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Featured Sport News

La Liga in control?

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 27/07/2009

Cristiano Ronaldo has already gone, as has Jermaine Pennant. Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano are trying to force their way there, too.

Is the Premier League surrendering their status as the world's best domestic football competition to La Liga?

Ronaldo's £80million transfer to Real Madrid has sent shockwaves through world football. Manchester United (and indeed the Premier League) have lost the most dangerous attacking talent in world football and he's going to be sorely missed from highlight reels next season.

Ronaldo delivered a parting shot to England's top-flight on his way out.

"The Premier League is a very good competition," said the Portugal ace. "But I think that the Spanish league is going to have a little more quality because of the players that are arriving.

"Both leagues are going to be very good, but I think that with Florentino Perez's signings, the Spanish league is superior to the English."

Is he right? His argument could well be backed up with the summer goings-on at Liverpool.

Ahead of the season when the Reds are supposed to challenge for United's Premier League crown, Rafa Benitez could see the heart of his midfield ripped out by La Liga giants Real and Barcelona.

Mascherano is keen on a move to the Nou Camp, citing his girlfriend's inability to settle in England, while partner Alonso is ready to pack his bags to Ronaldo at the Bernabeu if he gets the green light.

With three important players at last season's top two clubs preferring life in Spain, perhaps La Liga is the place to be.

Manchester United were were the best club in the country last year. A minor blip in the run-in did not hamper a comfortable another Premier League success, while they reached the Champions League final for the second time in succession.

But the sportsbook favourites were gunned down by mercurial by Barcelona in Rome. The likes of Eto'o, Xavi, Iniesta, Henry and Messi proved to be too good for England's golden crop, perhaps a signal that La Liga possesses the world's best players.

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With the national side currently regarded as the best in the world, things are rosy in Spain.

Real Madrid have snared some of the world's best stars this summer, arguably the best striker in the world, David Villa, resides at Europa League qualifiers Valencia and former Liverpool winger Pennant was only deemed good enough for La Liga by newly-promoted outfit Real Zaragoza.

Perhaps the balance of power is switching away from United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal to the big guns of Spain.

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