LaLiga has been quick to highlight its dominance of the Ballon d'Or after Karim Benzema claimed his first win on Monday night.
The Spanish top flight, which has taken some flack in recent years, continues to be the platform on which the world's best players choose to showcase their skills. Benzema excelled with a Real Madrid side that claimed a league and European double last season.
His individual accolade, which he was awarded in Paris, means LaLiga have now won the last 14 editions of the Ballon d'Or. That streak begun in 2009 with 12 of those wins coming courtesy of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Luka Modric won it in 2018 with Benzema adding to that list.
LaLiga has previously copped criticism for his lack of competitiveness, being perceived as a two-team league, which became three when Atletico Madrid rose to the occasion. Nowadays it is being mocked for his financial troubles with Barcelona's issues well documented.
However they continue to claim the best individual awards in the game. LaLiga's Twitter account put out a post with the last five winners on Monday night alongside the caption: "Your last 5 Ballon d'Or winners......anyone notice a pattern?" The Premier League provided the man who finished third on Monday night in Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian enjoyed a stellar year and his new teammate, Erling Haaland, could have a serious case when it comes to awarding the 2023 Golden Ball.
LaLiga's success in fact dates back further that 2009. Of the 22 Ballon d'Ors handed out since 2000 (2020 was bypassed due to the pandemic) the Spanish top flight has won 17 with Fabio Cannavaro and Luis Figo also among the winners. In contrast, the Premier League has won just two.
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Cristiano Ronaldo first claimed the award in 2008 when he was a Manchester United player. He'd just guided them to the Champions League and won the first of his five Golden Balls. Michael Owen won the award in 2001, back when he was Liverpool's leading light.
LaLiga's dominance of the individual award is mirrored by the stranglehold they have had on the European Cup. Another barometer of a league's quality is how their teams fare on the Champions League stage and Spain's top flight has also excelled.
Since 2009 they have won eight of the last 14 competitions - three being won by Barcelona and the other five by Los Blancos. It has been a similar case in the Europa League with Spanish sides winning eight of the last 13 editions - Atletico and Sevilla among the winners.
