Rio Ferdinand names his top five biggest clubs with mixed results for Liverpool and Arsenal

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Rio Ferdinand has been naming his top five football clubs across the world and risked the wrath of Arsenal fans in doing so.

The biggest clubs in the world debate is always one which has an element of subjectivity about it. However, for years, there has been a long-standing acceptance that Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two biggest teams on the planet.

Beyond that, Manchester United’s rise under Sir Alex Ferguson ensured they were always in the conversation as well.

But beyond those three, pundits and fans often have differing opinions. And picking his top five clubs, Rio Ferdinand had no place for Arsenal on his list, insisting Liverpool were above the Londoners right now.

“Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool,” Ferdinand said when asked to name them on his FIVE YouTube channel.

“Where else are you going to go? If this was ten years ago, maybe Juventus or AC Milan. Just remember, our fanbase (Man United) in one country is bigger than the worldwide fanbase of Arsenal.”

Ferdinand has big experience of the vast support United have around the world. The former England man toured with United across the globe, seeing first hand how big the support was.

TBR’s View: Arsenal are probably just outside the top five

It’s not necessarily a harsh call, but Liverpool would probably be the name more fans around the world would know over Arsenal. And that’s not to say Arsenal aren’t a huge club. It’s just the Reds have such a rich history and their American owners have done a great job of plugging them across the Atlantic.

Things might change over time. If Arsenal win the league and can keep challenging, then they’ll be in the mix as well.

But as it stands, Rio’s list is about spot on and it will be some time before United, Madrid or Barca are moved off that list.