Soccer is not the top-watched sport in the United States, but it is everywhere else, meaning it's worth big bucks. Consider this: In our rankings of the world's 20 most valuable teams, England's Manchester United is No. 1, worth $1.2 billion. Compare this with the Washington Redskins football team in the U.S., which we've valued at $952 million.

advertisement

With values like that, it's no wonder that the clubs have global powerhouses such as  Nike, Vodafone, Reebok, Siemens and General Motors (through its Opel division) as sponsors.

Our coverage includes not only a table ranking each club by valuation, but also spotlights each team individually; the billionaires behind the scenes; a profile of the marketing-savvy English club Manchester United; and polls and discussions so you can tell us what you think of our valuations and the teams.

Related stories Goal, Man U.! The rich battle for Manchester United Love soccer? Buy a new TV Bank it like Beckham New York Yankees vs. Real Madrid

MORE FROM FORBES

Forbes 2000: The world's leading companies • Forbes: Time to trash your VCR? • The ten coolest concept cars • Pump busters 2004 • Forbes: An American revolution made in China? • The outsourcing debate: A tale of two cities • Wall-to-wall with Wal-Mart • The world's richest soccer teams • Forbes 2000: The world's leading companies • Experimenting with cellular phones • EU's Monti wants to control the future • Forbes Section Front

• Warrant for 'outlaw' Iraqi cleric• U.S. forces seal off Fallujah• Bank of America to cut 12,500 jobs• Power industry faulted for blackout• What would you ask Rice?

EDITOR'S CHOICE • Presidents and job markets• Curry: How to pick a V.P.• Cobain's legacy lives on• Time to trash your VCR?• Celizic: Baseball's big day