There are times when a civilization dominates without opposition. It happened with Rome at its peak, when its legions advanced unstoppably against dispersed tribes. Today, … In European football, that role has been assumed by the Premier League, whose power in the Champions League is imposed with the forcefulness of an empire that has found its golden age.
All six English representatives are among the top sixteen in the Champions League, regardless of their position in the domestic league. Arsenal lead the competition with five wins in five games, including a 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich. Chelsea defeated Barcelona 3-0, and Manchester City, Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham are also advancing with solvency. It is not a coincidence, but a structural domain.
In contrast, The League lives a much darker reality. Real Madrid, fifth, is the only one with its own light. Behind, the collapse: Atlético in 12th place, Barça in 18th, Athletic in 27th and a Villarreal sunk in 34th. The case of the ‘Yellow Submarine’ is paradigmatic: third in La Liga with brilliant numbers, but almost bottom in the Champions League, with only one point and ten goals conceded.
The direct duels between both worlds tell an even starker story. In nine confrontations between Premier and La Liga teams, the English have won eight, with a total balance of 17-3 in goals. A nonsense that invites us to reflect on the equality between these leagues years ago. Liverpool beat Atlético and Real Madrid, Arsenal devastated the colchoneros, City and Tottenham defeated an unrecognizable Villarreal, Athletic fell twice to ‘Gunners’ and Newcastle and Barça could only make up for the disaster with a victory against Eddie Howe’s team at St James Park. The rest of Europe also offers no solid resistance. Italy presents Juventus and Napoli far from the top; France stands alone with PSG; and Germany maintains its position with Bayern and Dortmund, but not even its third force, Leverkusen, manages to be ahead of the English clubs. The Premier dominates the continent, not just Spain.
Money and more money
And the reason is as powerful as it is obvious: money. The Premier earned more than 3,400 million in television rights last season, well above the 1,353 million of La Liga. Furthermore, the English distribution is much more equitable; all clubs exceed 130 million. In Spain, only three exceed 100 million and ten do not even reach 50. With this economic difference, the English giant signs better, retains talent and builds squads capable of competing at a level that right now seems unattainable for the rest.
The Premier does not compete, it governs. While the rest of Europe tries to reorganize, adjust resources and recover ground, the English advance with increasing dominance. Whether it’s money, the league’s appeal abroad or any other reason, European football has an emperor, and it doesn’t seem willing to give up the throne.
