David Beckham to Barcelona in 2003. Instead of competeing as the best of a bunch of aging galaticos, he is on a team with Xavi, Pujol and Iniesta in the wings. Cue a UEFA Cup and League double and the the CL in 2005.
Ronaldhinio goes to Manchester United, and instead of the Red Devils achieving the square root of fuck 04,05,06 all as in OTL with the failed attempts to get CR7 to become a Beckham Mk 2, they have creativity on the wings and run to the CL in 2004 (OTL defeated by Mourhinios Porto) and turns Arsenal into very "vincibles".
Arsenal not to worry though. That year they sign two Barca academy rejects, Cesc Fabregas and a little Argentinian called Lionel Messi. In Paris in 2006, Arsenal romp past Beckham's Barcelona with Messi scoring a brace. In that summers WC final in one of the most memorable performances ever a Messi inspired Argentina rip apart France in the final 4-1, in what was Zidane's last match and widely regarded as a passing of the torch. Messi becomes the subject of advances from Real which Arsenal resist, while Barca try and buy him back as Beckham fades. Its the Bernabau which wins the race as Messi is sold in 2009.
Yet all is not lost for Barca, who attract Fernando Torres from Liverpool and then dip into Serie A and buy a player from AC Milan called Cristiano Ronaldo, who while talented and with several accolades, including 2 back to back European Championship Final defeats; has generally flattered to decieve. At Barca, he forms a partnerhip with Torres upfront and becomes a goal scoring machine as the Blaugrana win CL in 2010 and 2011 (Beckhams last at the Camp Nou).
Messi struggles in Real Madrid and is eventually let go to Mancheter United in 2013 in favour of Brazilian wunderkid Neymar. Who promptly leads Real to the CL Final in 2014 where in a monumental upset they lose to the Messi and Moye's United, after a 94th minute Sergio Ramos goal is disallowed for a foul.
At that summers World Cup, Messi puts two past Manual Nauer to win his second title in three tournaments.
The Red Devils fail to imprive in 2014/2015 despite Messi on the wings and find themselves in the Europa League, which they win.