Javier Martinez, Author at The Trivela Effect

The Top 3 Issues Threatening La Liga in 2024

9Oct

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

The Top 3 Issues Threatening La Liga in 2024

LaLiga is renowned for its rich history, iconic clubs, and world-class talent. However, beneath the surface, the league grapples with several significant challenges that threaten its integrity and global reputation. The quality of play is subpar, stadiums are partially empty due to high ticket prices, and many teams are in financial turmoil. Worst of all, the league has been in the spotlight for almost all the wrong reasons possible (the abuse in various stadiums, controversial refereeing decisions, etc). If all this wasn’t bad enough, LaLiga continues to get weaker every season as its best players and managers leave to sign for other leagues, such as the Premier League, Serie A, and even the Saudi Arabian league. It’s a concerning period for the league, but why has LaLiga declined...

Breaking down the severity of the Nergreira scandal for Barcelona

21Aug

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Breaking down the severity of the Nergreira scandal for Barcelona

Significant developments have come to light in the ongoing investigation into FC Barcelona's payments to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA). In case you have forgotten, here is a quick recap of the FC Barcelona-Negreira scandal: Barcelona made payments totaling €7 million to José María Enríquez Negreira between 2001 and 2018 while he was the vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA). Barcelona stopped paying Negreira immediately after he left his position within the CTA. Joan Laporta quadrupled the payments to Negreira in 2009 during his first term as Barcelona president. In a testimony to tax administrators, Negreira stated that Barcelona hired him to ensure that refereeing was "neutral" and t...

11Aug

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Real Madrid’s Best XI Since 2000

Real Madrid, regarded as the most successful football club in history, has had the privilege of seeing numerous legendary players wear its iconic white kit. Over the past two decades, the club has enjoyed a golden era, winning multiple La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles. With so many great players contributing to the club's success, it leads to an interesting question: Who are the best eleven players to have represented Real Madrid since the 2000/2001 season? Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois If no one has ever dared to say it, then I'll be the first to do so: Thibaut Courtois is not only better but he's also surpassed Iker Casillas as Real Madrid’s greatest-ever keeper. Along with being a more complete keeper than Casillas (excelling in aerial play, ball distribution, and reflexes),...

Harry Kane and world football’s 3 unluckiest players

30Jul

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Bundesliga, Features, LaLiga

Harry Kane and world football’s 3 unluckiest players

All football fans have dreamed of becoming a professional football player and having the experience of playing at the top level. Despite the many perks of becoming a professional, it's not all fun and games for every player. While all players suffer setbacks in their careers, some experience tremendous bad fortune. Whether it was due to injury or always being on the wrong team at the wrong time, some could simply not catch a break. Let's delve into the top 3 footballers who, despite their talent and dedication, encountered remarkable adversity and misfortune throughout their careers. Iñigo Martínez Iñigo Martínez has had a mixed career, often finding himself in difficult situations. While he helped Real Sociedad reach the Champions League in 2013 and the Copa del Rey semifinals in ...

Is football’s congested fixture schedule beginning to show its negative effects?

20Jul

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Champions League, Features

Is football’s congested fixture schedule beginning to show its negative effects?

While it was an amazing experience to watch Euro 2024 and Copa America simultaneously, questions have been raised about the lack of quality displayed in both tournaments. Copa America might have a bit of an excuse due to the competition's poor organization, which included adverse field conditions, extensive travel demands, and inadequate security protocols. However, Euro 2024 was generally underwhelming, especially from the teams considered favorites. Historically, teams have often started slowly and progressively improved throughout the tournament, but on this occasion, neither France, England, nor Germany (apart from their opening group game against Scotland) performed at their best. Interestingly, it was teams like Turkey, Austria, and even Romania who made more of an impact on the ...

This is what makes Real Madrid the most successful club in the world

12Jun

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

This is what makes Real Madrid the most successful club in the world

While Real Madrid fans often joke about the Champions League being their competition, I think we can all assume that not even Real Madrid‘s number one member thought that winning the Champions League this season would be a serious possibility. While there was a lot of excitement around the signing of Jude Bellingham, the team would begin the season without a starting striker after Karim Benzema’s departure to Saudi Arabia took even the club’s hierarchy by surprise. It was so unexpected that Real Madrid could only sign Joselu on loan from RCD Espanyol, who had been recently relegated. As the league season was about to begin, things would go from bad to worse after both Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militão ruptured their ACLs in the same week. Later in the season, David Alaba also suffere...

The Spanish province producing elite coaches like Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta

27May

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Champions League, Features, LaLiga, Premier League

The Spanish province producing elite coaches like Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta

When you think of where some of the best managers in the world come from, there might be a few nations that come to mind. Italy has always had a good history of producing elite coaches and some have gone on to become world-class managers (Carlo Ancelotti, Fabio Capello, Arrigo Sacchi). Meanwhile, Germany's coaching school is considered one of the toughest programs on the continent and is something that’s reaping its rewards as some of the best coaches in the current game are German (Jürgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann). However, what if the the best managers weren't necessarily coming from a country or even a region, but a province of that country? That's the case of Gipuzkoa, the Spanish province in the Basque region that's become a factory of producing elite coa...

14May

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Features

Why FIFA, UEFA should consider making these 3 simple changes

A lot has been talked about rule changes to make football more exciting and adapt the game to modern times. However, FIFA’s latest suggestions would do nothing to increase the spectacle and make the games more exciting. Recently, it’s been talked about adding sin bins to punish players, (which was quickly discarded), making adjustments to the dimensions of the field, and even changing the kick-off format. Although some advocate for radical changes to the game, there are some alternative approaches that could address the issues surrounding the game without altering football’s fundamental structure. What are these changes that can go a long in making football more interesting? Here are 3 simple changes that football’s rule-makers should seriously consider. Stopping the clock during ...

Joselu Mato: From Struggles to Champions League Glory

14May

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

Joselu Mato: From Struggles to Champions League Glory

In the annals of football history, stories of redemption and resurrection are not uncommon. But few tales rival the remarkable transformation of Joselu Mato, a journeyman striker who has gone from the depths of despair to reaching the summit of success. A feat that seemed improbable only a few seasons ago as he struggled to showcase his goal-scoring skills. It’s remarkable how quickly a player’s perception in football can change. In 2022, Joselu Mato was just another Real Madrid fan cheering in the stands of the Stade de France as the team won its record-extending 14th Champions League title. Now he’ll be taking part in one after leading Real Madrid to the Champions League final with two goals in three minutes. While his career has taken him to various places, his journey began in R...

6 players who could leave Real Madrid after this season

2Apr

By Javier MartinezNo Comments

Features, LaLiga

6 players who could leave Real Madrid after this season

While the competitions are still ongoing, it’s reached that point of the season where rumors about potential player transfers begin to escalate. Particularly at Real Madrid where transfer drama almost always takes up a good portion of the storylines. A lot has been made about transfers, but very little has been talked about players who could be leaving the club after this season. It’s still unclear who could be those players, but some news outlets have reported that there could be more than one “surprising” and even “painful” departure. With all the speculation, which players could be leaving Real Madrid after this season? Luka Modric Describing Modric’s future departure as “painful” would be an understatement. He’s not only been one of the best and most successful players of his genera...