Ronaldo is monstrous' - Zidane

Ronaldo is monstrous' - Zidane
The Real Madrid assistant coach has praised the Portugal star ahead of Friday's World Cup draw and says he hopes France are to face some tough teams early on
Zinedine Zidane has branded Cristiano Ronaldo"monstrous" for the way he has been performing for Real Madridand Portugalthis year. The forward, 28, scored four times in the Seleccao's two-legged World Cup play-off against Sweden to secure a place in Brazil and has been in excellent goalscoring form for the Blancos this season. "Cristiano Ronaldo has shown what he can do for Portugal and Real Madrid,

Falcao can be the 'figure' of the World Cup

Falcao can be the 'figure' of the World Cup Valderrama The Colombia legend believes the Monaco forward can take the tournament by storm and praised Jose Perkerman for rediscovering the team's style from the 1990s
Colombialegend Carlos Valderrama has backed Radamel Falcaoto become one of the leading lights at next summer's World Cup finals. The striker has scored nine goals in 14 Ligue 1 games following his summer move to Monaco and played a pivotal role in Colombia's exceptional qualification campaign for the 2014

Tello gives Barca ultimatum: Play me or I'll leave

Tello gives Barca ultimatum: Play me or I'll leave
The Catalans forward is fed up with playing a bit-part role, though fellow Camp Nou back-up Martin Montoya is keen to open talks over a new deal.
Cristian Tello has revealed he intends to leave Barcelona at the end of the season if he does not start to play more minutes this season. The 22-year-old has started just two Liga games this season out of a possible 15 and he is starting to become frustrated with being restricted to a bit-part role at Camp Nou, with regular first-team football his goal. "I will see how this season goes but if from now until the end of the season I don't play as much as I would like, then I will consider leaving," Tello told gathered reporters at a promotional event on Monday. "Taking that step will be very difficult but I think everyone has to evaluate their role

Gattuso: Women do not belong in the world of football

Gattuso: Women do not belong in the world of football
The World Cup winner believes that the current power struggle at San Siro proves that females have no place in the game
Gattuso has accused Barbara Berlusconi of showing Adriano Galliani a lack of respect - before claiming that there is no place for women in football. AC Milan CEO Galliani has been locked in a power struggle with Berlusconi at San Siro and last week sensationally claimed that he would be resigning after the Champions League clash with Ajax on December 11. The 69-year-old was ultimately persuaded to perform a u-turn by his adversary's father, club owner Silvio, but Gattuso is upset that Galliani's leadership skills were ever

The world lost a hero, Africa lost a father

'The world lost a hero, Africa lost a father' -
Football reacts to Mandela's death Players, clubs and officials take to Twitter to express their sorrow at the death of the former South African president, who passed away on Thursday
Footballers from across the world have expressed their sorrow at Nelson Mandela's death at the age of 95 on Thursday. The former South African president witnessed his nation host the first-ever World Cup in Africa in 2010 and his passing will undoubtedly cast a shadow over Friday's group stage draw in Brazil. Below is a selection of messages from players, clubs, coaches and officials from across the globe for Mandela. A hero is someone who has given his life for something bigger than oneself...The world lost a hero, Africa lost a father...RIP Mandela — yaya toure (@Toure_yaya42) December 5, 2013
Still can't believe it MADIBA is gone — Steven Pienaar (@therealstevenpi) December 5, 2013
Let us all continue his legacy with purpose and passion. — Pelé (@Pele) December 5, 2013

Former Manchester Unitedmanager Sir Alex Ferguson'

Former Manchester Unitedmanager Sir Alex Ferguson's recent speech at a Uefa coaching seminar is unlikely to make comfortable reading for current Old Trafford boss David Moyes.
Ferguson stepped down from his job at United at the end of last season, bringing an end to almost 27 years of service at the club. The Scot now chairs the Uefa Elite Club Coaches Forum and quoted by the Uefa website had this to say on the world of football management: “It's a results industry. If you aren't winning games, you're out. “So the preparation that your coaching badges can give you is very important”, Ferguson added. “If top players think they should receive special treatment, or if they have a vanity about them, maybe they shouldn't go into coaching.” During his time with United Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles,

