Messi scored twice against Arsenal who play the boring "park the bus" instead of attacking football. You cant blame them when the opponent is Barcelona.
Final score: Barcelona 3 Arsenal 1; though Gunners had ZERO shot on goal. Busquest accidentally scored an own goal from Nasri's corner, helping Arsenal to tie the score after a welltaken goal by Messi.
The first goal was the result of a backflick gone wrong by Fabregas. Maybe he was thinking of Iniesta as his teammate. Iniesta got the ball, found a small space between Arsenal's defenders and chipped the ball to Messi who was on the run. Messi showed why he is the best footballer in the world - by thousand miles - by a perfect chip past Almunia before slotting the ball into the net!
The second goal came after quick delightful passes by Iniesta to Villa and then to Xavi who scored with slight deflection off Arsenal's defender. After the goal, Barcelona wasted no time in search of the third and winning goal! Pedro was brought down inside the penalty box by Kolcshieny as he chased after a through pass by Xavi. As a result, the referee awarded a penalty to Barcelona. All eyes were on Messi as he placed the ball on the penalty spot! Messi stylistly converted the penalty and was mobbed by his teammates in front of Arsenal's goalmouth!
Arsenal nearly scored in the 87th minute but Mascherano did a great job to deny Bendtner from scoring the decisive goal. At the end, it was a great night for Barcelona and the fans. Arsenal was totally OUTCLASSED, OUTPLAYED and OUT-KICKED by Barcelona. Even Guardiola forgets his backpain as he celebrates ecstatically! Great job Barcelona! Hats off to Guardiola!!
Showing posts with label messi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label messi. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Friday, April 2, 2010
Views on Barcelona's match against Arsenal
Missed out the first 20 minutes of the game. Sigh! My friends told me that Barca played probably their best 20 minutes of football game in any competition. Even a good team like Arsenal also cannot tahan. I will make sure I wake up early for Nou Camp match next week! From the first half highlights, I noticed that Barcelona failed too score mostly because of poor finishing.
Barca played better in the first half vs 2nd half. Even though they scored both goals in the second half, its not spectacular goal or involve great movements. The first goal was really simple, and you can blame the defenders, or Pique for the neat cross.
Watch the highlights here:
The second goal was a masterpiece cross by Xavi. You need someone like Xavi in every team. He is a very visionary midfielder. Coupled with strikers that know how to find space and run to the ball, thats all you need to score goals. And Xavi and Ibrahimovic showed its really simple.
Messi didnt perform well. I would like to see something special from him in the next match.
Its not easy to play with Barcelona. Arsenal lost at least 3 players with Fabregas, Gallas and Arshavin unavailable for the next match. The red card for Puyol is imo harsh. Maybe Barcelona can appeal for that. For now, Puyol and Pique are not eligible to play the next game.
Looking forward to two beautiful games in the next two weeks. The return match at Nou Camp (Wed 7/4 morning) and the El Clasico (Sun 11/4 morning)!
Beautiful football game is what I like and how I play. :)
Barca played better in the first half vs 2nd half. Even though they scored both goals in the second half, its not spectacular goal or involve great movements. The first goal was really simple, and you can blame the defenders, or Pique for the neat cross.
Watch the highlights here:
The second goal was a masterpiece cross by Xavi. You need someone like Xavi in every team. He is a very visionary midfielder. Coupled with strikers that know how to find space and run to the ball, thats all you need to score goals. And Xavi and Ibrahimovic showed its really simple.
Messi didnt perform well. I would like to see something special from him in the next match.
Its not easy to play with Barcelona. Arsenal lost at least 3 players with Fabregas, Gallas and Arshavin unavailable for the next match. The red card for Puyol is imo harsh. Maybe Barcelona can appeal for that. For now, Puyol and Pique are not eligible to play the next game.
Looking forward to two beautiful games in the next two weeks. The return match at Nou Camp (Wed 7/4 morning) and the El Clasico (Sun 11/4 morning)!
Beautiful football game is what I like and how I play. :)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Messi 5; Planning to move to Barcelona soon
Barcelona whips Racing Santander 4-1 at Racing to top the La Liga with a maximum of 12 points. Barca has now scored 14 goals in 4 matches while conceded only 3! If Barcelona continues this great form, I think I will move to Barcelona soon! :) vs Racing, Messi show-off his great skill again. After a one-two with Xavi, Messi dribbled past 2 defenders at once before curling in with his left foot.
"On top of the World" - Messi leads top scorer list with 5 goals in last 3 league games
Ibrahimovic has earlier scored a goal through a good left footie cross by Messi, which received a ball directly from Xavi from a freekick. I guess this strategy is the result of workout in training i.e. they practice in training. Its a guesstimate. :)
Pique is the third on the score list with a simple tap in, after collecting an unusual back-heel pass from Ibrahimovic.
The fourth goal by Messi is coming soon. I am still looking for it. Be patient.
Here's Messi second goal of the game. Simply world class - period!:)
p/s: This post is my own commentary of the game. I may be bias :)
"On top of the World" - Messi leads top scorer list with 5 goals in last 3 league gamesIbrahimovic has earlier scored a goal through a good left footie cross by Messi, which received a ball directly from Xavi from a freekick. I guess this strategy is the result of workout in training i.e. they practice in training. Its a guesstimate. :)
Pique is the third on the score list with a simple tap in, after collecting an unusual back-heel pass from Ibrahimovic.
The fourth goal by Messi is coming soon. I am still looking for it. Be patient.
