As women's football is expanding, more men's teams are starting a department for their female counterparts. However, for some teams, both the men's and women's teams have existed for quite sometime.
Here is a look at five clubs where the women's sides outshine their male teammates.
OL Lyonnes/Olympique Lyon
Allow us to start with the one team that has been a force in women's football for the last two decades. OL Lyonnes have virtually all the major records possible to attain - the most Ligue 1 Feminin titles (18), the most Coupe de France Feminin crowns (10), and, more crucially, the most UEFA Women's Champions League trophies (8).
They are truly in a league of their own. For reference, they have reached the final of the UWCL on 11 occasions, five more than the next best teams. Those 18 top-flight wins? All of them have come in the last 19 years, with the last four heading their way.
While they may have been ousted by Barcelona in recent years, it is an understatement to say that Lyonnes - who changed their name towards the end of last term - are still one of the biggest women's clubs in the world.
Of the names on this list, Lyon's men's team are easily the most renowned. L'OL have come out on top in Ligue 1 on seven occasions, along with their five Coupe de France successes. Although they have not won a major trophy since 2011/12, the real difference between the men's side and their women's clubs, however, come on the continental scene.
Not only have Lyon's men's team never won a UEFA club competition, they have never been in a final either. Their best runs in each of the Champions League, Cup Winners Cup, and Europa League saw them reach the semi-finals, but never further.
So, while Lyon have a male side who are well-established on the domestic and continental scene, their ladies team top them quite comfortably.
Wolfsburg
Another massive name in the world of women's football is Wolfsburg. A mainstay at the top of the Frauen-Bundesliga for over a decade, Die Wolfinnen have continuously been a strong club with much to show off.
Their seven German top-flight honours are the joint-most alongside Eintracht Frankfurt. In the women's DFB Pokal, they have been even more dominant, winning 11 times - a competition record. In fact, their shocking quarter-final exit last term ended a run of 10 straight wins.
Wolfsburg have also come out on top in the UWCL twice, reaching the final on another four occasions. They took part in the competition's showpiece in five of their first eight participations.
In stark contrast, Wolfsburg's men's club have not been nearly as successful. Just once have Die Wolfe lifted the Meisterschalle, coming back in 2008/09. They have also finished second once, coming in 2014/15. That same season saw them lift their only DFB Pokal trophy, having played in their only other final 20 years prior.
As for their European performances, there is even less to look at for the men. Their best were three quarter-final showings, two coming in the UEL at the end of the 2000s, and a UCL appearance back in 2014/15. Moreover, Wolfsburg's male group have not partaken in a European competition since 2021/22.
Unlike with Lyon, there is a considerable difference between Wolfsburg's women's and men's set-ups when it comes to prestige.
Rosengard
Another standout name in the world of women's football is Swedish club Rosengard. Based in Malmo, the club has seen several name changes throughout their history. Their most recent one came in 2013, under their current name.
No side has topped the Damallsvenskan more than Rosengard, who have prevailed 14 times all-time, along with 13 second-place finishes. They also have six Svenska Cupen wins to their name, four of which came under the team's current guise. This season was not as great, as they only narrowly avoided relegation.
While they have never won the UWCL, they have come close. Their maiden participation in 2003/04, back when the tournament was called the UEFA Women's Cup, saw them reach the semi-finals. Although Rosengard have seldom matched that performance, they have gone to the quarter-finals six times, most recently in 2020/21.
The differences are quite telling when looking at the men's club. While the ladies are a top club in their league, the men have never even reached the Allsvenskan. The closest they ever came was nearly a century ago, losing in a playoff.
Rosengard men's have fluctuated between the third and fifth divisions throughout their existence. They currently ply their trade in the Division 1 - Sodra, where they finished their most recent campaign in 11th spot.
Of the names on this list, there is no greater contrast between Rosengard's women's and men's clubs. It is not too often we see this level of variation.
Breidablik
Breidablik's football teams have become a staple in Icelandic football, regardless of gender. However, the women have managed to stand out just that much more.
The female side has racked up 20 domestic triumphs - a league record - capturing the two most recent crowns. This term also saw them prevail in the Icelandic Cup for the 14th time, completing a ninth domestic double.
On the continental scene, Breidablik's finest hour came in the 2006/07 season, where they reached the quarter-finals before falling to the eventual winners Arsenal. They also reached the group stage in 2021/22, the only Icelandic team to do so. This season has seen them return to the quarters: this time, in the UEFA Women's Europa Cup.
Over the last decade and a half, Breidablik have also seen their men's team become an established club in Pepsi deild. They have participated in Europe in each of the last seven campaigns, this one included. However, that run is set to come to an end unless they win the UEFA Conference League.
While the ladies have won the league and cup on the regular, the same cannot be said for the men. They only have three top-flight titles to their credit, plus one cup. Despite becoming the first Icelandic team to partake in a European group phase, they have yet to win a match at that stage - at the time of writing.
Both genders have broken records for their respective leagues. Yet, the ladies have put themselves on the map just a bit better than their male counterparts.
St. Polten
Last on this list is the Austrian club St. Polten. Another team where the women's section has much more silverware than the men's.
Similar to RB Salzburg in the Bundesliga, St. Polten women have dominated Austrian football. The last 10 fully-played OFB-Frauenliga seasons have seen them prevail. On top of those domestic wins, they also have 11 OFB Ladies Cups to their name, with nine of those being part of a league-cup double.
While all of the other teams on this list have seen their teams put a name on themselves in continental football, St. Polten have not stood out as much. Granted, they are playing in the Women's Champions League group phase for the fourth year running. However, they have gone as far as the round of 16 just once, back in 2020/21. Their only victory in group play came four years ago at Slavia Praha.
As for the men's St. Polten club, they have bounced around the divisions for most of their history. After enjoying a few years in the Bundesliga during the 2010s, they returned to the 2. Liga, where they currently are.
Regarding trophies, there is no major honour. In fact, the only notable trophy they have won was the 2. Liga a decade ago. With that said, they have qualified for Europe before, enjoying a magical run in the 2013/14 Cup. That sole continental journey ended in the third qualifying round of the Europa League to PSV.
While St. Polten women are continuing to break records and chase more domestic glory, the men are just hoping to make a return to the top flight. Whether they can hold onto the top spot in the 2. Liga for the remainder of the year is another matter. One thing is for sure: the women's team are certainly the more established of the two.