The world of football
glitters with an
enormous variety of
prizes. Aside from the huge
array of domestic
leagues, there are
some extraordinary
cup competitions
taking place, each with a unique claim to fame.

Across the globe,
domestic cup
competitions vie with
international
tournaments for superiority. Over the next 10 slides
we run through the
greatest knockout
tournaments in world
football, assessing
each tournament on its global reputation and
sporting challenge.
10. Copa del Rey

The Copa del Rey, or
"King's Cup," is one of
European football's
most prestigious cup
competitions. The history of the Copa
del Rey is both rich and
regal. Until the
formation of the
Campeonato de Liga in
1928, the Copa was Spain's principal
domestic competition.
It is the longest-
running competition in
Spanish football.
Although Spanish
giants Barcelona and
Real Madrid are
frequently distracted
by European
competition, for most clubs, the Copa
represents the sole
realistic opportunity to
break the duopoly and
claim silverware. The current holders
are Atletico Madrid,
who defeated rivals
Real Madrid at the
Bernabeu to win a 10th
Copa del Rey title.

9. Confederations Cup
The Confederations Cup
rose to prominence in
2005 when it was
established as a vital
forerunner to the
World Cup. Since that auspicious
summer, the
tournament has been
held in the same
country that will host
the World Cup the following year.
The
Confederations Cup has
subsequently become
a vital part of
preparation for global
football's most celebrated
tournament. The Confederations Cup
allows FIFA to assess a
nation's preparations
for the arrival of their
most prestigious
tournament. More importantly, it is
a chance for the host
nation to pit
themselves against
some of the world's
best ahead of the real thing.
The excitement around
the current
tournament in Brazil is
indicative of the
Confederations Cup's
rising profile.

8. FA Cup

The FA Cup is arguably
the most famous
domestic competition
in the world.
Established in July
1871, it is the oldest
association football
competition in the
world.
The FA Cup has
produced some of English football's most
iconic moments and is
partly responsible for
Wembley's status as
"The Home of Football." English clubs from the
Premier League right
down to the fifth tier of
the FA National League
are invited to compete.

The tournament has subsequently become
known for "giant
killings": occasions
when minnows
overcome the odds to
defeat a club with far greater resources. The 2013 final was a
case in point, as
Roberto Martinez's
gutsy Wigan side
showed remarkable
bravery and discipline to beat the financial
superpower that is
Manchester City.
7. Africa Cup of Nations

Africa is a continent
that is seemingly in
love with football. This
tournament pits
Africa's greatest
international sides against each other in a
fascinating battle for
supremacy. The continent's most
successful side is
Egypt. They have won
the tournament a
record seven times,
although they have not yet managed to
transfer this
continental success to
the global stage. The competition is not
without its flaws.
The Africa Cup of Nations generally takes place
in January, meaning
that many European-
based players are
forced to abandon
their clubs to take part.
This has led to the
withdrawal of some of
Africa's major stars. If the tournament is to
retain its status, it may
need to move in line
with the European
calendar.
6. UEFA Europa League

The UEFA Europa
League is the much-
maligned successor to
the UEFA Cup.
As the Champions
League's younger and
less glamorous sibling,
the Europa League is
vulnerable to snipers
who criticise the competition's
enormous fixture list
and plethora of dead-
rubber ties.
However, a glance at
the recent list of
winners suggests that
European football's
major clubs still take
the competition seriously. Chelsea,
Atletico Madrid and
Porto have all
experienced the joy of
Europa League triumph
in the last few seasons. In 2003, Porto were
Europa League
Champions. A year
later, they lifted the
Champions League.
This competition is no joke.
5. Copa Libertadores
The Copa Libertadores is the South American equivalent of the Champions League.
The Libertadores trophy is the most coveted prize in South American club football, and the competition's final is broadcast in an incredible 135 countries across the globe.
The Copa has extraordinary cultural currency in South America. It has spawned the Spanish phrase "El Sueno Libertador," referring to the dream of lifting the historic prize aloft. Since the competition's inception in 1960, many have chased that dream.

Argentine club Independiente are the most successful team in the competition's history, having claimed the Copa a phenomenal seven times.

4. Copa America
The Copa America is the oldest existing continental football competition.

The first formal Copa America was held in Argentina in 1916 to commemorate the first century of Argentina's independence.
The competition involves the teams associated with CONMEBOL as well as two other nations, frequently Mexico, Costa Rica or the United States.
Although Brazil and Argentina are regularly referred to as South American football's "Big Two," current holders Uruguay are in fact the competition's most successful team with 15 wins to date.
3. UEFA European Championship

The first pan-European international tournament was held in 1958 in France.

In the intervening 55 years, the European Championship has established itself as one of world football's most exciting competitions.

The European Championship is characterised by its unusually competitive nature: The 14 tournaments to date have produced nine different winners.

Germany and Spain currently lead the field with three triumphs each.
In 2014, the competition will expand from 16 to 24 teams, prompting concerns that the increase in size may precipitate a drop in quality.

2. UEFA Champions League


The UEFA Champions League is the most glamorous club competition in world football.
This tournament brings together the greatest teams in the world.
As the financial clout of club football has grown, it has managed to supersede international football. In terms of the quality of play on the field, the Champions League is now the best tournament there is.
Although the pure knockout form of the original European Cup is still missed, the re-branding as the Champions League has helped turn Europe into football's most financially powerful continent.
There is no club competition to match the Champions League.
1. FIFA World Cup

There is no greater competition than the World Cup.
The European Championship may have a greater variety of winners. The Champions League may provide better football. However, nothing matches the prestige of lifting the FIFA World Cup.

The World Cup pips the Champions League to the No. 1 spot because of the enormous cultural impact that a victory can have. Nothing unites a nation like being crowned the best in the world.

Source-http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1684009-power-ranking-worlds-10-best-football-tournaments

Nice One. Informative...


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