On 2009 the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), an organization recognized by FIFA, has released the results of a statistical study which determined the best continental clubs of the twentieth century.[1] That ranking has not considered the performance of the teams in national football tournaments (except in the Oceania's club ranking due to limited editions held under OFC club competitions), the performance in the intercontinental or world-wide club competitions or those submitted in the IFFHS Club World Ranking, available since 1991.[2]
[edit] Europe
The ranking was calculated by the IFFHS exclusively on the basis of individual match performance by European teams throughout their participation in international club competitions (from the quarter-finals to final in all the cases) from 1901 to 2000.[2] The IFFHS have considered the clubs' results in the two most prestigious international club competitions held in the continent prior the foundation of the Union of European Football Associations in 1954: the Central European Cup, since it was launched until it cancellation due to the World War II, and the Latin Cup.[3] Clubs' performance in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, a predecessor competition of the UEFA Cup but not recognized as UEFA club competition by the government body of European football, have been also considered.[4] The match results of teams in UEFA Intertoto Cup (period 1995-2000) have not been considered in the ranking.[2]
The points are given by the following criteria:
Top Ten Europe's clubs of the 20th Century:[2]
| Position | Team | Country | Pts. |
| 1 | Real Madrid |  Spain | 563,50 |
| 2 | Juventus |  Italy | 466,00 |
| 3 | Barcelona | Spain | 458,00 |
| 4 | Milan | Italy | 399,75 |
| 5 | Bayern Munich |  Germany | 399,00 |
| 6 | Internazionale | Italy | 362,00 |
| 7 | Ajax |  Netherlands | 332,75 |
| 8 | Liverpool |  England | 300,25 |
| 9 | Benfica |  Portugal | 299,00 |
| 10 | Anderlecht |  Belgium | 231,00 |
Full list published by IFFHS on 10 September 2009
Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).
[edit] South America
The ranking was calculated by the IFFHS exclusively on the basis of individual match performance by South American teams throughout their participation in international club competitions (from the quarter-finals to final in all the cases with the only exception of Copa Merconorte, which the clubs' results were calculated since semifinals) from 1901 to 2000.[6] Decisions by penalty shoot-out were not considered in the ranking.[6]
The points are given by the following criteria:
Top Ten South America's clubs of the 20th Century:[6]
| Position | Team | Country | Pts. |
| 1 | Peñarol |  Uruguay | 531,00 |
| 2 | Independiente |  Argentina | 426,50 |
| 3 | Nacional | Uruguay | 414,00 |
| 4 | River Plate | Argentina | 404,25 |
| 5 | Olimpia |  Paraguay | 337,00 |
| 6 | Boca Juniors | Argentina | 312,00 |
| 7 | Cruzeiro |  Brazil | 295,50 |
| 8 | São Paulo | Brazil | 242,00 |
| 9 | América de Cali |  Colombia | 220,00 |
| 10 | Palmeiras | Brazil | 213,00 |
Full list published by IFFHS on 17 September 2009
Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).
[edit] Africa
| “ | One difference with Europe and South America lies in the fact that Africa was largely made up of colonies in the 1st half of the 20th century (and longer) and the development of sports in Africa only began to take off after states had attained their independence. As a result there were no international club competitions before 1964 involving the various sovereign African states. The development of African football, which had a good deal of catching up to do from the 1970s onwards, enjoyed a terrific increase in the final decades of the 20th century. This increase in standards was reflected by the introduction of additional continental club competitions [...] A second difference with Europe and South America is the economic circumstances in Africa and the enormous distances to the away matches from the qualifying rounds of a CAF club competition onwards, consequently the draw was made on geographic lines unlike Europe or South America.[7] | ” |
The ranking was calculated by the IFFHS exclusively on the basis of individual match performance by African teams throughout their participation in international club competitions (from the quarter-finals to final) from 1901 to 2000).[7] Regional competitions organizated by football associations members to the Confederation of African Football has not been considered.[7] Decisions by penalty shoot-outs were not taken into consideration, in such cases each team received the half of points.[7] Clubs' match results from the group stage of the Champions League, international competition run by CAF since 1997, have been included.[7]
The points are given by the following criteria:
Top Ten Africa's clubs of the 20th Century:[7]
| Position | Team | Country | Pts. |
| 1 | Asante Kotoko |  Ghana | 149,00 |
| 2 | Al-Ahly |  Egypt | 131,50 |
| 3 | El-Zamalek | Egypt | 126,75 |
| 4 | Canon Yaoundé |  Cameroon | 125,50 |
| 5 | ASEC Mimosas |  Côte d'Ivoire | 111,50 |
| 6 | Hearts of Oak | Ghana | 104,00 |
| 7 | Espérance Tunis |  Tunisia | 98,00 |
| 8 | Hafia |  Guinea | 96,00 |
| 9 | Africa Sports | Côte d'Ivoire | 88,25 |
| 10 | Mazembe |  Democratic Republic of the Congo | 77,50 |
Full list published by IFFHS on 23 September 2009
Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).
