Is the World Cup the pinnacle of football?

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve really enjoyed most of the World Cup and I’m looking forward to Sunday’s final, but I was just wondering if it is regarded by the players and the fans as the pinnacle of football anymore.

This isn’t just a bitter and twisted Englishman saying that I don’t care about it because I do and I still dream of England winning it, but it is a genuine question.

Pinnacle

There are many arguments to say that the World Cup is the pinnacle.

There is a point of view that says any player is ultimately judged on what they achieved at international level. The likes of Pele and Maradona and Zidane are regarded as the cream of the cream and they won World Cups. Johann Cruyff and his like are regarded as the next best and they didn’t.

Many people also see the game being played on a level playing field with no money from Sky or anyone else and think the World Cup is about the game rather than the money as the Premier League and other top leagues so often seem to be.

Power

The World Cup also has more power to change things for the better than any league title or club title could do. There is a real chance that the current World Cup will make a real difference to poor people’s lives in South Africa.

In many ways, anyone saying that winning the World Cup isn’t the greatest achievement in football, is actually guilty of making it so.

Together

Surely winning the World Cup is special because the whole of your country is cheering together. Financial depression and poor living conditions take a back seat just for a few weeks as everyone pulls together. Club football divides people whereas international football brings us together.

The fact that the opportunity arises only every four years, the fact that there is great prestige as so few people achieve it and those who do are guaranteed a place in history, means that it must be the pinnacle of the game.

Or does it?

Marketing

Is it possible that due to the power of the marketing people and the media, the players feel they will be judged on what they achieve at club level in domestic championships and the Champions League rather than at international level? They certainly make more money from it.

Many people feel that the top level teams are vastly superior to their international counterparts, so the champions league can be seen as the pinnacle as that is the highest standard of football they will play.

Critics

Some critics have said that most of the World Cup games have been a little boring and have lacked energy and enthusiasm. I have also heard it said that no competition with the likes of Honduras, New Zealand and North Korea in it, with all due respect, can be regarded as the pinnacle of the game.
In England I have heard fans of the top clubs say that they are Liverpool or Manchester United or Chelsea supporters, not England. They would prefer it if their best players had a rest rather than playing for the country. For many the priority is for their club to win their domestic league and an international club trophy.

Ultimate

These people would say that the ultimate achievement in football and therefore the pinnacle of the game is to do what Inter did this year and Bayern Munich almost did, to win your domestic league and the Champions League as well.

I wonder if Pique, Puyol, Sergio, Iniesta, Xavi and Pedro would swap the World Cup final for the Champions League final?

What do you think?