Barcelona have overtaken Real Madrid to top the Deloitte Football Money League for the first time and become the first club to break the 800 million euros (686 million pounds) revenue barrier.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/barcelona-real-madrid-draw-as-clasico-marred-by-violence-269061">Also Read:&nbsp;Barcelona, Real Madrid draw as Clasico marred by violence</a>

The 23rd edition of the table shows an 11 per cent&nbsp;rise in combined revenues, excluding transfer fees, for the top 20 clubs who between them enjoyed turnovers of a record 9.3 billion euros for the 2018-19 season.

Real Madrid have dropped to second, generating income of 757.3 million euros, while Manchester United remain third.

Arsenal have slipped out of the top 10 or the first time.

Barcelona's rise to the top with income of 840 million euros is a clear sign of 'a club adapting to changing market conditions' by bringing merchandising and licensing activities in-house, according to Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte.

"Barca have reduced the reliance on broadcast revenue and focussing on growing revenues within it's control," he said.

"With the club expecting further growth of 30 million euros in commercial revenues and total revenue of almost 880 million in 2019-20 we expect them to retain the top spot next year.

"Barca are on course to achieve its stated ambition to be the first one billion Money League club in years to come."

Bayern Munich remain in fourth position with Paris St Germain entering the top five ahead of Manchester City.

Champions League winners Liverpool are seventh, one place ahead of Tottenham Hotspur who they beat in the final.

Tottenham's 521.1 million euros income pushes them ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal, making them the capital's highest revenue generating club for the first time since 1996-97.

Once again the Premier League's eye-watering television broadcast deals have enables it to dominate the Money League with eight clubs inside the top 20.

Spain's La Liga has three and the Bundesliga have three while Serie A has four but Juventus are the highest-placed in 10th. Napoli have moved into the top 20.

Juventus' revenue increased 17 per cent to 459.7 million euros, helped by the arrival of talismanic Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Apart from PSG, only Olympique Lyonnais of France's Ligue 1 are on the list.

While Jones says revenue growth in Europe's big soccer leagues continues to outpace other sectors, mainly because of broadcasting rights, there is a marked concentration of increase at the top with the combined revenue of the top five clubs more than the combined total of the clubs ranked 10th to 20th.

"What is notable in this edition of the Money League is the apparent continuing emergence of 'mini-leagues within the Money League'," he said. "The largest revenue-generating clubs continue to pull away from the rest."

The highest-ranked club outside the big five leagues is Ajax Amsterdam in 23rd place.

Barcelona have overtaken Real Madrid to top the Deloitte Football Money League for the first time and become the first club to break the 800 million euros (686 million pounds) revenue barrier.

Barcelona have overtaken Real Madrid to top the Deloitte Football Money League for the first time and become the first club to break the 800 million euros (686 million pounds) revenue barrier. Also Read: Barcelona, Real Madrid draw as Clasico marred by violence The 23rd edition of the table shows an 11 per cent rise in combined revenues, excluding transfer fees, for the top 20 clubs who between them enjoyed turnovers of a record 9.3 billion euros for the 2018-19 season. Real Madrid have dropped to second, generating income of 757.3 million euros, while Manchester United remain third. Arsenal have slipped out of the top 10 or the first time. Barcelona's rise to the top with income of 840 million euros is a clear sign of 'a club adapting to changing market conditions' by bringing merchandising and licensing activities in-house, according to Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte. "Barca have reduced the reliance on broadcast revenue and focussing on growing revenues within it's control," he said. "With the club expecting further growth of 30 million euros in commercial revenues and total revenue of almost 880 million in 2019-20 we expect them to retain the top spot next year. "Barca are on course to achieve its stated ambition to be the first one billion Money League club in years to come." Bayern Munich remain in fourth position with Paris St Germain entering the top five ahead of Manchester City. Champions League winners Liverpool are seventh, one place ahead of Tottenham Hotspur who they beat in the final. Tottenham's 521.1 million euros income pushes them ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal, making them the capital's highest revenue generating club for the first time since 1996-97. Once again the Premier League's eye-watering television broadcast deals have enables it to dominate the Money League with eight clubs inside the top 20. Spain's La Liga has three and the Bundesliga have three while Serie A has four but Juventus are the highest-placed in 10th. Napoli have moved into the top 20. Juventus' revenue increased 17 per cent to 459.7 million euros, helped by the arrival of talismanic Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Apart from PSG, only Olympique Lyonnais of France's Ligue 1 are on the list. While Jones says revenue growth in Europe's big soccer leagues continues to outpace other sectors, mainly because of broadcasting rights, there is a marked concentration of increase at the top with the combined revenue of the top five clubs more than the combined total of the clubs ranked 10th to 20th. "What is notable in this edition of the Money League is the apparent continuing emergence of 'mini-leagues within the Money League'," he said. "The largest revenue-generating clubs continue to pull away from the rest." The highest-ranked club outside the big five leagues is Ajax Amsterdam in 23rd place.

Now, Barcelona outshines Real Madrid in 'money league'

La Liga champions Barcelona became the first soccer team to spend over half a billion euros in wages after their staff costs shot up by 42 per cent over the past year, according to a study by KPMG.

KPMG's Football Benchmark study analysed the squads and finances of the respective champions of Europe's top eight leagues.

The Catalans, who signed Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in January 2018 for a club record 160 million euros ($183 million), have staff costs of 562 million euros a year.

Along with the arrival of France forward Ousmane Dembele in August 2017 and the renewal of several players' contracts, including talisman Lionel Messi's, their expenditure in this field has increased hugely.

Paris St Germain have the second highest wage bill on the KPMG list at 332 million euros, an increase of 20 per cent.

