There is a common urban myth in soccer that La Liga has always been ruled by the two Madrid powers (Real, and Atleti) as well as Catalan club Barcelona. If you look back at the history of Spanish soccer, that is not the case. In fact, there have been many other clubs that have been powerful in Spain other than the three aforementioned giants. In particular, Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad are just some of the “other” clubs who have been great. One of them I want to take a close look at is Real Sociedad (before the former Preston manager David Moyes had his ill-fated spell at the club).

Real Sociedad was formed by British immigrants who came over to Spain to introduce the sport to the world. Throughout history, we have seen the British move abroad and introduce the sport to various countries. In 1904, the club was named San Sebastian Football Club after the town they reside in. The club is also in the Basque country, which plays a key role in the players they recruit. Finally, in 1909 they won the Copa del Rey 3-1 over Club Espana de Madrid. CE Madrid split into other teams, and one eventually became Real Madrid.

In 1910, King Alfonso XIII — who kept a summer retreat in San Sebastian — gave his patronage to the club, so they renamed themselves Real Sociedad. The name would only stick until the start of the second Spanish republic when they’d change their name again, this time temporarily to Donostia Club de Futbol. That name change lasted until the end of the Spanish Civil War. In 1928, they became a founding member of La Liga.

Their next great period was the early part of the 1980s. Going into the decade, they finished second in 1979-80 season with 52 points, one away from Real Madrid’s 53. And thirteen clear of Sporting Gijon, who finished in third. The next year, Sociedad pipped Madrid for the top spot thus denying the Madrid team from getting their fourth straight title. They qualified for next season’s European Cup, which they lost in the first round to CSKA Sofia.

SEE MORE: Read our Beginners guide to La Liga

The next year, they’d repeat as champions with 47 points, beating Barcelona’s 45. They were lead in scoring by one club man Jesus Maria Satrustegui. The manager for this fun was Alberto Ormaetxea, a former fullback with the club. The side that was so successful during this time period also has the record for the most consecutive wins. It lasted from April 29, 1979 to May 11, 1980, an incredible 38 games in a row.

In their second season atop the league, they also qualified for the European Cup where they got to the semifinals against Hamburg who would go on to win the Cup that year. Pedro Uralde was the leading scorer for Real Sociedad in the Cup with four goals. The club would also win the Spanish Super Cup that year with a 4-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid. In 1987, they’d beat Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, which would be to date their late top flight major success.

Like most of the Basque clubs, they would for most of their existence only sign Basque players until they transferred in former Liverpool legend John Aldridge, In 1990, they dipped into the foreign pool again with the signing of Dalian Atkinson from Sheffield Wednesday, who became the club’s first black player.

So for the new supporters of the sport who only think that Barcelona and Real Madrid have been the best in the league or in Europe, there have been others. A look to the past would show that Real Sociedad as well as others have rich histories. Maybe they can be inspirations for other clubs in Spain to surpass, even temporarily, the Real Madrid’s and Barcelona’s of Spain.

The Beautiful Game in Brazil is well known worldwide. It’s fashionable to own a scarf, or jersey, or know their players. There are many podcasts and computer games that help people learn about the players from the past. But what if I told you there was a player before Pele that was better? His name was Arthur Friendenreich. And yes, he was German/Brazilian.

Friendenreich, a son of a German businessman, played soccer in Sao Paolo. Arthur was half white, half black. Oscar, who was Arthur’s father, played soccer at the Brazilian club SC Germania, which as the name infers was only for German immigrants. Arthur joined the club at 17, in 1909, which made him the first black player in history to play for the professional league. Brazilian society was very racist at the time. Blacks weren’t allowed to celebrate with their club if they won a cup, and were not able to hold top jobs. Arthur would go on to play with many of the top clubs at the time — Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Ypiranga, Atletico Mineiro, and Paulistano.

The Tiger, as he was affectionately called by the fans, did something even the great Pele didn’t do. He became the top scorer in Brazil eight times in 1912, 1914, 1917-19, 1921, 1927 and 1929. Arthur was a great dribbler, and would never give up on the field, and had a sharp eye for goal. When he played for Paulistano when they toured Europe, Arthur’s fandom stretched worldwide. By the start of the 1920’s, Arthur was considered the best player in the world.

