JamDav1982
Senior Member
Forget about evaluating whether fans and media consider CL or domestic league, Ballon d' or itself is very much flawed. The fact that these voters don't watch full games or even consider in-game stats, basically just vaguely rounding up goals and assists, where Ronaldo and Messi often triumph in these stats. It's no surprise that a less pupular candidate Sneijder would get snubbed. They then see whether who won the CL between Ronaldo and Messi and often vote for the one who won it. A headline picture with Ronaldo holding the trophy or winning an important international match would be powerful enough to throw off any voter's thought of placing others as first in their top 3 contenders. Ribery shud have won the one in 2013 because of the CL, but again Ronaldo got it bcos he was top scorer and an international hero. The Ballon shud nvr be used as an accurate benchmark for their performances in general.
It's definitely possible to win the CL without winning the domestic leagues, vice versa. Barcelona was the better team but they lacked tactical superiority against more defensive compact teams (Atletico, Juventus). It all boils down to tactics when u pit the best teams together.
Dont even think it is about Barca v the defensive teams it is just bad choices by Lucho and top players dipping at wrong time.
Barca v Atletico domestically is something like 8 wins and 3 draws in last 11 games but in CL levels dropped and were put out by them twice in three years.
Barca have a better record v Atletico than Real by far but just not in the CL.