Real Madrid has returned to the top of Deloitte’s Football Money League for the first time in five years, having generated a staggering €831 million (R17 billion) last term. This is believed to be €118 million (R2.4 billion) more than their earnings in the previous season. Real Madrid is accompanied by Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as the only non-Premier League sides in the top five of the list. They leapfrogged Manchester City to claim the top spot after experiencing a significant rise in commercial revenue.
English clubs still feature prominently in the list, with Manchester City leading the pack in this regard. The Premier League and Champions League title holders made €826 million (R16.9 billion), coming close to Real Madrid’s earnings. Manchester City’s economic dominance over their league rivals is expected to translate onto the pitch as they prepare to face Spurs in the FA Cup.
Meanwhile, in 10th place, Arsenal remains on the list, but it is anticipated that their position will change once they regain access to Champions League revenue. With PSG and Barcelona gaining ground on the English clubs, the competition in the top five remains fierce. The upcoming match against Spurs presents an opportunity for City to secure a victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a venue where they have never won across all competitions. Pep Guardiola will be aiming to guide his team to success on this occasion.