The FC Barcelona Foundation and the Neymar Jr Project

The FC Barcelona Foundation and the Neymar Jr Project Institute have signed a agreement to promote social projects
www.fcbarcelona.com
The agreement will benefit children who form part of the Institute, and in South American countries where the Barcelona Foundation is present
The FC Barcelona Foundationand the Neymar Jr. Project Institute – a social entity in Brazil promoted by Neymar - have signed an agreement to work together in the implementation of projects that promote sport as a tool for social integration for young people. The agreement will benefit children who form part of the Institute, and in South American countries where the Barcelona Foundation is present. The Neymar Jr. Project Instituteis an 8,400m2 education complex, under construction, that will have classrooms, playing fields, and a swimming pool, and will provide sporting activities for underprivileged children in Praia Grande. The project will also promote academic performance of its 2,500 students, providing extra classes and other educational activities. ‘FutbolNet’, first project to be undertaken One of the main objectives of this agreement, in addition to promoting sport, is to develop synergies between the projects of both

Messi could miss start of January, says Martino.

Messi could miss start of January, says Martino.
Dec 5, 2013 7:50:00 PM
The Argentine has been sidelined since last month with a hamstring injury and his coach has revealed he will not rush the attacker back into action too soon Barcelonacoach Gerardo Martinohas hinted that Lionel Messimay not be fit in time for the beginning of January when the club face Atletico Madrid. The 26-year-old forward and four-time Ballon d'Or winner was ruled out for the rest of 2013 after tearing his hamstring in Barca's 4-1 win over Real Betis last month. The Catalan club have slipped to consecutive defeats in Messi's absence, losing 2-1 to Ajax in the Champions League before seeing their unbeaten record in La Liga ended by Athletic Bilbao last Sunday. Argentina international Messi is currently recuperating in his homeland and Martino insists the player will not be rushed back into action,

Jordi Alba okay to play but Xavi and Iniesta missing against Cartagena.

Jordi Alba okay to play but Xavi and Iniesta missing against Cartagena.
Alba is back in the squad for first time in almost three months, for the first leg of the Spanish Cup last 32 Xavi and Iniesta have a sore calf and hamstring, respectively, and Adama and Dongou come into the 17 man squad, with Pique missing (technical decision)
#Squad list
Pinto, Olazábal, Montoya, Fàbregas, Puyol, Pedro, Alexis, Neymar, Mascherano, Bartra, Sergio, Adriano, Song, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Adama and Dongou.
Jordi Alba is the main addition to the squad for their visit to Cartagena for the first leg of the knockout phase of the Spanish Cup. The fullback has been out since September 13th, due to two different muscle injuries.Puyolis also back, after missing the Bilbao match due to an injury to his right knee.

Martino: “We are really optimistic”

Martino: “We are really optimistic”The Argentinian coach made it clear that there is no pessimism within the squad, despite losing at Ajax and Athletic Bilbao He considers the game this Friday in Cartagena as "vitally important"
Gerardo Martino is experiencing something new at Barça. Since landing in late July his team had not lost a game until ten days ago , when they lost at Ajax (2-1 ). Now, following defeat at Athletic Bilbao (1-0 ) the experience is even newer. Barça take on Cartagena, in the Spanish Cup following two consecutive defeats. "It's a vital match. Winning will bring the confidence back" he said at the start of the press conference. We have to translate our good feelings into how we perform on the pitch Later, however, the first team coach made it clear that the team is " really optimistic…we have to transform those feelings

Barça becomes first club to gain AA certificate


Barça becomes first club to gain AA certificate for accessibility.
This certificate guarantees universal access to information about the Club for all users The website has been made accessible to people with visual, aural, cognitive and physical disabilities.
FC Barcelona would like to guarantee everyone universal access to information about the Club and that’s why the official Club website has been optimised to obtain the AA certification for website accessibility from the World Wide Web Consortium via Technosite, a company of the ONCE Foundation (Spanish Association for the Blind). This certificate is regularly checked and is valid for two years. The Club has made a great effort to apply the principles of responsive {website design} This means that the site is also adapted to all the languages used on any type of device, be they mobiles, computers of tablets. #Barça thereby becomes the first sports club in the world to gain the AA accessibility certificate. 4,051 members with disabilities Barça is especially committed to helping people with disabilities to access information more easily. Pilar Guinovart (Social Area) and Dídac Lee (Technological Area) gave a press conference on Tuesday to

