Any team. Any time. Any place. | burgundy's Blog

There is no team, anywhere, right now that is as focused and determined as Real Madrid.

Soccer fashionistas argue that Manchester United, Barcelona and Inter are the leading teams in Europe but after what Madrid did today to Betis there should remain no doubt who is the predominant club in the world. 6-1. At halftime.

Is Betis a worthy adversary? Ask the Barcelona team that could only manage a draw last week. Scores are easy indicators of success but if one looked at the game aside from the scoring, Real Madrid played without hesitation. There is a cohesion on this club, right now, that no other club has.

Leadership, first and foremost, is evident in number '7' at every instance. I make no apologies for my unabashed devotion to the greatness thatis Raul Gonzalez. Simply put, he is the personification of professional soccer grit. He is to be feared at every moment. He is a legend in his prime. Let others decide whether or not he merits national team consideration. Right here, right now, he is exactly what this club is about.

Come back to this post in two years, in 2011, when, if Raul has retired, you will still be able to see the same dedication on the faces of Higuain and Huntelaar.

You saw that dedication everywhere on the field today. Sergio Ramos was brilliant. Fernando Gago was a stalwart in midfield alongside the relentless Lassana Diarra. Marcelo continues to demonstrate a gift for soccer beyond his years.

That backline is peerless and in a league with both Sevilla and Barcelona that is saying something truly brash. I don't care. Sergio, Pepe, Cannavaro and Heinze are a united front against any attack. If one is lucky enough or skilled enough to beat them they had better have the chops to best the #1 netminder in the world right now, Iker Casillas.

Then of course, there is the presence on the sideline. I love it that no one considered Juande Ramos as a great coach even while he was elevating Sevilla to UEFA glory. They do now.

Rankings, records, goals, percentages are all well and good but there is something truly great when a fan, just a normal fan, realizes that what they are seeing is greatness.

Real Madrid is, today and just like they always have been, the best team in the world.

Any team. Any time. Any place. Come get some.

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February 25, 2009 11:14 AM ET

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'Legend in his prime' that was 5 years ago. Raul isn't what he used to be. OK, so they won a game in impressive fashion, big deal. I've seen Burnley beat Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham this season in good performances, are they the best team in the world?

Let alone that they are still 7 points behind barca. Or that Barca have +51 goal difference, best in La liga which I guess says they have the best combo of attack and defense in the league right? Isn't that cohesion?

I will give you some credit. Sergio Ramos is a beast, Huntelaar knows where to put the ball and Robben when his is fit might be the best winger in the world. However, Juande Ramos a great coach? When he was sacked by SPURS? I don't think so.

Yes it might be subjective column, but when I've seen Man U go 14 matches without conceding a goal, I think thats good defense. When I see Giggs and Scholes still lighting it up in their mid 30s I think they are imperious and when I see Michael Carrick pick teams apart with his passing and Rooney and Ronaldo use speed, power and skill to beat anyone in front of them I see Manchester United, Not Real Madrid as the best team in the world.