All the major leagues have concluded, Titles have been won, we've seen winners, we've seen losers. We've seen new champions (congrats to Montpellier and Manchester City), and we have witnessed the return of former greats to power (Real Madrid, Dortmund and Juventus back after lengthy spells from power)... and relatively new champions get back to winning ways. Am talking about Borussia Dortmund of Germany. They used to be huge back in the 90's. I know, I've mentioned them twice, eh? I'll explain why in a few. But congratulations to all champions.
I'll start with the French. Montpellier. They've been doing really well for themselves lately. They had some worthy competition in the name of Lille and PSG, and could have lost it too if the former hadn't gone one to sell the stars that took them to the title victory in 2010-2011. Marseille.. I wont even talk about them. thay started so bright. Lyon just keep outdoing their record of doing bad... Anyway, Lille went on to sell Gervinho to Arsenal, who didn't really flourish there. Then in January they sold Musa Sow. For those who don't know, he was top scorer in the 2010-2011 and was also the leading goalscorer before he was sold off to Fernabahce in the January transfer window. Am not sure how he is faring there now, I don't follow the Turkish league. And now they want to sell their most prized asset, Eden Hazard. And the kid is now so absorbed in this limelight shone on him. I hope he fails really... proud kid. Anyway, back to Montpellier... they did themselves good and held on to their stars but only time can really tell whether they will keep them any longer, especially with Premier League clubs looking hungrily at their stars(Giroud, Belhanda and captain, Yanga-Mbiwa).
The Italian connection: Juventus have won the title for the first time since 2006, and that last time they did, they were stripped of the title and another they had won the previous year, relegated to Serie-B and deducted 9 points due to a match fixing scandal they were involved in then. They were promoted back into Serie-A the following season... strong team this, though they couldn't really get back up there, especially having sold off some of their stronger players(Ibrahimovic and Vieira). They are Serie-A champions now, and did it in outstanding fashion having sealed it unbeaten. They had a relatively young team, but they also had their veterans to thank for the experience. Alessandro Del Piero, Buffon, Chiellini just to name a few... and the midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo. Del Piero won't be playing with them next season though as the club think he is too old for them now. he played an emotional last game for them. But you can see why for Juve, it was so important to win this title. AC Milan and Inter have had 'up and down' seasons, it was only right for Juve to win, but I think the Italian giants are back in it next season. And so are Napoli and Lazio. Interesting, eh? I know
Borussia Dortmund: Remember the days of 'Football Mundial' back in the 90's? The German show that was centered the Bundesliga... Yeah? No? Well, that was when I got to know of Dortmund. I really didnt know jack about football then, all I know is they were great to have been featured on almost every episode then. At some point I think they got relegated, then Bayern took the spotlight for a while, but then got back their form and have been trying to clinch the title for the past few years, and voila!! They have now won it twice in a row. They have some really talented young players too, and all of European football's greats will be looking to tempt them away with some great offers. Shinji Kagawa, Mario Goetze, Subotic just to name a few... are some the young players who could be snapped up by these hungry European giants.
Spanish La Liga: These guys are the current legends of soccer. I can't even discuss them because everything has been said already. But i wouldn't be doing justice to the legends in that field wither... if I dont mention how Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are tearing up the record sheets there. Cristiano Ronaldo is class, skill, pace, and goal scoring machine put together in one human being. The guy has scored 60 goals this season, 46 in La Liga. WHO DOES THAT????
Enter Leo Messi...and then we talk of a super human. 72 goals... dont forget he still hasn't played the King's Cup final, so there is space to add on to those. Last season, he, and Ronaldo broke the record for most La Liga goals in a season. Then this season, they shatter their own records?
These are the undisputed footie-gods, and they deserve a tip of the hat. They make our football watching experience different.
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