More proof that Manchester United and Real Madrid are the two biggest and most popular football teams in the world as a new report shows that these two clubs have sold more shirts than any other team over the past five years. Worldwide, the two clubs have sold on average 1.4 million shirts per season over the past five years.
United and Madrid are two of the three teams that have managed to surpass the one million mark between 2007-08 and 2011-12, with another Spanish side, Barcelona completing the top three with 1.15m shirts sold per year.
England have four teams in the top 10, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal accompanying Manchester United, while Juventus, Inter and AC Milan represent Serie A. Bayern Munich complete the top 10 in fifth position.
All of the teams in the top 10 either wear Adidas or Nike jerseys, with both brands having five representatives in the list.
The figures, which were published by Sportingintelligence, have been compiled by veteran analyst Dr Peter Rohlmann and his team at the consulting bureau, PR Marketing.
Chelsea are the most significant ‘climbers’ since the last study was made two years ago. Back then, Chelsea were adidas’s joint-second best sellers with Liverpool and Bayern Munich two years ago but have moved clear into second place for adidas, and fourth overall. Undoubtedly there was a significant lift in 2011-12 uplift because of success in the Champions League.
| Rank | Team | Country | Shirts sold * | Brand |
| 1 | Manchester United | England | 1.4 million | Nike |
| – | Real Madrid | Spain | 1.4 million | Adidas |
| 3 | Barcelona | Spain | 1.15 million | Nike |
| 4 | Chelsea | England | 910.000 | Adidas |
| 5 | Bayern Munich | Germany | 880.000 | Adidas |
| 6 | Liverpool | England | 810.000 | Adidas |
| 7 | Arsenal | England | 800.000 | Nike |
| 8 | Juventus | Italy | 480.000 | Nike |
| 9 | Inter | Italy | 425.000 | Nike |
| 10 | AC Milan | Italy | 350.000 | Adidas |
*Shirt sales (official merchandise) only. Does not include other club merchandise.
