There are no other nations that are particularly well represented from South America. After Brazil and Argentina, we have to go down to 23rd place to find Colombia and Uruguay (20 footballers each in the top five leagues), then Paraguay and Ecuador (7) in 45th place.

How many countries are in the top five leagues?

Obviously, for geographical reasons, most of the countries are European. The podium is completed by the Netherlands, followed by Belgium, Portugal and Denmark. Then comes the first African country, Morocco, followed by Senegal. The United States, ranked 18th with 26 American footballers, is the first European representative from North America. Japan, with 20 Japanese footballers, is the first from Asia, on a par with Turkey, which is intercontinental and still considered European due to its participation in UEFA. Australia, with 5, is the flag bearer for Oceania.

And in total? 110 nationalities are represented, including the players who took first and second place in these five leagues. Ligue 1 has 72, Italy 67, followed by the Premier League with one less. Then there is Spain's La Liga (64) and the Bundesliga (62).

Which countries are most represented in each league?

Finally, which countries are most represented in each of the top five leagues? The answer, after all, is not the same for everyone. In England, they seem to be Francophiles (40 French footballers in the Premier League), but the Dutch follow them (36) and the Brazilians are not far behind (31). It may be the common language, but Spain remains a magnet for Argentines (23), who are also drawn to the Italian language in Serie A (21), a league that has recently attracted more French players (29 with the latest arrivals of Diouf and Nkunku). The Bundesliga is also a second home for the French (31), but it obviously attracts neighbours as well.

Austrians (27), who are united by the German language. In Ligue 1, however, the top two positions are occupied by two African nationalities, Senegal (28) and Ivory Coast (19), a strong sign of the colonialism of the last century that saw Senegal and Ivory Coast only officially emancipate in 1960.

Most nationalities in a single club

Three Italians in the Top 10, Torino leads. Following the same principles, but widening the filter to all the top-flight teams in the world, which clubs have the most nationalities represented in their rosters? Perhaps unsurprisingly, the top team is the Italian, multicultural Torino, who can list up to 33 countries, keeping Burnley (31) and Tottenham (28) at bay. A little further down the podium, with 27, we also find Sassuolo, along with Chelsea, AEK, Monaco, Aris Limassol, and even the first MLS team, the Vancouver Whitecaps. Tenth are Feyenoord and Hellas Verona, whose list of nationalities does not include the only one that recalls their historical name: Greece.