From stunning goals to El Clásico firestorms, many ask: was La Liga ever the best league in the world? SantaKick takes you through a journey across decades — exploring stats, trophies, finances, fame — to answer if Spain’s top flight ever stood unmatched. Spoiler: yes — but the answer is nuanced.
What defines “best league”?
Before deciding if La Liga was the best, we need criteria. What makes one league superior?
- European trophies / UEFA performance: Champions League, Europa League, Su.
- League quality and star power: Top players, tactics, coaching, clubs.
- Competitiveness / parity: How many teams win titles, closeness of races.
- Financial strength: Revenue, salaries, TV rights, transfers.
- Global fanbase and prestige: Viewership, international influence, legacy.
Era by era: when La Liga ruled
La Liga has had several golden periods where it arguably was the best.
2000s to mid-2010s — The heyday
- During roughly 2005-2015, La Liga clubs dominated Europe. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Sevilla amassed multiple Champions League, Europa League, and Su.
- Star power: Players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, and many more made La Liga a showcase of world-class football.
- Tactic and style: “Tiki-taka” Barcelona, countering Madrid’s Galáctico eras, strong mid-sized clubs with flair. This was an era fans associated with football as art.
Evidence from recent stats
- Since 2001, La Liga clubs have won a large share of major UEFA trophies. In fact, in the 21st century, Spanish teams have collected 37 of 75 major European honours, ahead of any other league. (That includes Champions League, Europa League, Su.)
- UEFA association (country) coefficients reflected La Liga often being in the top spot or extremely close.
When La Liga lost the “best”
Even at its peak, La Liga had vulnerabilities — and over time, other leagues caught up or surpassed it in certain metrics.
Premier League surge
- England’s Premier League has gradually pulled ahead in financial power: TV rights deals, commercial deals, higher aggregate revenue. For instance, recent reports show EPL revenues almost double those of La Liga.
- UEFA coefficients show Premier League overtaking La Liga in recent seasons, especially post-2018, in terms of country ranking. country ranking.
Parity and competitiveness
- While La Liga has Real Madrid and Barcelona dominating many seasons, Premier League shows more variety: more different clubs challenging for top spots, more unpredictable title races.
- Financial inequality in La Liga is high; the gap between its top clubs and mid-/lower-table is larger than in England.
Does La Liga remain among the very best?
Even if it’s not universally number one, La Liga still has many strengths.
- Star clubs and high pedigree: Real Madrid is the most successful club in Champions League history; Barcelona similarly rich in trophies and culture.
- Youth development and tactical identity: Spain produces many technically gifted players; its tactical styles have influenced global football.
- European success over time: Spanish clubs continue to win European trophies (Europa League, etc.), contributing to respect and coefficient strength.
Was La Liga ever the best? Final verdict
Putting all together:
- Yes — La Liga was the best league for significant stretches (especially mid-2000s to early-2010s) when its teams won more European trophies, possessed many of the world’s elite players, and set football trends globally.
- But that title is not permanent. In recent years, financial muscle, competitiveness, and consistency have shifted towards the Premier League.
- Right now, La Liga remains elite — among the top 2-3 leagues globally — but not in a position of uncontested dominance.
Key comparisons: La Liga vs Premier League
Here are a few side-by-side points that help understand the shift:
| Metric | La Liga at its peak | Current strengths / Weaknesses |
| UEFA trophies | Dominant in Champions & Europa during 2005-2015 | Still strong but fewer recent Champions League wins compared to EPL |
| Revenue & Financial Power | Big clubs had large budgets, but league-wide finances were more uneven | Premier League leads overall in revenue, salaries, TV deals |
| Star Players & Style | Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta, etc. — iconic stylistic phases | Still attractive, though many stars now move to EPL or Saudi etc. |
| Competitiveness | Top two/three often dominated, but some challenges from others | EPL has more mid-table threat and less predictability in title race |
Conclusion
Was La Liga ever the best league? Absolutely — especially in the 2000s through early 2010s, it was the standard setter: brilliant football, elite stars, European supremacy.
But football evolves: other leagues caught up and, in many metrics, outpaced La Liga. Still, for fans who crave technique, history, flair, and legacy, La Liga remains one of the best.
If you want, SantaKick can dig into season-by-season comparisons, or compare La Liga’s best ever XI vs Premier League’s — which one would you prefer?
