If football is played in Heaven, then God is now rubbing his hands, writes Chris Ashmore.

This week marks the 40th anniversary of Johan Cruyff’s debut at Barcelona, last week Real Madrid celebrated Francisco Gento’s 80th birthday.

It is the game the world is waiting to see, according to José Mourinho, and he may well be right.

WHEN the Champions League trophy had been hauled around Wembley and the colourful Catalan hordes had sung themselves hoarse, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was asked a question which resonated in bars from Las Ramblas to Las Vegas.