Real Madrid and Barcelona: hegemony on the pitch and in the global soccer business

Soccer is no longer measured solely in goals and trophies. Today, the most successful clubs are those that have managed to become global brands capable of competing in the fields of sport, culture, and entertainment.

In the 2025 edition of the international club brand value ranking, two Spanish giants clearly dominate: Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

🔝 The big winners

•    Real Madrid CF

o    Brand value: €1.9 billion (+14% year-on-year).

o    The most valuable and strongest brand in the world.

o    Despite not winning any titles in 2024/25, it consolidated record revenues and strengthened its global positioning.

o    It shows that a powerful brand can sustain growth even in “quiet” seasons.

•    FC Barcelona

o    Brand value: €1.7 billion (+11%).

o It climbs to second place worldwide after a domestic treble (Super Cup, Copa del Rey, and La Liga).

o    The club leaves years of financial crisis behind and looks to the future with optimism, including its return to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou in 2025/26.

•    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)

o    Brand value: €1.4 billion (+13%).

o    Enters the Top 5 for the first time after a historic treble that includes its first Champions League.

o    New management model: less dependence on superstars, more commitment to young talent.

📊 The global business board

•    Premier League

o    Combined value of its 10 strongest clubs: €8.2 billion.

o Represents 37% of the total value of the top 50 brands.

o    Its unique feature: the distribution of value among multiple teams (City, Liverpool, United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham), creating a competitive and commercially rich ecosystem.

•    La Liga (Spain)

o    Absolute dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona, which represent 70% of the total value of the league's clubs ($5.2 billion).

•    Bundesliga (Germany)

o    Bayern Munich ($1.3 billion) remains hegemonic, with twice the value of Borussia Dortmund.

•    Ligue 1 (France)

o PSG (€1.4 billion) is seven times more valuable than the second most important club, Olympique de Marseille (€197 million).

This growing concentration reflects the widening gap between the world's elite and the rest of the clubs.

🚀 What this study reveals

1.    Branding as a prerequisite for success:

Today, winning games is not enough. The clubs that dominate the market are those that build a strong, global, and emotional brand.

2.    Diversified revenue streams:

A strong brand ensures a steady flow of income from sponsorships, merchandising, television rights, digital experiences, and international fandom.

3.    Sport + Culture + Entertainment:

Elite clubs are no longer just sports institutions; they are mass consumer brands with influence in music, fashion, gaming, and lifestyle.

4.    Resilience in the face of volatility:

Brand strength allows clubs to weather seasons without titles, attract investment, and maintain value in competitive environments.

🎯 Insight SMART Sponsorship Evolution

In a market where fan attention is global and competition for investment is fierce:

👉 Clubs that invest in their brand transcend borders and turn sporting victories into commercial victories.

👉 For commercial brands, the lesson is clear: branding is the most important arena in which to play and win in the entertainment industry.