Top 10 Best Soccer Leagues In The World Ranked (2023)
Soccer league competition is one the hardest and yet most rewarding tournaments any soccer player worth his salt could be involved in.
They are many league competitions spread across the globe, but today we will be looking at 10 of the best soccer leagues in the world.
1. English Premier League
The English Premier League (EPL) is arguably the best league competition in the world.
The Premier League is regarded as the best because of its high level of excitement, popularity, and skill.
Since it was rebranded in 1992, the league has become renowned for its breathtaking goals and end-to-end entertaining matches that seem never to stop.
Many of the teams in the league, like Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal, have a huge international following from across the globe, which further adds to the league’s prestige and popularity.
Another reason why the Premier League is the best soccer league in the world is that it is the most lucrative league in the world, with annual revenues of a staggering £1.8 billion.
This amount is the fourth highest of any sports league in the world, behind the NFL, MLB, and NBA, which boast higher revenues.
Furthermore, the Premier League is said to be one of the toughest and most physically demanding leagues in the world.
All the teams always go toe-to-toe with each other and are able to cause an upset, which also makes it the most competitive soccer league in the world.
Furthermore, the Premier League prize money is one of the highest among any soccer leagues globally.
2. Spanish La Liga
The La Liga is another highly respected and regarded soccer league because of the high level of skill on display.
The exploits of their teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Sevilla in UEFA club competitions further boosted the profile of the league.
The derby match between Barcelona and Real Madrid, dubbed El Clásico, is usually one of the most watched matches in the football calendar.
While many agree that the English Premier League is the best soccer league in the world, there’s no denying that the best players play in La Liga.
Most of the Ballon d’Or Winners have emerged from the La Liga.
Furthermore, La Liga teams have dominated all the international and continental club trophies.
3. German Bundesliga
This is another very good league competition with good support and followership.
The Bundesliga is well known for its high level of technical football mixed with entertainment.
Some of the world’s best players also play in this league.
Munich giants Bayern have by far been the most dominant team in the league.
They have won a lot of European trophies compared to many other football leagues.
4. Italian Serie A
Established in 1898, the Italian Serie A is one of the oldest soccer leagues in the world.
The Italian top-flight has always been one of the best football leagues, as it led the UEFA ranking from 1986 to 1988 and from 1990 to 1999.
The Serie A is a very tough and highly technical league.
The football played in the league is not as fast-paced in comparison to other mentioned leagues, but its tactical aspects test the best of footballers.
Many great historical clubs like Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan play in the league.
It is also one of the most competitive soccer leagues in the world.
The matches are highly unpredictable and entertaining.
5. French Ligue 1
The top French league has, in recent times, tried to grow its profile, especially since the introduction of money into the competition through Qatari and Russian businessmen, who own and run clubs like Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain.
The French Ligue has attracted many top footballers to their league. Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Dmitri Payet, and Gianluigi Donnarumma all play in France.
Ligue 1 is also seen as good breeding growing for young players.
Many of the established soccer players in Europe started their careers in Ligue 1.
6. Portuguese Primeira Liga
Though not as big as its counterparts, the Primeira Liga is still a top league when it comes to a high level of play and entertainment value.
The Portuguese League was established in 1934 and currently boasts of some of the best footballers in Europe.
Top teams like FC Porto, Benfica, and Sporting Lisbon dominate the league. These three teams – Benfica (37 wins), Porto (30 wins), and Sporting CP (19 wins) – have won all but two Primeira Liga titles.
The two other winners were Belenenses in the 1945/46 season and Boavista in the 2000/01 season.
In addition, the Primeira Liga has produced some of the most sought-after players in the transfer window.
7. Belgian Pro League
The Belgian Pro League or Belgian First Division A is the oldest association soccer league in continental Europe.
The league was formed in 1895.
RSC Anderlecht is the most successful football club in the Belgian league with 34 titles, followed by Club Brugge KV, who have 18 titles, Union Saint-Gilloise have 11, and Standard Liège have 10.
The top-tier Belgian league is a good league that gives the platform to young players, especially from Africa, to showcase their skill set.
It’s a great league to start your career if you’re just moving to Europe for the first time.
8. Dutch Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the top tier of professional football in the Netherlands.
It was founded in 1956 and is currently contested by 18 teams. The team with the most Eredivisie titles is Ajax.
The Dutch league is another league renowned for grooming young players into becoming tomorrow’s superstars.
The league is highly tactical and technical but also has great entertainment value.
Ajax Amsterdam, PSV, and Feyenoord dominate the competition.
They have also impressed in continental competitions, as well as producing some of the best talents in Europe.
9. Turkish Super Lig
The Turkish Super Lig, also known as the Süper Lig, is the top tier of professional football in Turkey.
The league was founded in 1959 and currently consists of 18 teams.
It doesn’t have quite the same high level of play compared to other top leagues, but that doesn’t stop the fierce competitiveness of the league.
The financial remunerations are good enough to attract a few decent talents to the league. Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Besiktas are some of the top teams in the Super Lig.
10. Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.
It was founded in 1996 and currently has 29 teams, with plans to expand to more teams in the future.
Since its debut in the mid-1990s, the Major League Soccer (MLS) has continued to grow in leaps and bounds.
The league has steadily improved its brand and popularity thanks to the constant influx of investment and appreciable football talent, especially from Europe, which has improved the level of the league in every way.
Teams like LA Galaxy, Miami FC, New York City FC and Seattle Sounders are becoming global household names.
We should not forget about the famous New York Red Bulls team from Major league soccer. Led by Manager Bob Bradley, this team has been one of the most successful franchises in MLS history. Known for their aggressive, attacking style of play, they have won numerous trophies including multiple Supporters Shields and reached the MLS Cup Final in 2008.
The top MLS clubs are also attracting many of the best players in Europe.
The MLS regular season runs from March to October, with the top teams advancing to the playoffs and the MLS Cup championship game in November.
With the calibre of players in the MLS, there is no doubt that it could go higher among the best soccer leagues in the world.
Other Top Soccer Leagues In The World
Here are some of the best soccer leagues in the world that deserve a notable mention:
11. Campeonato Brasileiro Série A – Brazil
12. Liga MX – Mexico
13. Russian Premier League – Russia
14. Argentine Primera División Argentina
15. Austrian Football Bundesliga – Austria
16. Scottish Premiership – Scotland
17. EFL Championship – England
18. Danish SuperLiga – Denmark
19. Ukrainian Premier League – Ukraine
20. Super League Greece – Greece
