For the past 10 years the English media has been telling us that the Barclays Premier League is the best in the world and until very recently most people would have agreed. English teams enjoyed a great period of success in the Champions League between 2004 and 2009 with an English team in the final each year. During this period Premier League teams were attracting some of the world’s best players and foreign investment in the game rapidly took off. There was no doubt that during this time the premiership was in a league of its own and no other domestic league could rival it.
Many people feel that the tag “best in the world “is a self-acclaimed title which Sky Sports and various English tabloids have labelled the Premier League. The style of play in England is often criticized as the players give the ball away frequently are not the most technically gifted. When England failed to qualify for the 2008 euros and performed poorly at the last World Cup the Premier League received very harsh criticism. Pundits made the comparison to La Liga as Spain had won both these tournaments. The Spanish play an excellent brand of football with keeping the ball and being technically brilliant as the defining factors. Real Madrid and Barcelona have emerged as the Powerhouses of world football and the best 2 players in the world play in La Liga in Messi and Ronaldo.
Is the premier league in decline? And has La Liga taken over as the best league in the world?
I would have to disagree. Call me biased but I still believe that the Barclays Premier League is the still the best. There are currently 6 teams in England who can challenge for the league title – (Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool). In comparison La Liga is a two horse race between Real Madrid and Barcelona. The style of football in La Liga is often boring and I find it difficult to sit through a full 90 minutes. (Reminds me of the soccer scene in the Simpsons)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftlfPb0gyxI.
If given the choice between watching Stoke vs. Blackburn or Mallorca vs. Malaga I would be tuning in to watch the game at the Britannia any day of the week. Although the players on display may not be the most talented at least you can guarantee that both teams will give 100% and there will be excitement. I don’t think you can say the same for some La Liga games.
Footballs comin Home 