeared in the ranking, including Grêmio (76th), Cuiabá (125th), and Vasco (141st), further reinforcing the relevance of Brazilian football at the international level.

Criteria used in the IFFHS ranking

The IFFHS ranking is based on a point system that evaluates club performance across different competitions. The criteria include:

  • Titles won: National and international trophies carry different weights in the final ranking.
  • Performance in international competitions: Participation in tournaments like the Libertadores and Champions League significantly impacts the ranking.
  • Number of wins and draws: Consistency throughout the year directly influences the final score.
  • Difficulty level of tournaments: Stronger leagues and competitions provide higher ranking points.

Real Madrid leads with a comfortable margin

Real Madrid cemented its position as the best football club in the world in 2024, following another Champions League triumph and a consistently high-performance season. The Spanish powerhouse, led by some of the world’s top players, maintained its dominance over European and global football, solidifying its legacy.

European clubs dominate the top 10

European football continues to be the benchmark for success in world football, as reflected in the IFFHS rankings. Here are the top 10 clubs in 2024:

  1. Real Madrid (Spain) – UEFA Champions League winners
  2. Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) – Europa League finalists
  3. Atalanta (Italy) – Europa League champions
  4. Liverpool (England)
  5. Botafogo (Brazil) – Libertadores and Brazilian Championship winners
  6. Manchester City (England)
  7. Barcelona (Spain)
  8. Flamengo (Brazil) – Copa do Brasil winners
  9. Atlético de Madrid (Spain)
  10. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

With Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A clubs dominating the list, South American clubs’ performances in international tournaments, particularly the Libertadores, continue to challenge European dominance.

Botafogo: Brazil’s biggest highlight

Botafogo’s rise to 5th place in the ranking was one of the biggest surprises of the year. The Rio de Janeiro-based club had an outstanding season, winning both the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship, surpassing several traditional powerhouses. Their historic success pushed them up the IFFHS list, establishing them as one of the most successful teams of 2024.

Flamengo remains a global powerhouse

Ranked 8th, Flamengo had another solid season, securing Copa do Brasil and maintaining its status as one of the most powerful clubs in South America. With a strong squad and consistent performances, the Rio-based club remains a top contender in international football.

Other Brazilian clubs in the spotlight

  • Atlético-MG (13th): Strong performances in Brasileirão and Libertadores kept the club among the world’s elite.
  • São Paulo (29th): The Paulista club returned to the top 30 with a successful campaign.
  • Corinthians (30th): Despite some inconsistencies, Corinthians secured a good position in the global ranking.
  • Palmeiras (32nd): A competitive team in both domestic and international tournaments.

The evolution of Brazilian football in the IFFHS ranking

Over the past few years, Brazilian clubs have steadily climbed the IFFHS rankings, showcasing the growth of South American football. Frequent Libertadores wins and competitive international performances have played a major role in this evolution.

Timeline of Brazilian clubs’ rise in the IFFHS ranking

  • 2019: Flamengo wins the Libertadores, boosting its ranking.
  • 2020: Palmeiras wins the Libertadores, securing a top 10 spot.
  • 2021: Atlético-MG claims the Brasileirão, strengthening its global position.
  • 2022: Flamengo wins another Libertadores, maintaining its high rank.
  • 2023: Palmeiras and Fluminense perform well, reaching strong rankings.
  • 2024: Botafogo wins the Libertadores and Brasileirão, becoming the highest-ranked Brazilian club.

Expectations for 2025

With Brazilian clubs performing strongly in 2024, expectations for the next season are high. Flamengo aims for another Libertadores title, while Botafogo prepares to defend its championships, making Brazilian teams strong contenders in the 2025 IFFHS ranking.



The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) has released its annual ranking of the best football clubs in the world for 2024, placing Real Madrid at the top of the list. The Spanish giants, reigning UEFA Champions League winners, reaffirmed their dominance in global football, surpassing strong contenders like Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta, which secured second and third places, respectively. Among the top 10, Brazil has two representatives: Botafogo in 5th place and Flamengo in 8th, highlighting the strength of South American football.

With 690 clubs ranked throughout the year, the IFFHS classification is based on each team’s performance in national and international competitions, including tournaments like the Copa Libertadores and Europa League. The presence of Brazilian clubs in the top 10 reflects the high level of competitiveness in the country’s domestic league, with Botafogo winning both the Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship, while Flamengo secured the Copa do Brasil title.