Here's Messi second goal of the game. Simply world class - period!:)
p/s: This post is my own commentary of the game. I may be bias :)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Messi's Double Leads Barcelona in thrashing over Athletico
Barcelona scored four goals in the first 40 minutes before Alguero slogged in the consolation goal in the last minute of first half. Ibrahimovic finished off the first goal in the 2nd minute!!(no comment since I started to watch in the 7th minute lol). Messi scored the 2nd goal resulted from a superb cross from Xavi! Using his chest to perfectly control the ball, Messi coolly slogged in the ball after fooling Athletico goalkeeper. And Alves' nicely taken free kick hits the post before went in for the third goal of the match. The fourth goal was scored by Keita following a simple and good cross by Messi.
Time for second half! Enjoy Barcelona!!
Barca's defense was poor after the substitution of Pique somewhere in the 60th minute of the game. As a result, Forlan managed to add another goal for Athletico though he had two great chances to add pressure on Barca. The scoreline was 4-2 then. Messi had a couple of great opportunities to perform but was harshly tackled by the defense of Athletico. There was one moment where Messi looked set to dribble the ball all the way to the goal from center of the field. His great effort met with a stiff challenge which resulted in a freekick for Barcelona. That tackle should have been a red card!
Second half was not good until the very last minute of extra time. Due to good team effort, Barcelona scored another goal. Alves backpassed to Iniesta, Iniesta returned the ball to Alves, Alves cleverly placed the ball for Messi to stamp his mark with his second goal in the match. Final result Barcelona 5 Atheltico Madrid 2.
Messiah is in great form. Watch out guys!
p/s: This is my own piece of commentary for the match. I may be bias :)
Time for second half! Enjoy Barcelona!!
Barca's defense was poor after the substitution of Pique somewhere in the 60th minute of the game. As a result, Forlan managed to add another goal for Athletico though he had two great chances to add pressure on Barca. The scoreline was 4-2 then. Messi had a couple of great opportunities to perform but was harshly tackled by the defense of Athletico. There was one moment where Messi looked set to dribble the ball all the way to the goal from center of the field. His great effort met with a stiff challenge which resulted in a freekick for Barcelona. That tackle should have been a red card!
Second half was not good until the very last minute of extra time. Due to good team effort, Barcelona scored another goal. Alves backpassed to Iniesta, Iniesta returned the ball to Alves, Alves cleverly placed the ball for Messi to stamp his mark with his second goal in the match. Final result Barcelona 5 Atheltico Madrid 2.
Messiah is in great form. Watch out guys!
p/s: This is my own piece of commentary for the match. I may be bias :)
Saturday, September 19, 2009
World's Most Valuable Player at €250 million
Messi, the firm favorite to win the Ballon d'Or award in December, has signed a two-year extension to his last deal. The Argentinian who helped Barcelona win an unprecedented treble of Champions League, La Liga/Spanish League and Spanish Cup last season, NOW has a buyout clause of €250m.
Messi started playing at Barcelona since he was 13. "Reports suggest Messi has become Barca's highest earner, with his salary increasing to 9.5m euros per year (£8.1m)."
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Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has signed a new and improved long-term contract with Barcelona!!!
The 22-year-old forward has committed his future to the Catalan giants until the summer of 2016.
The talented playmaker helped Barca to UEFA Champions League glory in May and was named runner-up to Cristiano Ronaldo in last year's Fifa World Player of the Year award.
Messi's current deal was due to expire in 2014, and that has now been extended by an additional two years while his minimum release clause has increased from €150million (£135m) to €250m (£225m).
The 22-year-old is now committed to the European champions for what will likely be the best years of his career, and wants to end it there too.
"I want to spend all my career here, in Barcelona, if it's possible," he told the club's official website.
Spectacular
"I would love to finish at Barcelona. This contract is a result of everything that happened last year and of what I have done since coming into the first team.
"I am simply one more person in this spectacular group of players, where there is a team that is very nice, very united and in which I am simply part of continuing to win things."
And if Messi is keen to stay at Barca for life, the door would appear to be open after the club's president Joan Laporta voiced his belief that the Argentina forward would never played for another club.
"This is the best news Barca can receive today," Laporta said of the deal that makes Messi the club's highest-paid player.
"It is important to have a player with his human qualities and his football ability. This deal recognises all that he gives to Barcelona.
"It is impossible to imagine the team without a player like Messi. We expect Leo to retire here with Barca."
Immense
Coach Pep Guardiola helped the Catalan giants claim the treble last season and believes Messi's signature on a new deal is 'immense' for the Liga champions.
"It's an immense piece of news for the club and for the player that Messi is renewing his contract," said Guardiola.
"As it also was when Victor Valdes and Xavi did so. People go to football to see the best and that's what they are.
"It's a privilege for Barca to have some of the best footballers like Messi."
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Messi, Ronaldo score as Barcelona and Real Madrid top the Spanish League
Messi and Ronaldo scored for their respective club as Barcelona and Real Madrid cruised to their second consecutive win. Barca and Real now have a maximum of 6 points each. The Spanish League for season 2009/2010 will be “the league to watch” as Real reorganized their team to include big names like Ronaldo, Kaka and Alonso. This comes as a result of the “Phenomenal Barcelona Team Season 2008/2009” success in completing the treble, the first club from Spain to do so, last season.
Both Kaka and Ronaldo were the recipients of FIFA World Player of the Year as well as "Ballon d'Or", often referred to as the European Footballer of the Year, in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Well, things changed a lot after that. Now, Lionel Messi is the firm favorite to win the FIFA World Player of the Year 2009 and also the European Footballer of the Year after guiding Barcelona to win the treble last season! To read more about his superb performance, Click here.
