Manchester United, Barcelona Top IFFHS Rankings

There were little surprises at the top of the often controversial IFFHS club rankings but there are bound to be some debates further down the ladder.

May 4, 2009 9:43:37 PM

Manchester United have retained top spot in the IFFHS [International Federation of Football History & Statistics] club rankings for the May 2008 to April 2009 edition.

The reigning Champions League winners finished ahead of fellow semi-finalists, Barcelona and Chelsea, with Argentine powerhouse, Boca Juniors separating the trio from an all Champions League last four lock-out as Arsenal occupy fifth spot.

While there can be hardly any argument in the standings in the top five, a few eyebrows are sure to be raised further down the pecking order.

Juventus nipped ahead of bitter Serie A rivals, Inter, in 13th and 14th respectively, while Atletico Madrid are placed ahead of city foes, Real Madrid, but Villarreal, who made it further than both the capital clubs in this season’s Champions League are two places below.

Ronaldo’s Palmeiras were the biggest movers as they leaped from 104 to 35, while one of his former clubs, Milan are in joint-32nd with Internacional and Aalborg.

All in all, the top 100 included eight representatives each from England, Brazil and Italy, seven from Germany and Spain, and six each from Argentina and France.

IFFHS Club World Rankings (previous position in parenthesis)

1. (1.) Manchester United – 302 points

2. (2.) Barcelona – 282

3. (5.) Chelsea – 254

4. (3.) Boca Juniors – 253

5. (8.) Arsenal – 245

6. (3.) Liverpool – 240

7. (10.) Dynamo Kyiv – 227

8. (17.) Hamburger SV – 226

9. (7.) Sao Paulo – 223

10. (13.) Shakhtar Donetsk – 218

11. (11.) Estudiantes – 207

-11. (6.) Bayern Munich – 207

13. (9.) Juventus – 205

14. (12.) Inter – 195

15. (24.) Werder Bremen – 194

20. (27.) Manchester City – 182

24. (25.) Atletico Madrid – 177

25. (27.) Real Madrid – 176

26. Sporting Braga – 174

27. Villarreal – 173