Real Madrid against Barcelona is generally cited as a classic football match, an ideal spectacle for the neutral. But that’s changed this season. Why? That’s easy, Jose Mourinho. Jose’s a top class coach, no one could doubt that, but he really has no interest in nice football.
That’s why it’s so enjoyable to see Barca beat their greatest rivals to progress to the Champions League final. Real may have put one over them in the Copa Del Rey final but the last laugh looks to be Barca’s as they are set to win La Liga and will be strong favourites to do the double with the Champions League.
There has seldom been a team more deserving of winning these trophies than Barca. Their current team is arguably the greatest team of all time. I realise this is a hugely contentious point but I think it stands up to inspection.
They’ve won everything. I mean really, everything. Pep Guardiola has become the first ever manager to win all six trophies his team played in in one calender year. In Lionel Messi they’ve got one of the best players the world has ever seen. Only true greats like Maradone, Best or Giggs could match Messi in terms of his ability to dribble past players.
Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Pique, Abidal, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro, Villa.
Every one of these players is a contender to be the best player in their position in the world. They’re the only team who could honestly say that.
So let’s celebrate Barcelona. Let’s celebrate Lionel Messi and co. But let’s condemn Real Madrid. Let’s condemn Jose Mourinho. This match is about beautiful football and creating a great spectacle. Neutrals should rave about this game. We were just lucky that in one of the matches Messi scored a true wondergoal.
And let’s simply rejoice that Eric Abidal made his comeback from cancer tonight, a beautiful moment that no one with a heart could not enjoy. His team mates raised him above their heads at the end of the match, a touching tribute.
Eric Abidal
Mumblings And Ramblings 