The Best League on the Planet

It can be easy as an American to be closed-minded, to think that we are the best at everything we do. However, when it comes to the sports world, we need to look to Europe and the Barclays Premier League.

After seeing this match at the end of last season, it confirmed my belief that this is the premier league on the planet. Manchester City, looking to win its first league title in decades, was losing at home to Queens Park Rangers, a club trying to keep its head above water and avoid relegation. The video should explain itself:

This soccer (or 'football') league is widely considered the pinnacle of the sport, and I believe it is the best league in the world. Soccer is the most popular sport on the planet, and it is easy to see why when all you need is a ball--the rest can be improvised by the players. It is a sport that allows the poorest nations on the globe feel connected with the richest: they are united by a ball and two goals.

This morning, I was watching some English Premier League action, a match between Manchester United, a league powerhouse, and newly promoted Southampton. For those of you who don't know, most european soccer leagues have multiple divisions of play. It can be compared to the baseball system we have here in the States, with the MLB, AAA, AA, and A leagues. However overseas the best teams from a lower league get promoted up one division at the end of the season, and the worst sides from a superior league get relegated. Getting back on track, these two league polar opposites faced off this morning, and shockingly the small market Southampton Saints took a 2-1 lead into the second half. ManU was left pushing for an equalizer, and in the 87th minute new signing Robin Van Persie found it when a shot deflected off the post and gave him an easy sitter to score. Then in stoppage time, the dutchman found the game winner by scoring with his head off a corner kick.

The late drama is a recurring theme in the league, and the excitement it presents is immense and entertaining for all. The big (and small) spenders, exciting goals, and international popularity of the league leave me entertained time after time, and why I see the EPL as the best league in the world.

What do you believe is the best sports league in the world and why?