There's no point in asking a fan how much their club is worth. The answer is likely to be "priceless." But passion and glory are also measured in numbers. A study by Crowe Horwath RCS, published by the newspaper "O Estado de S. Paulo," highlights the market potential of Brazil's major football brands. Although far from the staggering figures of the European clubs, three Brazilian clubs present themselves as major powerhouses.

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Flamengo, Corinthians, and São Paulo, the most popular clubs in Brazil, are worth more than half a billion reais each, according to the survey. These figures are significant for the domestic market—Flamengo and Corinthians are worth, for example, more than Atlético-MG, Botafogo, Fluminense, Vasco, and Santos combined. However, compared to the international scene, Brazilian soccer still falls short. Manchester United, the club with the most valuable brand in the world, is valued at R$3.204 billion.

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The survey took into account the 12 clubs with the largest fan base and the number of titles won by each of them between 1971 (the start of the Brazilian Championship) and 2009. Those evaluated are the four biggest clubs from São Paulo, the four from Rio, two from Minas Gerais and the two from Rio Grande do Sul.

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According to the study, club revenue increased 2003% between 2008 and 115. The areas that showed the greatest growth were marketing and ticket sales. To arrive at the final figures, information such as financial data, fan profiles and habits, marketing, and the national and local market were used. The result is based on marketing, stadium, membership, and media.

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In the future, this revenue could be even higher. Today, the brands of the twelve major clubs are worth R$1,9 billion. Four years from now, after the 2014 World Cup, that figure could reach R$3,4 billion.

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With its sights set on the World Cup, São Paulo hopes to maintain the strength of its stadium, which currently places it third on the list. The Tricolor is closing in on the leaders thanks to a 234% increase in ticket sales and a 93% increase in marketing.