messi

♠ Posted by abdulmalik amodu
orn on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, soccer player Lionel Messi moved to Spain at the age of 13, after the FC Barcelona club agreed to pay for hormone-deficiency treatments. Messi became a star in his new country, scoring at will while leading his club to championships. In 2012, he set a record for most goals in a calendar year, and afterward was named FIFA's "Player of the Year" a record fourth time.
Lionel Messi was born Luis Lionel Andres Messi on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. As a young boy, he tagged along when his two older brothers played soccer with their friends, unintimidated by the bigger boys. At the age of 8, he was recruited to join the youth system of Newell's Old Boys, a Rosario-based club. Recognizably smaller than most of the kids in his age group, Messi was eventually diagnosed by doctors as suffering from a hormone deficiency that restricted his growth.
Messi's parents, Jorge and Ceclia, decided on a regimen of nightly growth-hormone injections for their son, though it soon proved impossible to pay several hundred dollars per month for the medication. So, at the age of 13, when Messi was offered the chance to train at soccer powerhouse FC Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, and have his medical bills covered by the team, Messi's family picked up and moved across the Atlantic to make a new home in Spain.

King of Spain: Soccer Career

Although he was often homesick in his new country, Messi moved quickly through the junior system ranks, and by the age of 16, he had made his first appearance for Barcelona. Messi put himself in the record books on May 1, 2005, as the youngest player to ever score a goal for the franchise. That same year, he led Argentina to the title in the under-20 World Cup, scoring on a pair of penalty kicks to propel the team over Nigeria.

history of lionel messi

♠ Posted by abdulmalik amodu in ,
orn on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, soccer player Lionel Messi moved to Spain at the age of 13, after the FC Barcelona club agreed to pay for hormone-deficiency treatments. Messi became a star in his new country, scoring at will while leading his club to championships. In 2012, he set a record for most goals in a calendar year, and afterward was named FIFA's "Player of the Year" a record fourth time.
Lionel Messi was born Luis Lionel Andres Messi on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. As a young boy, he tagged along when his two older brothers played soccer with their friends, unintimidated by the bigger boys. At the age of 8, he was recruited to join the youth system of Newell's Old Boys, a Rosario-based club. Recognizably smaller than most of the kids in his age group, Messi was eventually diagnosed by doctors as suffering from a hormone deficiency that restricted his growth.
Messi's parents, Jorge and Ceclia, decided on a regimen of nightly growth-hormone injections for their son, though it soon proved impossible to pay several hundred dollars per month for the medication. So, at the age of 13, when Messi was offered the chance to train at soccer powerhouse FC Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, and have his medical bills covered by the team, Messi's family picked up and moved across the Atlantic to make a new home in Spain.

King of Spain: Soccer Career

Although he was often homesick in his new country, Messi moved quickly through the junior system ranks, and by the age of 16, he had made his first appearance for Barcelona. Messi put himself in the record books on May 1, 2005, as the youngest player to ever score a goal for the franchise. That same year, he led Argentina to the title in the under-20 World Cup, scoring on a pair of penalty kicks to propel the team over Nigeria.

messi noni

♠ Posted by abdulmalik amodu in ,
395 games and 327 goals. There is no doubt that Leo Messi’s stats are staggering. There is no player like him and there will probably never be a player like him ever again.
Messi made his Barça debut on November 16, 2003 in a friendly against Porto, although he’d have to wait until October 16, 2004. In ten seasons, the Argentinian has gone on to make 395 appearances (57 in La Liga and 82 the Champions League, among others), scoring 327 goals, making him the club’s all-time highest scorer in official competitions. Paulino Alcántara scored 357 goals, but that incudes friendlies.

messi

♠ Posted by abdulmalik amodu in ,
395 games and 327 goals. There is no doubt that Leo Messi’s stats are staggering. There is no player like him and there will probably never be a player like him ever again.

messi goals

♠ Posted by abdulmalik amodu in ,
395 games and 327 goals. There is no doubt that Leo Messi’s stats are staggering. There is no player like him and there will probably never be a player like him ever again.
Messi made his Barça debut on November 16, 2003 in a friendly against Porto, although he’d have to wait until October 16, 2004. In ten seasons, the Argentinian has gone on to