El Classico Decider

The Spanish Classico is always eagerly awaited (especially by GOLTV, which dedicates three hours of pre-game coverage), nevertheless, tomorrow's game is possibly the most anticipated classico in recent years. Only eight games away from the season's conclusion, Barcelona trails Real by a whopping one goal difference. Perhaps more importantly to the neutral fan, Ronaldo and Messi will duel once again, both at the top of their form, and both hoping to maintain the kind of rhythm that will allow them to etch their name into world cup folklore just sixty-two days from tomorrow.

Although Real are the current La Liga leaders, few will argue that Barcelona is playing the more effective football, and has only recently hit it's stride, leaving a trail of carnage wherever they play. Messi alone has tallied an amazing fifteen goals in six games. Tuesday's humiliation of Arsenal was the most recent reminder of the Pulga's present form. Andres Iniesta's return is also a big boost to the team, especially since Ibrahimovic has been ruled out with a pulled leg muscle.

While not playing at the same level as Barcelona, Real has good reason to be confident about tomorrow's game. Apart from succumbing to Lyon in the Champion's League, the Royal Whites have been cruising in the league, and the team is showing signs that it can be a well oiled machine under the tutelage of Pellegrini. Ironically, as the team is progressing, so have the rumors of Pellegrini's dismissal and subsequent replacement by a more demonstrative manager. Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez have both been linked with the position, and neither of them has been reticent about the desire to move to greener ($) pastures.

Barcelona's Champions League success could also be an added benefit to Real. While clearly jealous of their rival's European accomplishments, and quietly praying that Puyol won't be lifting the Champion's trophy for a second successive season at the Bernabeu, Real is well aware that Barcelona's fatiguing schedule may be a determining factor in the former's success.

Of course, one mustn't overlook the Ronaldo factor. The Portuguese wonder boy's arrogance could also play a role in the game's outcome. With all the recent praise Messi has been lavished with, little attention has been placed on the former FIFA player of the year. One can be sure that Ronaldo will fight to the death - and throw a few tantrums - in order to get the spotlight firmly place on him, and to put him back into player of the year contention.

All things considered, tomorrow's game is, in theory, one for the ages. And if previous clashes between these two titans are of any indication, this classico will live up to the bill. From a neutral's perspective, picking a winner is a daunting task, but few would bet against the Blaugranas. My money is on Barcelona since there's nothing else Guardiola and co. would rather do than beat real in their stadium, just a few weeks before they further rub salt into Los Blancos' wounds by lifting the Champions League trophy.

World's Best Player Debate

Besides proving that Arsenal's "beautiful" football is no match for Barcelona's beautiful football, yesterday's thrashing of Arsenal at the hands of Barcelona, has once again brought the world player of the year debate to the forefront of football's discussion forums. Needless to say, Messi's majisterial performance yesterday has reinforced the fast-growing belief that he is head-and-shoulders above any other player on the planet (based on today's soccer websites, most pundits seem to agree). Still, before anointing Messi, one aught to consider certain factors.

Although Messi deserves many accolades this year, pronouncing him (or any other player) the best player in the word, is a little silly. Many players do make an evident beneficial impact on their teams, and Messi undoubtedly makes the difference at Barcelona, since the team is not the same without him. Nevertheless, he is surrounded by an incredible team, made up of some of the best players in their respective positions. Furthermore, Messi has developed at Barcelona, and has always played for the club. He has trained within a system for years - perhaps the most important being
his formative years - and currently plays within that same system. Simply put, Messi is, and has been, navigating in a very comfortable environment that he is more than familiar with.

If we must continue to laurel a best player then we should consider players who have transitioned from one team to another, and examine their adaptation to the teams, as well as the leagues. Thus, if we are going to bestow such an honor on a player, i still believe Ronaldo is at the top. He was the catalyst at Manchester United when he was there, easily overshadowing Rooney. And since his departure, the team, while performing well, has dropped a gear or two (they relied on him too much, and now the same can be said about their reliance on Rooney, lest we forget what Chelsea did at Old Trafford this past weekend). Additionally, Ronaldo's adaptation to Real Madrid is nothing short of amazing. He has scored almost one quarter of the team's goals, and the team relies heavily on his performances. Perhaps it bears reminding that some of the world's greatest players have had a lot of trouble not only adapting to a new league, but Real Madrid in particular. In the 90's, after taking Juventus by storm, Michael Laudrup found it difficult to find an immediate comfort zone at Barcelona, although he made a seamless transition to Madrid. Furthermore, Zinedine Zidane, who coincidentally also made his move from La Vecchia Signora, was the target of various critics who believed his price tag made a long adaptation to the Spanish League unacceptable (when he went on to become the team's puppet master, those same critics developed a fitting case of selective amnesia).

Moreover, isn't it about time that defenders are afforded the same recognition as midfielders and forwards? Since 2000, only Oliver Khan and Fabio Cannavaro have been among the top three contenders (Cannavaro having won the award in 2006, after Italy won the world cup). There are currently a hand-full of defenders that are as important to their teams as Messi and Ronaldo are to Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. Although Wesley Sneijder has been key to Inter's new found fluidity, Lucio has been fundamental to the team's once porous defence. Chelsea is also not the same team without Terry and Carvalho - possibly the best defensive duo in Europe.

Ultimately, as much as the world player of the year award glamorizes players, and is of enormous economic value to the game, world football should focus more on the team of the year, rather than just one player (at least for the sake of defenders' emotional well-being). It is the team that allows Barcelona to play such wonderful football, after all. Dare i end this column by reluctantly regurgitating the old adage: "there is no "I" in team?