aiight so im a new fan to the game, but not very knowledgeable so bare with me. on paper, would Real Madrid be considered better than almost all world cup teams? for example they have: Ziddane - many consider the best in the world Ronaldo - possibly best striker in the game Figo - at one time Portugals best player, yes? Raul - spains best player Roberto Carlos - one of brasils best players Bekham etc once again, on paper, if you put that lineup against a world cup team (germany, france, argentina etc) would real madrid be the better team? now you can respond telling me that i have no bloody clue what i'm talking about...and you'd be right. haha. which is why i'm asking you guys. set me straight its just from a casual fans standpoint, the team seems unbelievably stacked with a few countries best players
well the front six (i'm including roberto carlos) are amazing but, to put it mildly, the back four leave A LOT to be desired - there's not enough bite on this team to compete (hypothetically) for international honors
Well I`m not putting myself forward as an expert but I think it is possible for certain club teams to be better than the top national teams. The example you give in Real Madrid is not a good one though. A national team is limited in who they can choose, so England not having any left-sided midfielders make them weak there with nothing they can really do about it. A wealthy enough club side could buy in a player of the required quality. Real though have neglected their defence so ruin this advantage, whilst France, Italy, Spain, Brazil and Argentina do have a choice of quality players in every position so are not weaker for it.
Club teams have a huge advantage in that they always play and practice together. I think for example Argentina's national team has much more talent than Boca Juniors, but if they play right now on short notice, Boca surely would kick their ass.
Anyone less than 1000 posts is not an expert...except me Then again I support Hertha . O well, at least I'm dedicated, which counts for something right?
Real Madrid is a bad example becasue their defense lacked quality.... they are not a completed package. Their central defenders and defensive midfielders are not up the standard of the top NT can provide. But if you look at the AC Milan team of the late 1980's. They are probably better than most NT of their generation. The Dutch team of the late 1980's was probably the best offensive unit of their generation. AC Milan signed the core of that team. Italy was probably the best defensive unit of that era. AC Milan got the core of that team. I actually believe many club teams are better than most NTs.... the club teams can select players through money..... the NT cannot!!!
I would say the likes of Milan, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus would all be more than a match for the best national teams. People point to the poor defence and midfield of Real, but going into the World Cup exactly the same criticisms were levelled at Brazil and they won the trophy. Aside from Lucio, Brazil possessed no top level central defensive players at the World Cup (remember Emerson was injured) and they also had a poor GK. At least Real have Casillas.