This summer Real Madrid and Barcelona engaged once again in their annual game of transfer one-upmanship. I say this after Real spent £71 million in signing James Rodriguez from Monaco following Barcelona’s capture of Luis Suarez in July. In this article I aim to consider where this leaves the power balance in Spain by looking at the attacking players both sides possess. I will give each player a rating out of ten based on their World Cup performances and their contributions at domestic level last season.
Real Madrid
7. Cristiano Ronaldo
There is simply no doubt, Ronaldo has to get the maximum rating. Combining pace and power many believe the Portuguese has finally usurped Lionel Messi as the best player on the planet. In all he scored 51 goals last season, including a late penalty to round off Real’s victory over Atlético in the Champions League final. 2014 also saw his tally of international goals reach 50, cementing his position as A Selecçao’s greatest ever marksman. Although Ronaldo is not as much of a team player as Messi, his goal-scoring, crossing and heading ability make him almost the complete player.
Rating: 10.
8. Toni Kroos
Coming to global attention during Germany’s successful World Cup campaign, Kroos was instrumental as die Nationalmannschaft dismantled Brazil last month. Despite playing for Bayern throughout last season, his move to Real is unsurprising given the competition for places in Munich’s midfield. A tough player, with an eye for a pass, he could well be the long term replacement for Xabi Alonso. Kroos seems to cover an awful lot of ground in each game he plays, which could be crucial as Alonso begins to show signs of age. The young German should prove a shrewd signing.
Rating 8.5
9. Karim Benzema
Maligned by many, he is often seen as an average player who succeeds merely because of those who surround him. These critics have a point, but this contention can only be taken so far. He has scored 20 or more goals in his last four seasons and performed well as a focal point for France at the World Cup. Valbuena and Griezmann shone so brightly thanks in part to Benzema’s hold-up play and distribution. To illustrate his quality, it is worth pausing for a minute and asking how many other out and out strikers there are in Europe at the moment who are clearly better than him. Lewandowski, Costa, Ibrahimovic and Higuain come to mind, but the list isn’t exactly a long one.
Rating 8.5
10. James Rodriguez
The Columbian was the stand out player at the World Cup. Player of the tournament* in most quarters he seemed to embrace the challenge of carrying his nation’s hopes after Radamel Falcao had to withdraw through injury. Last year he had a steady if unspectacular season, but in Brazil he produced one moment that will live long in the memory. In the 28th minute of Columbia’s last 16 tie against Uruguay, he received the ball from Aguilar on his chest, swivelled and smashed a dipping volley over a helpless Muslera. A sea of adoring fans inside the Marcana promptly exploded in delight. I have seen many a great goal in my life, but that one is a personal favourite.
*FIFA baffled the footballing public once again by actually awarding the Golden Ball to Messi.
Rating: 8.5
11. Gareth Bale
Could the Welsh wonder cope with living in the cosmopolitan Spanish capital? A question along these lines was posed by many a journalist following Bale’s transfer last August. The answer, ultimately, was a resounding yes. First, he won the Copa Del Rey for Real with a brilliant solo goal, before his header proved the difference during a nerve-jangling Champions League triumph over Atletico in May. Though I still can’t quite believe it, Bale is now rightly regarded as one of the world’s best players.
Rating 8.5
Total: 44/50
Barcelona
7. Pedro
It is probably fair to suggest that Pedro is the weakest of the players discussed in this blog. Although formerly a key player under Pep Guardiola, he has seen his chances limited in recent years, in part thanks to the emergence of Alexis Sanchez. A pacy winger, with an eye for goal, he has his strengths. Surrounded by more stellar names however, his talents are at best modest. The fact he spent only a handful of minutes on the pitch for Spain in Brazil would indicate that Del Bosque also lost faith in him last year.
Rating: 7.5
8. Andres Iniesta
Dovetailing wonderfully with club mate Xavi as both Barça and Spain hit the heights between 2008-2012, Iniesta is one of the best players in the past decade. A man of many talents, he can play on the wing, as creator-in-chief or in a deeper role. He is the man for every occasion. That said, I have a feeling that his best years could be behind him. Although he was not alone in underperforming for Spain at the World Cup, if Cesc Fabregas puts in a succession of high quality performances at Chelsea this season, Iniesta’s place in La Roja’s line-up could be permanently under threat.
Rating: 8.5
9. Luis Suarez
To call this man controversial would do the word itself a disservice. Three bans for biting at different points in his career rightly leave him with a tainted reputation. Despite this, from a purely footballing perspective, at his best Suarez matches up well with both Messi and Ronaldo. In particular, his free kicks are more consistent than those produced by both the other two superstars. I would wager that his free kicks taken to free kicks scored ratio is one of the best. His desire on the pitch cannot be doubted, but the fact he has received a lengthy ban in each of the last three seasons makes employing him a poisoned chalice. Liverpool charged Dr Steve Peters with helping him to deal with his on-pitch aggression but even this failed.
Rating: 8
10. Lionel Messi
By most people’s standards, scoring 41 goals in a season would be career defining but for the Argentine 2013-14 was below par. Though this says much about the lofty standards that we have come to expect from him, he is still a phenomenal player. In Brazil he broke Iranian hearts with a curling last minute strike which denied the minnows their greatest ever result. Ultimately however, he missed his chance in the final to confirm his status as a World Cup legend. His opportunity to correct this error will come in Russia in four years time.
Rating: 10
11. Neymar
Somewhat in Messi’s shadow last season, he lit up the World Cup as millions of Brazilians clung to the belief that his talent alone would make up for the weaknesses of many of those around him. He was lucky not to be sent off against Croatia, but his importance to Brazil was highlighted by the frenzied reaction that accompanied his injury against Chile. Seemingly certain to be Brazil’s record goal scorer when he retires, he still has much to prove at club level.
Rating: 8.5
Total: 42.5/50
Closing comments
So there we are. Real edge it by the finest of margins. Having a wonderful coach like Carlo Ancelotti could just prove the difference. So too could the weight of the Los Blancos’ squad which will surely lift some of the burden from the shoulder’s of the current ‘Galácticos’. That’s what I think, would you disagree?
Dan Brimson 