Can PSG and Monaco Rule Europe?

For so long, French football has sat in the shadow of its English, German, Spanish and Italian neighbours, with many of its top internationals plying their trade for the "big" clubs of European football.

Thierry Henry is one of France's best ever contributions to English and world football

France's Ligue 1 is one of the hidden gems of world football - it has often been one of the most closely contested leagues in Europe, far closer than its neighbours' leagues and a long established culture of parity has meant that no side can really pull away from the rest, even if there are the so-called popular clubs like Monaco, Marseille, Lyon, Paris Saint-Germain, Saint-Etienne etc.

Until now.

PSG made big strides in Europe last season thanks to Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The takeover of Paris Saint-Germain by the Qatar Investment Authority has seen the Parisians leap frog the rest of the French league and become the most powerful club in France. For the first time, a French club wielded some power and influence in the transfer window. No longer were the best French players meant to go to the likes of Arsenal, AC Milan and Barcelona to further their careers and fortune.

Becks in PSG colours

Indeed, even the world's most marketable footballer, David Beckham was jumping on the bandwagon down the River Seine.

For the first time, one of the greatest cities in the world actually had a football club that could compete with the best in Europe. Paris had become an attractive place to be a footballer - and the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Javier Pastore and now Napoli's top striker, Edinson Cavani appear to agree.

But PSG's time alone at the top of French football looks set to be shortlived with the emergence of AS Monaco thanks to their Russian billionaire owner.

Monaco are back in the big time and want the title this time

Come the end of the season, it'll be hard to believe that AS Monaco started the season as a newly promoted club, having been relegated to the second division of French football in 2011 with a large amount of debt. The takeover by Dmitry Rybolvlev has not only revived Monegaseque football but given it strength that it has never experienced before.

Falcao - world's best striker right now

Indeed, Monaco have snared the most wanted striker in world football from cash-strapped Atletico Madrid, Radamel Falcao along with Spurs target, Joao Moutinho. Ricardo Carvalho and Eric Abidal have also joined the renaissance on the French riviera. More signings are likely in the near future, with Manchester United's Nani also courted.

Monaco's little home 

One wonders if the little Stade de Louis II will see the crowds come in should Monaco as expected hit the bright lights of Champions League football.

While AS Monaco certainly won't win the Champions League this season, PSG, having come close to beating Barca last season, will want to take the next step and at least make the semifinals with coach Laurent Blanc. At the same time, the reigning French champions will need to keep an eye on what should be a very strong title push by Claudio Ranieri's men from Monte Carlo.

I actually feel a little sorry for those Marseille and Lyon fans who for once might feel they're missing out.

More of this next season?

But viva le France! Et viva Monaco et PSG!