| “ | One difference with Europe and South America lies in the fact that Asia —similar to Africa— was partly made up of colonies in the 1st half of the 20th century (and longer) and the development of sport in Asia only began to take off after states had attained their independence. As a result there were no international club competitions (following standard rules) before 1967 involving in the various sovereign states. The development of Asian football, which had a good deal of catching up to do from the first 75 years of the century, enjoyed a terrific increase in the final two decades of the 20th century (and at an accelerated pace after the turn of millennium). This increase in standards was reflected by the introduction of additional continental club competitions (Asia's Cup Winners Cup, Asian Super Cup). A second difference to Europe and South America —as with Africa— was the economic circumstances in Asia and the enormous distances to the away matches. These were difficult handicaps to overcome and for these reasons the Asia's Champions Cup was not played between 1972 to 1985. Some countries were also concerned at the participation of the Israeli clubs. In the end the AFC surmounted these problems and the Asian Champions Cup was played in a tournament format in a town from 1967 to 1971 and from 1986 to 1994. From 1995 onwards both the Asian club competitions (champions and cup winners) were played along geographical lines —East Asia and West Asia— to determine each zone’s semi-finalists who then played against each other.[8] | ” |
The ranking was calculated by the IFFHS exclusively on the basis of individual match performance by Asian teams throughout their participation in international club competitions (from the quarter-finals to final with the only exception of the Asian Champion Club Tournament, international competition run by AFC, in the period from 1967 to 1971—held annually in a host country—, which the clubs' results in semifinals, finals and the third place playoff were calculated) from 1901 to 2000.[8] Regional competitions organizated by football associations members to the Asian Football Confederation has not been considered.[8] Decisions by penalty shoot-outs were not taken into consideration, in such cases each team received the half of points.[8] Clubs' match results from the group stage directly before of the AFC Club Championship semifinals from 1986 to 1994 and from the group stage directly before the semifinals played in East and West Asia, respectively, since 1995 to 2000, have been included.[8]
The points are given by the following criteria:
Top Ten Asian's clubs of the 20th Century:[8]
| Position | Team | Country | Pts. |
| 1 | Al-Hilal |  Saudi Arabia | 93,50 |
| 2 | Yokohama F. Marinos |  Japan | 66,25 |
| 3 | Esteghlal Tehran |  Iran | 56,00 |
| 4 | Persepolis | Iran | 55,00 |
| 5 | Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma |  South Korea | 51,00 |
| 6 | Al-Nasr | Saudi Arabia | 47,50 |
| 7 | Pohang Steelers | South Korea | 45,25 |
| 8 | Tokyo Verdy | Japan | 42,00 |
| 9 | Liaoning Hongyun |  China | 38,00 |
| 10 | Thai Farmers Bank |  Thailand | 33,75 |
Full list published by IFFHS on 29 September 2009
Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).
[edit] Central and North America
| “ | Part of the CONCACAF area, similar to Africa, was still comprised of colonies in the 1st half of the 20th century. And in the USA throughout the century, leagues were artbitrarily formed and disbanded, and, with them, clubs were established as prefessional entities but lacking any real foundations and again disbanded. As a result continuity and tradition are lacking in the USA and some other countries [...] The increase in standards was reflected by the introduction of additional continental club competitions in the final decades of the 20th century. As in Africa, because of the economic circumstances and the enornous distances to the away matches, from the qualifying rounds of a competition onwards, the draw were conducted on a geographic basis. Initially there were Northern American, Central American and Caribbean Sections.[10] | ” |
The ranking was calculated by the IFFHS exclusively on the basis of individual match performance by teams of member nations of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) throughout their participation in international club competitions (from the quarter-finals to final with the only exception of the Champions' Cup, international competition run by CONCACAF,[11] in the periods from 1962 to 1963 and from 1967 to 1986,[12] which the clubs' match results since the last round before the semifinals or final were calculated, while from 1987 to 2000 only were calculated the teams' results since the semifinals in the North and Central region and only the finals in the Caribbean region[13]) from 1901 to 2000.[10] Decisions by penalty shoot-outs were not taken into consideration, in such cases each team received the half of points.[10] Regional competitions organizated by football associations members to CONCACAF has not been considered, with the only exception of the Copa Fraternidad Centroamericana, international competition held in Central America and organizated by Central American Football Union (UNCAF). In that tournament, the clubs' match results from the second round in the period from 1980 to 1984, have been included.[10]
The points are given by the following criteria:
Top Ten Central and North America's clubs of the 20th Century:[10]
| Position | Team | Country | Pts. |
| 1 | Saprissa |  Costa Rica | 187,00 |
| 2 | Olimpia |  Honduras | 129,25 |
| Comunicaciones |  Guatemala | 129,25 |
| 4 | Municipal | Guatemala | 123,75 |
| 5 | Transvaal |  Suriname | 108,00 |
| 6 | Alajuelense | Costa Rica | 98,75 |
| 7 | Necaxa |  Mexico | 91,00 |
| 8 | Cruz Azul | Mexico | 87,00 |
| 9 | Alianza |  El Salvador | 83,00 |
| 10 | América | Mexico | 81,00 |
Full list published by IFFHS on 8 October 2009
Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).
