BOF Posted May 18, 2010 Moderator Share Posted May 18, 2010 What the Premier League era has done is made Premier League teams so rich that the better foreign players couldn't resist the allure. Up to that point, barring a few exceptions, British players stayed in Britain and Europeans stayed in Europe, with the better ones gravitating towards the Réals and Bayerns. But as The_Rev says, given the success of British clubs in Europe, that makes their players just as 'top' as the Europeans, if not in prestige certainly in ability. And as I've said earlier, Réal are the original Chelsea, being bankrolled by their own government so they could 'represent' Spain internationally. It's also just plain wrong to say that "it's only in the last 10-15 years that United have become a global name". Sorry but that's a ridiculous comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWeedMcGrass Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 What the Premier League era has done is made Premier League teams so rich that the better foreign players couldn't resist the allure. Up to that point, barring a few exceptions, British players stayed in Britain and Europeans stayed in Europe, with the better ones gravitating towards the Réals and Bayerns. But as The_Rev says, given the success of British clubs in Europe, that makes their players just as 'top' as the Europeans, if not in prestige certainly in ability. And as I've said earlier, Réal are the original Chelsea, being bankrolled by their own government so they could 'represent' Spain internationally. It's also just plain wrong to say that "it's only in the last 10-15 years that United have become a global name". Sorry but that's a ridiculous comment. I am sorry , but how so? United were hardly a global name back then. Real Madrid had always been a massive name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 El Beatle anybody? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWeedMcGrass Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Like I said , Liverpool are the exception. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWeedMcGrass Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 I thought the Beatles reference was for Liverpool? :? Communication failure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Dogg Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 I thought the Beatles reference was for Liverpool? :? Communication failure George Best reference I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Well, it wasn't. El Beatle is (famously) the nickname George Best was given by the Portugese press after the 1968 European cup final. English football was very fashionable back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted May 18, 2010 Moderator Share Posted May 18, 2010 I am sorry , but how so? United were hardly a global name back then. Real Madrid had always been a massive name. United were a global name back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWeedMcGrass Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 I am sorry , but how so? United were hardly a global name back then. Real Madrid had always been a massive name. United were a global name back then. SKY/ESPN-STAR did not have a presence in Asia back then. Thats more than half of united's 'global' fanbase. Unless you consider the Great Britain, Ireland and a couple of Scandinavian countries as 'global', in which case I concur , United were a global name back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 But then all you are doing is arguing that Real Madrid were a bigger name in countries that Spain/Portugal spent three hundred years colonising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Real madrid is the biggest club in the world and has been for 60 years. They have consistently won trophies, have an amazing stadium and teh museum is just amazing. Also the who's who of great players to play for teh club is amazing. Not one team in the world comes even close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWeedMcGrass Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 But then all you are doing is arguing that Real Madrid were a bigger name in countries that Spain/Portugal spent three hundred years colonising. Lets put it this way , how many FIFA wpoy and Ballon d'or winners have been English? Now you will say they are biased against the English :winkold: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted May 18, 2010 Moderator Share Posted May 18, 2010 This discussion is changing slightly. No-one ever said Utd were as big or bigger than Real. My only point was that United have been global for more than 15 years. Mine begins and ends there. I have no argument with RM being the biggest club on the planet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Nope, but I will point out you are moving the point of the argument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 To be fair, I'm sure some South American clubs rival Madrid and Manure in terms of fanbase. The Brazilian League will be **** huge in 10-20 years, mark my words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 To be fair, I'm sure some South American clubs rival Madrid and Manure in terms of fanbase. The Brazilian League will be **** huge in 10-20 years, mark my words. I tend to agree as Flamengo have a huge fan base in Brazil and Japan. To me biggest 5 teams are 1. Real Madrid 2.Boca Juniors 3.Flamengo 4.Man United 5. River Plate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWeedMcGrass Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Nope, but I will point out you are moving the point of the argument. I guess it has got lost in translation. So what we all agree upon is that RM is a bigger brand than Utd and can attract any top player from any club. Let us leave it at that. 1. Real Madrid 2.Boca Juniors 3.Flamengo 4.Man United 5. River Plate River fans will have something to say about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 I knew more about Boca Juniors and River Plate than I did about Leeds when I was a kid. Know idea why the **** that was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Rev Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Nope, but I will point out you are moving the point of the argument. I guess it has got lost in translation. So what we all agree upon is that RM is a bigger brand than Utd and can attract any top player from any club. Let us leave it at that. 1. Real Madrid 2.Boca Juniors 3.Flamengo 4.Man United 5. River Plate River fans will have something to say about that. Lets have a five page debate about it! (and please dont put words into my mouth about Real Madrid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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