Expenditure on wages rose across the board with the exception of Premier League champions Manchester City, who saw their spending on wages fall five per cent.

The report says Manchester City have the most valuable team, worth a total of 1.182 billion euros, while PSG duo Neymar (229 million) and Kylian Mbappe (215 million) are the most valuable players in the world, followed by Messi (203 million).

La Liga champions Barcelona became the first soccer team to spend over half a billion euros in wages after their staff costs shot up by 42 per cent over the past year, according to a study by KPMG.

La Liga champions Barcelona became the first soccer team to spend over half a billion euros in wages after their staff costs shot up by 42 per cent over the past year, according to a study by KPMG. KPMG's Football Benchmark study analysed the squads and finances of the respective champions of Europe's top eight leagues. The Catalans, who signed Brazil playmaker Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in January 2018 for a club record 160 million euros ($183 million), have staff costs of 562 million euros a year. Along with the arrival of France forward Ousmane Dembele in August 2017 and the renewal of several players' contracts, including talisman Lionel Messi's, their expenditure in this field has increased hugely. Paris St Germain have the second highest wage bill on the KPMG list at 332 million euros, an increase of 20 per cent. Expenditure on wages rose across the board with the exception of Premier League champions Manchester City, who saw their spending on wages fall five per cent. The report says Manchester City have the most valuable team, worth a total of 1.182 billion euros, while PSG duo Neymar (229 million) and Kylian Mbappe (215 million) are the most valuable players in the world, followed by Messi (203 million).

Barcelona first team to spend half-a-billion euros on wages: Reports

Lionel Messi scored within three minutes of returning to action for the first time in more than three weeks to help fire La Liga champions Barcelona to a resounding 4-0 home win over Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Brazilian midfielder Rafinha put Barca ahead in the 21st minute with the help of lax goalkeeping from Deportivo&#39;s German Lux and slid in the second in the 36th after the stopper failed to hold Gerard Pique&#39;s header.

Luis Suarez combined with Neymar to stretch Barca&#39;s lead two minutes before the break and substitute Messi latched on to a through ball from the Brazilian to stroke the ball high into the net in the 58th.

The Argentine maestro had replaced Sergio Busquets moments earlier to the delight of the Nou Camp faithful, also taking the captain`s armband from his team mate.

Messi looked fully recovered from the groin injury he had sustained against Atletico Madrid last month and is expected to return to the starting lineup for Wednesday&#39;s mouthwatering Champions League game against former coach Pep Guardiola&#39;s Manchester City.

&quot;Messi did not take long to make his mark on the game,&quot; said Luis Enrique, who adopted an unorthodox 3-5-2 formation for the second time this season.

&quot;Our aim was to surprise them and it worked how we wanted it to. We created lots of chances and they created none. Deportivo have conceded very few goals this season and we got four.&quot;

Earlier on Saturday, a late strike from Pablo Sarabia gave Sevilla a dramatic 3-2 win at Leganes to provisionally send them top of La Liga and end their 17-month spell without an away league win.

Franco Vazquez gave Jorge Sampaoli&#39;s side the lead in the 25th minute and they looked well on their way to ending their barren spell on the road when Samir Nasri doubled the lead in the 58th from close range.

A familiar feeling would have gripped Sevilla when quick-fire strikes from David Timor and Alexander Szymanowski in the space of three minutes put the home side level, but Sarabia smashed in from outside the area with five minutes remaining to earn a first away win since beating Malaga in May 2015.

Atletico Madrid can return to the league`s summit when they host Granada later on Saturday while Real Madrid, who are also on 15 points, travel to Real Betis.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Messi scored within three minutes of returning to action three weeks after his last game

Lionel Messi scored within three minutes of returning to action for the first time in more than three weeks to help fire La Liga champions Barcelona to a resounding 4-0 home win over Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday. Brazilian midfielder Rafinha put Barca ahead in the 21st minute with the help of lax goalkeeping from Deportivo's German Lux and slid in the second in the 36th after the stopper failed to hold Gerard Pique's header. Luis Suarez combined with Neymar to stretch Barca's lead two minutes before the break and substitute Messi latched on to a through ball from the Brazilian to stroke the ball high into the net in the 58th. The Argentine maestro had replaced Sergio Busquets moments earlier to the delight of the Nou Camp faithful, also taking the captain`s armband from his team mate. Messi looked fully recovered from the groin injury he had sustained against Atletico Madrid last month and is expected to return to the starting lineup for Wednesday's mouthwatering Champions League game against former coach Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. "Messi did not take long to make his mark on the game," said Luis Enrique, who adopted an unorthodox 3-5-2 formation for the second time this season. "Our aim was to surprise them and it worked how we wanted it to. We created lots of chances and they created none. Deportivo have conceded very few goals this season and we got four." Earlier on Saturday, a late strike from Pablo Sarabia gave Sevilla a dramatic 3-2 win at Leganes to provisionally send them top of La Liga and end their 17-month spell without an away league win. Franco Vazquez gave Jorge Sampaoli's side the lead in the 25th minute and they looked well on their way to ending their barren spell on the road when Samir Nasri doubled the lead in the 58th from close range. A familiar feeling would have gripped Sevilla when quick-fire strikes from David Timor and Alexander Szymanowski in the space of three minutes put the home side level, but Sarabia smashed in from outside the area with five minutes remaining to earn a first away win since beating Malaga in May 2015. Atletico Madrid can return to the league`s summit when they host Granada later on Saturday while Real Madrid, who are also on 15 points, travel to Real Betis. (Reuters)

Messi drives resounding 4-0 win home over Deportivo La Coruna