real madrid flag
Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
As per Brand Finance, Real Madrid have retained their position as the world’s most valuable and strongest football club brand for the third consecutive year, with a valuation of €2.4 billion, an increase of 25% from the previous year.
Real Madrid lead not only in financial value but also in brand strength, scoring 95.8 out of 100, the highest figure among the 281 clubs analyzed.
The consultancy attributes Real Madrid’s position to their international reach, global fan base, history, star players and ability to turn sporting prestige into commercial appeal.
Barcelona a close second
The Merengues’ arch-rivals, FC Barcelona, remain in second place, with a brand value approaching €2 billion, with an increase of 15% according to Brand Finance’s Football 50 2026 report.
Brand Finance attributes part of that growth to Barcelona’s return to Spotify Camp Nou after more than two years and the club’s two consecutive La Liga titles.
Arsenal made the biggest leap among the leading clubs, climbing five places to third and reaching a brand value of €1.5 billion after a 28% increase.
Nevertheless, the gap between the two Spanish giants and the rest of world football is once again clear in the rankings.
Bayern Munich are fourth, also valued at €1.5 billion after a 21% increase, while Paris Saint-Germain remain fifth.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United occupy the next three positions, with Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund completing the top 10.
The top 10 clubs account for almost two-thirds of that total, at €14.9 billion.
Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president
Real Madrid at the top. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The study also highlights record growth among football’s biggest brands. The 50 most valuable clubs have a combined brand value of €23.9 billion, the largest annual increase since the ranking was first introduced 15 years ago.
Spanish football on the rise
Spanish football’s presence extends well beyond its two biggest clubs.
Atletico Madrid have climbed to 11th in the world after increasing their brand value by 22%.
Real Betis also made one of the ranking’s biggest advances, climbing five places to 33rd, with a 14% increase.
Other Spanish clubs among the 50 most valuable brands are Athletic Club in 39th, Villarreal in 45th and Real Sociedad in 50th, which completes the ranking.
Among domestic competitions, La Liga remains the second-strongest football league brand in the world, behind only the Premier League and ahead of the Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1.
Brand Finance believes the next challenge for Spanish football is to use the international reach of Real Madrid and Barcelona to increase the value and visibility of the other clubs and of La Liga as a whole.
The consultancy also points toward the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco alongside Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, as another major opportunity for Spanish football’s international profile.
Real Madrid boss Mourinho wants to unlock key defender’s full potential; has a surprise new role planned
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid player
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho sees Trent Alexander-Arnold as a major part of his Real Madrid project and could even experiment with the Englishman in midfield as he looks to get the best out of his passing ability.
According to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Mourinho and his coaching staff view Alexander-Arnold as a highly versatile player who can offer Real Madrid far more than a traditional right-back.
The England international is expected to be a regular starter under Mourinho, but the Portuguese manager is also keen to explore whether he can use Trent in more central areas.
The idea is not expected to become Real Madrid’s main tactical plan, although Mourinho believes Alexander-Arnold’s vision and range of passing could give his side another way of creating chances for attackers.
Alexander-Arnold built his reputation as one of the most creative full-backs in world football, but his ability on the ball has often raised questions about whether he could play permanently in midfield.
Mourinho is willing to test that possibility at Real Madrid.
As reported before, the Portuguese coach wants to see how Alexander-Arnold can operate from right-back before moving into midfield during certain phases of play.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid player
Alexander-Arnold will play an important role under Mourinho. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
That would allow him to create an extra player in central areas while still beginning attacks from his natural defensive position.
From Mourinho’s point of view, Trent’s passing range could help Real Madrid progress the ball and find their attacking stars in dangerous areas.
With Vinicius, Mbappe and Diomande providing pace and movement ahead of him, Alexander-Arnold could have several high-level targets for his deliveries.
It is important to note that the Real Madrid manager does not appear to see the midfield experiment as a complete positional change, but it could become a tactical tool within his system.
According to a source cited in the report, Mourinho and his staff see Alexander-Arnold as a “player who will be very important, with a highly versatile profile who can fulfil various roles from his position as a right-back.”
That versatility could make Trent one of Mourinho’s most interesting tactical pieces this season.
Trent expected to start despite new competition
Mourinho’s plans for Alexander-Arnold are also a clear sign of how highly he rates the former Liverpool defender.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid player
Mourinho has tried Alexander-Arnold in midfield. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
The Real Madrid manager asked for another right-back after arriving at the club, not to replace Trent but to give him serious competition.
That competition has arrived in the form of Denzel Dumfries, giving Mourinho another strong option on the right side of his defence. However, the England international is still expected to be an important starter.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Trent has also enjoyed his early life under Mourinho despite the unusual connection between a former Liverpool player and a manager so closely associated with Manchester United.
In fact, sources describe Alexander-Arnold as “a very focused individual who works hard off the pitch and is very ambitious”, while noting that he has remained “low-key and shy” since joining Real Madrid.
Furthermore, Alexander-Arnold has also benefited from an extended summer of rest and preparation as he was not in England’s squad for the World Cup.
During this time, he worked with specialists to ensure he returned in the best possible condition and subsequently started two of Real Madrid’s four pre-season friendlies.