Barcelona’s match against Real Madrid season 2009/2010. Real Madrid will certainly give Barcelona a good run for their money this season.
Sun, Nov 29 2009 Real Madrid 11:00 am EST
Sun, Apr 11 2010 away at Real Madrid 11:00 am EDT
So, what are you waiting for? Set up your alarm clock/calendar ladies and gentlemen!
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On Barcelona's treble, Henry has something to share...
"No team has ever done the treble in Spain, and we'll be remembered as the first team to do it," Barcelona striker Thierry Henry said. "That's amazing." (For record, Barcelona won the Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey), then the Spanish League, and now the Champions League in 2009! Undisputedly The Team of the Year - Barcelona)
Read more here: UEFA Champions League 2009 Winner Is... Barcelona!!!
Barcelona - "Phenomenal Team of the Year 2008/2009"
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Spanish La Liga Roundup, Sep. 12
MADRID (AP) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi led Barcelona to a 2-0 Spanish league win at Getafe on Saturday while Real Madrid beat Espanyol 3-0 after record signing Cristiano Ronaldo came on as a second-half substitute to score.
Ibrahimovic toe-poked Seydou Keita's deflected centering pass under goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and off the inside of the far post to open in the 66th minute. The Sweden striker controlled with his chest to cross for a streaking Messi to head home the second for the Spanish champions in the 79th.
Ronaldo, signed this summer for a record €94 million from Manchester United, watched from the bench as Esteban Granero fired Madrid ahead in the 40th after being set up by Kaka.
The Brazil playmaker then fed Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez in the 77th for the second before the Portugal winger scored his second of the season in injury time.
"He's a player who's still adapting to a new league so I don't think we can ask much more," coach Manuel Pellegrino said of Ronaldo.
Barcelona and Real Madrid both have a maximum six points while Atletico Madrid remains without a win after drawing 1-1 against Racing Santander.
Brazil striker Luis Fabiano scored two goals as Sevilla rebounded from an opening-day defeat to beat Zaragoza 4-1.
Fabiano beat Juan Pablo Carrizo to Alvaro Negredo's flick-on to tip the ball over the Zaragoza goalkeeper in first-half injury time and then slotted a rebound past the Argentine 'keeper in the 87th.
Abdoulay Konko had put Sevilla ahead in the eighth minute after a feed from Renato before Javier Arizmendi equalized in the 33rd with his second goal of the season. Diego Perotti scored Sevilla's third in the 57th from a hard shot.
Barcelona welcomed back Andres Iniesta for the first time since the Champions League final victory in May, but it was the host who nearly scored first.
Getafe nearly went ahead behind first-half pressure that included Juan Angel Albin hitting the crossbar from long range in the 12th before Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes saved Roberto Soldado's point-blank attempt.
Barcelona finally rallied with Keita slashing wide a minute later before Ustari got down to stop Ibrahimovic's low shot from inside the area just before halftime.
"We were lucky to go into halftime tied," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "In the second half we were much better."
Ustari did well again in the 59th to tip Xavi Hernandez's swiveled volley over the crossbar, but Getafe's defense was troubled by Ibrahimovic who warmed up for a midweek Champions League game against former club Inter Milan with his second goal in as many games.
"Ibrahimovic was extraordinary," Guardiola said of his €66-million Samuel Eto'o replacement.
Messi, who came on as in the 57th, scored in his first appearance of the season after the Argentina winger skipped an opening-day win over Sporting Gijon for international duty.
In the first game at Espanyol's Cornella-El Prat stadium, a minute's silence was held to remember Daniel Jarque, the Espanyol captain who died during the preseason.
Pellegrini watched uncomfortably as only poor finishing kept Espanyol from taking the lead in the first half. Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas blocked Moises Hurtado's shot from in front of goal with his legs in the 20th.
Kaka played Granero into the area and the Spanish midfielder beat Carlos Kameni at the far post to give his team the lead.
Pellegrini finally brought Ronaldo in for the ineffective Karim Benzema in the 66th, and Raul Gonzalez came on for Gonzalo Higuain two minutes before Guti beat Kameni.
Guti played Ronaldo through down the flank and the winger beat Kameni with a low shot.
Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/10007230/Spanish-La-Liga-Roundup,-Sep.-12
Sunday, September 13, 2009
I was a fan of Manchester United
I was a fan of MU during the era of Peter Schmeichel, Roy Keane and David Beckham. Eric Cantona is great but I still have yet to know him well at that time. The most memorable experience was when the Red Devils completed the treble in 1999. Losing 0-1 to Bayern Munich during most of the match time, MU made a great comeback with two goals in the last two minutes to seal a remarkable victory over Munich.
Cool when scoring...
and simple when celebrating
Messi is a gifted player. You wont see another one like him in a long, long time.
The atmosphere in the coffee shop where i watched the game is still fresh in my mind. Though the match started around 2.45am, MU die hard fans will never miss it. Its like a responsibility for them to follow every match involving MU. Anyone care to share whats the reason/s?
I still remember an Indian friend became too excited with the win and tears apart the plastic chair with his head! He just spontaneously held the chair high and slammed the chair (the area where you rest ur bottom) into his head. As a result, he had to compensate which I dont think he care much. He is too happy and order more Guinness to celebrate the magical win for his beloved team.
