When it comes to determining the strongest football clubs and what sets them apart, it’s not an easy task. However, experts at Opta have developed their Power Rankings system, which aims to measure a club’s strength based on factors like personnel, financial resources, and more. In terms of Asian football, the Saudi Pro League teams dominate the list of top clubs, showcasing their dominance in the region.
The Opta Power Rankings: Assessing Strengths
The Opta Power Rankings system assigns a score ranging from 0 to 100 to each football club. This score provides an overall idea of a club’s strength on paper. It serves as a valuable reference point when comparing football clubs and players from these clubs.
The Top 10 Strongest Asian Clubs
According to the Opta Power Rankings, here are the top 10 best football clubs in Asia:
Jeonbuk Motors
Jeonbuk Motors, a powerhouse in the K-League’s first tier, secures the 10th spot with an impressive ability score of 76. Ranked 274th globally, Jeonbuk Motors has claimed the K-League title an astonishing nine times.
Sepahan
Iran’s Sepahan FC, competing in the Gulf Pro League, comes in at the ninth spot with an ability score of 77.6. With five top division titles to their name, Sepahan is a formidable force in Asian football.
Al-Shabab
Al-Shabab, representing the Saudi Pro League, sits at the eighth position with an ability score of 77.9. This club boasts star players like Grzegorz Krychowiak and Ever Banega, making them a well-known name in Asian football.
Esteghlal
Esteghlal, a formidable club from the Persian Gulf Pro League in Iran, clinches the seventh spot with an ability score of 77.9. With nine top division titles under their belt, Esteghlal is a force to be reckoned with in Asian football.
Yokohama F. Marinos
Yokohama F. Marinos competes in Japan’s top division, the J1 League. With an ability score of 78.2, Yokohama F. Marinos has been crowned league champions on five occasions. They have also triumphed in the Japanese Cup seven times in the past, establishing themselves as one of Asia’s strongest clubs.
Ulsan
Ulsan Hyundai FC from South Korea secures the fifth position in the Opta Power Rankings. With an ability score of 78.2 and an impressive win in the K League 1 in 2023, Ulsan has proven their prowess on the field. They have also claimed the AFC Champions League title twice.
Persepolis
Iran’s Persepolis, competing in the Persian Gulf Pro League, holds the fourth spot in the rankings. With an ability score of 79.2, they have an illustrious history of winning the top division title 15 times, including the 2022-23 season.
Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr, a team that grabbed headlines by signing Cristiano Ronaldo, represents the Saudi Pro League. Despite missing out on the league title in the 2022-23 season, Al-Nassr remains one of the most talked-about Asian clubs. With an ability score of 80.8, they have certainly made their mark in the Opta Power Rankings.
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal, another powerhouse from the Saudi Pro League, secures the second spot in the rankings. With an ability score of 81.0 and a global rank of 119, Al-Hilal has consistently shown its dominance. Although their ambitious move to sign Lionel Messi fell through, they still boast players like Odion Ighalo and Luciano Vietto.
Al-Ittihad
Claiming the top spot in the Opta Power Rankings is Al-Ittihad, winners of the 2022-23 edition of the Saudi Pro League. With an ability score of 82.9, they stand out as the strongest Asian club according to the ranking system. Notably, Al-Ittihad is the only Asian club to have a global ranking below 100, coming in at 84.
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With the Opta Power Rankings providing a glimpse into the strength of Asian football clubs, it’s clear that teams from the Saudi Pro League have established their dominance. These clubs, along with other top-ranking Asian giants, continue to captivate football fans with their exceptional performances on the pitch.