Its widely accepted that the English Premier League (the EPL) and the Spanish Primera Division (La Liga) are the top two leagues in soccer. Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League victory over Manchester United creates even more debate as it appeared the Premier League was the stronger league. Which league is the best in the world? There’s no right answer and there are arguments to be made on either side. However looking at both leagues comparatively, I believe that the English Premier League is the best in the world and here’s why.
The EPL’s record in European Competitions
Now the UEFA Cup hasn’t exactly been a success for English clubs but the Champions League the last 2 season definitely has been. While Barcelona won this year’s CL Final against Man U, the quarterfinals contained all 4 English teams that qualified while there were only 2 Spanish teams. In the semifinals it was 3 English clubs and only Spanish club. In the 2007-08 Champions League it was the same thing as all 4 English clubs made the quarterfinals, 3 made the semifinals, and the final was Man U v Chelsea.
I know that Barcelona can claim to the best team in the world right now but that doesn’t mean La Liga is the top league. The top four teams in the Premier League have proven to be the best in any league and the overall depth cannot be matched. When you’ve consistently had 4 teams make the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals then it’s clear your league is the best in the world.
Other leagues are lacking the depth of the EPL
While leagues such as the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, La Liga, and Serie A have strong teams at the top, the difference with the EPL is the depth. Of course there are teams at the bottom of every league that are not very strong in the Premiership (Derby County a few seasons ago in the EPL) but overall the strength of the clubs the middle of the table are superior to ones in the other European leagues. Everton would arguably finish in the top 4 in any other league as well as Aston Villa.
It’s the most popular league in the world and attracts the top playes
Ok, I know you will say that this is a false statement or misleading since Lionel Messi, Kaka, and Cristiano Ronaldo do not play in the EPL but in La Liga, but overall the depth of players in the EPL is stronger than any other league. The Premiership has a huge following globally and in non traditional soccer markets like the United States. While there are some of the top players in the world who play in La Liga or other European leagues, there are still plenty of stars in the Premiership. A look at the rosters of Man U, Chelea, Liverpool, and Arsenal will show the depth of the league. Speaking of Liverpool, just listen to the comments of Fernando Torres as he claims the EPL is the best in the world.
“English football has an enormous following across the world, not just because of the players but because of its history, its tradition, the excitement, the capacity crowds,” Torres told Liverpool’s official website.
“The other leagues can learn a lot, even La Liga. (Real) Madrid have signed Kaka and (Cristiano) Ronaldo, and Barcelona have Xavi and (Lionel) Messi but, really, the Premier League is way ahead.”
The debate will continue and if Barcelona are able to repeat as Champions and Real Madrid can reach the semifinals of the Champions League then the power in European soccer could shift to La Liga, but for now it remains safely with the English Premier League.
Your analysis is hardly supported by anything other than popularity and Champions League performance. EPL has 4 powerhouses, and that’s it. Don’t give me that crap about depth. That’s why they don’t do well in UEFA, there is no more quality outside of the 4. La liga boasts 2 powerhouses and a more competitive table. Anyone who can appreciate the game (outside of the hype) will argue in favor of La Liga.
Thats like the worst analysis ever i have seen..dude, get some facts n numbers rather than talking in the air!!
As I’ve said in the article, this is my opinion and there’s no concrete way to say which league is without a doubt the best.
I would say La Liga. It lacks some of the physicallity but alot of possesion is wasted in the EPL I also wish there was a higher degree of skill in the lower teams. I find that the Copa Libertadores in South America have a good balance of skill and physicality. I think that the Mexican League is better than the EPL. Most Mexican teams could beat all but the very best teams in Europe.
BPL is the superior league in general ,but la liga is the far more technically superior. That being said the intensity of the EPL is something that the majority of Spanish teams would struggle with. The last Summer friendlies might shine some light on this as a lot of la liga sides played lower level Premiership teams and i think the English teams pretty much won that battle.
EPL is still top. very competitive with the likes of Tottenham, mancity, villa etc coming up to beat the top four. look at the middle teams of both the EPL and La Liga. Tottenham joined the champs league this season and topped its table with only one loss against Inter Milan.
valencia on the other hand struggled to beat a weakened Manchester united side, although they finished second.
Madrid and Barca are he only significant teams in La Liga whereas now, you can count almost six in the premier league.
How many teams are contending for the league in both leagues? two in la liga, four in England, with an exception of Liverpool which was usurped by city.
barca don’t get competition, neither does madrid..whereas united, chelsea, and arsenal can lose to anybody on any day.
already all four english teams have qualified for the last sixteen in the UCL, compared to three of spain.
the EPL is more popular, more fan and more competitive than the La Liga
epl is surely the best league in the world but as for the league of stars and great goals call for the spanish primera la liga with the lights of messi, ronaldo,xavi, iniesta,david villa etc and has one of the best manager in the world such as pep guardiola,jose mourinho etc. i support barcelona
I agree with you that the EPL has more depth, very popular and all that but i’d pick the la liga over it because:
-the officiating in EPL is a total mess.
-u cant compare the calibre of players in the EPL and la liga(all the 5 players short listed 4 Ballon D’or were from the la liga)
-the cash flow in la liga is off the hook.
-lastly, i believe that more technicality and skills are seen in the la liga.
italian leagueis the best and how can the epl has such a great teams and the relgation zone r always the same teams. in seria a the teams acctually get better thts ur opinion tht epl is better but its not really proven in this article man get some real facts and look up about italy serie a
This isnt possible to compare. The bbva liga espanola is the best league in the world. Yes, the premier league is fantastic and hard to play because is full of strong players but spanish league… It’s another world real madrid and barca are the leaders but villareal, bilbao, getafe, espanyol, mallorca are teams without money and young and very technical players.