Yeah that didn't happen until Ronaldinho joined Barcelona and they won the CL, it was close as well, then Messi...
I think a lot of neutrals were just waiting for Barcelona to win things before it turned, they have always signed a lot of flair players, big names, but never pulled it together until then. We attract a different kind of fan, the Juve teams at our peak. Barcelona will always be associated with the flair and fancy, and they have the benefit of a super-hyped derby. We have no one currently.
Exactly, at the time Serie A was the strongest league, with the 7 clubs competing for the title, even a few years later we had Inter and Milan winning the CL, now that time is gone.
Realistically, we are in the second tier of top clubs in Europe right now.
Tier 1 is Real, Barca, Bayern, the untouchables, as well as PSG and City (just because of the money)
Tier 2 would be us, Atletico, Chelsea, ManUtd (now because of the recent problems, when they get their shit together they're a tier 1 club), Arsenal