La Liga has emerged
as the best league in the world after dominating Europe and the world for three
(3) years running and it will likely continue. Every follower of the English
League believes that it is a better league just because of the number of teams fighting
for the league and the number of follower-ship it gets but that’s where they get
it all wrong. Determining the better league is much more than being a local
champion, it’s how they compete with teams from other leagues (UCL & UEL)
and their football philosophy.
EUROPEAN DOMINANCE
Spanish teams have dominated Europe in the last decade.
There was an all-Spanish Champions League final in the past season and that was
not the first time as a similar final happened in 2014; Two years before that,
there was an all-Spanish Europa League final.
Here's a startling fact: of the last 16 knockout ties,
Spanish clubs have beaten their rival on 15 occasions.
Spanish teams have won five of the last 10 Champions
League titles; six of the last 10 Europa League titles. Look at the finalists
of Europa League in the last decade by nationality and the table shows: Spain
8, Portugal 4, England 3...
Real Madrid and Barcelona winning the CL league is one
thing: they are the two biggest clubs in the world, richer and more powerful
than anyone else. They are "Super Clubs" in a league of their own
having super economic powers and boasting of the best players in the world;
from Ronaldo to Messi, from Suarez to Benzema,
Neymar to Bale and so on. These are two clubs who can claim that every
single winner of the FIFA World Player award (now merged with Ballon d'Or) has
played for either one of them since 1996.
That aside, Atletico Madrid reaching the CL final twice
in the last 4 years is quite a feat. And
Sevilla winning the UEL thrice consecutively is a huge achievement. Also,
Atletico, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia and Alaves reaching the UEL final is
another step.
When Real Madrid and Barcelona thumps a team in Spain,
the "Rubbish league" narrative surfaces. But these heavyweights have
won four of the last 6 CL titles. Is that rubbish? Barcelona won their last CL title by beating
the likes of APOEL, Ajax, PSG, Man City, Bayern and Juventus who were all Champions
of their league the previous season. Is that rubbish too?
The UEL which further underlines the quality of the
"other teams" has equally been dominated by Spanish teams.
FINANCIAL AND TV RIGHTS
There's no doubt that, economically, Premier League is
the most dominant league in the world and La Liga's clubs simply cannot compete
economically with Premier League clubs. However, Spanish league signed a 3 year domestic TV right deal
worth £1.8 billion. It is a significant increase in domestic right sale which
now follows equal ‘distribution model’ set by premier league. They share the
right amongst Spain Telefonica, Movistar, Mediapro in Spain. Telefonica, Movistar has the right
to show 304 live games every season and will pay €633 million each of the three
season making it €1.89 billion for three years. Mediapro will have first choice
pick for 1 match every week and will be paying €250 million yearly making it
€750 million in three years . FC
Barcelona and Real Madrid had massive monopoly in TV rights with previous
individual deals but Spanish FA made sure that even with the new collective
deal Real Madrid and Barcelona won’t lose much of the revenue from TV rights.
But money isn't everything. It can even create problems
for Clubs when it is mismanaged. In contrast, when you don't have money, you
tend to seek for "cheaper" solutions; Spanish clubs have done this by
employing quality, clever coaches in addition to seeking development and
competition.
Written by: Ojeriakhi Wilson
Edited by: Omah Elisha
Reviewed by: TeamLaLigaCafe
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