The ranking also features other Brazilian clubs in prominent positions, such as Atlético-MG, São Paulo, and Corinthians in the top 30, while Palmeiras ranks 32nd. The IFFHS considers several technical and statistical criteria, including points earned, victories, goals scored, and the significance of the tournaments played throughout the year.

Brazilian clubs among the best in the world in 2024

Brazilian football showcased its international strength, with several clubs ranking among the world’s top 50. Here are the positions of some of the country’s most successful teams in the IFFHS list:

  • Botafogo – 5th place (Libertadores and Brasileirão champions)
  • Flamengo – 8th place (Copa do Brasil winners)
  • Atlético-MG – 13th place
  • São Paulo – 29th place
  • Corinthians – 30th place
  • Palmeiras – 32nd place
  • Cruzeiro – 42nd place
  • Fortaleza – 43rd place
  • Red Bull Bragantino – 46th place
  • Internacional, Athletico-PR, and Fluminense – 50th place

Other Brazilian teams also appeared in the ranking, including Grêmio (76th), Cuiabá (125th), and Vasco (141st), further reinforcing the relevance of Brazilian football at the international level.

Criteria used in the IFFHS ranking

The IFFHS ranking is based on a point system that evaluates club performance across different competitions. The criteria include:

  • Titles won: National and international trophies carry different weights in the final ranking.
  • Performance in international competitions: Participation in tournaments like the Libertadores and Champions League significantly impacts the ranking.
  • Number of wins and draws: Consistency throughout the year directly influences the final score.
  • Difficulty level of tournaments: Stronger leagues and competitions provide higher ranking points.

Real Madrid leads with a comfortable margin

Real Madrid cemented its position as the best football club in the world in 2024, following another Champions League triumph and a consistently high-performance season. The Spanish powerhouse, led by some of the world’s top players, maintained its dominance over European and global football, solidifying its legacy.

European clubs dominate the top 10

European football continues to be the benchmark for success in world football, as reflected in the IFFHS rankings. Here are the top 10 clubs in 2024:

  1. Real Madrid (Spain) – UEFA Champions League winners
  2. Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) – Europa League finalists
  3. Atalanta (Italy) – Europa League champions
  4. Liverpool (England)
  5. Botafogo (Brazil) – Libertadores and Brazilian Championship winners
  6. Manchester City (England)
  7. Barcelona (Spain)
  8. Flamengo (Brazil) – Copa do Brasil winners
  9. Atlético de Madrid (Spain)
  10. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

With Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A clubs dominating the list, South American clubs’ performances in international tournaments, particularly the Libertadores, continue to challenge European dominance.

Botafogo: Brazil’s biggest highlight

Botafogo’s rise to 5th place in the ranking was one of the biggest surprises of the year. The Rio de Janeiro-based club had an outstanding season, winning both the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship, surpassing several traditional powerhouses. Their historic success pushed them up the IFFHS list, establishing them as one of the most successful teams of 2024.

Flamengo remains a global powerhouse

Ranked 8th, Flamengo had another solid season, securing Copa do Brasil and maintaining its status as one of the most powerful clubs in South America. With a strong squad and consistent performances, the Rio-based club remains a top contender in international football.

Other Brazilian clubs in the spotlight

  • Atlético-MG (13th): Strong performances in Brasileirão and Libertadores kept the club among the world’s elite.
  • São Paulo (29th): The Paulista club returned to the top 30 with a successful campaign.
  • Corinthians (30th): Despite some inconsistencies, Corinthians secured a good position in the global ranking.
  • Palmeiras (32nd): A competitive team in both domestic and international tournaments.

The evolution of Brazilian football in the IFFHS ranking

Over the past few years, Brazilian clubs have steadily climbed the IFFHS rankings, showcasing the growth of South American football. Frequent Libertadores wins and competitive international performances have played a major role in this evolution.

Timeline of Brazilian clubs’ rise in the IFFHS ranking

  • 2019: Flamengo wins the Libertadores, boosting its ranking.
  • 2020: Palmeiras wins the Libertadores, securing a top 10 spot.
  • 2021: Atlético-MG claims the Brasileirão, strengthening its global position.
  • 2022: Flamengo wins another Libertadores, maintaining its high rank.
  • 2023: Palmeiras and Fluminense perform well, reaching strong rankings.
  • 2024: Botafogo wins the Libertadores and Brasileirão, becoming the highest-ranked Brazilian club.

Expectations for 2025

With Brazilian clubs performing strongly in 2024, expectations for the next season are high. Flamengo aims for another Libertadores title, while Botafogo prepares to defend its championships, making Brazilian teams strong contenders in the 2025 IFFHS ranking.



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