Is the EPL the Greatest League in the World Anymore?
One of the largest debates in football right now, and over the past few years, is which league is the best in the world? It is safe to say that history tells us that this is an ever changeable answer.
However, it is more difficult to determine what league is the best in the world as we have to define what best league in the world means.
Does it mean which league is most entertaining? Which league has better quality of football? Which league has better teams? Which league has the most fans? We can safely narrow it down to four nations - England, Italy, Germany and Spain.
Leagues such as the Dutch and Portuguese leagues have fallen behind over the past decades due to the increasing television revenue in these larger countries.
Arguably, the Italian league was the best league in the world in the late 80s and 90s.
This country boasted some of the best players in the world such as Guillet, Van Basten and Baresi.
Ac Milan were dominant in Europe winning the European Cup in 89, 90 and 94.
Other quality teams of the era were Inter Milan, Juventus, Lazio and Roma.
Stadiums were packed to the rafters as everyone wanted to come watch the best players in the world ply their trade.
However, Italian football in recent years has fallen by the wayside due to many factors including corruption, loss of quality on the park and falling attendances.
The late 90s and noughties brought about a two way battle for this prestigious label - England and Spain.
Over these years, England enjoyed their most successful period since the 70s.
Manchester United won the Champions League in 99 and 2008, while Liverpool won the cup in 2005.
This was however matched by Real Madrid's victories as well Barcelona's.
For a few years running, England enjoyed 3 teams in the semi final.
With this depth of quality, there was the world wide perception that England had the best league in the world.
Top players like Thierry Henry, Christiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Dennis Bergkamp graced the pitches of England.
However, over the past 12 months, there has been a dramatic turnaround.
Not one of the English clubs reached the Semi Finals of Champions League this year.
Many of the great players including Henry and Ronaldo immigrated to Spain.
The Spanish league now possesses perhaps 8 of the world top players right now - C.
Ronaldo, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Kaka, Ibrahimovic, Daniel Alves and David Villa.
With the holders Barcelona favourites to win the Champions League again this season as well as having the strongest buying power in the world along with Real Madrid, it can now be said that the Spanish league is now the best league in the world.
However, what history has told is that in a few years time, this label prestigious label may move on to somewhere else.
However, it is more difficult to determine what league is the best in the world as we have to define what best league in the world means.
Does it mean which league is most entertaining? Which league has better quality of football? Which league has better teams? Which league has the most fans? We can safely narrow it down to four nations - England, Italy, Germany and Spain.
Leagues such as the Dutch and Portuguese leagues have fallen behind over the past decades due to the increasing television revenue in these larger countries.
Arguably, the Italian league was the best league in the world in the late 80s and 90s.
This country boasted some of the best players in the world such as Guillet, Van Basten and Baresi.
Ac Milan were dominant in Europe winning the European Cup in 89, 90 and 94.
Other quality teams of the era were Inter Milan, Juventus, Lazio and Roma.
Stadiums were packed to the rafters as everyone wanted to come watch the best players in the world ply their trade.
However, Italian football in recent years has fallen by the wayside due to many factors including corruption, loss of quality on the park and falling attendances.
The late 90s and noughties brought about a two way battle for this prestigious label - England and Spain.
Over these years, England enjoyed their most successful period since the 70s.
Manchester United won the Champions League in 99 and 2008, while Liverpool won the cup in 2005.
This was however matched by Real Madrid's victories as well Barcelona's.
For a few years running, England enjoyed 3 teams in the semi final.
With this depth of quality, there was the world wide perception that England had the best league in the world.
Top players like Thierry Henry, Christiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Dennis Bergkamp graced the pitches of England.
However, over the past 12 months, there has been a dramatic turnaround.
Not one of the English clubs reached the Semi Finals of Champions League this year.
Many of the great players including Henry and Ronaldo immigrated to Spain.
The Spanish league now possesses perhaps 8 of the world top players right now - C.
Ronaldo, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Kaka, Ibrahimovic, Daniel Alves and David Villa.
With the holders Barcelona favourites to win the Champions League again this season as well as having the strongest buying power in the world along with Real Madrid, it can now be said that the Spanish league is now the best league in the world.
However, what history has told is that in a few years time, this label prestigious label may move on to somewhere else.
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