The Success Formula of English Football
Analyzing the Distinctiveness of Spanish and English Football Leagues in the Current Season
With the start of the European football season, we are witnessing an array of thrilling matches across various leagues. And, of course, it's inevitable that we feel the urge to compare. As a Spaniard, it's impossible for me not to compare our LaLiga with what is undeniably considered the world's best football league: the English Premier League. However, it's not only the English top flight that stands out by a significant margin; the entire spectrum of English football, from Ligue Two to the Premier itself, is distinguished for its value and generates heightened interest.
Those wonderful years are left behind when Spanish football resembled the true NFL, NBA, or MLB of the football world. With FC Barcelona and Real Madrid leading the way, boasting the best squads on the planet and having the two greatest players, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as their figureheads.
The Imbalance in the Distribution of Football Wealth
The current reality differs significantly from that golden era. Nowadays, it's the prominent teams in the Premier League that can be compared to what Madrid and Barça were in their time: they possess the world's best players. While defining exactly who the best players are might be subjective, I don't deny that. However, what is less subjective or at least more objective is the value of these clubs' squads. It's evident that English teams are dominating and, on average, have higher-quality players, resulting in squads with greater overall value:
Out of the 25 most valuable clubs in Europe, surprisingly, 12 are of English origin, representing nearly half of the list. This figure is so significant that some first-division teams in other European leagues, such as LaLiga in Spain, might struggle to compete even in the English second division or the Championship.
The question that arises is: how has this come to pass? And, even more importantly, what consequences could it have for the future of European football? Is it possible to take measures to change this situation?
The Role of Ideology and Economic Freedom
While not immediately evident, this trend is closely tied to the ideology and approach each country adopts regarding freedom, economy, and morals. Football provides an excellent lens to examine a country's reality and how policies and ideologies influence its most popular sport. In the case of Spain, the majority of the population might not immediately perceive how widespread trends can impact their daily lives and have long-term consequences (education, healthcare, etc.) due to a preference for short-term thinking. However, these factors have a lasting impact on a country's trajectory.
The average citizen in Spain tends to believe that their healthcare, education, and welfare system is the best globally. This perception is partly influenced by state propaganda, which can hinder comparisons with other countries. Firstly, many people do not travel with the intention of analyzing these issues, and secondly, few have experienced a sufficiently prolonged stay abroad to recognize the differences. In general, the negative implications of excessive state intervention, coupled with hostility towards economic freedom and meritocracy, are challenging to appreciate in the short term.
Nonetheless, there's an arena where any Spanish citizen can observe these consequences: football. This becomes particularly evident at the start of the season, during the transfer market, and at its end when evaluating who succeeded and who fell short. It's here that the decline of some and the success of others becomes apparent.
The question that arises is: why does English football prosper while Spanish football faces challenges? However, this query extends beyond the realm of football. It also emerges in the context of democracy, economy, and the wealth of both countries. Is it that British citizens have superior genes? Is it a matter of race? Absolutely not. Instead, it revolves around the customs and ideology of their inhabitants, as well as the social consensus on certain aspects of life. Additionally, the level of the elites and their ideology play a significant role in these disparities.
Influence of Culture and Policies on Sporting Success
In the Premier League, the distribution of profits among teams is conducted equitably and aligns with their performance in the season. In other words, meritocracy is rewarded. In contrast, Spain tends to centralize power and practice a form of "crony capitalism," favoring certain teams over others. This has led to the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, essentially "state clubs," claiming the lion's share of revenue. Such an approach diminishes the excitement and competitiveness across the rest of LaLiga. In the Premier League, it's entirely plausible for the bottom-ranked team to triumph over the champion, whereas in Spain, it's rare for smaller teams to overcome the giants, given the vast disparity that's hard to fathom.
On the other hand, we must consider the level of economic freedom prevailing in the British Isles compared to the Iberian Peninsula. In the United Kingdom, capital, earnings, and wealth aren't penalized in the same way as they are in Spain. The question of why there's a lack of substantial investors interested in LaLiga, unlike the Premier League, finds its answer in the very same reason that prompted Ferrovial to leave Spain: the dearth of economic freedom and general liberty, qualities present elsewhere but absent in our nation.
In Spain, we often approach wealth generation with caution. There's an underlying suspicion toward those who possess wealth and have the potential to influence the country. This might be due to the fact that our institutions and democracy, while esteemed, might not be as robust as we've been led to believe. In contrast, in England, it's understood that money isn't inherently good or bad; it's simply currency. There, political influence and messages are countered with political arguments, not by prohibiting the influx of money, which ultimately contributes to national wealth.
All of this contributes to the genuine competitiveness of the Premier League. With more and more formidable teams, none can dominate the rest. Competition occurs both in the realm of sports and in business. The best way to compete is by achieving superior financial performance compared to others, allowing for more resources to acquire better players, and so on. However, when some leagues promote this approach and others don't, what results is the current scenario: a progressively stronger Premier League and other leagues drifting apart. This disparity isn't the fault of English teams; rather, it's a lack of determination in other leagues. The key lies in the fact that everyone has the opportunity to play by the same rules; the crucial aspect is possessing the intellectual maturity to enact change and the willingness to thrive. Until next time. Thank you for reading it this far. Best regards.