[edit] Oceania
| “ | It is not possible to determine the club of the century from Oceania on the same basis as the other five football continents because there were in 1987, as well as 1999, a total of only three OFC cup competitions. Also there was a need to take account of the periods in the 20th century, for this football continent, during which there was an increasing difference in performance between the Australian and New Zealand top clubs. Over and above that there was also an additional drop in performance between the clubs from New Zealand and those of the distant Pacific isles. Besides the Pacific islands (including New Caledonia) that were still colonies in the 1st half of the 20th century (and beyond).[18] | ” |
The ranking was calculated by the IFFHS on the basis of individual match performance by teams of member nations of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) throughout their participation in international club competitions (from the quarter-finals to final) from 1901 to 2000.[18] All decisions by penalty shoot-outs in statal, regional, national and international competitions were not taken into consideration, in such cases each team received the half of points.[18]
Due to few international competition issues disputed in Oceania (three from 1987 to 2000), the International Federation of Football History & Statistics have been considered in the ranking the clubs' performance at the end of the primary's football national championship and the primary cup competition in the cases of Australia (country member of OFC until 31 December 2005) and New Zealand, the two strongest footballing nations in the continent during the 20th century.[18]
The clubs' results in each major regional competitions organizated by associations members to Football Federation Australia (FFA) and held from the institution of the Australian Soccer Association, the governing body in the country, in 1920 to the inception of the league system and the National Soccer League (the Australia's National Football Championship[19]) in 1977 have been considered.
The IFFHS have also considered the performance by teams at the end of the New South Wales' football tournaments —at the time the dominant football state in Australian football—, held in Sydney and Newcastle, also have been considered in the ranking. The clubs' performance at the end of the Metropolitan Sydney Championship (established in 1920), the state's championship prior the introduction of the state league (or New South Wales Championship) in 1928,[20] and in the Sydney Federation Championship, established in 1957 as consequence of the incept of the New South Wales Federation of Soccer Clubs after the disolution of the New South Wales State League in that same year until the formation of the national league in 1977.[21]
The points are given by the following criteria:
International competitions:
National competitions:
Australia's regional competitions:
| Competition | Points for a champion | Points for a runner-up |
| New South Wales Championship (1928-1956)[20] | 2 | 1 |
| Victoria Championship (1920-1976)[26] | 1 | - |
| Queensland Championship (1920-1976)[27] | 1 | - |
| South Australia Championship (1920-1976)[28] | 1 | - |
| Western Australia Championship (1946-1976)[29] | 1 | - |
| Tasmania Championship (1920-1976)[30] | 0,50 | - |
New South Wales' statal competitions:
| Competition | Points for a champion | Points for a runner-up |
| Newcastle & District Championship (1920-1976)[31] | 1 | - |
| Metropolitan Sydney Championship (1920-1928)[32] | 1,50 | - |
| Sydney Federation Championship (1957-1976)[21] | 1,50 | - |
Top Ten Oceania's clubs of the 20th Century:[18]
| Position | Team | Country | Pts. |
| 1 | South Melbourne |  Australia | 106,50 |
| 2 | Sydney City | Australia | 53,00 |
| 3 | Marconi Stallions | Australia | 48,25 |
| 4 | Wollongong Wolves | Australia | 46,00 |
| 5 | University-Mount Wellington |  New Zealand | 41,25 |
| 6 | Melbourne Knights | Australia | 39,50 |
| 7 | Adelaide City | Australia | 36,50 |
| 8 | Napier City Rovers | New Zealand | 34,00 |
| 9 | Tafea |  Vanuatu | 33,00 |
| 10 | Sydney United | Australia | 29,50 |
Full list published by IFFHS on 13 October 2009
Nationality is indicated by the corresponding FIFA country code(s).
