We have Messi.
Remove Messi from maths and we have a bunch of technical schoolboys with a weak mental strength.
Who are not even that technical anymore.
Am have chokers who can at least knockout us and reach Cl finals.
We are not a force anymore, outside of La liga.
I agree in the CL we need to be more dynamic and not so easy defend against.
But that still doesn't mean Atleti have greater potential than us in Europe. I mean they were in the Europa League for a reason last season.
The importance of Messi to us can be equated to Simeone's importance to Atleti. Difference is, while Atleti have made great commercial strides in the last few years, they are still not even in the top 10 for highest revenues and are miles behind us and Real at the top of the tree. Once Messi goes and we no longer have his huge wage we could pay two top class players for his one salary. After Simeone goes they'll be fighting it out with Spurs, Arsenal et al, not the big boys. At the end of the day talent will normally come out on top and that requires money.
Valencia made two CL finals in the early 2000s in a short period but couldn't sustain it and their commercial means historically is similar to Atleti. Atleti may not win a CL for 30 years. Given our economic force and potential for growth we surely will have European success after Messi, though right now we are too dependent on him.
You must remember that commercially our growth in the last 15 years has been enormous. Our brand is so much stronger now than 20 years ago that you can't compare it to previous eras. in 2004 we were not even in the top 10 for highest revenues.