This is according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, an organisation recognised and supported by, although not affiliated with, FIFA.
Their latest Club World Rankings, accounting for results between March 1 2012 and February 28 2013, have produced some results that seem bizarre.
Another accolade: European champions Chelsea should enjoy being the No 1 team in the world while it lasts In second place are Atletico Madrid and third, Chelsea's vanquished Champions League final opponents Bayern Munich. Fourth are Club World Cup champions Corinthians, while the mighty Barcelona are down in fifth.
The rankings are calculated by including results from national league matches, continental and intercontinental competitions and the most important national cup competition, ignoring results before the last 16 phase....
The top 20 sides in the world
1. Chelsea (307)
2. Atletico Madrid (304)
3. Bayern Munich (292)
4. Corinthians (287)
5. Barcelona (283)
6. Boca Juniors (281)
7. Real Madrid (277)
8. Juventus (241)
9. Inter Milan (234)
10. Sao Paulo (230)
11. Universidad de Chile Santiago (223)
12. Fluminense (222)
13. Basel (220)
14. Fenerbahce (216)
15 Lazio
16. Dortmund (215)
17. Lyon (214)
18. PSG (210)
19. Manchester United (205)
20 Club Libertad Asuncion
21 Celtic
Other English sides in the top 100
25. Liverpool (200)
37. Tottenham (186)
50. Arsenal (169)
56. Man City (161)
65. Newcastle (152).
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