Analytical resource Opta has published an updated ranking of the strongest football clubs in the world - and this time Ukrainian football also received its share of attention. Ukraine maintains a presence on the global football map with several teams at once, despite the war, difficult conditions for clubs and regular rotation of squads.
The world ranking is topped by London's Arsenal, which Opta analysts have named the strongest club on the planet. Bayern Munich is in second place, and the top three is completed by the reigning Champions League winner PSG. Manchester City and Barcelona are next on the list.
The surprise of the ranking was Aston Villa's sixth position, ahead of even Real Madrid and Liverpool. The Birmingham club is currently demonstrating phenomenal progress - third places in the Premier League and the Europa League confirm the stability of Unai Emery's team.
Despite war realities and forced relocations, Ukrainian clubs remain in the international rankings.
• The highest position among Ukrainian teams is occupied by Shakhtar Donetsk, which is ranked 212th. The champion of Ukraine remains the strongest representative of the country on the international stage and consistently performs in European competitions.
• Dynamo Kyiv is the second-ranked Ukrainian club and 352nd in the world. Despite the restructuring of the squad and the change of generations, the club continues to demonstrate progress.
• Three more UPL clubs entered the top 1000:
– “Polissya” — 684th position;
– “Kryvbas” — 865th position;
– “LNZ” — 979th position.
The participation of five Ukrainian clubs in the top 1000 indicates that domestic football, even during a full-scale war, remains competitive and recognizable at the international level.
