European football’s top leagues have become dominated by certain teams in recent seasons, with Juventus, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and PSG all looking imperious in their respective countries. Last January, Pep Guardiola commented that the three were the best sides of the last decade.
“They’re the best because no matter what happens they come back every year and win their league,” he said.
“Every season they win the cup. Every season they’re there.
“Consistency is the most difficult thing, but what they do every three days for 11 months of the year is something I admire and respect the most.”
His comments, naturally, were criticised because of his – possibly deliberate – exclusion of Real Madrid, who had won the previous three Champions League titles, which is something that has evaded the clubs he admires most in recent years.
Granted, Barcelona have won four of the last 13, Bayern have only won one whereas Juventus haven’t claimed any.
Barcelona (8 in last 11 years): The Messi factor
In the last 11 seasons the Catalans have won all but three La Liga titles, with Real Madrid winning two and Atletico Madrid the other.
Their merit comes from competing every year with Madrid and managing to see off Los Blancos despite players of Cristiano Ronaldo’s stature standing in their way.
But Lionel Messi has proven decisive. His consistent quality, his goals, his play… there has been no way to stop him.
Bayern (10 in 14): An unstoppable machine
Another Bundesliga title is on its way, and there’s nobody quite like the Bavarians in Germany, or maybe Europe. Their enormous economic power in comparison with other domestic rivals gives them the advantage, and nobody can compete.
Borussia Dortmund did for a short while, but then Bayern signed a number of their players to add to their already strong squad.
Juventus (8 in 8): The don’t know what a crisis is
Serie A’s other top sides have had their fair share of crises in recent years, but Juventus have been immune and benefited from the messes that surround them.
AC Milan and Inter have fallen some way short of their past heights, while Napoli and AS Roma haven’t quite had enough to knock the Old Lady over.
The Turin side have had heavyweights in their squad, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, and like Bayern they pluck talent from those around them who they see as a threat.
Paris Saint-Germain (6 in 7): Money talks
Qatar’s backing of the Parisians has changed the club completely, and they now boast talent of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar’s level, having previously had Zlatan Ibrahimovic as well.
Monaco interrupted their reign, but they soon resumed normal service.
The Premier League: A different case
Of the major European leagues, only the English top tier doesn’t have a clear dominator.
Manchester City threaten to rise to that level with their financial backing, but they hadn’t had a complete stranglehold on the title until the final week, beating Liverpool by one point.
In the last 15 years there have been as many as five champions – City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Leicester City.
