The Best Football Team in 2025?
The best football team in 2025?
"We're by far the greatest team the world has ever seen." Everyone sings it, but only one team can boast it as truth. A host of historic giants are experiencing troubled patches right now. The days of Manchester United challenging for everything that glitters are over, Chelsea's purple patch under Roman Abramovich has faded into chaos, and Juventus no longer carries the threat of its former days, to name a few. On the contrary, several traditional heavyweights have restored pride in recent seasons, while a cluster of upstarts have threatened to challenge the established order.
We have based our rankings on a host of aspects, including short-term form and medium-term success. Trophies and honors do count towards a club's standing, but context is crucial. Continental performance is often a strong barometer of success when comparing the titans in each nation. Infrastructure, current squad, manager, and overall trajectory have also been considered as we ponder the greatest teams in world football right now.
The football landscape of 2025 is the result of years of intense competition, player development, and tactical evolution. Clubs and national teams continue to raise the bar with their performances, blending tradition with innovative strategies to dominate the beautiful game.
1. Liverpool
Under new head coach Arne Slot, Liverpool has soared to the Premier League summit, leading by six points over Arsenal. Slot’s tactical brilliance has rejuvenated the team, earning praise from Mohamed Salah, who admitted he "didn’t expect" such a high standard. Salah, in scintillating form, leads the Premier League Golden Boot race with 18 goals, solidifying his role in Liverpool’s domestic and European dominance. The Reds are the only team to win all six Champions League group matches, furthering their claim as treble favorites this season. With Slot at the helm, Liverpool looks unstoppable on all fronts.
2. Real Madrid
Real Madrid's 2024/25 season exemplifies their resilience and elite status in European football. Despite initial challenges, including Kylian Mbappé's early struggles to adapt—evidenced by a period where he scored just one goal in eight matches—the team has demonstrated a remarkable turnaround. Mbappé has since found his form, contributing significantly alongside Vinícius Júnior, with both leading the team's scoring charts at 14 goals each. This resurgence has propelled Real Madrid to the top of La Liga, currently leading with 43 points. In the UEFA Champions League, their rich history and experience make them perennial contenders, with expectations to advance deep into the tournament.
3. Atletico Madrid
Atlético Madrid has been in exceptional form, achieving a 13-match winning streak across all competitions, equaling a club record previously set in 2012. This impressive run has propelled them to second place in La Liga with 41 points, just two points behind leaders Real Madrid, and with a game in hand. Under Diego Simeone's management, the team has demonstrated remarkable resilience and tactical prowess. Their experience in European competitions further bolsters expectations for a deep run in the UEFA Champions League, where their defensive solidity and counter-attacking strength make them formidable opponents.
4. Inter Milan Inter Milan continues to assert its status as one of Europe's elite football clubs in the 2024/2025 season. Currently third in Serie A with 40 points from 17 matches, they trail leaders Napoli by four points but have two games in hand, positioning them favorably for a title challenge. In the UEFA Champions League, Inter's solid performances have garnered 13 points, placing them among the top teams poised to advance directly to the last 16. Their recent history, including a runner-up finish two seasons ago, underscores their capacity to progress deep into the tournament. Under Simone Inzaghi's leadership, Inter's blend of tactical discipline and attacking prowess continues to make them formidable contenders on both domestic and European fronts.
5. Bayern Munich Bayern Munich continues to demonstrate their dominance this season. They lead the Bundesliga with 40 points from 15 matches, maintaining a four-point advantage over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen. In the UEFA Champions League, Bayern have secured 13 points, placing them among the top teams poised to advance directly to the last 16. Under the guidance of manager Vincent Kompany, the team has exhibited tactical versatility and depth, with key players like Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala contributing significantly to their success. Despite facing injury challenges, including those of Manuel Neuer and Jamal Musiala, Bayern's squad depth has allowed them to maintain consistent performances across all competitions.
6. Atalanta
Atalanta has solidified its status as one of the premier football teams globally, renowned for an attacking style that consistently challenges top-tier opponents. In the current Serie A season, they are currently in second place with 41 points from 18 matches, just three points behind leaders Napoli, and with a game in hand, positioning them strongly in the title race. In the UEFA Champions League, Atalanta has demonstrated commendable performance, securing 13 points, which places them among the top teams poised to advance directly to the last 16. Their tactical versatility and squad depth have been instrumental in maintaining competitiveness across multiple competitions, underscoring their reputation as a formidable force in European football.
7. Arsenal
Arsenal has reaffirmed its status as one of the premier football clubs globally in the 2024/2025 season. In the Premier League, they currently occupy second place with 40 points, trailing leaders Liverpool by six points. In the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal has secured 13 points, placing them among the top teams poised to advance directly to the last 16. Under Mikel Arteta's management, the team has exhibited tactical acumen and resilience, with standout performances from key players contributing to their domestic and European campaigns. Despite a recent 1-1 draw against Brighton, which involved a controversial penalty decision, Arsenal remains firmly in contention for major honors this season.
8. Barcelona
Under coach Hansi Flick, FC Barcelona began the 2024–25 season with a strong winning streak, including a 5–0 victory over Young Boys and a 4–0 El Clásico win against Real Madrid. However, recent challenges have seen them suffer back-to-back losses, placing them third in La Liga with a record of 12 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses. In the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona is performing well, currently holding second place overall. Despite these setbacks, their potent offense and commitment to dynamic play continue to make them one of the best teams in Europe.
9. Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen has been in exceptional form this season, losing only one match in their last 22 across all competitions and currently on a nine-game winning streak. This remarkable run underscores their status as one of the best teams globally. In the Bundesliga, they are engaged in a fierce battle for first place, currently sitting second, just four points behind Bayern Munich. Their impressive performances have also been evident in the UEFA Champions League, where they are currently sitting in 4th place with 13 points, showcasing their competitive edge on the European stage.
10. Paris Saint-Germain
As of March 21, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is experiencing a highly successful 2024–25 season across multiple competitions: Ligue 1 Performance: PSG leads the French Ligue 1 standings with 68 points from 26 matches, comprising 21 wins and 5 draws, and remains unbeaten in the league. They have scored 73 goals and conceded 25, resulting in a goal difference of +48. Wikipédia, l'encyclopédie libre Recent Match Highlight: On March 16, 2025, PSG secured a 3-1 victory over Olympique de Marseille in "Le Classique," extending their lead at the top of the table to 19 points. talkSPORT +2 Reuters +2 Reuters +2 Domestic Cup Competitions: PSG has advanced to the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, demonstrating strong form in domestic cup competitions.
