All around the world, when spectators see the "starball" logo and hear "the chaaampioons", instant feelings of giddiness ensue for a Champions League soccer match. For everyone knows, the Champions League pits together the best talents in world soccer and the beautiful game will be played at the highest level. It truly is something to marvel at.
One of the reasons that soccer is such a worldwide phenomenon is the ability to have such an entity as the Champions League. No other sport in the world comes close to how much soccer is played, watched and analyzed. Every season, the struggle to become known as the champion of world club soccer is fought tooth and nail for millions and millions of people to see.
The structure of the champions league is fairly simple; throughout Europe's top leagues in many different countries, the clubs that become champions of their respective league gains a bid to the Champions League. Additionally, certain major leagues in Europe are awarded more places in the Champions League. For example, the English Premier League is awarded four spots in the Champions League for the four best finishers in their domestic league.
When all of this adds up, you have a tournament in which the best and hottest teams in the world play against each other. For teams around Europe, the center of soccer around the globe, winning the Champions League is the highest honor. To win the Champions League, a team must best a field of clubs who are at the peak of their game. Winning the Champions League is a feat that only 22 teams can boast.
Whenever I think about the Champions League as a whole, I always draw comparisons to the March Madness tournament of college basketball. Both events provide opportunities for two things: teams get to play other teams that would normally never play each other and the proclivity for upsets.
Similar to the upsets that undoubtedly happen at every March Madness tournament, the Champions League consistently allows for a team coming from a smaller league to make a run at the final. Additionally, teams from around Europe that would never play each other get to face off on the biggest stage. This allows for spectators to not only view different ways of playing soccer but also how playing styles clash and what works best.
This year, Real Madrid has made the semi-finals and is in prime position to win the competition for the third year in a row. Surely, this will continue to spark the Messi versus Ronaldo debate, but we all know who is the real best player in the world.. (Messi of course).