MU is still my favorite team in the EPL. They have their own style of play which I believe is hard for other teams to emulate. Since following Messi few years ago, and with the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid, my attention turns to Barcelona. I do think that the departure of Beckham is a great loss to MU. He is without doubt the best freekick taker and crosser in the world. For me, MU greatest no.7, since Eric Cantona era, belongs to David Beckham though many will prefer Ronaldo.
Why Messi? Simply because there isnt anyone like Messi.
He's great with dribbling...
Cool when scoring...
and simple when celebrating
Messi is a gifted player. You wont see another one like him in a long, long time.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Messi Steers Barcelona to Second Title For This Season
Barcelona defeats Shakhtar to win UEFA Super Cup
MONACO (AP) - Barcelona substitute Pedro Rodriguez scored the only goal deep into extra time to lead the European Cup holder 1-0 over UEFA Cup winner Shakhtar Donetsk in the European Super Cup on Friday.
Rodriguez pounced onto a pass from Lionel Messi with five minutes of extra time remaining and prodded the ball into the bottom corner to finally break the Ukrainian team's stubborn resistance at Stade Louis II.
Barcelona last won the Super Cup in 1997 and also in 1992, but lost in 2006 to UEFA Cup winner Sevilla.
Coach Pep Guardiola guided Barca to the treble last season, adding the La Liga and Copa del Rey domestic double to victory in the Champions League.
He already has two trophies this season after completing a 5-1 win in the two-leg Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao last Sunday.
"We've managed to bring two Super Cups home so we're pretty happy. It's a great evening. We haven't lost the essence of the side," Guardiola said through a translator.
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu said it was "extremely difficult" to play a team like Barcelona.
"Barcelona is a great team. I know how they play and organize things. I'm happy because we played a good game," Lucescu said.
Messi, Barca's star in the Champions League final win over Manchester United, settled the result with a typical piece of skill, rolling the ball from his right foot to his left and playing a reverse pass into Rodriguez's path as he ran round the back of a defender.
Tempers flared at the end of regulation time when Messi went on a mazy run into the area and complained angrily that he had been impeded just as he was about to shoot.
Shakhtar didn't threaten Barcelona's goal until extra time when substitute Julius Aghahowa ran through and forced goalkeeper Victor Valdes into a low save in the 97th minute. Barcelona replacement Bojan Krkic's angled shot was saved by goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov a minute later as the game finally came to life.
Rodriguez, another product of Barca's flourishing youth team, saw his angled shot cleared off the line by right back Darijo Srna early in the second period of extra time.
Barca started the match brightly, with Thierry Henry's turn and shot from 20 yards (meters) just over.
But chances were few for Barcelona in the first half against Shakhtar's defense, which denied Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic space.
A neat move between Messi and Ibrahimovic in the 32nd released the Sweden striker down the left but his return pass to Messi was intercepted. A minute later, Messi squeezed a shot in from the left that Pyatov saved.
Shakhtar showed good movement off the ball but Lucescu's team failed to take a shot at goal until the 84th.
Ibrahimovic and Yaya Toure, Barcelona's most physical players, gradually started to make their presence felt in the second half. But the understanding between Ibrahimovic - who joined Barca from Inter Milan while Samuel Eto'o went the opposite way - and his new teammates was patchy.
In the 54th, Ibrahimovic stood flapping his arms in frustration after Dani Alves failed to spot him down the left.
Henry, isolated for much of the match, also showed signs of frustration, and totally missed the ball with an attempted bicycle kick after 71 minutes.
Guardiola switched Messi to a deep-lying role midway through the second half, allowing him to burst forward into space and run at the tiring Shakhtar defenders with his electric pace.
That nearly paid off with 15 minutes remaining when Pyatov saved shots from Messi and Henry in quick succession.
Henry then missed from close range in the 86th when he lunged at the back post to meet Carles Puyol's flick on.
MONACO (AP) - Barcelona substitute Pedro Rodriguez scored the only goal deep into extra time to lead the European Cup holder 1-0 over UEFA Cup winner Shakhtar Donetsk in the European Super Cup on Friday.
Rodriguez pounced onto a pass from Lionel Messi with five minutes of extra time remaining and prodded the ball into the bottom corner to finally break the Ukrainian team's stubborn resistance at Stade Louis II.
Barcelona last won the Super Cup in 1997 and also in 1992, but lost in 2006 to UEFA Cup winner Sevilla.
Coach Pep Guardiola guided Barca to the treble last season, adding the La Liga and Copa del Rey domestic double to victory in the Champions League.
He already has two trophies this season after completing a 5-1 win in the two-leg Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao last Sunday.
"We've managed to bring two Super Cups home so we're pretty happy. It's a great evening. We haven't lost the essence of the side," Guardiola said through a translator.
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu said it was "extremely difficult" to play a team like Barcelona.
"Barcelona is a great team. I know how they play and organize things. I'm happy because we played a good game," Lucescu said.
Messi, Barca's star in the Champions League final win over Manchester United, settled the result with a typical piece of skill, rolling the ball from his right foot to his left and playing a reverse pass into Rodriguez's path as he ran round the back of a defender.
Tempers flared at the end of regulation time when Messi went on a mazy run into the area and complained angrily that he had been impeded just as he was about to shoot.
Shakhtar didn't threaten Barcelona's goal until extra time when substitute Julius Aghahowa ran through and forced goalkeeper Victor Valdes into a low save in the 97th minute. Barcelona replacement Bojan Krkic's angled shot was saved by goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov a minute later as the game finally came to life.
Rodriguez, another product of Barca's flourishing youth team, saw his angled shot cleared off the line by right back Darijo Srna early in the second period of extra time.
Barca started the match brightly, with Thierry Henry's turn and shot from 20 yards (meters) just over.
