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.
These soccer heroes were instrumental in grabbing a World Cup berth for their teams. Exhibiting exceptional performance and consistency, they ensured that their team was through for the 2010 South Africa gala.
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.
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:
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
Will he or won’t he? That’s the question haunting millions of Cristiano Ronaldo fans. The soccer ace will be out of action for four weeks owing to an ankle injury. The injury caused by a field tackle with Marseille defender Souleymane Diawara has set abuzz speculations about the health and performance of the world’s most expensive player.
Ankle injury will keep the soccer star away from action for a while
Ronaldo will now miss Tuesday’s Champions League match with AC Milan as he has not yet recovered. Real Madrid Director General Jorge Valdano has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo should not have played in Portugal’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary at the weekend, as he was not fit enough to return after injuring his ankle while playing for his club.
Ronaldo was forced to limp out of his country’s key tie after less than half-an-hour with a recurrence of an ankle problem that he first suffered in Madrid’s Champions League victory over Marseille on September 30.
Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov, has also expressed his concerns over Ronaldo’s injury. The soccer expert has advised Real Madrid to utilize their local players for the Champions League and let Ronaldo recuperate for the World Cup. Stoichkov, who is currently in charge of the South African side Mamelodi Sundowns, maintains that playing conditions are tougher in Spain than England, and exposing Ronaldo frequently to field may only worsen his injury.
Hristo Stoichkov
Stoichkov suggests complete rest to Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, remains upbeat and has requested his fans to “be patient” with his recovery. Waving off concerns over Madrid’s wobbling performance in his absence, the Ronaldo told the Canadian Press, “I’ve already missed some games to injury but it’s not like I’m the savior. I’m just a player that will give to help the team to win, but the team needs to work. I think things will improve.”
Ronaldo has missed Madrid’s past six games, one of those being a 4-0 loss at Alcorcon in the first leg of the fourth round of the Copa Del Rey.
Ronaldo’s recuperation is a matter of time, till then fans need to keep patience before they see their soccer idol recreate his magic. Here’s wishing Ronaldo a speedy recovery.
As the countdown begins for the football World Cup 2010, excitement is building up in all corners of the world. As players and teams get ready for the big face off, all eyes are now on the young Turks who may create history with newer achievements during the tournament. Ronaldo did it in 2006. Who can be the next?
Ronaldo
The Brazilian soccer whiz kid remains unbeaten with his historical 15 goals in the 2006 World Cup.
Watch his 15 golden goals here:
World Cup 2010 is expected to surface fresher talent that may take soccer to greater heights in future. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo , Kaka, Lionel Messi, Torres, and David Villa are all set to unleash an unprecedented display of soccer skills.
Whom, out of these players do you think might break Cristiano’s record? Share your opinion now!
Cristiano Ronaldo
Kaka
Messi
Torres
With qualification for the World Cup finals in 2010 now safely assured, the next crucial matter for team England is the inclusion of David Beckham in the World cup squad. Fans are wondering whether the old magic of “Golden Balls” will be revived in 2010.
Certain quarters are doubtful that Beckham would be able to keep up with the rigorous demands of international football due to his age (35). However, we beg to differ!
Another main problem that Beckham faces stems from Capello’s much documented dislike for celebrity lifestyle. The Italian has made it very clear since taking over the team, that he intends his reign to be markedly different from previous managers who rather courted the media attention. Capello’s No WAG policy only illustrates his desire to keep his camp a tight and collected one. He wants the news of his team to be only about football and no fashion or controversies.
There’s another quarter that perceives Beckham as a surplus for the team owing to the emergence of newer talents. The right of midfield is now home to the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott. All these players however, are cast in a similar mould; pacey, skilful, and forward thinking. Beckham is cast in a different mould altogether and can give the side some much needed variation, especially in situations where the game is tight and requires a certain special something in order to break the dead-lock.
We believe that to oust David Beckham because of his age would be discriminatory and unjustified given the player’s painstaking fitness regime. His inclusion in the team is vital for its success and motivation. Beckhams’ experience and expertise would be instrumental in guiding the team through the tournament. Moreover, his ability to take on the defenders with blinding pace and skill could be instrumental in taking the team ahead in the tournament. No other player can match up to the way he can deliver THE decisive ball, THE telling pass, THE one that matters. In terms of dead ball deliveries and precision crosses, there is no one better than Becks. Time and time again he has delivered the best for his team and we would continue to do so.
England needs David Beckham as much as David Beckham needs England. His passion, his experience, and his knowledge are crucial to the Three Lions chances in South Africa. Keep aside his celeb status, consider his talent and skill and then it is easy to figure out that Beckham is an integral piece to the English jigsaw.
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- And the Winner is…Lionel Messi!