Soccer World: Levante living the dream

For many the Spanish Primera Liga is the ultimate two-team league. You have footballing powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid, and then you have the rest, scratching around for scraps.

The way Spanish clubs negotiate their own TV rights also means that this inequality is merely magnified when it comes to finances – the big two able to command fees far higher than the rest.

But just when we thought romance was dead a plucky little side from Valencia are defying gravity and ruffling a few of the established feathers.

After successfully staving off relegation last year with a run of eight wins in 12 games from January to April, tiny Levante are unbeaten in their first eight games of the current campaign – beating Real Madrid in the process – and turning the La Liga betting on its head. They are currently only second to Barcelona by a point, with the Catalans having played a game more.

But before you suspect heavy investment is involved in what is the best start in their 102 year history I feel I should say now that it isn’t - Levante spent €210,000 over the summer. How about in previous seasons? Nope, their most expensive player cost €300,000 and their last 50 players have cost a combined total of less than €400,000.  Their entire budget is €22m – 20 times less than that of Barcelona, who are just a point better off.

Now, not many people think this flying start will continue, the age of their squad would dictate that they can’t defy the La Liga odds forever and that there will be a drop-off at some point. But it has at least breathed new life into what was becoming a stale and predicable league – even with the brilliance of Messi and co.

Their story gives others hope that money doesn’t rule all and maybe, just maybe, the underdog could have its day.