The International Federation of Football History and Statistics has today named Barcelona as the best club side of the past 18 years.

The IFFHS compiled the statistics from 1991, using the position each team finishes in the annual world rankings as a scoring system, and the Catalan side are 79 points clear of second place Manchester United.

Behind Manchester United come two Italian giants in the form of Juventus and AC Milan, and then down in fifth are Real Madrid.

During the time period taken by the IFFHS, Barcelona have won the Champions League on two occasions, whilst they have won La Liga eight times.

Manchester United on the other hand have also won the Champions League twice, but they have picked up ten Premier League titles.

Below Real Madrid there is quite a gap down to the next Spanish side, with Valencia sitting in joint 17th with Sao Paulo.

England and Italy meanwhile both have four teams in the top 15 of the list.

Official IFFHS Rankings:


1.    Barcelona (SPN)   757
2.    Manchester United (ENG)   678
3.    Juventus FC (ITA)  621
4.    Milan AC (ITA)   611
5.    Real Madrid (SPN)  605
6.    Internazionale Milano (ITA)   567
7.    Bayern Munich (GER)   563
8.    Arsenal (ENG)   550
9.    River Plate (ARG)   503
10.    Chelsea (ENG)   442
11.    Liverpool (ENG)   435
12.    Porto (POR)   425
13.    Boca Juniors (ARG)   420
14.    AS Roma (ITA)  405
15.    AFC Ajax Amsterdam (HOL)   400
16.    Parma (ITA)   373
17.    São Paulo (BRA)   367
         Valencia (SPN)   367
19.    Glasgow Rangers (SCO)   364
20.    SS Lazio Roma (ITA)   342

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com