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European Super League: Trezeguet says domestic leagues 'will lose their charm'
David Trezeguet believes domestic leagues will "lose their charm" and suffer huge damage as a result of the European Super League.
The 12 founding clubs of the breakaway competition have indicated they want to remain in their domestic leagues, despite threats of severe punishments.
But World Cup winner Trezeguet, whose former club Juventus are among the group, thinks the excitement will disappear from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A.
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He also fears for the Champions League's lustre should UEFA attempt to continue with it if the European Super League is ultimately launched.
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Trezeguet said to Stats Perform News: "From an emotional side it is nice to conquer your right to play in the Champions League and Europa League on the pitch.
"At the moment in Italy we discuss if Juventus can qualify, if Napoli can overtake them, if Lazio can get closer.
"All these everyday chats will be lost because with the Super League you already know those three clubs [Juventus, Inter and Milan] will be in and maybe somebody else will be added.
"Although they clearly stated they would go on, domestic leagues will lose their charm.
"You lose the charm of understanding clubs' goals... who aims at Champions League? Who at the Europa League? And other goals.
"And the Champions League will lose these 12 big clubs who boast a big enchantment on marketing and fans."
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But Trezeguet understands why top clubs would be tempted by the huge financial rewards on offer after the coronavirus pandemic.
He added: "Read the economic value of the Super League and what Florentino Perez said [about huge financial losses]. If these are the losses, they are huge and they are due to the pandemic.
"My opinion is divided. They even said they don't want to give up on other [clubs] - this is yet to be verified.
"If you read those figures, you see a big leap in quality [of finances] for these 12 clubs but whether they will help the others is yet to be seen.
"But from an emotional point of view I don't agree because you lose the principle of qualifying on the pitch.
"We all know for sure that football has become a big business but lest we forget the sporting side of this game.
"Earning your titles, playing a high-level season that makes you qualify for European cups - this is a job well done.
"I know these big clubs are used to playing at such levels.
"But from an emotional viewpoint I am perplexed because you already know these three clubs [in Italy or Spain] will be automatically qualified regardless of their seasonal path in the league."
Trezeguet foresees a lengthy political battle ahead and is unsure whether players and fans will ultimately be listened to.
He added: "It will be a long bureaucratic clash and it is not a surprise. The Super League on one hand and the UEFA on the other have been very clear.
"They have both their ideas and formats and the economic part should not be forgotten since these figures [for losses] are huge.
"First we have to see if they will be able to do the Super League as I was watching Leeds v Liverpool and already you can see fans were emotional.
"And the UEFA president gave a speech that was more emotional than concrete about treason, wrong ideas, phone calls unreturned.
"But it is true that we are entering in a critical moment. UEFA and FIFA were straightforward on this from a sporting point of view.
"Politicians in very important football countries like France, Germany and England have opposed the Super League.
"Even in Italy and Spain the prime minister and the ministers have backed UEFA rather than the Super League. Now it is politics.
"The players will be the least listened to - this Super League has been decided without even consulting the players or the fans.
"What has struck me is fans and players coming forward very clearly against it. Will it go on regardless? We'll see."
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