Struggling With $1B+ Debt, FC Barcelona Outshines $4B Worth Manchester City by 12 Ranks in terms of Franchise Valuation

In November 2023, Manchester City broke existing Premier League records, reporting a staggering revenue of $887 million in the 2022-23 season. The club’s iconic continental treble win was at the heart of the jump in revenue. Outside of the Premier League, only Spain’s Real Madrid managed to secure a higher revenue than City. It means the likes of FC Barcelona have fallen short of Pep Guardiola‘s side. However, in terms of a franchise’s value, Barcelona widely outranks Manchester City, per the latest data.

FC Barcelona ranks 23rd in Sportico’s latest list of the world’s most valuable sports franchises, with a value of $4.95 billion. Manchester City, on the other hand, failed to secure even a top-30 spot. City is the 35th most valuable sports club in the world, with a value of $4.43 billion. Notably, Barcelona is third among soccer’s most valuable clubs, falling behind Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Barcelona might have managed to secure a top-three spot among valued soccer clubs. But the club’s debt remains north of a whopping $1 billion. Barcelona’s debts were over the billion-dollar mark during former president Josep Bartomeu’s reign. The debt, coupled with salary cap restrictions, prevented Barca from extending Lionel Messi‘s contract in 2021, forcing him to leave for PSG. At this juncture, a jump in valuation is a relief for Barca. Coming back to Manchester City’s valuation, the club not only lost big to Barcelona. It also fell short against other soccer giants in Europe.

Manchester City loses big to other contemporaries in Sportico rankings

If Manchester United, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona form soccer’s top three most valued clubs, is Manchester City at least in the top five? No, City has lost to claim a spot on that list as well. Liverpool, valued at $4.71 billion, is soccer’s fourth most valuable side. German giants Bayern Munich is the fifth most-valued club with a value of $4.46 billion. Falling behind the likes of Liverpool and Bayern, City sits as the game’s sixth most valuable club.

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City, notably lost to their peers in a season where they won the Premier League, the Champions League, and the FA Cup. Speaking of this season, City won big on the field, adding a FIFA Club World Cup trophy to their cabinet. Now, they have yet another shot at a continental treble. If all goes well, the Sky Blues have a chance of going up the valuation ladder. But only time will tell if things go well for the reigning PL champions.

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