But chances were few for Barcelona in the first half against Shakhtar's defense, which denied Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic space.
A neat move between Messi and Ibrahimovic in the 32nd released the Sweden striker down the left but his return pass to Messi was intercepted. A minute later, Messi squeezed a shot in from the left that Pyatov saved.
Shakhtar showed good movement off the ball but Lucescu's team failed to take a shot at goal until the 84th.
Ibrahimovic and Yaya Toure, Barcelona's most physical players, gradually started to make their presence felt in the second half. But the understanding between Ibrahimovic - who joined Barca from Inter Milan while Samuel Eto'o went the opposite way - and his new teammates was patchy.
In the 54th, Ibrahimovic stood flapping his arms in frustration after Dani Alves failed to spot him down the left.
Henry, isolated for much of the match, also showed signs of frustration, and totally missed the ball with an attempted bicycle kick after 71 minutes.
Guardiola switched Messi to a deep-lying role midway through the second half, allowing him to burst forward into space and run at the tiring Shakhtar defenders with his electric pace.
That nearly paid off with 15 minutes remaining when Pyatov saved shots from Messi and Henry in quick succession.
Henry then missed from close range in the 86th when he lunged at the back post to meet Carles Puyol's flick on.
Barcelona Wins Spanish Super Cup 2009
Barcelona should have scored a dozen goals in this game!!! Just watch how many missed chances for Barca that ended with only 3 goals. Messi scored two goals while Bojan made it 3-0 after collecting a ball from a poor backpass by Bilbao defender. With the result, Barca beats Athletic Bilbao 5-1 on aggregate to lift their 8th Spanish Super Cup!!! Going to buy Barca jersey soon, looking for Messi 10!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Champions League Best Player of 2009 - Lionel Messi
MONACO (AP) - Barcelona's Lionel Messi was chosen the best player of the 2008-09 Champions League on Thursday.
The Argentina forward was voted the UEFA club player of the year by coaches of the 15 other teams who reached the knockout rounds of the tournament.
"It is an enormous joy to be able to receive such an important award as this," Messi said. "And it's also a pleasure to be able to thank all the people who voted for me and who decided I should get this award."
Messi scored nine times in Barcelona's march to the title, including a 70th-minute header in the final to seal a 2-0 win against Manchester United.
At the draw ceremony for this season's competition, Messi was voted best forward and teammate Xavi Hernandez was chosen best midfielder.
Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar was picked as best goalkeeper and John Terry of Chelsea as best defender.
Messi succeeded Cristiano Ronaldo, the world player of the year, in winning the UEFA award, and became the second Argentine winner after Fernando Redondo in Real Madrid's Champions League-winning season of 2000.
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9993214/Messi-voted-best-player-of-2009-Champions-League
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/video?vid=3493af3c-e256-49c7-80e4-73ee9754ce0b%26tab=FOX Soccer Channel
The Argentina forward was voted the UEFA club player of the year by coaches of the 15 other teams who reached the knockout rounds of the tournament.
"It is an enormous joy to be able to receive such an important award as this," Messi said. "And it's also a pleasure to be able to thank all the people who voted for me and who decided I should get this award."
Messi scored nine times in Barcelona's march to the title, including a 70th-minute header in the final to seal a 2-0 win against Manchester United.
At the draw ceremony for this season's competition, Messi was voted best forward and teammate Xavi Hernandez was chosen best midfielder.
Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar was picked as best goalkeeper and John Terry of Chelsea as best defender.
Messi succeeded Cristiano Ronaldo, the world player of the year, in winning the UEFA award, and became the second Argentine winner after Fernando Redondo in Real Madrid's Champions League-winning season of 2000.
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9993214/Messi-voted-best-player-of-2009-Champions-League
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/video?vid=3493af3c-e256-49c7-80e4-73ee9754ce0b%26tab=FOX Soccer Channel
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Messi-ah Continues His Great Form
Messi is back to business. What a great start for this season! Messi sealed the victory for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao by scoring two goals and went on to lift the Spanish Supercup. This is without doubt the first of many trophies to reach Nou Camp, Barcelona this year.
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Messi leads Barcelona to Spanish Supercup win
Lionel Messi scored two second half goals Sunday as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 to lift the Spanish Supercup.
Substitute Bojan Krkic also scored as the Catalans secured their eighth Supercup 5-1 on aggregate to take the first of six trophies it is competing for following a historic treble-winning campaign last season.
Messi ran onto Zlatan Ibrahimovic's pass in the 50th minute, moved around a defender and then chipped goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz for his first goal before scoring a penalty in the 68th.
Krkic rounded out the scoreline just a minute after replacing Ibrahimovic, who made his competitive debut after arriving from Inter Milan. The teenage striker seized on an Athletic turnover in the 72nd to walk the ball into goal.
Barcelona dominated possession just as it did at the San Mames, with Messi and Ibrahimovic beginning to strike up an understanding that coach Pep Guardiola is hoping will lead the Catalans to further glory this season.
The Catalan club is also playing Shakhtar Donetsk for the European Supercup on Friday and will try for the Club World Cup in December.
Goalkeeper Iraizoz kept the Basques in it through the first half with a number of key saves beginning in the 25th minute when Messi let fly with a quick strike from the right side.
Yaya Toure dribbled free along the goal line to find Seydou Keita with a centre in the 33rd only for the Mali midfielder to trip over with only Iraizoz to beat.
Soon after denying Gerard Pique, Iraizoz stopped and acrobatic volley from Ibrahimovic after Messi had found the Sweden striker alone in front of goal.
