New Delhi, Jan. 26 -- "Waiting is one of life's hardships."

-Lemony Snicket

9 March 2006.

Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, north London.

The home crowd erupted in ecstasy as the referee blew the full-time whistle. The 30,000-odd Arsenal supporters, as well as millions of football fans across the world, had just witnessed an astounding denouement in global football.

The mighty Real Madrid had been sent packing out of Champions League's Round of 16 for the second straight year. And not just any Real Madrid team. It was the 'Galacticos'-a shining lineup of football's global superstars-Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Raul.

Few years back, Real Madrid's larger-than-life president Florentino Perez had embarked on his...