Which clubs go down as the best soccer teams of all time? There are some serious contenders. Let’s go through them.
With soccer popularity increasing here in Canada, more eyes are on the best teams on the planet than ever.
European powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Manchester City are viewed as the biggest teams around. North America needs some time to play catch up.
Manchester United 1999
Before Pep Guardiola established the blue side of Manchester as the U.K. dominant club, their cross-city red rivals ruled the English Premier League.
Sir Alex Ferguson created a powerful dynasty. There was no greater Manchester United side than that which won the treble in 1999.
A legendary team featuring the likes of Roy Keane, David Beckham, and Paul Scholes, punctuated by a relentless, attacking philosophy.
This was a team that overcame all obstacles and odds.
Then came their final triumph. A last-minute winner against Bayern Munich when they had trailed by two goals with mere seconds to go.
They managed to score twice and secure the Champions League and their place in footballing history forever.
Real Madrid 2018
If trophies are the ultimate mark of greatness in football, then few sides can claim to rival Real Madrid. The serial winners have had many iconic teams over the years and equally iconic players, yet it was 2018 that completed arguably their most impressive feat.
The Galacticos, led by maestro Zinedine Zidane, had suffered a lackluster season. They were knocked out of the Copa del Rey and chasing Barcelona. It looked as though the season would be one to forget.
However, Madrid proved themselves worthy of their insurmountable reputation. They embarked on one of the best European campaigns ever. They beat PSG, Bayern Munich, and Juventus on their way to the final.
Their final test was a Liverpool side that looked fated for glory. It was not to be though. Real’s sheer ruthlessness won out in the end, helped by one of the best goals scored in a European final ever. The result? A historic three-peat in the Champions League, a feat not likely to ever be repeated.
Barcelona 2009
While Pep Guardiola is revered by Manchester City, it was in the streets of Barcelona where he made his name.
Guardiola made some huge calls when appointed, letting go of club legends Deco and Ronaldinho.
It was a big play by a man who would become known for moves of that magnitude, but it paid off brilliantly.
He nurtured the talents of an emerging Lionel Messi, guiding him from a hot prospect to a 38-goal superstar, and installed a scintillating style of play.
Of course, style is nothing without substance, but there were no issues here either, as Guardiola’s Barcelona dominated in every competition they played in. They won the Copa del Rey, pipped Real Madrid to the league, and demolished Ferguson’s United to secure European glory too. All conquering and brilliant to watch, few would argue this Barca side isn’t one of the best in club football.
Liverpool 1984
Sometimes, it can be easy to forget the accomplishments of teams before the Premier League and UEFA era. While they may not be the most remembered team now for those outside of the Merseyside faithful, Liverpool’s 1983-84 team rival any of the others mentioned in this list.
Led by Joe Fagan, Liverpool FC went on a dominant run, which saw star player Ian Rush score 47 goals in all competitions.
First they beat Everton in the League Cup final before securing a Division 1 title for the third time, becoming only the third side to do this.
Their final test came against AS Roma in the Stadio Olimpico in a bid to be crowned kings of Europe. It was a tense game that ended 1-1 after extra time, leading to a nail-biting penalty shootout. They won 4-2 and became the first English side to win three major trophies in a single season, a historic achievement still talked about by Liverpool fans to this day.
Manchester City 2023
Perhaps the most surprising part of Manchester City’s success in 2023 is how unlikely it looked earlier in the season. In February, City looked like a team on the decline. Their stars were tired after a mid-season World Cup. They trailed behind Arsenal in the league and had even been knocked out of League Cup by bottom-placed Southampton.
Even with phenom Haaland up front, it seemed as if the Blues were destined to end the season without silverware. But, when trials and tribulations arise, true greats step up. Guardiola, recognizing the need for drastic change, did what he does best.
He switched to an innovative 3-2-2-2-1 formation, transitioning John Stones to midfield, and Nathan Ake to take a more prominent role.
The results were seismic. They beat Arsenal in two title-clinching ties, then were triumphant in the FA Cup against their fiercest rival in Manchester United. They topped it off with a first-ever Champions League to seal a historic treble.
If there had been any doubts over Guardiola and his City side’s legacy, all were dismissed when the final whistle blew on that famous night in Istanbul.