Messi later stepped up to score a penalty after Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora was adjudged to have brought down Daniel Alves inside the box.
Pablo Orbaiz's long-range free kick was Athletic's sole chance as it came to the Camp Nou stadium trying to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.
Lionel Messi scored two second half goals Sunday as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 to lift the Spanish Supercup.
Substitute Bojan Krkic also scored as the Catalans secured their eighth Supercup 5-1 on aggregate to take the first of six trophies it is competing for following a historic treble-winning campaign last season.
Messi ran onto Zlatan Ibrahimovic's pass in the 50th minute, moved around a defender and then chipped goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz for his first goal before scoring a penalty in the 68th.
Krkic rounded out the scoreline just a minute after replacing Ibrahimovic, who made his competitive debut after arriving from Inter Milan. The teenage striker seized on an Athletic turnover in the 72nd to walk the ball into goal.
Barcelona dominated possession just as it did at the San Mames, with Messi and Ibrahimovic beginning to strike up an understanding that coach Pep Guardiola is hoping will lead the Catalans to further glory this season.
The Catalan club is also playing Shakhtar Donetsk for the European Supercup on Friday and will try for the Club World Cup in December.
Goalkeeper Iraizoz kept the Basques in it through the first half with a number of key saves beginning in the 25th minute when Messi let fly with a quick strike from the right side.
Yaya Toure dribbled free along the goal line to find Seydou Keita with a centre in the 33rd only for the Mali midfielder to trip over with only Iraizoz to beat.
Soon after denying Gerard Pique, Iraizoz stopped and acrobatic volley from Ibrahimovic after Messi had found the Sweden striker alone in front of goal.
Messi later stepped up to score a penalty after Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora was adjudged to have brought down Daniel Alves inside the box.
Pablo Orbaiz's long-range free kick was Athletic's sole chance as it came to the Camp Nou stadium trying to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Messi Leads Barcelona Teammates For UEFA Award
Barca players dominate uefa award nominations
LONDON: Six players who helped Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in May’s Champions League final were included in the list of nominees for UEFA’s Club Footballer of the Year awards to be presented in Monte Carlo next week.
Goalkeeper Victor Valdes, defender Gerard Pique, midfielders Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta and forwards Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o, now with Inter Milan, were on the list released by UEFA on Monday.
The six other players come from either Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool.
The three United players are goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, defender Nemanja Vidic and forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has since joined Real Madrid for a world record transfer fee of £80mil.
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and defender John Terry and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard were also nominated.
The players were proposed by the coaches of the 16 teams that reached the Champions League knock-out phase, with votes cast for a winner in each position as well as the overall UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.
The announcement will be made during the Champions League group stage draw on Aug 27. — Reuters
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2133981268486521603
Friday, August 7, 2009
Messi.....Messi.....
(Imagine the EPL song while you read the title)
Messi is back. More on Messi soon. Stay tuned!
Messi fires brace as Barca maul Seattle
SEATTLE: Lionel Messi scored the opening two goals as Barcelona beat the Seattle Sounders 4-0 in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.
In a dominant performance by the reigning European champions, Barcelona required their top players for only half the game to beat the Major League Soccer club and extend their winning pre-season form.
Messi beat Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller in the 21st minute with a left-footed punch from outside the penalty box that the former Tottenham stopper only got a fingertip on.
Twenty minutes later, Messi gathered Xavi’s perfectly judged cross about eight yards out and in one move split Keller’s legs with his left foot shot. The scoring was completed by fringe squad members Jeffren Suarez in the 75th minute and Pedro Rodriguez in the 89th.
Messi’s pre-season form indicates he will pick up right where he left off at the end of a 2008-09 season when he scored 38 goals as Barcelona won the treble of Champions League, Spanish League and King’s Cup. — AP
Messi is back. More on Messi soon. Stay tuned!
Messi fires brace as Barca maul Seattle
SEATTLE: Lionel Messi scored the opening two goals as Barcelona beat the Seattle Sounders 4-0 in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.
In a dominant performance by the reigning European champions, Barcelona required their top players for only half the game to beat the Major League Soccer club and extend their winning pre-season form.
Messi beat Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller in the 21st minute with a left-footed punch from outside the penalty box that the former Tottenham stopper only got a fingertip on.
Twenty minutes later, Messi gathered Xavi’s perfectly judged cross about eight yards out and in one move split Keller’s legs with his left foot shot. The scoring was completed by fringe squad members Jeffren Suarez in the 75th minute and Pedro Rodriguez in the 89th.
Messi’s pre-season form indicates he will pick up right where he left off at the end of a 2008-09 season when he scored 38 goals as Barcelona won the treble of Champions League, Spanish League and King’s Cup. — AP
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
There Isn't Anyone Like Messi
Not everyone will agree with you. You cannot satisfy everyone. But when someone from the same field says you are great, that means something special!! Life is not about hates, but about loves! Love more..Messi reminds me of me, says Argentina coach Maradona
BUENOS AIRES: Argentina coach Diego Maradona says Lionel Messi’s importance to the national team is reminiscent of himself.
“Messi is my Maradona. There is no other player more important than Messi,” Maradona said in Monday’s edition of sports newspaper Ole. “I could say that in my team, there is Messi and 10 others.”
Messi, one of the best players in the world, has never performed as well with Argentina as he has with Barcelona, who won an unprecedented triple of Champions League, Spanish League and King’s Cup titles last season.
