Germany, the Germans said, was different, just as the English think the Premier League is a class apart, and the Spanish and the Italians believe that their type of soccer is unique. In some ways, perhaps they are. Perhaps styles change or the frequency with which the referee blows his whistle varies a little. But when it comes to what really matters, they are not unique at all. The strongest leagues in the world, those in Germany, England, Spain and Italy are distinctly similar when it comes to their key traits. In fact, our data show that, despite superficial differences, the most elite
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