BatiGOOOOOOL said:
I understand that but my point is they've changed due to the politics of the clubs (and spanish football to a degree). treating players like trading cards or badges of status rather than heroes and entertainers.
Dont make out like this is not the case. Rivaldo, Figo, Ronaldo, Beckham all huge stars in the world of football who end their time there in less than happy situations almost to the point where its not clear if the club wants them to be associated anymore.
Will Ronaldo be remembered as a Madrid legend? No, He's a Brazillian first and foremost. Same for the likes of Zidane, Figo, Ronaldinho etc. Contrast to say Bobby Chalrton or George Best, Bryan Robson, Paul Scholes, all are first and foremost Man Utd legends. Ex Utd players still remain "part of the family" with regular visits to the stadium, fan clubs and the tv show etc. Walking around you see pictures of ex players everywhere, the history is so valued at Utd.
The last genuine Madrid legend is Raul. The rest of the galacticos are great players but never developed any real affinity with the clubs history or fans. Barca are similar, during this great successful period, will Ronaldinho really be remembered fondly by the club when he hangs up his boots or will they eventually tire of him, stain his name before passing him on and never mentioning him again? Will any of those stars be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Di Stefano? Ronaldo and Zidane are arguably the best players since Pele and Maradona but have they reached that legendary status?
The clubs are peculiar like that, where teams get boo'd regularly, success is always demanded but never appreciated and the players are little more than trading cards or financial tools and fashion trends. Managers seem like faces who come and go, has any manager ever become engrained in the clubs like Fergie and Wenger have here?
thats why the manager is allowed to change frequently, why they have regular orchestrated media whirlwinds over the next big star, and players are forced to use politics to negotiate contracts.
As glamorous and desireable these clubs appear on the surface, deep down they've lost a lot of the romance which is associated with football as many people will tell you.
Looking at Ruud and Becks, they were adored and worshipped here, but going there they may experience mild success, but at any given time the club or the fans will consider them surplus to requirements and kick them out - and the fans wont remember them once they're gone.
As an english football fan, I can only pity them and hope our league never becomes like that.
