The Champions League is the greatest competition there is. Sure, the WC is still the highest team honor for a player b/c it's for your country. But we're judging individual greatness. Messi has dominated the CL. There's no reason for him to prove his greatness by winning the WC. Not all great players get to participate in the WC either FYI. Cristiano has never advanced very far in the WC. Is he worse than a player like Ozil? or Xavi? Messi is already the greatest now, but he has 5-6 more years to further cement that legacy.
Barca apparently signing Schalke's Leroy Sanè to a 6yr contract (scouting video below for the Barca brehs). Can play as forward or winger. His combination of athleticism and ball technique is huge, one of Europe's biggest talents. Has to improve passing and more basic skills though and is still inexperienced. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qbm6pORwdAM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Next thing: Kevin De Bruyne's agent said they already agreed to signing with Bayern last season, but Bayern didn't want to pay more than 50mil transfer sum and dropped out.
Real and Atletico hit with a transfer registration ban til Summer 2017 for violating youth/minor transfer rules.
Barca at least had the advantage of them being the first major case, not sure Real and Atletico can play that 'this comes so sudden and we didn't know about this' card.
Didn't Barca postpone it like to half a year later..... good lord they know how to boost their youth system early Heard Zizou's son Luca Zidane was involved in this
This was our case.. Got banned with 3 transfer sessions. We served winter 2014, winter 2015 and summer 2015. We were allowed to do transfers on summer 2014 because barca was challenging and ban was postponed. Basis for postponing were that we weren't given any warning, the ban came and the immediate transfer window we were banned ( winter 2014) As you know, summer 2014 barca went on a shopping spree and was able to buy and register some crucial players in the upcoming season ( Suarez, Rakitic, Ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo, Mathieu, etc) The difference with the Madrid teams is that they're being allowed to make transfers this winter window but I still expect them to try and emulate what barca did and ask to be allowed to make transfers in the summer.
CR7 has about 2 years left at top level.. we are starting to see the decline already. He's not "naturally talented" as Messi so he relies heavily in his athleticism ( speed, strength, stamina, etc.) Bale would be the real loss, imo.
