Who is the football best team in the world right now and why they dominate

2025-11-17 16:01

As someone who has spent over a decade analyzing basketball and football dynamics across global leagues, I've always been fascinated by what truly makes a team dominant. While watching Nagoya's recent 91-74 victory where the former University of the Philippines forward scored eight points with three rebounds, one assist, and one steal, it struck me how similar patterns of dominance appear across different sports. The way Nagoya controlled that game - starting strong and maintaining pressure - mirrors exactly what we're seeing from the world's current best football team: Manchester City.

Now I know some readers might immediately think of Real Madrid with their Champions League pedigree or Bayern Munich's Bundesliga stronghold, but having studied Pep Guardiola's system since his Barcelona days, what Manchester City has built is something entirely new in football's evolution. Their dominance isn't just about winning trophies - though they've collected plenty, including that historic treble last season - but about how they've redefined what it means to control a football match. I remember watching their game against Real Madrid in last season's Champions League semifinal and thinking, "This isn't just football, this is algorithmic precision." The way they move the ball, the coordinated pressing, the spatial awareness - it's like watching a perfectly choreographed dance where every player knows exactly where to be at every moment.

What truly separates City from other top teams is their depth and adaptability. While most clubs have a strong starting eleven, City essentially has two world-class squads. When Kevin De Bruyne was out injured earlier this season, Phil Foden stepped up magnificently. When they lost crucial defenders, others seamlessly filled the gaps. This resilience reminds me of that Nagoya performance I mentioned - when their key player delivered exactly what was needed with those eight points, three rebounds, and crucial defensive contributions. City does this but on a grander scale, with their squad depth allowing them to compete on all fronts without significant drop in quality. Their financial backing certainly helps, but let's be honest - plenty of clubs have money. What sets City apart is how strategically they've built this squad, with each player specifically chosen to fit Guardiola's system.

The statistical dominance is just staggering. Last season they averaged 68% possession across Premier League matches, completed over 90% of their passes, and outshot opponents by nearly 6:1 ratio in most games. These aren't just winning numbers - these are historically dominant figures that we haven't seen since maybe Pep's Barcelona team. But here's what impresses me most: they've maintained this level while competing in the world's most physically demanding league. The Premier League's intensity is unmatched, yet City makes it look effortless most weeks. I've had arguments with colleagues who claim their style is "boring" or "mechanical," but honestly, that criticism feels like missing the point entirely. What they're doing is perfecting the art of football - making the incredibly difficult look routine.

Their tactical evolution under Guardiola has been fascinating to track. Remember when he first arrived in England and people doubted whether his possession-heavy style could work in the Premier League? He's not only made it work but has continuously adapted - sometimes playing without a traditional striker, other times using fullbacks in midfield roles, constantly keeping opponents guessing. This season alone, I've counted at least five distinct formations they've deployed successfully against different types of opponents. That flexibility, combined with their technical quality, makes them nearly impossible to prepare for. As an analyst, I appreciate this aspect more than anything - they're not just executing a system, they're constantly refining and reimagining what's possible within that framework.

Of course, no discussion about modern football dominance is complete without mentioning Erling Haaland. The Norwegian's impact has been transformative - 52 goals across all competitions last season is just absurd numbers. But what's remarkable is how quickly he integrated into their system. Many feared his arrival might disrupt City's fluid attacking patterns, but instead, he's added another dimension to their game. Now they can dominate possession or play more directly - that dual threat makes them even more dangerous. I've never seen a player adapt so quickly to a new league while maintaining such ridiculous scoring numbers. His partnership with De Bruyne has become almost telepathic at times, with the Belgian's vision and passing perfectly complementing Haaland's ruthless finishing.

Looking at their competition, honestly, nobody has consistently challenged their supremacy. Liverpool had their moments under Klopp, but their intensity seems to have waned slightly. Real Madrid remains the kings of Europe in many ways, but domestically, they can't match City's relentless consistency. Bayern Munich dominates Germany but faces weaker competition weekly. PSG has the stars but lacks the collective identity. What City has built is sustainable dominance - they're not dependent on any single player or tactical approach, which makes them so difficult to displace from the top. I genuinely believe we're watching one of those special periods in football history where one team sets new standards that others will spend years trying to match.

The infrastructure supporting this dominance is equally impressive. Their academy system consistently produces quality players, their data analytics department is among football's most advanced, and their ownership group has built a cohesive long-term vision. This isn't accidental success - it's meticulously planned and executed excellence. Having visited the City Football Academy myself last year, I can attest to the attention to detail in every aspect of their operation. From nutrition to recovery to tactical preparation, they've created an environment where excellence becomes habitual rather than exceptional.

Some critics point to Financial Fair Play concerns, and while those discussions have merit, they shouldn't overshadow what's being achieved on the pitch. The quality of football City plays week in, week out is genuinely elevating the sport. Young coaches worldwide are studying their methods, and their influence is spreading across football globally. When future historians look back at this era, I'm convinced Manchester City will be remembered as the team that perfected possession-based football in the modern game. Their dominance isn't just about winning - it's about how they're winning and what they're teaching us about football's evolving possibilities. Just like that Nagoya team demonstrated with their comprehensive victory, true dominance comes from executing your system perfectly while adapting to whatever challenges arise - and right now, nobody does that better than Manchester City.