Neither Barça nor Real Madrid: Who are the possession kings in Europe?
Celtic, with 71 percent, have the highest possession across 35 European leagues
Barça are seventh with 64 percent, while Real Madrid have registered 61 percent
FC Barcelona are no longer the possession kings of European football. One of the team's strongest signs of identity since the Pep Guardiola years has been their domination of the ball, led by Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and, previously, Xavi Hernandez, on the pitch.
A study by the CIES Football Observatory has credited Ernesto Valverde's side with 64.1 percent possession this season, an average completion of 612 passes per game, which places them seventh, level with Steaua Bucharest.
First place belongs to Celtic. The Scottish side are averaging 70.8 percent possession in each of their league games and are making 659 passes per match.
The CIES analysed the possession in 35 European leagues from the beginning of the season and reached some surprising conclusions.
If Celtic at the top surprises, it may also surpsise that Borussia Dortmund are second (70.2 percent). Paris Saint-Germain (67.7), Shakhtar (67.6), el Manchester City (67.1), Hapoel Beer Sheva (66.3)are all ahead of Barça, too.
Other Spanish sides are Real Madrid (61.1) and Celta Vigo (59.4), while Rayo Vallecano lead the way in Spain's second tier (57.5)
| Team | Percent |
| 1. Celtic | 70,8 |
| 2. Borussia Dortmund | 70,2 |
| 3. PSG | 67,7 |
| 4. Shakhtar | 67,6 |
| 5. Manchester City | 67,1 |
| 6. Hapoel Beer Sheva | 65,3 |
| 7. FC Barcelona | 64,1 |
| Steaua | 64,1 |
| 9. Salzburg | 64 |
| PAOK | 64 |
| Bayern Múnich | 64 |
| 12. Olympiacos | 63,8 |
| 13. Panathinaikos | 63,3 |
| ... | |
| 23. Real Madrid | 61,1 |
| 29. Milan | 60,4 |
| 33. Juventus | 59,8 |
| 38. Celta | 59,4 |
| 54. Rayo Vallecano | 57,5 |
| 60. Sevilla | 57 |
