The title of having the best football in world takes in a lot of factors. It goes beyond barely having the best and winningest teams, it also includes having the best players, the top managers, the best fan support, and the overall the best product.

Manchester United’s dejected Wayne Rooney

In the late 80’s through the mid to late 90’s, Italian football was definitely the best, epitomized by the great AC Milan teams led by Arrigo Sacchi.

By the late 90’s the crown shifted from Italy to England with the emergence of the Premiership and its influx of top foreign players, top managers and the on field success of predominantly Manchester United, and also Chelsea and Arsenal.

In recent years with the recent dominance of Barcelona and the Spanish national team, the crown of having the best football maybe again shifting.

And it is not only on the home front where English teams are not performing well, it’s also on the top European stage. In the Champions league it would be fair to say that the English clubs have not played well. Of the four (Man United, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea) English representatives that played in this years Champions league, only 2, United and Arsenal, advanced to the knock out stages. Reigning Champions Chelsea even failed to advance to the knock out stage. The first time ever that this has happened.

Spain can also claim the title of both European and World Cup winners with their national side, as well having the two best players in the world, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their league

It also represents the first time in going on 10 years that Chelsea have not advanced. Man City, while still somewhat new to the champions League, also did not advance, making it the second consecutive year where they have failed to move on. For a club with the resources and desire to be a top club, lack of advancement is really unacceptable.

Arsenal advanced, but after a heavy 3-1 home defeat in their 1st leg tie it was very difficult to come back, even by winning 2-0 on Bayern Munich ground. Manchester United was eliminated by Real Madrid.

To add to matters as the English clubs falter, the Spanish football seems to be swimming in success with Barcelona and Real Madrid leading the charge. Spain can also claim the title of both European and World Cup winners with their national side, as well having the two best players in the world, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their league and two of its best managers in Jose Mourinho and the recently moved on Pep Guardiola.

Only time will tell?