Top football leagues in Europe are once again looking at the idea of holding league games far from their home fields. Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A are at the front of this push, with talks about games in the United States, the Middle East, and even as far as Australia. This plan shows how the sport is chasing more fans worldwide, yet it has already caused heated debate. Many fans and groups feel that moving games abroad is a step away from the roots of the game.

La Liga’s vision for America

La Liga has long set its sights on the United States. In past years, the league moved its Supercopa to Saudi Arabia and signed TV deals with US networks. League leaders now see Miami as the top choice for Spain��s first league game outside Europe. The city’s mix of culture and its strong Hispanic crowd make it the key place to launch such a bold step.

This would not be the first try. Back in 2018, La Liga planned a Barcelona vs. Girona game in Miami. That plan was blocked after fans, players, and groups spoke out, with courts and football bodies also saying no. Even with that failure, La Liga has not dropped the dream. League bosses feel that with more US growth in football, the idea may now stand a stronger chance.

Serie A targets Australia

Serie A has its eyes on Australia. Italian clubs still have a strong link to people with roots in Italy who live abroad. In cities like Melbourne and Sydney, fans still follow Serie A closely, and games draw huge crowds on TV. Leaders of the league believe that a real match in Australia could fill major stadiums, with world media ready to cover the story.

The local A-League has had a hard time pulling fans in recent years. Many people in Australia still watch European clubs more than their own league. A Serie A game played in Melbourne, for instance, could draw both Italian fans and locals who love big football stars. It could also open doors to Asia-Pacific markets that sit close to Australia in time zones.

Financial drive behind the plans

Fans across the world already follow clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, and AC Milan. These clubs travel every year on summer tours in the US and Asia. Those games are friendlies, but they still bring in full stadiums and huge sums. League bosses now ask, if friendlies make this much, how much more could a real game bring?

The pressure is even higher because of the Premier League. England’s top flight has already built a huge lead in global rights and TV money. For La Liga and Serie A to keep up, they feel the need to break new ground. Games in the US, with a rising love for football and the 2026 World Cup on the way, are worth huge sums. Australia also offers space to grow, with fewer local rivals and a crowd that still holds European football in high regard.

Opposition at home

Still, the plan is jagged; fans in Spain and Italy are unhappy with this push. Groups that stand for the fans say league bosses have no care for the loyal people who fill the stands each week. Many in Spain recall the failed Miami match and do not trust that the league will listen. In Italy, some fan clubs warn that games abroad would feel fake, built more for show than for real football life.

The players and coaches also worry. Travel takes a toll; a long flight and time zone shifts can wear out athletes in the middle of a hard season. Coaches fear some clubs may lose fair play if one has to travel far while another plays at home. Even TV networks raise doubts about how to fit such games with deals they already signed for home matches.

Premier League watches and waits

With Spain and Italy making moves, eyes turn to England. Could the Premier League, the richest and most-watched league of all, take the same path? The Premier League already streams in 212 lands and reaches more than 600 million homes. The fan base is global, with billions watching. That scale makes the idea of abroad games tempting.

This is not new for the league. In 2008, the idea of an extra Premier League game made the news. That plan called for one more round of games, played outside England. Fans and leaders of the sport fought hard against it, and it was dropped. Yet, with the way sport is now run, such an idea may rise again.

Lessons from Spain and Italy

The Premier League is in no rush, but it will watch closely. If La Liga and Serie A can make the plan work, filling stadiums and building new fan ties, the English league may follow. If those leagues face too much heat, then the Premier League may stick.

The truth is, the Premier League does not need this move as much as others. It already sits on top in rights and money. However, giving fans abroad a chance to see live matches could deepen love for the league. Fans in Asia, the US, and Africa may be loyal from afar, yet seeing a match up close could lock them in for life.

Balancing tradition and change

Football is both local and global. Fans want the sport to stay close to home, tied to clubs, towns, and rivalries. On the other side, leagues and clubs chase growth, with no borders in mind. Both sides hold valid points.

This makes FIFA’s stance key. The body has long blocked league games from moving abroad. Leaders fear that the move could ruin local balance or clash with busy calendars. Any plan to play away would need many green lights, not just from FIFA, but also from local football groups and unions.

The final score on expansion

Talks are still fresh, no La Liga or Serie A games abroad are set in stone, but deals are in the works with cities like Miami and Melbourne. The Premier League is silent for now but stands ready to act once rivals show results. One clear thing is that Europe’s top leagues are looking out to the world. Whether fans in Spain, Italy, or England can accept this change is still up in the air.

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Football fans always want to know: Who is the best club in Europe right now? It’s not easy to tell since teams play in various domestic leagues, and not all meet head-to-head. But with form, wins, and league results in mind, we can rank them and see who are the top performing ones.

