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They’re all moving to Real Madrid, it seems.
There has been some bad news for football fans all over the world with the announcement that all fantasy football competitions have been cancelled.
This is because fantasy football is now to be renamed Real Madrid football given the way that the Spanish giants have been making astounding signings all summer and it is only the start of July.
There may well be more signings to come in to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and there will certainly be a few players making their way out of the club but these are really exciting times for the Madrid fans. Whether you like the thought of some of the world’s greatest players lining up in the same team or you appalled at the money being splashed during an economic crisis, it has been impossible to ignore Real Madrid.
Not Perez But Barcelona Are the Catalyst
There are those who say it started when Florentino Perez swept back into power as Real Madrid president but the real catalyst for this change came outside Madrid, and in the Catalan heart of Barcelona.
For all of Madrid’s position as the premier club in Spain and their early dominance of the European Cup, Barcelona have just had the most successful club season that any Spanish team has ever had and that must really hurt the Madristas. There may have been a bundle of euros splashed this summer so far but that is not going to erase the memory of a 6-2 home thumping by Barcelona, the sight of Carlos Puyol kissing his Catalan captain arms band in the Bernabeu or the joyous scenes at the Camp Nou as the treble winning heroes returned home. All of that must have made the spring and early summer of 2009 the most painful of all seasons for Madrid fans but they will have been heartened by the response undertaken by Perez.
Not since the club were the embodiment of the fascist regime of Franco has the transfer policy of Real Madrid been so integral to their fans hopes and their pre-season buys will have an even wider impact than their poaching of Alfredo di Stefano from under the noses of Barcelona.
That signing was a huge factor in the clubs early dominance of the European Cup and if the new signings can be even half as successful as that era, the money will have been well spent.
Kaka For Real Madrid
Kaka was the first to come on board for a fee and wage packet considerably less than the sum Manchester City were prepared to pay for the Brazilian in January but the prospect of playing for one of the world’s biggest clubs was enough to make up for any deficit in wages.
Kaka likes to profess that he belongs to Jesus but now he belongs to Real Madrid where no doubt he will be paraded all over the world in order to recoup some of his transfer fee in merchandise and gate receipts. This signing alone would have freshened up and revitalised the Madrid attacking options but the eventual capture of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United has given Real, on paper at least, an unstoppable attacking force.
It’s been no secret that Ronaldo and Madrid were destined for each other but like a poor soap opera story line, the twists and turns were dragged out for a period of a few years before enough was enough but both player and club seem happy enough with the outcome. Ronaldo appeared to be delighted with the impending move to Madrid but that didn’t stop him taking a slight detour to Paris, where Ms Hilton performed the welcoming committee for the Portuguese starlet.
The money that went to Manchester United for the winger was expected to be reinvested in a number of players, with Karim Benzema from Lyon at the top of their hit list. Just like the little boy who has been given so much by his parents but still wants his friend’s toy, Madrid thought they can’t stand by and let that happen and decided to take Benzema as well.
Three of the most exciting attacking players in Europe in recent years will all be wearing the world famous white of Real Madrid this season as the club attempts to wrestle back what they believe to be their rightful property.
Defender on Board Too
The Galactico approach is not new with the previous reign of Perez having a similar approach but the signing of Raul Albiol, a 15m euros centre half purchased from Valencia may help to tighten the team up at the back. There doesn’t appear to be any doubt that Real Madrid will be able to nick a goal or two but most successful teams have a strong defence to rely upon and this is what Real Madrid will need to ensure they do. They may have lost Cannavaro back to Juventus but in goals, they have one of the most impressive goalkeepers of the modern era.
Due to the fact that he has been a stalwart at the club in the last decade, it can be easy to overlook the performances of Iker Casillas. Captain of the Spanish side who finally lived up to their potential and took home the European Championships, Casillas will ensure that Real Madrid do not have to spend any money on a goalkeeper. Even if they wanted to spend a lot of money, it’s hard to think of a better goalkeeper they would be able to obtain than the one they currently own. If they can put together a reliable back four in front of him, Madrid are going to be a massive favourite to sweep all in front of them this season.
Football Fans Are The Winners
After winning an unprecedented treble, Barcelona players may have been liable to fall to complacency this season because where do you go after winning three major trophies. Yes, they have the European Super Cup and World Club Championships to go for but in the greater scheme of things, they are mere trinkets when compared to the domestic double and the Champions League.
The massive spending by Real Madrid may just be enough to spark an extra level of fight and spirit into the Barcelona team and the real winners are going to be the football fans who watch La Liga and the Champions League.
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
