Ask a group of football fans which is the best football team and you’re likely to get a long list of answers. After all, “best” is a subjective term. However, undeniably, there are some top football clubs throughout the ages that reigned supreme over all. With this idea in mind, we have crafted a list of history’s most awe-inspiring squads.
What are the Best Football Teams Ever?
- FC Barcelona (2009-2016)
- Real Madrid (1955-1960)
- Manchester United (1999)
- Liverpool FC (1977-1985)
- AC Milan (1988-1994)
1. FC Barcelona (2009-2016)
No list of the world’s greatest football teams is complete without mentioning FC Barcelona. Currently the second most successful team in La Liga, the Spanish giant’s trophy cabinet includes:
- 26 La Liga titles
- 31 Copa del Rey titles
- 5 UEFA Champions League titles
Even though Barcelona has a long history of success, one line-up stands far above the rest. The 2009-2016 squad is widely considered the team’s golden generation.
Credited with popularising the “tiki-taka” style of play, this squad included many legends. Some exceptional names include Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, Xavier Creus (Xavi), Carlos Puyol, Gerard Pique, and Sergio Busquets.
Added to this was a new fresh-faced manager with a keen mind for masterful tactics; Pep Guardiola. In his first year in charge, Guardiola led Barcelona to their first-ever treble. So far, Barcelona remains the only Spanish team to win an intercontinental treble.
This feat marked the beginning of Barcelona’s reign of dominance over both Spanish and European football. In these years, the team would go on to win 6 La Liga titles, 4 Copa del Rey titles, and 3 UEFA Champions League titles. For close to a decade, teams feared travelling to Camp Nou like no other stadium.
Although many of the players from this magical era have retired or moved on, the Catalan club still has a strong youth system. As the process of rebuilding begins, new stars will get a chance to shine. Especially with Lionel Messi having moved to Paris Saint Germain.
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2. Real Madrid (1955–1960)
With a seemingly never-ending bankroll, many would be unsurprised that Real Madrid appears on this list. Despite the strong challenge from Barcelona, the team’s championship stats have yet to be topped. Some highlights include:
- 34 La Liga titles
- 19 Copa del Rey titles
- 13 UEFA Champions League titles
Ironically, despite all the recent big money transfers, the best Real Madrid squad came way before money heavily-influenced football. The 1955-1960 line-up is often considered the greatest in the team’s history.
Although no individual player in this squad could match Cristiano Ronaldo’s stats, this team won more Champions League finals. From 1956 to 1960, the European Cup (as it was then called) did not leave the Santiago Bernabeu.
These players built the foundation for the strong continental reputation that Real Madrid has today. Although the 2014-2018 squad came close to matching this feat, they missed out, winning only four times in five years.
Although it will be tough for any team to rival this accomplishment, the Bernabeu remains a rite of passage for high-calibre players. Unquestionably, there are still more record-breaking feats to come in the club’s future.
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3. Manchester United (1999)
Arguably, Manchester United is the most famous football club in the world. But their fame is not unwarranted. Some highlights from Manchester United’s 143-year history include:
- 20 Premier League titles
- 12 FA Cup titles
- 3 UEFA Champions League titles
Although Manchester United has seen great success with many squads, naming the team’s best ever line-up is easy. The 1999 squad helped the team win their first ever continental treble – the only such feat by an English club.
Led by Sir Alex Ferguson, the 1999 treble-winning squad included several members from the Class of 1992 – also known as Fergie’s Fledglings. Alums who proved instrumental in the team’s success include David Beckham, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes. They were also joined by the likes of Peter Schmeichel and current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The squad’s most memorable feat came in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich. After trailing for over 80 minutes, two injury time goals from Sheringham and Solskjaer secured the win.
In recent years, Manchester United has struggled to get back to the form they saw under Ferguson. However, Cristiano Ronaldo’s return has fans hopeful.
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4. Liverpool (1977-1985)
Liverpool is the second most successful team in English football. Here is a list of some of their noteworthy accomplishments:
- 19 Premier League titles
- 7 FA Cup titles
- 6 UEFA Champions League titles
For much of the 21st century, Liverpool was viewed as an underperformer. Admittedly, the team needed to do well at some point be seen this way. And this is true, as for much of the 1980s, they were the team to beat.
During this period, Liverpool dominated both the European Cup and the Premier League, capturing a total of 13 trophies between the two tournaments. Arguably, the most memorable season occurred in 1983-84. The team narrowly missed out on a continental treble, but still managed to complete another with a League Cup win.
Some star players from this period include Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Alan Hansen, and Bruce Grobbelaar.
Despite underwhelming performances in the Premier League for the last 30 years, Liverpool is still considered one of the best football teams. The team’s perseverance in the face of adversity has proven you cannot count them out. This makes the squad extremely exciting to watch.
Don’t believe us? Have a look at their performances in the the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan or their 2019 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
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5. AC Milan (1988–1994)
AC Milan is the third-most triumphant team in Italy, following Juventus and Inter Milan. On an international stage, they are the second most successful team in Europe following Real Madrid. Their stats are nothing to scoff at as they include:
- 18 Serie A titles
- 7 UEFA Champions League titles
- 5 Coppa Italia titles
Naturally, they have always been a pretty competitive team. However, there is one line-up in this club’s history that stands out – the 1988-1994 team.
During this period, the team recorded seven trophies between the Serie A and the European Cup. The San Siro was also home to a ton of world class players, including the likes of Paolo Maldini, Frank Rijkaard, and Marco Van Baasten, among others. With Arrigo Sacchi at the helm, a mixture for unprecedented success was created.
Nowadays, AC Milan remains a fairly competitive team, even if they have gone without a big win in sometime. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic putting on performances that defy his age, they are still a team to watch.
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