Fans Rank the 20 Greatest Football Teams in History

Football fans have long debated who the greatest teams ever are. While opinions vary widely, a fan poll conducted by OLBG and reported by The Sun reveals which teams supporters consider the best of all time, with a list of the top 20 teams.

Teams Ranked 20 to 11

The France team from 1982 to 1986, led by Michel Platini, just missed the top ten. West Germany's side of the early 1970s, featuring Gerd Muller and Johan Cruyff, ranks 19th, followed by Ajax from the early 1970s. Bayern Munich’s 1970s squad that won three European Cups in a row appears next, alongside Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough who also achieved consecutive European Cup victories.

Barcelona’s 1993-1994 squad and Brazil’s 1982 World Cup team make the list, as does Manchester City's record-breaking 2017/2018 team managed by Pep Guardiola, which set Premier League points and wins records but fell short of the top ten. The France team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 rounds out this section.

• 20. France (1982-1986)
• 19. West Germany (1972-1974)
• 18. Ajax (1971-1973)
• 17. Bayern Munich (1973-1976)
• 16. Nottingham Forest (1978-1980)
• 15. AC Milan (1988-1990)
• 14. Barcelona (1993-1994)
• 13. Brazil (1982)
• 12. Manchester City (2017-2018)
• 11. France (1998-2000)

Real Madrid's Dominant Era (1984-1990)

Real Madrid enjoyed a golden period between 1984 and 1990, led by the famous 'La Quinta del Buitre' group: Emilio Butragueno, Michel, Miguel Pardeza, Manolo Sanchis, and Rafael Martin Vazquez. Known for attractive attacking football, they dominated Spanish football, winning five straight La Liga titles, two UEFA Cups, a Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Super Cups.

• Real Madrid (1984-1990) Honours: 5x La Liga, Copa del Rey, Copa de la Liga, 3x Supercopa de España, 2x UEFA Cup

Top 10 Greatest Teams

• 10. Manchester United (1966-1968): Rebuilt after the Munich Air Disaster, featuring George Best, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, and Nobby Stiles. Won First Division, FA Charity Shield, and European Cup.
• 9. Manchester City (2022-2023): Claimed the English treble—Premier League, FA Cup, and first Champions League—under Pep Guardiola. Erling Haaland scored 52 goals.
• 7. Arsenal (2003-2004): 'The Invincibles' went unbeaten in the Premier League with stars Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, and Dennis Bergkamp.
• 6. Spain (2008-2012): Dominated international football with tiki-taka style, winning Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012.
• 5. Real Madrid (1955-1960): Won the first five European Cups consecutively, led by Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.
• 4. Liverpool (1975-1984): Under Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan, won seven First Division titles, three European Cups, a UEFA Cup, and four League Cups.
• 3. Brazil (1970): Considered the greatest national team, winning the World Cup with legends Pele, Jairzinho, Tostao, and Carlos Alberto.
• 2. Barcelona (2008-2012): Pep Guardiola's side played revolutionary tiki-taka football, winning multiple La Liga and Champions League titles with Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta.
• 1. Manchester United (1998-1999): Sir Alex Ferguson’s team secured the treble by overcoming tough competition in England and Europe, including wins over Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Bayern Munich.

• Manchester United (1966-1968) Honours: First Division, FA Charity Shield, European Cup
• Manchester City (2022-2023) Honours: Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League
• Arsenal (2003-2004) Honours: Premier League
• Spain (2008-2012) Honours: 2x European Championship, World Cup
• Real Madrid (1955-1960) Honours: 3x La Liga, 5x European Cup, Intercontinental Cup
• Liverpool (1975-1984) Honours: 7x First Division, 3x European Cup, UEFA Cup, 4x League Cup, 5x Charity Shield
• Brazil (1970) Honours: World Cup
• Barcelona (2008-2012) Honours: 3x La Liga, 2x Copa del Rey, 3x Supercopa de España, 2x Champions League, 2x UEFA Super Cup, 2x FIFA Club World Cup
• Manchester United (1998-1999) Honours: Premier League, FA Cup, European Cup