“I love working with him,” Maradona said. “He makes everything seem easy. He’s got the ball stuck to his foot, part of his body. It’s like, here comes his foot and the ball as well. This is something I haven’t seen in any other player, and I’ve seen lots of players.”
Maradona joked that the Barcelona star is so famous now, he can’t be bothered to return his calls.
“He’s impossible to reach,” Maradona said. “It’s easier to speak with (US President Barack) Obama than with Leo.”
Argentina host Brazil on Sept 5 in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Brazil lead South American qualifying with 27 points. Argentina are in fourth place with 22. Only the top four teams automatically reach next year’s tournament in South Africa. The fifth placed team face a playoff with the No. 4 side from the North, Central and Caribbean region to advance.
Argentina also have qualifying games remaining with Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.
“We have four very tough games, but we are aiming at the Brazilians. Brazil are the team to bring down,” Maradona said. “(Brazil are) a team that play well, that have talent, that have luck, and that have played so well for so long that they have many World Cups.
“But we are Argentina — you can’t forget that!”
Maradona again suggested it was unlikely that playmaker Juan Ramon Riquelme would be recalled to the team.
The 31-year-old Riquelme retired from international football in March, saying he and Maradona did not get along. Maradona had criticised Riquelme’s play and overlooked him for several friendlies after being selected as coach in November.
Julio Grondona, the head of the Argentine Football Federation, has tried to intervene and bring Riquelme back on the team.
However, Maradona said the situation is “closed, although nothing is definite”.
“But Riquelme has many things to explain to the players and staff,” Maradona added. — AP
Source: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/7/29/sports/4407886&sec=sports
Friday, May 29, 2009
Guardiola Tactical Plan Sinks Manchester United; Messi is the Best Player in the World
ROME: Barcelona did a lot more than beat Manchester United to capture the Champions League alongside their domestic League and Cup double.
The Spanish club swung the pendulum of European power away from the Premier League.
Last season’s final in Moscow between United and Chelsea suggested that the wealth of the English game was threatening to take over.
But Pep Guardiola’s team outplayed United to such an extent at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday it was clear that the real quality is a long way from Manchester or London.
“We’re aware we’ve done something magnificent,” Guardiola said after his team’s 2-0 victory after goals by Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi. “We’re approaching mythical terms.”
The 38-year-old Barca coach, who completed a perfect season of three titles at his first attempt, said he believed Messi had proved without doubt he was the best player on the planet.
“Even if we had lost I wouldn’t have changed my opinion about him. Lionel Messi is the best player in the world, absolutely” Guardiola said. “I think right now he is adding his name to the Golden Ball.
“When the going gets tough, he really gets going.”
Guardiola’s tactical plan to switch winger Messi inside also outfoxed United’s defenders.
“I saw last year that Leo Messi had problems with (Man United leftback Patrice) Evra and so I decided to take him out of the right side and put in the middle,” Guardiola said.
“Messi, with Xavi (Hernandez) and (Andres) Inestia, I tried to have one more man in the midfield.”
Messi even came up with a rare header goal to take his Champions League tally to nine – two better than anyone else – and his season total to 38.
“This is the most important victory of my life,” Messi said. “When the second goal came that calmed us down a lot.”
His goals tally put Man United star Cristiano Ronaldo in the shade after his 18 league goals and four in the Champions League and the head-to-head to measure which player is the best was one-sided in this final.
“This is one of the biggest disappointments of my career. We were always confident before the game but unfortunately we couldn’t do it,” Ronaldo said, who said after the game wasn’t sure whether he would be staying at United.
“It is always bad when you lose a final. But we didn’t play well. We did OK in the first 10 minutes but you have to say Barcelona deserved to win.”
Man United manager Alex Ferguson admitted his team was beaten by a better side.
“The disappointment was the use of the ball when we got possession,” Ferguson said. “You have to wait minutes to get it back off them. Could be it was an off night. Could be it was a mountain too big to climb.
“We knew what a good football team they were. We had difficulty in defending against them. Messi dropped into midfield and they kept possession and made it difficult for us.”
The 67-year-old Man United manager, who remains on 25 titles in 23 years at Old Trafford, praised the much younger Guardiola for his achievement for winning three in his first season.
“It is a great achievement as a coach in his first year. Well done. Fantastic,” Ferguson said. “Everybody enjoys their football and it is great credit to him.”
“You have to give credit to a very good Barcelona team. If they get in front of you they are very difficult to beat,” Ferguson said. “They kept possession of the ball and made it very difficult to get back.
“When we did get possession we didn’t do well with it. Credit to them, the better team won.” — AP
Source: http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/5/29/sports/4002100&sec=sports
Thursday, May 28, 2009
UEFA Champions League 2009 Winner Is... Barcelona!!!
Barcelona beats Man United 2-0 in final
ROME (AP) - A rare headed goal by Lionel Messi (indeed a very rare header by probably the shortest player on field - even one of the tallest goalkeeper cant touch the ball! What a GOAL!!!) helped Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Champions League final on Wednesday, giving the Spanish side its third European Cup title and third trophy in a magical season.
Samuel Eto'o put the Spanish champions ahead in the 10th minute and Messi's 70th-minute goal - his ninth in the Champions League this season - sealed the victory over the defending champions at the Stadio Olimpico.
The triumph completed a sweep of titles for 38-year-old Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola in his first season, after wins in the Spanish league and cup. The former Barcelona star, who started as a ball boy at Camp Nou, now joins the ranks of those who have won the title both as a player and a coach.
Guardiola became the youngest coach to win European soccer's top club competition since the European Cup became the Champions League in 1993. Barcelona also won the trophy in 1992 and 2006.
