Wins the FIFA World Player of the Year Award by a huge margin
After proving his mettle by a unanimous win in the European Footballer of the Year 2009 awards, Messi has done it yet again. The Barcelona start has drubbed rival Christiano Ronaldo to lift the FIFA World Player of the Year 2009 trophy.
The Barcelona star has been named the European Footballer of the Year. Beating last year’s winner Christiano Ronaldo, Messi claimed the title by the greatest margin ever recorded in the history of this august competition. Out of a possible 480 points, Lionel scored 473 – a new record, while Ronaldo managed only 233 points.
Despite great acumen, these talented footballers could never make it to the World Cup.
Playing at the World Cup is a dream that every soccer player cherishes. It is the pinnacle of their playing career and merits their playing profile. There have been players in soccer history who, despite being exceptionally talented, could not play a single World Cup match. Here is a list of some of the best soccer talent eluded by the World Cup.
All is fair in love and war and in football too. Take a look at these top 10 world cup ‘unjustified’ goals and judgments that made some heroes and won some matches! (Ref: The Telegrapgh)
1. Diego Maradona: The Hand of God 1986
Probably the most controversial movement in the history of World Cup soccer, Diego Maradona’s hand of God goal controversy lasted for over 20 years! Maradona apparently raised his left hand above Peter Shilton’s head to punch the ball into the net during Argentina’s quarter-final win over England.
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2. Joe Jordan – Scotland v Wales, World Cup qualifier 1977
Striker Joe Jordan rose with defender Dave Jones to challenge Asa Hartford’s throw into the box. To the surprise of the Welsh fans and players, referee Robert Wurtz pointed to the spot believing Jones to have flicked on the ball with his hand while TV replays showed otherwise. Scotland duly scored to book their place at the 1978 World Cup Finals in Argentina.
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3. Geoff Hurst – England v Germany World Cup final 1966
Geoff Hurst’s hit’ during extra time at Wembley remains the most hotly-debated controversy at a World Cup tournament to date. Enhanced technology has fuelled the fire as the footage shows the ball did not cross the line.
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4. Brazil v Sweden, 1978 World Cup
Welsh referee Clive Thomas annoyed the whole of Brazil by blowing the full-time whistle milliseconds before Zico’s header crossed the line to deny the Brazilians a 2-1 first-round win over Sweden.
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5. Kuwait v France, 1982 World Cup
Kuwait’s Alain Giresse scored a rightful fourth goal for the French team. The Kuwaiti players claimed they had heard the referee Miroslav Stupar blow the whistle in the build up, and hence stopped playing. Kuwait FA president Sheikh Fahid Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah demanded the referee to disallow the goal and he did! France still went on to win 4-1, even though Stupar disallowed five France goals during the match.
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6. South Korea v Spain, 2002 World Cup
Two legitimate goals scored by Spain were disallowed in their quarter-final contest against South Korea. Referee Gamal Ghandour ruled out Kim Tae-Young’s own goal seemingly for an infringement in the buildup – although TV replays are inconclusive. Fernando Morientes’ golden goal in extra-time was ruled out too South Korea progressed to the semi-finals on penalties.
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7. West Germany v Austria, 1982 World Cup
This was the historical match that forced FIFA to schedule final group matches at the same time following this shameful carve-up. Both the teams were placed in for the final Group Two match. A 1-0 or 2-0 win for West Germany would have secured their places in the knock-out stages at Algeria’s expense. West Germany won the game 1-0 and Algeria’s protests fell on deaf ears and the result stood.
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8. Argentina v Peru, 1978 World Cup
Argentina’s first World Cup success on home was clouded in controversy on and off the field. The hosts had to win their final game against Peru by four clear goals to restrict Brazil’s goal difference and reach the final. Argentina rose to the challenge, knocking six past Peru goalkeeper Ramón Quiroga, who was ‘coincidentally’ born in Argentina.
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9. Haiti v Italy, 1974 World Cup
At their first World Cup Finals appearance, Haiti’s creditable showing in their opening match against Italy, which they lost 3-1, was overshadowed afterwards when defender Ernst Jean-Joseph failed a dope test. He was subsequently beaten up by his own officials and flown home.
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10. Croatia v Australia, 2006 World Cup
English referee Graham Poll put his hopes of officiating the World Cup final in Germany with a series of errors in Australia’s crucial final group match. The official’s biggest error saw him dish out three yellow cards to Croatia’s Josip Simunic before finally sending him off. He also awarded a first-half penalty to Australia for Stjepan Tomas’ handball, but failed to spot an even more blatant handball by the same offender later in the match.
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Will it be Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kaka or Fernando Torres?
As the World Cup draws close, the speculations on who will be the champ of the reason get rifer. Undoubtedly, 2009 has witnessed some of the exceptional talent on football fields, but who would be the World Cup Prince, only time would tell. Here’s our pick on the players who best fit to be the best soccer player for World Cup 2010:
Is he the next Kaka in making?
He is just 7 years old, but plays football like an expert. Kalani, a Brazilian kid from Rio de Janerio is gaining quick attention due to his extraordinary soccer skills.
Kalani’s exceptional talent first came to light when he was 5 years old:
Surprises are an integral part of soccer World Cups. In the past World Cups there have been non favorite teams which sprung huge surprises and left the fans baffled with their extraordinary performance. Croatia in 1998, Bulgary in 1994, Cameroon in 1990, Turkey in 2002 – who would be the surprise element in 2010? Here is our pick of four teams to watch out for:
With his breathtaking moves, swift dribbling and first-rate score card, Ronaldo is one of the best soccer players we have ever had.
As the winger of Spanish club Real Madrid and captain of the Portuguese national team, Cristiano Ronaldo has made and broken numerous soccer records. Time and again compared to the Brazilian legend Pele, Ronaldo is often touted as the best soccer player ever.
(Ref: BBC News)
Tributes have been placed at the scene of Robert Enke’s death.
Germany and Hannover 96 goalkeeper Robert Enke has died after being hit by a train in an apparent suicide on Tuesday, police have confirmed. Enke, 32, was fatally injured at a level crossing north west of Hanover.
The German football federation (DFB) said in a statement: “The German team has learned of the death of Robert Enke with great shock.”
A statement released by the German indicates a suicide- “The victim is apparently national team goalkeeper Robert Enke from Hannover 96. The first police indications are that it was a suicide.”
Enke was reportedly struck by a regional train travelling between Norddeich and Hannover at a railway crossing in Neustadt am Rubenberge and died on the spot.
Enke had played eight times for Germany and also for clubs Carl Zeiss Jena, Borussia Monchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce and Tenerife, before returning to the Bundesliga with Hannover in 2004. He made his international debut aged 29 and became Germany’s number one keeper after Jens Lehmann retired from internationals at the end of Euro 2008.
Robert Enke
Born: 24/8/77, Jena, East Germany
Debut: 1995-96
Clubs: Carl Zeiss Jena, Borussia Monchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce, Tenerife, Hannover 96
Germany debut: 27/3/07 versus Denmark Caps: 8
Happy, sad, funny, weird- call them whatever you want, but these are some of the most striking soccer moments that you should not miss. Here’s some soccer action at its best, take a look.
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