MLS ranked ninth-best league in the world by Opta as North America's top flight surges up standings

The latest round of Opta analyst's league rankings have placed MLS as the ninth best league in the world, one up from last year's result.

The model, which ranks leagues based on "average team power" - a comparative statistical valuation of how good sides are - has MLS above the English Championship, but below the top tiers of European soccer. Its rating of 78.2 is well above Liga MX's of 76.7 - with the Mexican league finishing 14th in the rankings.

MLS starts to look even more impressive when the average power ratings of a league's top 10 teams is calculated. Although still in ninth, the U.S.'s rating climbs to 81.5 - and places it ahead of the Eredivisie.

This year's improvement comes after a significant leap in 2023. The league moved from 29th to 10th in last year's rankings - an upward trend that has continued.

The Saudi Pro League, regarded by many as being close to MLS in quality, has a rating of 73.6, making it the 33rd best league in the world.

Although MLS as a league is ranked highly by the model, individual teams have struggled to crack the top 50. The highest ranked MLS side is Columbus Crew, which slots in at 69th. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami comes in at 98th, six places behind Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.

The most competitive time of the year is around the corner for MLS. Decision Day is this weekend, and playoffs start in just eight days - with wildcard fixtures set for October 23.