In today’s consumer-driven society we are exposed to the constant exchange of money, goods and services. One minute we are buying vegetables in a grocery store, the next we sit in a restaurant and enjoy a meal. We are able to buy a small thing such as a pencil or a huge thing such as a yacht. Nothing ever seems out of reach, nothing is impossible: as long as you have money.
Interestingly, it seems that in the footballing world money equals success; or at least the clubs think so. Let’s go back in time…
In 2000, the Galácticos Era began at Real Madrid. The newly elected president Florentino Pérez vowed to bring together the world’s greatest superstars in order to create a super team. He brought in Luis Figo for $63 million, Zinedine Zidane for $75 million, Ronaldo for $49 million and David Beckham for $42 million. From 2000 to 2006 Real Madrid spent a total of $230 million on its galacticos. After six years, six different managers and many millions later, all they had to show for were two major trophies (2002 Champions League, 2003 La Liga).
In 2003 Roman Abramovich became the owner of Chelsea F.C. after buying the club for around $228 million. After buying the club, Abramovich spent around $163 million in the transfer market. He brought in Damien Duff, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole and Claude Makélélé. Mr. Abramovich believed that his squad was good enough to be the Premier League champion. He was wrong. In the 2003-04 season Chelsea failed to win any major titles, which caused Claudio Ranieri to be sacked as Chelsea’s manager.
Fast forward to this year…
Real Madrid is at it again. Florentino Pérez is back for another term as Real’s president and he is bringing a fat checkbook and plenty of ink. Cristiano Ronaldo cost them $132 million shattering Zidane’s record transfer fee by a shocking $25 million, Kaká cost $92 million, Karim Benzema was worth $50 million, Xabi Alonso was another $50 million and Raul Albiol cost $21 million. That brings the total to a whopping $345 million.
As for its British counterpart, it is Manchester City who is doing the big spending these days. The once modest club is under new management (do you see a pattern forming here?) and they have gone on a spending spree. Top Premier League players such as Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Touré and Carlos Tévez have joined Manchester City for around $163 million total.
Will Real Madrid and Manchester City reach glory this season? Only time will tell, however, as we have seen here, money does not always guarantee success.
P.S. – Looking Ahead to Barcelona vs. Manchester City
It will be very interesting to see Manchester City in action this Wednesday against Barcelona in the Trofeu Joan Gamper. This game could be a great stage for Man City to show off its new signings and to give us a glimpse of what we can expect to see the rest of the season. According to reports, the Camp Nou will be full of fans, as tickets have been selling fast. The Citizens can expect a formidable test against the best team in the world right now, and the really scary thing is that Ibrahimovic and Messi will be fit and ready to play…
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