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FC Barcelona's Victory over Manchester United Proves Bigger Not Always Better

Mike Raffone@theemikeX.com LogoCorrespondent IIMay 31, 2011

FC Barcelona - 2011 UEFA Champions League Champions
FC Barcelona - 2011 UEFA Champions League ChampionsDavid Ramos/Getty Images

FC Barcelona's decisive victory over a more physically imposing Manchester United squad in this weekend's UEFA Champions League Final refuted a timeless adage. 

On the soccer pitch of London's new Wembley Stadium, Barcelona's Lilliputians Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, David Villa, Daniel Alves, Pedro Rodriguez and Andreas Iniesta made a mockery of the common misconception that "bigger is always better" in the field of sports. 

The highly skilled and under-sized world class Catalans authenticated a new adage for sports; namely, that "size really doesn't matter." Even if you do stand shorter than Tom Brady's waist, weigh less than one of Lebron James' bulging biceps and bask in the nickname of your team's and the world's best player known as the Atomic Flea.  

These pint-sized Spanish League soccer prodigies dismantled their high-profile EPL counterparts with dogged defense and an amazing pinpoint, one touch passing ability that teased, tormented and tired the Manchester United side.

Barcelona's brilliant ball control accounted for 63% ball possession and 16 shot attempts—with 12 on goal—in their 3-1 victory over Man U. 

Last weekend's UEFA Championship Game showed that you can never measure the spirit that drives athletes, regardless of their physical size.

In sports, size really doesn't matter.

Just ask the Rays' Sam Fuld, the Patriots' Wes Welker, the Mavs' JJ Berea or some other vertically challenged Mini-Me who still buys his clothes in the kids department of Old Navy.

Straight talk. No static. 

MIKE - thee ultimate talking head on sports! 

http://www.theemike.com