Best football teams of all time are a matter of debate, but some have risen above the rest. Despite personal bias, generational differences, and regional loyalty, these teams have achieved unparalleled success, dominating their era and leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
SPORTVIEW2’s Editors convened in a darkened room one evening to narrow down the field of contenders for the best teams ever. The decision-making process was intense, with each staff member bringing their personal favorites.
Here’s a rundown of the most iconic football teams in history:
10. Leicester in the 2015–16 season
Leicester City’s incredible 2015–2016 campaign was a historical first, a Cinderella tale that will live on in the annals of football history. Under the expert leadership of Claudio Ranieri, a club that had just about averted relegation the season before became a cohesive unit that accomplished the unthinkable: winning the Premier League title. The fact that they defeated elite teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal makes this accomplishment all the more remarkable.
It takes a combination of individual genius and group tenacity to succeed for the Foxes. Their attacking ability was demonstrated by the 36 goals Jamie Vardy and 29 goals Riyad Mahrez combined to score. In the meantime, N’Golo Kanté’s vision in midfield and unwavering work ethic were crucial in dismantling rival defenses. The team’s constant discipline, passion, and dedication paid off as they won the title.
09. Saint-Etienne in the 1973-77 Season
Michel Platini’s 1980s squad may be the popular choice, but the true greatest team is the dominant force of the 1960s and 1970s. Les Verts (The Greens) ruled French football for over a decade with Ivan Curkovic’s unbeatable goalkeeping, Osvaldo Piazza’s rock-solid defense, and the creative genius of Jean-Michel Larque. Herve Revelli’s attacking flair and Jacques Santini’s visionary leadership made them a formidable team. Their remarkable reign makes them the real winners in Saint-Etienne’s history.
Saint-Etienne won 7 Ligue 1 titles between 1966 and 1976. They also secured 5 Coupe de France trophies during this period. This remarkable run of success cemented their status as a French football powerhouse.
This illustrious period showcased the team’s perfect blend of attacking flair, midfield creativity, and defensive solidity. Saint-Etienne’s achievements solidified their position as a French football superpower, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.”
This legendary Saint-Etienne squad inspired countless players and supporters in addition to leaving an enduring impression on French football.
08. Chelsea in the 2004-06 Season
The first season of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea career was a masterclass in both squad building and tactical innovation. He brought in new signings Petr Cech and Arjen Robben while also skillfully integrating the best players from Claudio Ranieri’s squad, such as Damien Duff, Frank Lampard, John Terry, and Claude Makelele. He also used Roman Abramovich’s financial clout to bring in Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho, further strengthening an already strong squad.
The Chelsea squad led by José Mourinho was a formidable opponent, taking home the Premier League championships in 2005 and 2006. With an incredible 15 goals allowed during the entire season, the inaugural title was won by a commanding 12-point margin. The foundation of this commanding performance was a high-pressure game that won the team the reluctant respect of rival club supporters.
Chelsea’s play was dynamic and attack-oriented under Mourinho, suffocating opponents with constant pressure; Terry and Carvalho’s defensive solidity laid the groundwork for quick counterattacks, which were masterfully planned by Lampard and Robben; Drogba’s strength and clinical finishing gave Chelsea’s attack a new dimension that made them a formidable force in English football.
07. Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1953-60 Season
In the 1950s, Stan Cullis’s Wolverhampton Wanderers team was a formidable force, especially when they were wearing their recognizable old gold shirts. They dominated English football with a no-nonsense style, winning three league titles from 1953 to 1962. During their incredible journey, they experienced a sad near-miss in the 1959–60 season when they were just one point away from winning the coveted FA Cup–League Double.
Cullis’s team was constructed with strength, endurance, and physical fitness as its cornerstones. But this strategy worked well, as Wolves scored an incredible 878 goals in their nine-year run at the top.
The accomplishments Wolves made during this time solidified their place among the best teams in English football history. Future generations of players and managers are continually motivated by their legacy, which highlights the potency of a physically strong, well-trained squad with a defined style of play.
06. Hamburg in the 1977-83 Season
Hamburg SV, a team that had long been on the outside of German football’s elite, went through a period of change in the late 1970s. Two new players, Kevin Keegan and Branko Zebec, brought about a sea change in the club’s history.
After their 1980 European Cup Final defeat to Nottingham Forest, Zebec’s rigorous training regimen, which included taxing running drills, incited a player uprising. Still, Hamburg’s unwavering commitment paid off, as the team won three Bundesliga crowns in four seasons. Their most memorable accomplishment was winning the European Cup in 1983 after defeating Juventus in the championship game.
Zebec helped Hamburg forge a unique identity based on constant pressure, quick counterattacks, and a resolute dedication to physical fitness. Keegan embodied this ideology perfectly with his unlimited energy and vision.
Personal demons ultimately brought Zebec to his knees, but his legacy at Hamburg endures. The club’s success at this time was evidence of the value of commitment, diligence, and a common goal. Hamburg’s accomplishments are still motivational because they serve as a reminder that even the most unlikely teams can succeed at the highest levels with the correct attitude and strategy.
05. Marseille in the 1988-93 Season
Olympique de Marseille (OM)’s aspirational owner, Bernard Tapie, was committed to guiding the French team to their first European Cup victory. Even though his tactics—bribery, match-fixing, and doping—were frequently dubious, Marseille’s talented team might have achieved greatness without turning to these kinds of dubious means.
