Football is a competitive sport. Therefore the most successful football clubs in the world should be those who have participated in the competitions, and come out victorious. Trophies are the only evidence of these victories, and an impressive trophy room is the best way to prove your mettle to future generations and to convince investors as to your worth as a sporting institution.

Granted, all leagues are not of equal difficulty; it may be more difficult to win a trophy in some countries than in others. Nevertheless, teams are not considered great because they play in difficult leagues, they are considered great because they win titles, and win over the hearts of great crowds of followers.

The world’s most successful football clubs have mostly continued to gain the love and respect of fans all over the world with their rich history in football, and with their consistent displays over time, right till the present time.

Most Successful Football Clubs In The World

1.  Al Ahly SC

Al Ahly of Cario, Egypt is the most successful football club on earth. This club has almost completely dominated the Egyptian league for several decades. It was founded in April 1907 and has consistently been at the top of Egyptian football. The club has almost absolute support; the Cairo stadium is a very difficult place to gain an away victory.

With the total support of their fans; Al Ahly has won a total of 118 trophies: they include 42 national league titles, 37 national cup titles, a record 10 CAF Champions League titles, 1 CAF Confederation Cup, 8 CAF Super Cups, 4 African Cup Winners’ Cups, 2 Arab Super Cups, 1 Afro-Asian Club Championship, and 1 Arab Club Championship Cup.

The club plays its home games either at the 30,000 capacity Al Ahly WE Al-Salam Stadium, or the 75,000 capacity Cairo International Stadium. The club’s home ground is usually called the Red Fortress; it is notoriously difficult to play against Ahly when they are at home. The club is well balanced financially; this club is complete.

2. Rangers FC

Rangers FC is Scotland’s most successful football club. The club has about 116 trophies to its name, including 55 Scottish League titles, 33 Scottish Cups, 27 Scottish League Cups, and various other trophies.

The club also has 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup trophy in the bag. Rangers fell under hard times recently, and the legal entity had to be dissolved. Nevertheless, after ten years, the club is winning trophies again, and giving its loyal fans something to cheer about.

The club plays its home games at the Ibrox Stadium; which is a 50,817-capacity ground. Rangers is a very well recognized football club; it brings in players from every corner of the world, and the club has some notable players who spent years with the club, and have been recognized all over the world.

3.  Club Nacional de Football

Club Nacional de Football is Uruguay’s biggest football club; the club has 115 trophies in total: including 48 Primera Division titles, 8 Copa de Competencia, and 7 Copa de Honors. The club has also won 22 cups recognized by FIFA and CONMEBOL. Club Nacional de Football was founded in 1899, which makes it older than some clubs in Europe.

Football in South America is like a religion; which is why this club has passionate fans, some of whom have supported it as part of their family heritage.

Club Nacional de Football is highly regarded in South America; Uruguayans love this club so much that they consider it an act of disrespect to support European clubs rather than their own. They see Club Nacional as big and prestigious as any other club in the world.

4.  Atletico Penarol

Atletico Penarol was founded in September 1891. It is the second biggest football club in Uruguay. Atletico Penarol is one of the most successful football clubs in the world; it has won 109 trophies.

The club has also been very consistent and steady; it has never been relegated since it joined Uruguay’s top-flight Primera Division in 1900.

Some of the titles won by Atletico Penarol include 50 Primera Division titles, and five Copa Libertadores. The club plays its home games at the Estadio Campeón del Siglo; which is a 40,000-capacity stadium.

5.  Celtic FC

Celtic FC is perhaps the most popular club in Scotland. This club was established in November 1887 and is based in Glasglow, Scotland. The iconic green and white of Celtic is known throughout the world, and the club is no pushover when it comes to international competitions. Celtic has won 106 trophies, including 51 Scottish League Titles.

Celtic FC was the first-ever British club to win the UEFA Champions League in the 1966/67 season.  Celtic has one the biggest fan clubs in the world; the club is well recognized and well-loved by people from all over the world.

The club plays its home games at the prestigious Celtic Park Stadium; which is a 60,411-capacity stadium. The fans love to adore their great players such as Shunsuke Nakamura, Fraser Forster, and Henrik Larsson.

6.  Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the giants of club football. It is an iconic club; one that has traditionally fielded the best players in the world. Barcelona is one of the two clubs always in contention for the Spanish crown.

The club is based in Barcelona, and it is seen as more than just a football club by the people of the region. It is the symbol of Catalonia and the unifying factor of the Catalans.

Barcelona has about 95 trophies, including 75 domestic titles and 20 European ones. The club is one of the most recognized in the world; and is constantly winning laurels. It plays its home games at the famous Camp Nou Stadium; which is a : 99,354 capacity stadium.

Some famous icons of the game that have played for Barcelona include Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, as well as Iniesta, Ronaldinho, and Xavi Hernandez.

7.  Real Madrid

Real Madrid is the king of clubs. This is the most iconic, and the most respected football club in the world, as well as one of the most successful.

Real Madrid has an impressive trophy room; the club has won 95 trophies, including 35 La Liga titles, 19 Copa Del Rey, 12 Supercopa de Espana, 1 Copa Eva Duarte, 1 Copa de la Liga, and 26 European and worldwide trophies, most notably; a record 14 UEFA Champions League trophies.

Real Madrid is the apex club; one that players from all over the world love to represent. The club has had icons like Christiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Claude Makelele, and Zinedine Zidane.

The club plays its home games at the prestigious Estadio Santiago Bernabeu Stadium; which is an 81,044 Capacity ground.

8.  S. L. Benfica

Benfica is based in Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon. The club has won about 84 trophies, and has the absolute support of a large number of fans. Benefica is one of the most decorated clubs in the world; and it has produced some excellent players over the years.

Benfica is a great club; it is seen as a starting point for many very talented youngsters; they go there with the aim of proving their mettle, and then going on to play for glory in Spain or money in England.

9. F C Porto

FC Porto is one of the great clubs of Portugal; and one of the most decorated in Europe. The club has won 73 domestic and 7 international cup titles under its belt. Porto won the UEFA champions league title as recently as 2004.

FC Porto plays its home games at the Estadio do Dragao; which is a 50,033 Capacity stadium.

Some of the club’s legends include Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, and Teofilo Cubillas.

10. Olympiacos F C

Olympiacos is the biggest and most recognized football club in Greece. The club is based in the Greek capital Athens and was founded as far back as 1925.

The club has about 78 national trophies; including 46 Greek League titles, 28 Greek cup titles, and 4 Greek super cup titles.

Olympiacos FC plays its home games at the Karaiskakis Stadium; which is a 32,115 capacity ground.

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Finally

The most successful clubs in the world by trophy count are literally spread all over the world. They have achieved their success by consistency; by planning ahead, and by winning over the hearts of their supporters.

Finances also play an important part in the success of football clubs; which is why the owners must work hard to secure the finances of the clubs they are directing.