Manchester City beat Barcelona as the team with the most points in 2023 while Aston Villa surpass Arsenal, tie Real Madrid

Premier League title holders Manchester City turned out to be the most dominant team in Europe’s top five leagues after a stellar year that saw them claim five major honours, including the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.

The Cityzens also proved to be head and shoulders above other teams in the top five leagues in terms of league form, earning more points during the calendar year than any other side.

In their wake were other domestic champions and a few title contenders, but also several surprising inclusions and omissions.

Not surprisingly, Manchester City spearheaded the charge, amassing a staggering 93 points from 39 games in 2023.

Under the astute guidance of Pep Guardiola, City secured their third consecutive Premier League title, solidifying their status as a dominant force in English football.

In a thrilling resurgence, Barcelona, led by their former maestro Xavi Hernandez, surged to joint-second place alongside Atletico Madrid, both tallying an impressive 88 points.

Xavi’s masterful stewardship guided Barcelona to reclaim the LaLiga throne after enduring a four-year hiatus, while Simeone’s Atletico showcased commendable consistency, finishing third in the 2022/23 and maintaining a similar stride in the current campaign.

The statistics from Squawka also revealed some unexpected contenders. Inter Milan emerged prominently, securing 87 points, and finishing the year just behind the Spanish duo. Despite their current perch atop Serie A in the 2023/24 campaign, their 2023 journey wasn't devoid of challenges.

The Italian giants navigated a tumultuous period, enduring a rocky run between February and April, characterized by six losses in eight Serie A matches, punctuated by a solitary victory as they surrendered the league title to Napoli.

Their resilience amidst adversity underscores their credentials as genuine title contenders, and their current season form could see them reclaim the Scudetto at the end of the campaign.

A compelling narrative unfolded further down the points table, as unexpected bedfellows emerged.

Aston Villa, having parted ways with Steven Gerrard merely two months before the start of 2023, remarkably joined the esteemed ranks of 14-time Champions League winners Real Madrid, with both clubs amassing an admirable 85 points in the year.

The Midlands outfit's resurgence under the leadership of Unai Emery injected unpredictability into the Premier League scene, where The Villans are currently second, while Real Madrid continued to exert their prowess despite not managing to claim the 2022/23 LaLiga crown.