In a tyranny of greed, corruption and unrest, romance has finally been restored in the beautiful game. Soccer has become tainted by the filthy rich, the scuffed fingerprints on the billions of pound notes being passed between club, owners and businessmen alike.

Never had the sport felt so disengaged or been so far removed from its ardent supporters, but the remarkable transformation of Leicester City from near relegation certainties to Premier League champions in a little over 12 months has engrossed, recaptured, and united the soccer landscape across the globe.

Every neutral kept praying that they could sustain their incredible title challenge, but deep down there was a sense, and an underlying inevitability they would clip the inside of the post at the final hurdle.

Season after season, pretenders come and go – disappearing down the table before the hectic festive period has seen the first door ajar on its advent calendars. Think Southampton and Ipswich in years gone by. This cunning achievement by the Foxes has never been a battle of good versus evil, but merely a triumph that belief can overpower expectation in a sport where a burgeoning divide continues to expand.

It may have taken a improbable set of circumstances for this unforeseeable realization to occur, but Claudio Ranieri’s side never stepped foot on the pitch expecting to conquer all like it was their god-given right. Can the same really be said about the likes of Manchester City?

In stark contrast, an apathetic desire has illuminated the sky blue shirts of Manuel Pelligrini’s men, with further vindication of this toothless demeanor evident in their Champions League semi-final at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening as well as a disappointing finish to their game against Arsenal. From an embarrassment of riches, the club has spawn too many lethargic displays in amongst the luxury offerings that have been all too sporadic.

Closest challengers Tottenham and Arsenal will understandably see this campaign as a missed opportunity, but this should take nothing away from the exploits of the ‘tinkerman’ and his team.

They believed that as a unit they could emerge victorious, even in times of adversity. The sum of the parts always being greater than the whole, no egotistical characters – only the unbreakable spirit associated with winners.

Never was this colossal resilience greater demonstrated when question marks surrounded the soul of the side after they succumbed to the heartbreak of an agonizing last minute defeat at the Emirates in February, with the vast majority believing momentum had firmly shifted to North-London.

Once again the resolve of Leicester silenced all the doubters, winning six of their next seven matches to move three wins away from this inconceivable sensation. A two-horse race had emerged as only a vibrant Spurs side kept within touching distance, aiming to nullify Leicester’s quest to be crowned champions of England.

This inspired run of form was built on the basis of their defensive solidarity, an impenetrable wall which was moulded and held together by the whole squad – the epitome of being set in concrete.

A clean sheet in each of those six wins is the common denominator, but this should not be misinterpreted that the Foxes have been insipid and ‘parked the bus’ in front of their Great Dane Kasper Schmeichel who will no longer reside in his father’s shadow.

Their counter-attack approach has been as honest as it is refreshing. They may have recorded the lowest pass rate in the top-flight, but their dynamism, their relentless energy has been interpreted with surgical precision under no false pretenses.

Nobody can accuse Leicester of lacking quality, but to highlight the outstanding individual performances from the likes of PFA Player of the Season Riyad Mahrez and Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year Jamie Vardy would overcloud the team ethic that has taken precedence and been the catalyst for their success.

Leicester were never going to be able to dominate possession like an Arsenal or Barcelona, but Ranieri and least we not forget Nigel Pearson have derived the maximum output and enterprise from the resources available to them, with their steely determination more in alignment with the renowned Sheffield industry.

Following Saturday’s 3-1 champagne spectacle at the King Power Stadium, it should not be overlooked that the Foxes have not tasted defeat since the Gunners shot them down – a run now stretching to 11 games. Their consistency flawless, their fearlessness unerring and their conviction meritorious – 27 points from a possible 33 when we all expected them to choke can only be admired.

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The argument that the Premier League is weaker than it has ever been may have some credibility, especially given the recent abysmal showings in European competition. However, the Midlands club sit proudly at the summit with 80 points, so even if the blue half of Manchester had performed on the pitch like they do on paper, the Foxes would still be front-runners going into the final game.

To put it into perspective, the treble-winning Manchester United side of 1998/99 won the league with 79 points – Leicester have already overtaken this total and could end up with 83 if they come away from Stamford Bridge with another maximum haul. Would you bet against them?

The magnitude of Leicester’s unforgettable season can never be over-exaggerated and will rightfully take pride of place in the annals of not just football, but sporting history. When a 17-year-old Boris Becker prevailed at Wimbledon, he had to win seven consecutive best of five set contests. When Buster Douglas sensationally knocked out the seemingly invincible Mike Tyson, it took one punch.

Leicester on the other hand have had to overcome the heavyweights of England’s top division, the financial muscle of the wealthy clubs and the individual world-class talent sprinkled across the squads of the so called ‘big boys’ for 38 matches. To maintain their equilibrium, to hold their nerve for this length of time should not be underestimated and certainly not attributed to luck.

After all, the title race is cited as a marathon, not a sprint – emphasized by the seemingly indestructible N’Golo Kante whose never-ending chasing and hustling would be best narrated by David Attenborough in the Australian outback.

In years to come, it will be the team of Leicester City that is commended and lauded. With the unique exception and mercurial ability of Diego Maradona in 1986, no team has ever been reliant on one individual in their pursuit of glory and it is the collective prerogative that should be glorified in this moment.

The magical ascendency of Leicester is a victory for the working man who prides himself on the value of organization, the essence of teamwork and is not overawed by the pressures exerted from the higher powers that be.

This is every Leicester fan’s fantasy turned reality. It is pure elation for those who dared to dream that a very small minnow could not just swim, but flourish in very deep waters.

Away from the deserved acclaim and adulation, many of us will already have predicted and plotted the Foxes downfall ahead of next season.

For those who remain unsentimental and unmoved, this memory can never be taken away from anyone connected with Leicester City Football Club. This fairytale encapsulates all that is great about soccer and how it continues to allure and astonish onlookers.

The underdog never owns the biggest kennel, but in a season that nobody saw coming, it was little old Leicester who barked the loudest.