Welcome to the Real World

Real Madrid is one of the world’s great football clubs, with a wonderful atmospheric stadium and a glittering history, particularly in European competition, that reaches back to the magical days of the first (and arguably the greatest) ‘galacticos’ - players like Di Stefano, Puskas and Gento.

The merest flicker of interest from such a club is bound to quicken the pulse of any young player, particularly when that player was born in Spain and has spent a lifetime dreaming of pulling on the famous white shirt. And when the player is encouraged to believe that the dream is about to be turned into reality, the excitement and expectation are almost unimaginable.

Now, it seems, Jose Antonio Reyes has to come to terms with the knowledge that Real Madrid have made no bid whatsoever to indicate that they are, or ever were, seriously interested in signing him. His dreams have been shattered and the destabilising effect may well prove damaging to the player and to Arsenal for some time to come. So it is hardly surprising that such an attitude will be widely condemned as cynical, unprofessional and totally unworthy of the proud traditions of the most famous football club in Spain.