As kids we grew up downplaying our classmates' successes. "Aw, he cheated!", "Teacher's pet", and a host of other were the names that were hurled at the kids that did well on tests or in school in general. Let's also keep in mind that kids are just as vicious as can be. They try to tear a kid down in order to make themselves feel viable or try to be on equal footing.

Ok, there aren't sociocultural and idiosyncratic differences between two kids at a school and the chasm that is the difference between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Here at Mad About Fútbol, we have complimented and criticized both sides- outside of our respective allegiances- as we are well aware that the success and failure of clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid are cyclical. So for any of us, to talk about this is completely from an outsider perspective.

It seems like that in Spanish media when you have the infantile argument being perpetrated by the Madrid media against Barcelona. The proverbial "Villarato" has been thrown out quite often in the direction of the Blaugrana. Members of the Madrid establishment like Tomás Roncero, Alfredo Relaño, and Tomás Guasch have gone balls out to either prove to people that there is a conspiracy theory that truly exists.

In Monday's edition of As, the began a series called "The Villarato Chronicles" in which they have broken down events from previous matches in which to prove that Barcelona is getting preferential treatment. In Monday's edition, the compared Negredo to Messi and decided to publish one as much as they can.

Even Real Madrid captain Raúl was adamant about the questions being asked by AS reporter Manu Sainz. The legendary Madrid man admits that Barca have earned their advantage.

"I like to talk about football. I insist that the advantage that Barcelona have is because they have earned it on the pitch. I don't think it goes beyond that. Those are all circumstances that occur within a game and nothing else."- Raúl

There are some people that believe that if they expose "the truth" that they will have a place assured in football heaven. In reality they are poisoning what people could argue is one of the best leagues in the world. So much so is the hysteria regarding El Villarato, that club presidents are having to speak out.

"Those people that talk about El Villarato don't have a fucking clue."- Sevilla president José María del Nido.

If there has been one voice of sanity has been that of Marca writer Santiago Segurola who mentioned the disgust that the media in Spain can incite. A good friend of mine in Spain said that the written media in Spain has become a series of "yo mama" jokes, tattle tales, and high school girl drama.

I am a Barcelona fan. I am not one to talk about my personal allegiances, but when it comes to making a point I believe I can be as balanced as possible. Whenever a player or a team needs to be criticized, they should be and when they are doing things well they should be praised.

In the end soccer is a sport that incites passion and undying devotion, that's the beauty of the beautiful game but sometimes that passion and devotion makes people petty, childish, and stains the image of La Liga all over the world.