I don't disagree with the sentiment but a lot of those examples are from a near yet so far past where those clubs were on a more equal footing financially, the rush to talent wasn't as intense, different regulations, etc...
To pick one : Zidane was at Bordeaux in 1996 but up until that point UEFA teams could only field 3 foreign players. Les Girondins had an historic run to the UEFA Cup final eliminating AC Milan along the way that very year. And besides Zidane was picked up at 20 by FCGB at AS Cannes when now it is common for good prospects to be known and trailed by major clubs at 16-17.
Half the Euro career or so of Batistuta was made in the age where limitations on foreign players were much more drastic. Fiorentina was a contender through Batistuta even if inconsistently so.
La Coruna was a massive force in Spain for the nineties, fielded Bebeto for several seasons, made the podium the year Rivaldo was there. Likewise moved to Europe in 1996 (Bosman decision again).