This list looks at how clubs are doing in both home and Europe-wide games. These are not just clubs with big names, but also those that show heart, good form, and strong play. Have a look at the top 15 teams in Europe as of April 2025.

Top 10 football clubs: What makes them the best

1. Liverpool (EPL)

Led by manager Arne Slot, Liverpool is back on top with a fast, bold play that has helped them win big games this season. They also top the English league and aim for more cups. Fans at Anfield believe this team can go all the way again and maintain its spot as one of the top clubs.

2. Arsenal (EPL)

Arsenal are chasing the league title with great form. Mikel Arteta’s team plays smooth, smart football, with young stars like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli helping push them up the table. They’re still strong in Europe and have grown each season.

3. Inter Milan (Serie A)

Inter are once again kings of Italy, with Lautaro Martínez in top form, they stormed through the league. Their strong backline and fast counters make them hard to beat. They also reached the Champions League Final in Europe not long ago, proving they’re one of the best.

4. Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1)

Even with Kylian Mbappé gone, PSG still shine. Luis Enrique’s new squad have won the French league again. Their mix of young and senior stars works well, and they’re not done yet, which is why many fans see them as a big threat in Europe.

5. Barcelona (La Liga)

Under new boss Hansi Flick, Barça are back in form. With Lamine Yamal rising fast and Robert Lewandowski still scoring, the team sits near the top in Spain. They’ve done well with fewer signings, proving they still belong in the top tier.

6. Manchester City (EPL)

Pep Guardiola’s team had a long run without wins, but they still hold a strong spot. With stars like Erling Haaland and Rodri, they remain a team to fear in England and Europe.

7. Real Madrid (La Liga)

Real Madrid has top stars like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, but they’ve not clicked yet. Still, they’re near the top in Spain and aim to go far in the Champions League. They may rise higher if their stars hit top form soon.

8. Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)

Bayern lost their grip on the German league last season, but they’re back with fire. Harry Kane leads their attack and new boss Vincent Kompany has brought fresh ideas, aiming to bring the league title back to Munich.

9. Atlético Madrid (La Liga)

Diego Simeone's side play with grit and force. They’re in a close race with Real and Barça in La Liga. Though they lost in the 2024-25 Champions League knockout stage, they still rank high due to strong home form and tight wins.

10. Aston Villa (EPL)

Unai Emery has taken Villa to new heights. Once a mid-table team, they now play in Europe and fight for top spots in the league. Their press game and sharp attack make them one of the best sides this season.

Ranked 11th�?5th: The next in line

11. Chelsea (EPL)

Chelsea have been up and down. Under Enzo Maresca, they showed promise early, but their form has dropped. Still, they’ve done well in Europe, and that boosts their spot. A strong end to the season could push them back to the top.

12. Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)

Last year, Bayer had a great run, almost unbeaten. They missed out on a treble, but they made history. Xabi Alonso's team still plays well and holds a top spot in Germany. If they keep up the pace, they might rise again. 

13. Napoli (Serie A)

Napoli sit second in Serie A. With help from Scott McTominay, they’ve grown stronger. When in form, they can beat most sides, but their lack of European play hurts their spot. Still, fans hope next season brings better luck.

14. Atalanta (Serie A)

Atalanta shocked all by beating Bayer in the Europa League final. Ademola Lookman leads the charge, and the team has kept that hot form. They’re now third in Italy and rising fast as their bold play style makes them one to watch.

15. Crystal Palace (EPL)

Palace are in the top 15 and are hard to beat. Under Oliver Glasner, they’re aiming to win their first big trophy. They sit mid-table in the league but are still in the FA Cup. If they win that, they may climb more.

Who will make it to the top next season?

Many strong teams are not on this list yet. Clubs like Manchester United, Roma, and RB Leipzig are not far off. If they fix weak spots and stay in form, they could break into the top 15 next year. Young squads that are still learning, like Brighton or Real Sociedad, also show promise. If they keep their stars and win big games, they might surprise fans soon.

Europe is full of top clubs. Some have long been strong, while others have worked hard to rise. The current top 15 show what it takes: form, heart, and the will to win. But staying on top is never easy. From Liverpool’s rise to Villa’s bold run, fans have seen great games this year. Each of these clubs brings joy and pride to their fans at home and in Europe.

The list can change fast with one good season that can twist a club’s fate. Next year, we might see new names or a team back to its best. That’s what makes football great, you never know who will shine next.

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Barcelona missed a golden chance to pull ahead in La Liga as they drew 1-1 with Real Betis at home on Saturday. The draw keeps Barca at the top of the table with 67 points, just four ahead of rivals Real Madrid, who lost 2-1 to Valencia last April 5.

