IT’S often said that the Premier League is the best competition in the world.

Well, if that’s the case, why don’t any of the three FIFA Ballon d’Or nominees or ten of the 11 players selected for the world team of the year play in England?

Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the top prize, and Argentina great Lionel Messi both play in Spain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in Germany.

When it comes to the world XI, four play in Germany and Spain and two in France. Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria flies the flag for English clubs, and he spent half of 2014 at Real Madrid.

Indeed, only three from the team – Ronaldo, Arjen Robben and David Luiz – have ever played in the Premier League.

Based on that, it is fair to assume our much-vaunted competition is playing second fiddle to La Liga, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1. What’s more, over time, the number of Premier League players earning recognition has dwindled.

Di Maria aside, you have to go back to 2011 for the last appearance from an English club when United pair Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic made the cut.

There were also Premier League representatives from 2005 to 2009 with Chelsea defender John Terry being named in all five years and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard twice.

Frank Lampard, Thierry Henry, Rio Ferdinand, Didier Drogba, Claude Makelele, Patrice Evra and Fernando Torres all have single selections from English clubs during that period.

Perhaps it is no surprise that Ronaldo was chosen twice while at Old Trafford. Which either means the players aren’t good enough or the voting process is flawed.