Best Football Leagues Outside Of Europe
While Europe is considered the mecca of football, the world is a vast and fertile field when it comes to the beautiful game. Many famous European players originated from South America, especially Brazil and Argentina. Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Ronaldo, and Neymar are currently some of the more recognisable names, but we can dive into Brazil’s rich past for legends like Didi, Nilton Santos, and of course, Pele, to name a few.
They all came from Brazil’s incredible football culture, which drives the Brazilian Serie A and all other leagues. Brazil has produced some of the world’s finest talents, where high competition makes diamonds under pressure. At the moment, the team to beat this season is Botafogo RJ. They’re currently at odds of around 3/25 to take this year’s title, according to many of the best bookmakers featured in an updated list for October 2023. However, competition between Bragantino (10/1), Flamengo RJ (14/1) and Palmeiras (20/1) is also fierce, and these three teams will be battling it out all season for a likely second place finish.
The Argentine Primera División had its first championship held in 1891 and has been on the rise ever since. Throughout its history, giants like Gabriel Omar Batistuta, Ubaldo Fillol, and Diego Armando Maradona made their fame, and Argentina needs no more introduction. Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero continue in the fine tradition set by their predecessors, driven by the Argentinian’s passion for football. The best live example of that passion is the Superclásico. It’s a matchup between Argentina’s two best teams, River Plate and Boca Juniors. Both teams won 52 domestic titles, but Boca have won 78 matches, compared to 71 won by River, meaning the odds are near even for every match.
Soccer is becoming more popular than ever in the States. 8% of all Americans list soccer as their favorite sport, and when you consider baseball as the favorite of 9% of the population, you’ll realize that soccer is on its way to becoming the most popular sport in the USA. Lionel Messi may be the biggest name in the Inter Miami team, but other good players in Major League Soccer, like Gio Reyna and Christian Pulisic, are gaining fame with every game. Like all good leagues, rivalry exists in MLS as well, between Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC, culminating in the battle for the Cascadia Cup. The odds for winning the MLS cup favor Seattle Sounders FC with +1400, compared to Portland Timbers with +4000. But, both will have to give it their best to climb and compete against FC Cincinnati, who are currently at the top of Eastern conference and with +350 odds.
Across the Pacific in Japan, the land of the rising sun football is shining bright. What Brazil and Argentina are to European teams, Japan is for all Asian teams, producing talents like Yasuto Wakizaka, Shinnosuke Nakatani, and Miki Yamane, to name a few. The J league’s largest event is Tamagawa Clasico, a matchup between Japan’s famous names FC Tokyo and Kawasaki Frontale. Hot on the heels of Japan’s league is the South Korean K-league, founded in 1983. Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and Pohang Steelers are obvious examples where you can see which big names are backing them up (Samsung, Hyundai, and the steel giant POSCO), making the South Korean football scene rising with investments and talent.
Saudi Arabia has its Saudi Pro League, and it has seen transfers like Neymar for $98.6 million, Malcom Filipe Silva de Oliveira for $66m, and the legendary Christiano Ronaldo joining Al Nassr for an estimated $200 million. All of these indicate a strong and growing football scene. Real Madrid once hoarded talented and big-name players, and history could repeat itself in Saudi Arabia, with the transfer rate they’ve been having. Al Nassr stands with 11/4 odds of winning the 2023/24 league, with Al Ittihad in the slight lead with 15/8 prediction. Al Ittihad will be defending its title from a strong attack from Al Nassr, where both teams have brought in strong reinforcements, but Al Hilal is also in the predictions with 7/2 odds and winning the Saudi Professional league three times of the last four years.
