Part of the change in trend is down to the spending power of the Premier League.
Television rights have generated enormous broadcast revenues for English sides, with the income from that source dwarfing those of other countries.
Last summer, Premier League clubs spent more than £3bn – a record for a single transfer window and more than the total spend of the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A clubs combined.
Arsenal spent £250m – the most of any Premier League club – to enhance their squad depth and the Gunners currently lead the English top flight and sit joint top of the Champions League table alongside Bayern Munich, with the two meeting in a blockbuster clash on Wednesday night.
Real, though, beat Borussia Dortmund in the final 18 months ago for their record-extending 15th title, while Spanish sides have won the European Cup 20 times overall – five more than English teams.
And winning league phase matches does not ensure success – just ask the Liverpool side that finished top of the standings in 2024-25 before losing in the last 16 to eventual winners PSG.
“Obviously in a knockout competition anything can happen but in terms of money, talent, coaching, facilities and even the talent in the offices, England is the super league of Europe,” added Balague.
“I am not saying this perhaps with the jealousy of Spanish football in general, it is just a reflection of what is happening.”