"It will be Real or nothing."

The new generation of the Real Madrid "Galacticos" is upon us my friends if we're ready for it or not. Bayern Munich star, Franck Ribery, 26, has gave his club the big middle finger and is expressing his wishes to leave his German club to any press that will listen saying,

"It will be Real or nothing."

Bayern has been very clear in their admiration and intent to keep their star player, but since the £30million has been thrown down and Ribery has expressed firm wishes that he does NOT want to be in Germany anymore, Bayern officials are in a bind.

But let's talk to a couple of seconds about this new hording of the worlds greatest players. (I can say that because I'm a Manchester United fan and I know all about hording the worlds greatest players.) So far this transfer window, Real Madrid has picked up Raul Albiol, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzem (speculated). And though statistics are kind of a crock, let's throw down some numbers in favour. These are numers *IF Real acquires Benzem and Ribery

Goals: All players have a total of 82 combined goals in all competition for the 2008-09 season.
1 Two-Time French player of the year. German Player of the Year ('08)
1 Ligue 1 Top Goalscorer, Ligue
1 Player of the Year (07-08)
1 World Cup Winner, Two-Time Confederations Cup Winner,
2 FIFA World Player's of the Year 1 EPL Golden Boot
2 FIFApro Player's of the Year ...
...And there's more but let's just call it even and say *SIGH* all at once, in unison.

Here's how I will relate to the players flocking to Real in my own little way, and why I think it's not necessarily best idea... (I feel like since this is my blog, and I like to tell stories about myself, I can Damn it! If you have no interest, skip the next three paragraphs.)

I was in band all through out high school. Our directors had a certain way of placing kids in the band so as there would be no bias when auditioning. Because of an error in the grading, ( and just so everyone knows, the grading was done by a third-party and it was PROVEN that there was an error... I can't tell you how many times I had to explain that to people.) I was placed in a lower band. When I asked what the deal was, I was told about the error and since they (say) they couldn't change the entire setting of the flute section, I could either take last chair in the higher band, or first chair in the lower band.

After a lot of thought, I decided to take first chair in the lower band. That year, I got all the solo's, I got a 1 (one) in UIL competition, the highest rating, I got band player of the year and I received a plaque and my name was placed on a plaque that is still in the school today.

The point to all of this is, had I gone to the higher band, whether I deserved to be there or not, my talents at the time would not have been seen to their full extent and I would have been lost in a crowd. I probably would have had a good time, but I would not have received the recognition that I did in the lower band... Is this anything like playing for the world famous Real Madrid? Yes and no. The band I was in was still a good band that played great music, a great director, and people who liked to listen to us play, just like Bayern Munich. While you can have the excitement of playing for the upper band, Real, is it really something that will make you happy in the long run.... I don't know. Ask Michael Owen about that.

For now, let's just wait and see if this new influx of players, and possible players, gel together like the greatness that was Florentino Perez's Galacticos.