On the international level, his best achievement was Brazil’s Copa America’s 1919 triumph where he scored the winning goal against Uruguay in the 122nd minute. It was such a good goal that the boot he scored it with was paraded by fans around the streets of Rio de Janeiro. The boot was even nicknamed “The glorious foot of Friedenreich.” It finally was put in a local jeweler’s store for all to see.

He was one of those players who changed society. Very few can say that. Many players changed the game. Where he met racism and prejudice, he changed it. Where black players weren’t allowed on national teams or not allowed to celebrate with their fans or the teammates, he changed it. In 1921, society was outraged when the black players were left out of the national side by the selection committee. That was because the common folk didn’t see the color of their skin. They saw their play. That was something Brazilian blacks needed. He lived the life that he could, drank expensive beer, and partied when he wanted.

For most people, just knowing the top players in a tournament is fine. However, what about the players who are going to hit it big at the next World Cup? With the growing popularity of Football Manager-type computer games, the public is more informed on footballers than they’ve ever been before.

Fans of the sport are always looking out for the next great star. If it’s to say that they heard of said player first or just to know what a great player was like before they become big. The problem is that many people base their view of a player, on how they played, on a video game. That’s a very tricky and problematic thing to do, since very few ever make it big. If video games produced top talent, then French midfielder Lenny Nangis would be a better player.

Here are seven players who played in Copa whom you all need to know about.

Christian Pulisic ­(17, USA and Borussia Dortmund, midfielder)

One of the very few young American players to play at a top German club, Christian got significant playing time in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions league this past season. He is a scorer, and can play as a number 10, as he did with his club team. The one worry is that US Soccer supporters may latch onto him and hype him to Freddy Adu levels. However, Christian has shown that he has the talent and has played against difficult opponents in the Bundesliga. By the time World Cup 2018 rolls around, he should be a star on the world stage.

Gabriel Barbosa ­(18, Brazil and Santos, striker)

He already has a nickname (Gabigol), and has scored in the Copa America. Gabigol is considered to be the best to come from Santos since Neymar. He signed his first professional contract with Santos at 16, and reportedly has a $50 million buyout clause.

Gabigol is an out and out two footed striker, and has a great work rate. Unlike some other top young strikers, he is a good passer, and helps out teammates on the pitch when the ball is in the opposite end. It has been rumored that Barcelona already wants him, though they may have to fight off the advances of many other clubs.

Renato Tapia­ (21, Peru and Feyenoord, defensive midfielder)

Tapia had a failed trial at Liverpool when the doctors didn’t think he’d be big enough to play defense, which he doesn’t anyway. Renato is a tough, physical midfielder who will get stuck in. He can score, but think of him in the same lines of Arturo Vidal. Renato will be a captain for club and country in his career.

Hirving Lozano (20, Mexico and Pachuca, midfielder) 

He has already been starting for his club side, and was granted a spot on Mexico for Copa America, playing in their group matches. He is an outstanding winger who already has many European clubs looking at him. Hirving is going to be a right footed inverted winger, with his pace and dribbling ability. He is a creative force, and can score with his powerful left foot. The future is bright for the supposedly cocky young star, and already PSV has bid upwards of 7 million Euros for him.

Adalberto Peñaranda (19, Venezuela and Watford, striker) ­ 

He was signed from Udinese in the summer of 2016 and loaned to Granada. He has only scored one goal in fourteen matches for the Spanish side. Adalberto was on the Venezuela Copa America squad. He doesn’t mind physical contact, which isn’t common among young strikers, and will suit him well in the Premier League. He has lightning speed, and can put a cross in with some of the best of them.

Marlos Moreno (19, Colombia and­ Aletico Nacional, striker)

No one has had more of an ascension into the ranks of wonderkinds than Marlos. In fact, Tim Vickery says that he’s the best young player in South America right now. Most of that is due to his three goals in five matches in the Copa Libertadores, as Nacional has laid waste to any club in front of them. He’s got great movement, decision making, and predatory instincts, while being under 20. Marlos has already made his debut for the Colombian national team, and has all of the top clubs in Europe scouting him. Liverpool has been the most persistent, but it appears he may be heading to Manchester City in a £8 million deal.

Blas Riveros ­(19, Paraguay and Club Olimpia, defender)

He’s already off to Basel, and has lifted the title in the Paraguayan First Division, and was on the national team, even though he wasn’t selected in any of the matches to play. He’s one of the better young defenders to leave South America in the last two years. The future looks very bright for the young man.