A Champions League record or vanity metric?
What Real Madrid’s victory means in the wider scheme
Real Madrid just marched to their 13th European title. But was this giant step for a club really a step forward for football? The answer is apparent when we balance what is counted vs. what really counts.
To be clear, this is not a “sore loser” themed article. Nor is it a case of “sour grapes”. I had no vested interest in the final. I don’t have anything against or in favor of either finalist. Also, to be honest, the better team, on the day and in the competition, won. No question.
Counting what can be measured
Real Madrid are statistically the greatest club in European history, and by some margin. They have won the European Cup more times than their next two closest challengers combined. They oscillate between #1 and #2 in riches and have the services of a Ballon d’Or regular, the most bankable star ever and more pertinently, the all-time record Champions League goal scorer.
With 60% win rate (game to win ratio) and 2.2 goals per game, they have the best record, albeit marginally ahead of Barcelona
There is no competition from any angle, except ironically, from their 50s and 60s vintage, who won the trophy 5 times in a row.
Measuring what really counts
There is little point regurgitating statistics. They only tell one story and very conclusively.
But are statistics the only true measure of greatness? They are important, undoubtedly so, but then, football is as much about the heart, the spectacle, and, as I’ve written earlier, about paradigms.
Last two records
Let us look at the last two records Real Madrid passed enroute to this victory. The first one was last year, when they became the first team to win back-to-back titles since the great AC Milan sides of the late 80s. That was a 27 year old record.
By winning their third title in a row, Real are now the first team to do that since Bayern in 1976. That is a 42 year record. However, even more memorable than Bayern was the preceding Ajax side, powered by Johann Cruyff, who won their three titles between 1971–73 with such style that it is remembered even today, 45 years to date.
What is the difference? Ajax stylish three-peat is celebrated well over a generation later. AC Milan’s golden generation, while now in retirement, still remain the benchmark for defence and tactical mastery.
Returning to the 21st century, arguably even Barcelona’s triumphs between 2009–2015 have set a higher standard of football compared to Real. Ok, there is some concession here. Messi, Iniesta, Xavi are once a life-time talents. However, to his credit, time and again, Ronaldo has proven for Real why he considered a legend. So in terms of individuals, there is maybe some equivalence. But in terms of style, there is none.
Taking the other perspective for a moment, a hallmark of great teams is their ability to eke out victory in all circumstances. To be fair, many other great sides have also been able to achieve victory by playing “ugly” (i.e. fair but not beautiful football). Real Madrid certainly tick this box - playing winning but unspectacular football.
What counts more?
In the final analysis, after all the statistics and ability to grunt it out on all occasions is accounted for, there is still a gap.
Football is an art, like dancing is an art — but only when it’s well done does it become an art — Arsene Wenger
Real won 5 trophies in a row in the 50s and 60s. Yet, Inter stole the headlines in that decade for introducing catennecio. Real have broken the record of two great 70s sides but Bayern and Ajax (more so) still capture people’s hearts well over a generation later. AC Milan, a sad shadow of their past, are still legendary for their feats accomplished nearly 30 years ago.
Real’s 3-peat is probably going to be remembered just like their 5 consecutive victories — as a towering statistic which adorns books but not many people’s memories.
What really counts in football is style. Casual observers are quick to point to statistics. True football fans remember teams that introduced beautiful styles and innovative paradigms — and of course who also won as a result.
The lasting contribution to football is not the trophy count. It is how many future generations of fans, players and teams, that great sides inspire.
We still have to come up with a suitable metric to measure that. For the moment, let us call it the number of hearts that are won. Any other estimate of success is merely a vanity metric. ♥
