Is Spain's La Liga Numero Uno in the World?

Summer is approaching and the close of the European football season is approaching. Spanish involvement in Europe's cup competitions is definitely strong with Madrid's most fabled clubs, Real and Atletico set to contest the Champions League Final in nearby Lisbon towards the end of the month.

It doesn't just end there with Sevilla making the Europa League Final in Turin after a dramatic last gasp goal against fellow Spanish side Valencia who were leading 3-0 and set for the Final.

Indeed, you could say Iberia rules with Portuguese champions, Benfica booking their place in the Final after denying Juventus the rare, rare chance to play at home for European glory after a determined 0-0 draw in Turin.

Barca v Athletic Bilbao

It is quite popular belief that for all the excitement and pace of the Premier League, even with all its superstars and money, Spain's La Liga even through its current cash-strapped days is still the best domestic club football league in the world.

The evidence is there with Spanish clubs having had plenty of success in the Champions and Europa Leagues since the start of the millenium - consider the 5 triumphs of Real Madrid and Barcelona combined in the Champions League and 5 triumphs of Valencia, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid combined in the UEFA Cup/Europa League.

Plus, don't forget the double appearances of Valencia in the Champions League Final (2000 and 2001), and Alaves (2001), Espanyol (2007) and Athletic Bilbao (2012) in the UEFA Cup/Europa League Finals.

Valladolid v Celta Vigo

I guess you could argue that the football in Spain's La Liga being slightly slower, but more technical and often pleasing to the eye, helps their sides do well in European competitions where the football is quite similar compared to the Premier League which is much faster and more physical, and less tehcnical.

It is probably why the Premier League has been calling out for former La Liga stars, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Fernando Torres and Santi Cazorla to come and boost the technical aspect of the game in England. Indeed, the brief domination of the Champions League by Premier League clubs from 2005 to 2009 was boosted by their ability to master the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Naturally, those clubs have caught up thanks to their financial prowess and influence and are once again leading the way. Indeed, the rise of Bayern Munich this season must be attributed to a former Barca manager too.

The superiority of La Liga over the Premier League was clear to see after Atletico Madrid had taken the lead against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - at that point, the game was quite evenly matched between the two sides but once Diego Costa had stroked home the penalty to give Atletico two valuable away goals and the lead in the tie, it was Atletico who actually looked the much more effective and positive side compared to their more expensively assembled rivals.

Gabi, Koke, Raul Garcia, Juanfran, Arda Turan, etc. may not be recognisable superstars, but they certainly outshone their more well known stars in blue.

So as Atletico and Real fans prepare their short road trips for Lisbon, Spanish football fans can already celebrate, knowing that this season has clearly shown their league to be number one in the world. Hopefully that will translate into a 2nd World Cup success in Brazil in the summer.