And now, where to rank Ligue 1 among the five major European championships?

This general observation could suggest that the L1 is no longer, strictly speaking in terms of the game – and the quality of the game does not say everything about the strength of a championship, let us be clear – the fifth wheel of the coach in Europe. From Lille to Marseille, from Lens to the new Nice, without forgetting Rennes, Lorient or Reims, the elite of French football is now able to attract a large number of supporters to the stadium or in front of the small screen.

Problem, this evolution has not quite crossed borders. Anyway, not yet. “In England, quite unfairly, the Eastern League is still referred to as the ‘farmers league’says Ibrahim Mustapha, member of the English editorial staff of Eurosport. There is always the feeling that PSG are the only good team and no one can catch up with them.” And that perception is no exception to the Kingdom.

PSG always takes all the light

“Ligue 1 doesn’t have the best reputation in Germany as it is often reduced to Paris Saint-Germainadds Robert Bauer, journalist for Eurosport Germany. The league is often cited as a negative example of a two-speed League, even if the Bundesliga is not much better in this respect…“.

On the Old Continent, the L1 is therefore not (yet?) considered at its fair value. But it is still perceived as the largest breeding ground in the world. Especially in the eyes of the Premier League, from their perch: “It’s a championship that looks like the othersconfirms Ibrahim Mustapha. Especially since it seems to host many talented players who would not be out of place in England.” Germany, where Randal Kolo Muani, Christopher Nkunku or Marcus Thuram are having fun, will not say the opposite.

Ligue 1 is progressing… Serie A and La Liga are regressing

Finally, if Ligue 1 no longer seems to be at the back of the pack among the gratin of Europe, it is much more because of the decline of certain other championships than its own progress. Behind the untouchable and powerful Premier League, but also the virtuous Bundesliga, there is now a match. “The truth is that La Liga seems to be losing its strength over the years, no matter how much marketing is done.confirms Felix Martin, member of our editorial staff based in Madrid. The departure of players like Messi or Cristiano, coupled with the non-arrival of players considered among the references to their positions does not help matters..”

And despite the presence of Naples, one of the sexiest teams in Europe, the situation is not much more encouraging in Italy. “Serie A is still a good championship but the level has really dropped year by yearcontinues Michele Neri. We are far from the splendor of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Few clubs are virtuous, think in the short term and do not build a solid futureOn these points, Ligue 1 is not really a better student. But at least it maintains the hope of being on a better path.