When it comes to big spending clubs, the annual wage bill is often the telltale sign. The clubs from the top 5 European leagues are the footballing superpower. Premier League and La Liga clubs dominate the list with only 1 club each from Bundesliga and Ligue 1 making it to the list of the top 10 football clubs with the highest wage bill.
In this guide, we will explore the top 10 football clubs with the highest wage bill worldwide.
Top 10 football clubs with the highest wage bill
10. Atletico Madrid | €265 million
Founded: 26 April 1903; 119 years ago as Athletic Club Sucursal de Madrid
Ground: Estadio Metropolitano
Owner: Atlético HoldCo (65.98%); Idan Ofer (33%)
President: Enrique Cerezo
Head coach: Diego Simeone
League: La Liga (Spain)
Current squad:
9. Bayern Munich | €324 million
Founded: 27 February 1900; 122 years ago
Stadium: Allianz Arena
President: Herbert Hainer
CEO: Oliver Kahn
Head coach: Julian Nagelsmann
League: Bundesliga (Germany)
Current squad:
8. Juventus | €336 million
Founded: 1 November 1897; 125 years ago as Sport-Club Juventus
Ground: Allianz Stadium
Owner: Agnelli family (through EXOR N.V.)
President: Andrea Agnelli (in prorogatio)
Head coach: Massimiliano Allegri
League: Serie A (Italy)
Current squad:
7. Chelsea | €403 million
Founded: 10 March 1905; 117 years ago
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Owner: BlueCo 22 Limited
Chairman: Todd Boehly
Head coach: Graham Potter
League: Premier League (England)
Current squad:
6. Manchester City | €418 million
Founded: 1880; 143 years ago as St. Mark’s (West Gorton) and in 1887; 136 years ago as Ardwick Association F.C. and later on16 April 1894; 128 years ago as Manchester City
Ground: Etihad Stadium
Owner: City Football Group Limited
Chairman: Khaldoon Al Mubarak
Head coach: Pep Guardiola
League: Premier League (England)
Current squad:
5. Liverpool | €434 million
Founded: 3 June 1892; 130 years ago
Stadium: Anfield
Owner: Fenway Sports Group
Chairman: Tom Werner
Head coach: Jürgen Klopp
League: Premier League (England)
Current squad:
4. Manchester United | €454 million
Founded: 1878; 145 years ago, as Newton Heath LYR F.C, later founded as Manchester United F.C. in 1902, 121 years ago
Stadium: Old Trafford
Owner: Manchester United plc
Co-chairmen: Joel and Avram Glazer
Head coach: Erik ten Hag
League: Premier League (England)
Current squad:
3. FC Barcelona | €466 million
Founded: 29 November 1899; 123 years ago as Foot-Ball Club Barcelona
Ground: Camp Nou
President: Joan Laporta
Head coach: Xavi
League: La Liga (Spain)
Current squad:
2. Real Madrid | €519 million
Founded: 6 March 1902; 120 years ago as Madrid Football Club
Ground: Santiago Bernabéu
President: Florentino Pérez
Head coach: Carlo Ancelotti
League: La Liga (Spain)
Current squad:
1. Paris Saint-Germain | €728 million
Founded: 12 August 1970; 52 years ago
Ground: Parc des Princes
Owner: Qatar Sports Investments
President: Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Head coach: Christophe Galtier
League: Ligue 1 (France)
Current squad:
Read: Top 10 most expensive transfers of January 2023
Wage bill – Source
All club data via Wikipedia and squad updated till 31st January 2023