Football has been played in Europe for a long time - indeed, many of the top clubs boast more than 100 years of history. One wonders, though, which European league ranks best of them all.

It is unfair or even myopic to view leagues independently then go ahead and rate any one as the best. However, if the top European leagues are pitted against each other, one can claim with a level of authority which one is tops. The UEFA Champions League is now 52 years old, so let’s view the statistics which should suggest a solution to our problem. Statistics may not prove anything definitively, they do say something.

Clubs from Romania, Serbia, France and Scotland have each won the European crown once, while Portugal have taken it four times - FC Porto and Benfica both winning twice. Bayern Munich have achieved four of the six German victories while Holland have also won it six times, Ajax Amsterdam taking four of those titles. Ten victories are accredited to England, half of them collected by Liverpool, and of Italy's 11 victories, the trophy has gone to AC Milan seven times.  Spain are also credited with 11 wins - nine of them, yes nine, going to the fabulous Real Madrid.

'England's top representatives have, of course, been Liverpool. I have never seen a side come out and work so hard. It’s laughable when Jose Mourinho insists they are a small club'


Based on these statistics, the Spanish and Italian leagues appear to be tops. Real Madrid's 1960s strike force of Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano was phenomenal. The '90s were quite good for Real, too, with a team sporting the likes of Raul, Fernando Hierro and Fernando Redondo a nightmare for opponents. But the Galacticos phenomenon has been Real's major undoing of late.

AC Milan and Paulo Maldini also deserve lots of respect, while England's top representatives have, of course, been Liverpool. I have never seen a side come out and work so hard. It’s laughable when Jose Mourinho insists they are a small club.

To separate Italy and Spain, we have to look at a different stage - the World Cup. Italy have been champions four times but  Spain have never even been close to winning it. What a disappointment! Catennacio is the hallmark of Italian football, with gross efficacy the key word. Italians have always defined the art of defending. In the World Cup - which they won - they conceded just one goal in open play, which was in fact an own goal by Zaccardo.

Since my arguments may seem too academic, I have to concede that the most entertaining football is played in Spain. Flowing football from gifted artists resulting in the kind of intense title chase we have experienced this year. It usually goes right down to the wire.

Lastly, I pay tribute to the English. Their under-achievement on the pitch has been well documented and their lack of success is probably due to the fact that players tend to be overvalued and stuck with a 'world-class' label. But the ugly face of reality seems to pops up every time they appear in an international arena.

Credit where it’s due, though. England have succeeded in keeping alive the euphoria of winning the World Cup with frequent reference and highlighting - even if it was way back in 1966.