g&b, you are talking about the most elite teams....major D1, professional and national. That pool is so thin. There are other opportunities out there (most D1, D2 and minor league soccer) where the better athlete can prevail.
futbol, you are citing the absolute greatest at the highest level....the extreme exceptions, not the norm.
I agree with both of you...at the highest level you certainly need to be highly-skilled and technically perfect. You also need to be pretty darn fast....speed of play is incredible.
But at the levels below that (all the way up to the Patriot League in college D1 soccer)....apparently size & athleticism helps your cause.
