The Top 10 Soccer Teams in the World

Contributor Written on September 09, 2009

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BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 09: The sun sets behind Winsor Park prior to the FIFA2010 Group 3 World Cup Qualifier between Northern Ireland and Slovakia at Windsor Park on September 9, 2009 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Richard Heathco

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

All of Europe's top leagues are finally under way and their early season performances have changed their spots in the rankings. Additionally, the Champions League group stage draw has fielded several top teams against each other, and those matchups will determine who goes up and down in the rankings over the upcoming months. Read on to find out who is number 1!

No. 10 VFL Wolfsburg

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 30: Zvjezdan Misimovic of Wolfsburg runs with the ball during the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Volkswagen Arena on August 30, 2008 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts

Wolfsburg's 3-0 loss at Bayern Munich has been their only black spot at the start of the season. They will be confident about repeating their Bundesliga triumph of last year and making a splash in the CL this season.

No. 9 Lyon

LYON, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 17: Lyon team line up during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Lyon and Fiorentina at the Stade de Gerland on September 17, 2008 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Lyon have looked dominant so far this season with two big wins over Anderlecht in the CL and 10 points from their first four French Ligue games. They look back to their best.

No. 8 Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Fernando Torres of Liverpool shows his dejection during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on August 24, 2009 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Its been a difficult start to the season for Liverpool with tough losses against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa. However, The Reds are by no means out of the title race, but they know they cannot afford many more mistakes.

No. 7 Juventus

ROME, ITALY - AUGUST 30: The players of Juventus FC celebrates the goal of Ribas da Cunha Diego during the serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on August 30, 2009 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

This team looks better than ever with Diego and Felipe Melo and those Brazilians showed exactly how good they are when Juve beat Roma 3-0. This team is a dark horse to win the Champions League and a favorite to win the Serie A.

No. 6 Inter Milan

MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 29: The FC Inter Milan Team celebrate goal of Dejan Stankovic during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 29, 2009 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

After a disappointing home draw against lowly Bari, Inter Milan showed how good they are with a 4-0 thrashing against AC Milan. Barcelona will provide a strong test in the Champions League, but Inter should be playing Champions League football in 2010.

No. 5 Arsenal

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger looks on after being sent to the stands during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 29, 2009 in Manchester, England. (Photo by La

Its been a wacky start to the season with Eduardo's diving suspension and Arsene Wenger's sending off vs. Manchester United (pictured). Other than that it has been smooth sailing with a dominant performance over two legs vs. Celtic and a 6-1 win vs. Everton.

No. 4 Real Madrid

MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 29: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid is congratulated by teammates after scoring a penalty goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on August 29, 2009 in Madrid, Spa

A shaky win over Deportivo began one of the most anticipated seasons in the history of Real Madrid. Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben were shock departures at the end of the transfer window, but Los Blancos should have enough firepower to contend for trophies this season.

No. 3 Manchester United

WIGAN, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United celebrates with his team mates after scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United at the DW Stadium on August 22, 2009 in W

After a tough loss against Chelsea, Man U started their Premier League defense strong until a shocking loss to Burnley. However, a victory over Arsenal has made fans happy, as has the news that Chelsea may not be able to buy players for two years.

No. 2 Chelsea

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Ashley Cole of Chelsea celebrates with teammate John Terry after scoring the third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 29, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by

The Blues started the season on the right note by beating Manchester United in the Community Shield and they have gone on to win their first four Premier League games. They are in a class of their own in England right now but concerns remain about a possible transfer ban which would stop them from buying players until 2011.

No. 1 FC Barcelona

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 31: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) of Barcelona is congratulated by Xavi Hernandez and Gerard Pique after he scored his first goal for Barcelona during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Sporting Gijon at the Nou Camp stadium on A

They remain at the top spot after a solid performance against Sporting Gijon. More good news is the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first goal and that should lead to many more. The Blaugrana are already a step ahead of the field after winning the Spanish and European Super Cups to begin the new season.

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written on September 09, 2009 Rankings/List

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