Real Madrid reclaim most valuable football team spot, Ronaldo’s return takes Man United to third

La Liga champions Real Madrid are listed as the most valuable football team in 2022, according to a list compiled by Forbes.

The Spanish side, now valued at USD 5.1 billion, dethroned bitter rivals FC Barcelona to regain the top spot for the first time in their history.

The Galacticos, who last topped the most valuable football team list in 2019, saw a 7 per cent rise in their total revenue after they won their 35th La Liga title in 2021-22 and before their 2021-22 UEFA Champions League triumph.

In all, Real Madrid have topped Forbes’ list for the most valuable football team six times.

Madrid’s latest investment announcement was the USD 850 million-renovation of the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. While they secured USD 379 million as part of an agreement with investment firm Sixth Street and Legends, Los Blancos borrowed an additional USD 236 million from JP Morgan and Bank of America.

As a result of the deal, Sixth Street ‘acquired’ the right to participate in the operation of certain businesses of the new Santiago Bernabéu stadium for a period of 20 years.

FC Barcelona, who topped the 2021 list, are currently second on the 2022 roll of honour for most valuable football teams. Their value is listed at USD 5 billion.

The Blaugrana made two landmark business developments last year despite being heavily in debt.

Firstly, Barcelona signed a multi-year USD 458 million shirt and stadium sponsorship deal with music streaming giant Spotify and then a USD 960 million deal with Goldman Sachs and All Sport Finance to go ahead with a proposed USD 1.6 billion renovation of the Camp Nou Stadium.

Goldman Sachs and All Sport Finance, as part of their deal, hold a 30 per cent stake in Barcelona’s broadcast revenues and a portion of future revenues from the team’s new stadium complex.

While Real Madrid leads the list of the most valuable football teams, Manchester United are the richest Premier League team. The Red Devils are valued at USD 4.6 billion and rose to third in the list of most valuable football teams in 2022.

Manchester United have been ranked the most valuable football team a record 11 times by Forbes.

Liverpool (USD 4.4 billion) and Bayern Munich (USD 4.2 billion) complete the top five list for the most valuable football teams in 2022.

Meanwhile, NFL team Dallas Cowboys have maintained the top spot in the list of the most valuable sports teams in 2022 at USD 6.5 billion.

How does Forbes calculate sports teams’ value?

Forbes, the American business magazine, calculates a team’s value, which is equity plus net debt, using revenue and operating income adjusted for revenue sharing.

Valuations, additionally, are generated from documents from sports bankers, media consultants and public documents like arena lease agreements and bond documents.

Most valuable sports teams 2022

Most valuable football teams 2022

Featured photo: AFP / JAVIER SORIANO