Barcelona dominates but settles for a draw with Real Betis

Barcelona took the lead early when Gavi scored in the seventh minute, finishing a fine build-up with Ferran Torres. Real Betis fought back, equalising through Natan’s header just 10 minutes later.

Despite dominating possession, Barca failed to convert their chances. Goalkeeper Adrian San Miguel was key for Real Betis, making several crucial saves to deny Barca’s attacks.

With this draw, Real Betis climbed to sixth place with 48 points, while Madrid's defeat means the race for the title is tougher than ever. Coach Carlo Ancelotti noted that his side is under pressure but remains hopeful. 'It is much harder now to fight for the league, but we only have one idea and that is to fight until the end because we still have a chance after this game,�?Ancelotti said.

The fight for La Liga heats, with eight rounds left and a major Clasico clash set for May.

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Barcelona made a crazy late comeback to beat Atlético Madrid 4-2. They are now top of La Liga because of the goal difference. Atlético led 2-0 with 20 minutes left. However, Barça scored four times in a wild finish. Ferran Torres scored twice, including a goal in stoppage time, to win the game.

Atlético controlled the first half and looked set for a big win. Julián Álvarez scored in the 45th minute after a pass from Giuliano Simeone. In the second half, Atlético made it 2-0 in the 70th minute. Alexander Sørloth scored from close range after a sharp pass from Conor Gallagher. 

Robert Lewandowski acted fast and scored in the 72nd minute. He did a low shot past Jan Oblak after a pass from Iñigo Martínez. Six minutes later, Ferran Torres tied the game with a header from a Raphinha cross.

The game seemed headed for a draw. However, Lamine Yamal put Barcelona ahead in the 92nd minute and in the 98th minute, Torres scored again after a pass from Pedri to secure the win.

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Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham claimed he was unfairly sent off. The team’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, was also angry about the several calls made by the refs after Real Madrid tied 1-1 with Osasuna on February 15, 2025. 

This result prevented Real Madrid from winning in La Liga for three matches. ‘I do not want to go into the details of what was said, but I didn’t insult the referee and I hope they review the footage because it was a misunderstanding, but I am here to apologise to the team anyways�? Bellingham said.

Ancelotti slammed the video assistant ref for not acting on three likely penalties he felt were fouls on Vinícius Júnior, Bellingham, and a handball by Alejandro Catena. The Italian coach grew more upset at the start of the second half when the ref gave Osasuna a penalty. 

The video assistant referee (VAR) asked him to check Eduardo Camavinga’s step on Ante Budimir’s foot. The Croatian forward scored from the spot, levelling the game after Kylian Mbappé’s goal in the first half.

‘I believe there were things that have happened in these last three games that everyone has seen and I don’t want to add more, because I’m looking forward to being on the bench in the next game�? Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti mentioned that the ref booked him after he pointed out a handball in Osasuna’s box, suggesting the ref should check it on VAR. He noted that the VAR seemed to be activated later.

He also voiced concerns about the red card given to Bellingham, stating that the English player did not insult the ref during the disputes. Ancelotti’s anger adds to Real Madrid's ongoing issues with refs, as the club had already raised concerns about the league’s officials earlier in February 2025.

Real Madrid stays on top of La Liga standings

Real Madrid got a point to stay at the top of La Liga in a close title race. Without a win in their last three games, they hold 51 points, one ahead of Atlético Madrid and three of Barcelona.

Atlético Madrid missed a big chance to take the lead as they drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo at home. They played most of the match with ten men after Pablo Barrios received a red card for a harsh tackle on Pablo Durán in the fourth minute.

Iago Aspas scored a penalty in the 68th minute after Robin Le Normand fouled Borja Iglesias in the box. However, Alexander Sørloth came off the bench to score a late equaliser for Atlético in the 81st minute, saving a crucial point for his team.

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Barcelona took a huge step towards the top of La Liga with a 4-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday. Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Fermín López, Raphinha, and Eric García pushed Barca to 48 points, one behind Atlético Madrid and two behind leaders Real Madrid.

López scored after halftime to give Barca the lead again, and Raphinha’s strike made it 3-1. Even after López was sent off for a foul, Barcelona held on and sealed the win when García scored late in the game.

Napoli drew 1-1 in Serie A with Udinese, keeping their lead at 55 points, four ahead of second-place Inter Milan. Scott McTominay gave Napoli the lead, but Jurgen Ekkelenkamp equalised for Udinese.

In Ligue 1, Lyon won 4-0 against Reims in their first game under a new coach. Nicolás Tagliafico, Corentin Tolisso, Rayan Cherki, and Georges Mikautadze all scored.

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