Yes. And I remember the reaction when Sheikh Mansour bought the club in New York. No-one realised that this was the birth of the CFG, the world's first multinational football entity. Arsene Wenger scoffed his ever so sanctimonious a** of, told us what a distraction it would be and assured us that Kroenke would only invest his money in Arsenal. Since then Kroenke hasn't actually invested a penny in Arsenal and doesn't have any intention of so doing. This is what he has in common with the other American owners in the PL: they take money out first and leave the club with what's left.
On the other hand the CFG is growing and growing. In 2014 City seemed rather calm about a settlement regime which included several rather nasty elements but included some apparently minor details about the CFG, which seemed rather minor itself at hat point. My son, though, could not believe what UEFA had accepted so unconcernedly, almost with a dismissive wave of the paw. And now we're beginning to realise. The CFG offers unrivalled opportunities for monetising a megastar like Messi, to his benefit and the group's. And unique avenues to reward him. As Tolmie told us the club are offering a share option in the CFG, cutting FFP out completely, which Messi can either redeem at the end of his contract or simply keep and remain a shareholder. Either immense riches or the face of the CFG - win-win for both parties? Or "big club" rivals don't have the resources - or the wit - t compete with this level of activity. They're more at home in the world of dodgy emails.