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "World Honours: The continental Clubs of the Century". IFFHS official website. http://www.iffhs.de/?7d4d443d0a8a3ccdc42ec70a114b4ccc13f8ac378cdc07ccaf10. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ a b c d "Europe's club of the Century". IFFHS official website. http://www.iffhs.de/?a413f0e03790c443e0f40390b41be8b01905fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb883ccb05ff1d. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
- ^ Descamps, Pierre-Marie; Hennaux, Jacques; Collectif (2005) (in French). 50 ans de coupes d'Europe. Paris: L'Équipe. p. 15. ISBN 2-951-96059-X.
- ^ a b "UEFA Cup: All-time finals". UEFA official website. http://www.uefa.com/uefa/news/kind=1/newsid=2571.html. Retrieved 2009-07-13. "Fairs Cup The UEFA Cup replaced the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in the 1971/72 season. The list of finals from that competition are listed below, but please note that the Fairs Cup is not considered a UEFA competition, and hence clubs' records in the Fairs Cup are not considered part of their European record. [...] Note: The Inter-Cities Fairs Cup also took place from 1955 to 1971 but not as an official UEFA competition."
- ^ Also known as Mitropa Cup.
- ^ a b c "South America's club of the Century". IFFHS official website. http://www.iffhs.de/?32b0cfd380ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20e52c00f23808f15. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- ^ a b c d e f "Africa's club of the Century". IFFHS official website. http://www.iffhs.de/?c813f0e03790c443e0f40390b41be8b01f05fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb883dcfc5ff0b. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ a b c d e f "Asia's club of the Century". IFFHS official website. http://www.iffhs.de/?3370ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20f72a0cf10. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- ^ The Asian Club Championship not held since 1972 to 1985, see also "Asian Champions' Cup". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/as1.html. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- ^ a b c d e "Central and North America's club of the Century". IFFHS official website. http://www.iffhs.de/?32b0cfd380ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20f83617f23808f16. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ a b Also knows as Copa de Campeones y Subcampeones de la CONCACAF from 1971 to 2008.
- ^ a b The CONCACAF Champions' Cup was abandoned in 1964 and 1965. In 1966 the tournament not held, see also "CONCACAF Cup". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesc/ca1.html. Retrieved 2009-10-10.
- ^ "1987 CONCACAF Champions' Cup / Copa de Campeones". CONCACAF official website. http://www.concacaf.com/viewCompetition.aspx?id=107. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ The CONCACAF Cup Winners' Cup editions from 1991 to 1993 have not been included in the ranking, see also "Central and North America's club of the Century". IFFHS official website. http://www.iffhs.de/?32b0cfd380ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20f83617f23808f16. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ The Copa Fraternidad Centroamericana was not played since 1984 to 1996, see also "Copa Fraternidad". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesf/fraternidad.html. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ "Copa Fraternidad 1971-72". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesf/fraternidad.html#72.
- ^ "Copa Fraternidad 1979". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesf/fraternidad.html#79. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
- ^ a b c d e "Oceania's club of the Century". IFFHS official website. http://iffhs.de/?0cf3370ff73117fe2c0bf23c17e23a09e33b17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20f92300f7371e. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ^ "Australia - List of Champions". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/auschamp.html. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ a b "Australia - List of Regional Champions (New South Wales)". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/aus-regchamp.html#nsw. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ a b "Australia - List of Regional Champions (New South Wales: Sydney Federation)". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/aus-regchamp.html#nsw. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ The first edition of the Oceania Club Championship, held on Adelaide (Australia) from March 6, 1987 to March 15 of the same year, was also known as Oceania (South Pacific) Champions' Cup. The results in Oceania Club Championship 2000–01, tournament held in Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) from January 9, 2001 to January 22 of the same year, not have been considered in the ranking by IFFHS.
- ^ a b "Oceania Club Cups - Overview File". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tableso/occ.html. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ^ Also known as Oceania (South Pacific) Winners' Cup.
- ^ The play-off winner club get an additional point in the ranking.
- ^ "Australia - List of Regional Champions (Victoria)". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/aus-regchamp.html#vic. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ "Australia - List of Regional Champions (Queensland)". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/aus-regchamp.html#que. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ "Australia - List of Regional Champions (South Australia)". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/aus-regchamp.html#soz. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ "Australia - List of Regional Champions (Western Australia)". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/aus-regchamp.html#woz. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ "Australia - List of Regional Champions (Tasmania)". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/aus-regchamp.html#tas. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ "Australia - List of Regional Champions (Newcastle and District, Northern New South Wales)". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/aus-regchamp.html#new. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
- ^ "Australia - List of Regional Champions (New South Wales: Sydney Metropolitan)". The Record Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/aus-regchamp.html#nsw. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
[edit] External links
