European Cup champions Barcelona have the most powerful brand in world soccer, a survey of top businesses revealed. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

European Cup champions Barcelona have the most powerful brand in world soccer, a survey of top businesses revealed.

The Spanish soccer giant has passed English Premier League Manchester United in the most well-known sports clubs ranking, London-based sponsorship agency Global Sponsors announced at the Soccerex business and sport conference in Dubai.

The list ranked Real Madrid in third with Chelsea, AC Milan, Bayern Munich following.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Lyon are also on the top 10.

"Barcelona's international appeal has been enhanced by global icons such as Ronaldinho and manager Frank Rijkaard, who are widely recognized," the agency's commercial director Michael Stirling said.

The sponsorship agency compiled the list using a survey of 100 contacts and clients.

Using a points system, respondents ranked clubs on a number of criteria including history of winning competitions, quality of current sponsors, matchday attendance, profile of the club's manager and the quality and capacity of their stadium.