James Lawton: Why El Inglés remains king of the fiesta

Here, A conversation on the terrace of a cafe in Madrid's Puerto del Sol, and with apologies to one of its former regular occupants, Papa Hemingway.

Pablito: "So, hombre, do you think that of the galacticos is finally over?"

Manolo: "It is certainly not looking so good, God knows. It may be muerta for the old ones, the Brazilians and the Portuguese."

Pablito: "I think you may be right, Manolo, but what of El Inglés, he of the various hairstyles and the cheap magazines and, how can I say it, the strategic injuries?"

Manolo: "He is safe, he sells so many shirts, every day they count the money and then they say it is time for another fiesta."

Pablito: "But isn't it better to be one of the shirtless ones, like the son of the great puta, the vile and grinning Ronaldinho, and win a few trophies."

Manolo: "You are a good boy, Pablito, but when are you going to learn about life?"