The Barcelona squad of 2006 was by no means a one-man-team. Samuel Eto’o and Deco were in terrific form, Lionel Messi was the breakthrough star of the season and Dutch manager Frank Rijkaard had changed the course of the final with his introduction of Henrik Larsson and Juliano Belletti from the bench. They were a team who could score through sustained pressure, a counter-attack, a set-piece or simply just a moment of magic. And that inspiration could come from one of several players in the famous red and blue jersey. But it was apparent to all that Ronaldinho was the standout performer of the team.

He was irresistible all season in the team which also strode to the La Liga crown to seal the double. He captivated the world by playing as if he were no longer bound by the laws of gravity and his change of pace, vast array of passing, flicks and back-heels bamboozled the greatest defences Europe had to offer. Barcelona that season were the embodiment of what Roman Abramovich aspires Chelsea to be - that rare but spectacular harmony between entertainment and trophies. Ronaldinho being acclaimed as the best player in the world became a flagrant statement, and he was on his way to the World Cup in Germany to prove just that.

It was the previous World Cup in 2002 when the dentally challenged Brazilian ‘arrived’ on the international stage with the goal that eliminated England. From then on ‘R10’ as he was dubbed by the Nike marketing department seemed scintillatingly unstoppable. His nation went on to win the 2002 World Cup in Tokyo and he returned to find Manchester United and Barcelona vying for his signature. He became a regular on Soccer AM’s showboat whilst accumulating further winners’ medals as he entered the golden phase of his career at the Camp Nou. 

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On the surface, the Premier League has never been more bullish, never so possessed of skillful footballers. Where once, players such as Torres, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Drogba et al would be compelled to move to Italy (or, latterly, Spain) to compete at the highest level, now the general preference is England. A dozen years ago the Premier League could only hope to attract top players in the twilight of their careers, but today, many of the world’s leading talents spend their best years in Blighty.

So great is the pull of the Premer League pound that even the inferior weather can’t keep them away. And because of its global attraction, English football has become seriously big business.

But what price, if any, are we paying for this cosmetic and commercial success? Is the Premier League at risk of becoming the plaything of a ‘scoreumvirate’ of business tycoons who might down tools and move on as abruptly as they entered the fray, leaving vast debt in their wake?

The sports pages have been dominated this season by the ‘business’ of football. Comment on the beautiful game has made way in part for boardroom battles that wouldn’t be out of place in the script of ‘Dynasty’.

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Arsène Wenger’s side have often been lamented for their desire to ‘walk the ball’ into the net and, apart from Emmanuel Adebayor, no player has reached double figures for league goals.

With only two wins in their last thirteen matches, Arsenal’s season imploded in just two months. Their failure to finish off games when ahead or make an early breakthrough against weaker opposition proved critical in their failure to secure any silverware.

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Mid-table prosperity in La Liga, two Copa del Rey finals in consecutive seasons and a memorable run in their inaugural European campaign have ensured the Getafe history books need an instant rewrite. It has been the most successful period ever for this suburban club.

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A summer move appears probable. Amelia may be contracted to Livorno until 2011, but his discontentment at the club’s precarious position in the table - just a season after participating in the Uefa Cup - and dislike of President Aldo Spinelli, with whom he had a row, ascertains that a transfer is seemingly inevitable.

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Footballing World runs through the potential path to the final in Moscow.

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The German disregards the media with contempt, is utterly single-minded and could not deliver the prize he was ordered to win, the Champions League.

Schuster does offer a far more exciting style of football than Mourinho ever did at Stamford Bridge or Fabio Capello managed before him at the Bernabéu, but there is no indication that his own brand is any more effective.

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Real seemed destined to make it two La Liga titles on the spin after a fantastic first half of the season that saw them go nine points clear, along with a 100% home record, over a disjointed and squabbling Barcelona. Few believed Frank Rijkaard would hold onto his job and quarrels were dominating the scene at the Camp Nou.

Yet how things have changed in such a short period, and the smart money is now on the Catalan outfit reclaiming their 2006 crown.

An eight point lead two weeks ago has disintegrated into just two, Real have lost four of their last five games in all competitions, and Barcelona, to rub it in, are finally starting to find form after a disastrous few months.

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He was left in tears and the early prognosis indicates that an untimely retirement may be on the cards, “I don’t want to say it’s the end of his career because only time can decide - all we can do is stand by him,” said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Only hours before the encounter, Ancelotti was insistent that Ronaldo would not be forced into retiring at the end of the season due to ongoing problems with his fitness. He has played just nineteen times in a year but looked in good form when on the field, building up hopes that he would again live up to his Il Fenomeno tag. At Inter, Ronaldo endured two serious injuries to his right knee - both of which almost finished his playing career – and he has now suffered a third, though this time to his left knee. It might be the final blow.

A club statement read, “AC Milan communicate that after the first checks made at the Galeazzi hospital in Milan to the player Ronaldo, a rupture to his kneecap ligament was found in his left knee.” General manager Adriano Galliani added, “To see him cry like that, it affects those who are on the pitch and the directors. It was a terrible feeling.” It means at least a year on the sidelines, but many spectators at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza believe it could be the last time he dons the red and black, and indeed perhaps any football shirt.

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Bernd Schuster, like all Real Madrid coaches before him, has endured plenty of criticism but the weekend’s 7-0 thumping of Valladolid and the opening up of an eight-point gap at the summit looks to have finally quietened his detractors.

It’s exciting football, and it’s winning football - exactly what Schuster was told to bring to the Bernabéu upon his arrival from Getafe after the dullness of Fabio Capello’s second one-year reign, albeit apart from a crazy last couple of months in which Real stunningly stole the title.

Real are averaging three goals a game at home and have totalled 53 goals in just 23 matches. The home faithful were left disillusioned by the lack of fortress the Bernabéu was proving under Capello but eleven victories from eleven matches in the capital this season have left the supporters without complaint. And while three defeats on the road have threatened to derail their title charge, victory at the Camp Nou provided the evidence that their Catalan rivals would be truly usurped this time around. The 1-0 win presented Real with an invaluable psychological advantage, one that has helped instigate Barcelona’s drop in form over recent weeks, opening up a potentially decisive gap at the top of La Liga.

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