Marseille lost to Red Star Belgrade in a penalty shootout in the 1991 European Cup final. But two years later, they made amends by defeating AC Milan, the reigning champions, handily. This victory was evidence of the group’s extraordinary talent, cunning, and cooperation.
Marseille’s strength was their defense, led by the commanding presence of center-back Marcel Desailly and sweeper Basile Boli, who skillfully shielded goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. The four players in midfield—Vincent Germain, Chris Waddle, Abedi Pele, and Didier Deschamps—controlled the game’s tempo with their vision, persistence, and inventiveness.
Marseille became a formidable force in European football thanks to their strong midfield play, defense, and attacking flair.
04. Arsenal in the 2003/04 Season
In 2002, Arsene Wenger boldly predicted that his Arsenal squad may go the entire league season undefeated, a forecast that was ridiculed. But Wenger’s dream came true in 2003–04 when Arsenal won the league without losing a game, imitating Preston North End’s 1888–89 “Invincibles” squad. The three players who made this incredible accomplishment possible were Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, and Patrick Vieira—collectively referred to as “the three musketeers.”
This trio gave Arsenal their third title in seven seasons by contributing their technical prowess, physical presence, and creative spark.
Determining the top 10 greatest football teams of all time is a difficult undertaking because it’s a judgment call that may lead to disagreement and controversy. Nonetheless, the teams on this list have proven to be exceptionally skilled, strategic, and cohesive due to their accomplishments, dominance, and long-lasting influence on the sport. From Barcelona’s contemporary genius to Preston North End’s groundbreaking achievements, these teams have made a lasting impression on football history.
This undefeated campaign was a credit to Wenger’s creative strategies, the players’ commitment, and the team’s spirit. The “Invincibles” season stands as a pinnacle of Wenger’s leadership and a pivotal point in Arsenal’s illustrious past.
03. Tottenham in the 1960-62 Season
Bobby Smith and Les Allen, two of Tottenham Hotspur’s prolific scorers, helped the team win the league title with a dominating eight points during their spectacular 1960–61 campaign. While the imperious Dave Mackay anchored the midfield with his hard work rate and leadership, inside-forward John White’s creative genius opened defenses with his clever blind-side runs.
Their supremacy paid off as they defeated Leicester City handily in the FA Cup final to win both the league and the cup. Manager Bill Nicholson expressed fear that the Spurs would be a one-season wonder, a view that was echoed by other analysts. renowned an effort to continue their winning streak, Nicholson strengthened his team by bringing renowned goal scorer Jimmy Greaves.
Despite their eventual failure, their campaign was tainted by controversy, including dubious refereeing calls that added to their loss.
02. Steaua Bucharest in the 1984-89 Season
The truth was frequently hard to come by under Nicolae Ceausescu’s turbulent Romania. One thing, though, cannot be denied: Steaua Bucharest’s incredible 104-game domestic winning streak, which spanned from June 1986 to September 1989. There has been discussion about this remarkable run, with some linking it to the team’s purported partiality during Ceausescu’s rule.
It is impossible to discount Steaua’s accomplishments in light of these charges. The team, which was led by Miodrag Belodedici’s graceful skill and Victor Piturca’s creative genius, was compared to a Romanian Harlem Globetrotters. The signing of Gheorghe Hagi, known as the “Maradona of the Carpathians,” for the 1986 European Super Cup added even more momentum to their success. Hagi’s inability to rejoin Sportul Studentesc, his previous team, is evidence of Ceausescu’s tyranny over the group.
Steaua accomplished equally remarkable feats on the continent, making it to two European Cup finals. Their penalty shootout victory over Barcelona in 1986 stands as one of the greatest moments in Romanian football history. Steaua’s accomplishments on the European stage solidified their reputation as a formidable team, notwithstanding their 4-0 loss to Milan in the 1988 final.
Steaua’s success was built on a potent blend of individual talent, tactical acumen, and team unity.
Defensive stalwarts Adrian Bumbescu and Stefan Iovan provided a solid backbone, allowing creative forces like Piturca and Belodedici to flourish. Despite political turmoil, Steaua’s achievements transcended adversity, leaving an indelible mark on football history.”
01. Leeds in the 1968-75 Season
Don Revie’s inspirational words, “Keep fighting,” were painted on a sign in the famous Elland Road dressing room, a continuous reminder to his Leeds United teammates. This catchphrase captured the spirit of the team, which was a combination of unwavering will and moments of genius that summed up football’s shift into the bright, technicolor era.
Leeds United started a great era of domination after winning their first trophy in the 1968 League Cup. They went on to win two League crowns, two Fairs Cups, and the coveted FA Cup in 1972.
Under Don Revie’s leadership, Leeds United thrived, embodying their “keep fighting” motto. With unwavering dedication, they achieved on-field success, cementing their status as one of English football’s most beloved teams.
Their legacy is a testament to the power of teamwork, perseverance, and determination
In conclusion, selecting the top 10 greatest football teams of all time is a challenging task, prone to debate and disagreement. However, the teams on this list stand out for their exceptional skill, strategy, and cohesion.
Their achievements, dominance, and lasting impact on the sport are undeniable. From Barcelona’s modern brilliance to Preston North End’s pioneering feats, these teams have left an indelible mark on football history.
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