#2 Barcelona and Real Madrid's grip on European football would be slackened
5 of the last 8 Champions League titles have gone to Barcelona or Real Madrid – thus establishing themselves as the two best club football teams on the planet over the last decade. It is easy to see that the presence of the two best players in the world has directly contributed to their sustained dominance – so once Messi and Ronaldo retire, how will the power hierarchy in club football shape up?
Without their current stalwarts, Barca and Real will certainly be in the mix for European honours year after year. But a glance in the dugout for both these teams suggests the presence of elite players has somewhat alleviated the need for an unparalleled coach.
Enrique and Zidane, for all their qualities, have better counterparts around the world – so it is safe to assume that once the era of Messi and Ronaldo fades into oblivion, the two super clubs will once again resume the battle – this time not just for the best players in the market, but also for the best managers.
Their retirement, along with the ever increasing amount of money flowing into English football, could lead to a shift in the balance of power towards England over the next decade. Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea all seem set for bright futures under new managers with seemingly endless reserves of cash.
Then, of course, there are teams like Bayern and Juventus who will always be in the reckoning.
