Barcelona Join Manchester United Atop IFFHS Club Rankings

Barcelona have ended the 2008-09 campaign as the best club in the world according to the rankings published by the ever-controversial IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics).

But the Blaugrana’s treble success wasn’t enough for them to claim sole position at the summit, as they had to share the honours with fellow Champions League finalists Manchester United after both sides accumulated 315 points.

Despite Barca’s success, there’s still a growing concern for Spanish football as the next best-placed La Liga team were Atletico Madrid down in 24th spot. League runners-up Real Madrid, meanwhile, took an even bigger tumble when they slipped from 25th to 39th.

The situation is no less worrying for Italy with no Serie A teams inside the top ten. Amazingly, Juventus sit in 12th spot, six places ahead of Scudetto winners Inter. AC Milan, who have just lost coach Carlo Ancelotti and are on the verge of losing their star playmaker, Kaka, are 36th, seven rungs behind Roma, who only managed to secure sixth place in the league.

Not surprisingly, Premier League sides dominated the rankings with Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal making up the top five.

Top Ten IFFHS Club World Ranking (June 1, 2008-May 31, 2009)

*Previous ranking in brackets

1. (2.) Barcelona (Spain) – 315 points

- (1.) Manchester United (England) – 315 pts.

3. (3.) Chelsea (England) – 276 pts.

4. (6.) Liverpool (England) – 248 pts.

5. (5.) Arsenal (England) – 247 pts.

6. (10.) Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) – 245.5 pts.

7. (7.) Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) – 234.5 pts.

8. (11.) Estudiantes (Argentina) – 232 pts.

9. (8.) Hamburger SV (Germany) – 228 pts.

10. (16.) Gremio (Brazil) – 222 pts.

KS Leong, Goal.com