The news from the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) is a massive coup to Brazilian football fans who can see one of their sides compared with the world’s best, although oddly still behind Vélez Sarsfield in third.
Two Chilean teams also feature in the top ten of the rankings, whilst no Italian side is visible, possibly calling into question the calculations used by the researchers.
Other Brazilian sides in the top 100 were: Internacional (25), Vasco (27), Cruzeiro (58), Fluminense (64), Grêmio (73) and Flamengo (92).
1 – Barcelona (ESP) – 359 points
2 – Real Madrid (ESP) – 302
3 – Vélez Sarsfield (ARG) – 271
4 – Manchester United (ENG) – 260
5 – Manchester City (ENG)- 241
6 – Santos (BRA)- 238
7 – Universidad de Chile (CHI) – 234
8 – Universidad Católica (CHI) – 230
9 – Benfica (POR) – 222
10 – Schalke 04 (GER) – 221
