That old chestnut

The Spanish season draws to a close tonight. Real Madrid will wrap up their first title since 2003 if they manage to defeat Mallorca at the Bernabeu, but Barcelona and Sevilla are both in with a chance of snatching the trophy should Real slip up. An exciting end to the season then, and a good watch for people already suffering withdrawal symptoms over the lack of really competitive football on the box.

Spanish football has become hugely popular in Britain. There are usually at least two matches live on Sky every weekend (usually featuring Real and Barca, but not always) and fans here have become hugely familiar with the players and personalities of virtually every club. Scarcely can they settle down to watch Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid without remarking 'Maxi Rodriguez is a good player,' 'how much did Betis sell Joaquin for?' or 'I think we should try and sign that Torres.'

Much of this popularity is down to the exciting nature of the matches. Goals can fly in from all angles, red cards are dished out like confetti and the play flows from end to end. But, and apologies for going over old ground here, is it the best league in the world?

Supporters of La Liga's claim to be the best will point to the presence of the likes of Ronaldinho, Leo Messi, Samuel Eto'o, Xavi, Carles Puyol, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Raul, Fabio Cannavaro, Iker Casillas, David Beckham, David Villa, Fernando Torres, Daniel Alves and the rest. All star names, all great players, but have they got it easy in Spain?

While no-one can doubt the thrill-a-minute nature of the Spanish league, Real Madrid's matches with Barcelona, Espanyol and Zaragoza this season (3-3, 4-3 and 2-2) have been amongst the best I've seen for a long time, is that down to a slight drop in standards from the Premiership?

La Liga is undoubtedly easier to win. Going into tonight's games Real and Barca sit joint top on 73 points, just five more than Liverpool and Arsenal managed in coming third and fourth in the Premiership, miles behind winners Manchester United.

The likes of Fredi Kanoute, Diego Forlan and Florent Sinama-Pongolle, all considered mediocre strikers in England (Forlan much worse) have proved huge successes in Spain. Sevilla's Kanoute and Villarreal's Forlan are even threatening Ruud van Nistelrooy's position at the top of the scoring charts, the Dutchman proving he can score just about anywhere.

Fernando Morientes, one of Real Madrid's and the Spanish national team's all-time leading goalscorers, was unable to cut it at Liverpool. His class and skill on the ball was apparent, he just couldn't cope with the pace of the Premiership. This season, back in his homeland with Valencia, he has rediscovered his goalscoring touch.

You can't help but wonder what would have become of Ronaldinho had he completed that move to Manchester United four years ago. Of course he'd still be a great player, but at the first sign of any of his fancy flicks and tricks he would surely have been booted into Row D by a Ben Thatcher or Robbie Savage. United of course signed Cristiano Ronaldo instead, who has just as many tricks, but has finally discovered he can be a much more effective player if he cuts down on them and just focusses on running very fast towards goal. Something he's very good at.

I guess that the popularity of Spanish football comes from the fact that it seems to be a less physical, tactical game than the Premiership (something that would explain the drop in Serie A fans). The Spanish game seems more free-flowing, with a greater array of technically gifted players, some of whom, like Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia and Cesc Fabregas have made it over here to leave a stamp on our game.

Whether La Liga's exciting, end to end style makes it better than the rough and tumble passionate cauldron of the Premiership is still open to question. Frankly, who cares? Let's just enjoy watching the best players in the world doing what they do best, wherever that is.