UEFA have released on Wednesday a compiled list of the best ranked teams in Europe, and it arose some controversy with its results.
Most surrounded the position of La Liga giants Barcelona, who after an impressive season which saw them win the treble, were unable to make it to first place on the list.
Despite conquering the Spanish Primera Division, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League, becoming the first European team to win two trebles, the Blaugrana finished as Europe’s third best team with 132,814 points.
Barca ranked as Europe's 3rd best team despite winning the treble
Further shock surrounded the team that beat out all the competition to secure top spot, which were fellow Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid (142,814 points), despite ending the 2014-15 season trophy-less, an outcome which cost Carlo Ancelotti his job at the Bernabeu.
Despite ending the 2014-15 campaign trophy-less, Los Blancos still remains Europe's highest ranked club
In second spot were German champions Bayern Munich with 135,092 points, who lifted the Bundesliga crown once again, but were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter finals by Barcelona, the very team they beat in the new rankings.
One debate which argues in favor of Los Blancos and the Bavarians is that the new rankings are a tally of all points earned beginning from the 2011-12 season up til now, with Real Madrid edging out Barcelona in three out of the last four campaigns, the most recent being the only exception.
Chelsea, last season’s English Premier League champions, were England’s best ranked side, grabbing fourth spot with a 119,756 tally, followed by Arsenal in 7th (91,756 points), Man City in 16th (74,756) and neighbors Man United in 20th (66,756).
Ligue 1 holders PSG finished in a respectable 9th with a tally of 90,599, whilst Serie A champions and Champions League runners-up Juventus finished one spot above in 8th with 91,054.
UCL runners-up Juve grabbed 8th spot
Check out the top 25 in the table below.