"No team has ever done the treble in Spain, and we'll be remembered as the first team to do it," Barcelona striker Thierry Henry said. "That's amazing." (For record, Barcelona won the Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey), then the Spanish League, and now the Champions League in 2009! Undisputedly The Team of the Year - Barcelona)
United had been chasing its fourth European Cup title, and fourth trophy this season after winning the Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup and League Cup.
But United was thoroughly outplayed by the Spanish side as Messi scored his 38th goal of an amazing year for Barcelona, which has 53 league and cup goals this season. (FIFA World Player of the Year 2009 - Lionel MESSI)
Xavi floated a diagonal ball into the United area to find Messi unmarked, and the 5-fooot-7 (1.69 m) Argentina striker - renowned for his deft dribbling and shooting - used his head to loop the ball over United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar and into the net.
Messi set off colorful celebrations at one end of the stadium, filled with 62,467 fans, and left English fans in silence.
The loss left Man United manager Alex Ferguson at 25 titles in 23 seasons. He failed to match Liverpool's Bob Paisley's three titles in the competition.
"We started the game brightly. We were confident and we could have been in front," Ferguson said. "We had the ball but didn't use it very well. ... We defended fantastically all season but they were two shoddy goals.
"We didn't play as well as we can, but they are a good team. We have to give them credit. Xavi (Hernandez) and (Andres) Iniesta can keep the ball all night. They made it very difficult."
South Korean winger Park Ji-sung became the first Asian to play in a Champions League final. He almost scored for United in the opening minute but his shot was deflected wide after Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick had been blocked by the goalkeeper. It was the nearest United came to scoring all night.
The victory also marked the first Champions League title for Henry, the French striker who was on the losing side when Arsenal lost to Barcelona in 2006.
"Finally, I've been waiting for so long to get this title and now finally today," said Henry, who had been doubtful for the final because of a knee injury. "The last five minutes were the longest of my life."
United almost went ahead in the opening minute when a needless foul by Yaya Toure on Anderson handed Ronaldo an early free kick. His powerful drive was blocked by the hands of goalkeeper Victor Valdes and Park's rebound was deflected for a corner by Gerard Pique.
With Barcelona's dangerous forwards barely getting a touch of the ball in the early stages, there was little danger at the other end until the Spanish champions went ahead with their first attack of the game.
Iniesta started the move with a break through midfield and found Eto'o on the right. The striker cut inside a weak tackle by Nemanja Vidic and poked a low angled shot past Van de Sar.
The goal changed the pattern of the play with Barcelona's stars settling into their confident style of interpassing. United, now chasing the game, was unable to create any real danger. Ronaldo wanted to shoot at every opportunity, but fired wide and headed over.
Seeing his title slipping away, Ferguson reshaped his attack for the second half.
The 67-year-old Scot took off midfielder Anderson and sent on Carlos Tevez, the Argentina striker who is convinced he's leaving the club because United won't turn his loan deal into a full term transfer.
That left United undermanned in midfield and Barcelona continued to create openings.
Ferguson made another change when he took off Park and sent on Dimitar Berbatov.
Barcelona could have added more but Van der Sar saved twice from Carles Puyol and Ronaldo was shown the yellow card for some petulant late challenges on the Barcelona captain.
Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/5/28/sports/20090528063317&sec=sports
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Barcelona Is Ready To Win With Beautiful Football!
Barcelona attack at full strength vs. Man UnitedROME (AP) - Barcelona's formidable attack should be at its best with Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta likely to return for the Champions League final against Manchester United.
Henry and Iniesta were traveling with the team to Rome on Tuesday, a day after taking part in their first full training session since picking up separate leg injuries earlier this month.
The puzzle is coming together for the Spanish champions in time for Wednesday's match between two of the world's best clubs.
"They are two basic footballing pieces in our scheme," Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez said. "We know they're going to play, that they'll be 100 percent, and to have them is a privilege because with them we're better."
Both players have been key to the offensive juggernaut that has scored 151 goals in collecting two trophies this season.
Iniesta's injury-time goal against a staunch Chelsea side earned Barca its sixth trip to the final; it has won the cup twice. The Spain midfielder, recovering from a thigh injury, abandoned his usual reserved nature when it came to deciphering the final.
"United are the defending champions, one of the best, but they don't scare me. I have the same respect for them as they have for us," Iniesta said. "It's a chance to go down in history. I'd accept winning on penalties."
Based on their training methods, that's something Barcelona is not exactly ready for.
"We haven't practiced them," Xavi said. "I think to do that is ridiculous because you can't emulate the tension of a game in a training session."
Henry has combined with Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o to net a league-record 71 goals by a trio. But Iniesta provides an integral midfield piece to rookie coach Josep Guardiola's philosophy: attacking, possession soccer borne out by midfielders Xavi and Iniesta.
The two players are straight out of the mold of Guardiola, a former midfielder who orchestrated Barcelona to 10 major titles from that role, including in the Champions League in 1992.
"This is special for us because we played the best football," Xavi said after the club secured its 19th league title. "I have never seen (a team) play at this level, I have never played in a better team. We have individuals but, above all, we've won as a team. I'm proud."
But the absence of several defenders has left Barcelona's defense exposed against a team that knocked it out at the semifinal stage last year.
With fullbacks Daniel Alves and Eric Abidal suspended and center back Rafael Marquez injured, midfielder Yaya Toure will likely partner with former United player Gerard Pique in the middle as he did against Chelsea, then against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Cup final. Captain Carles Puyol and 35-year-old Silvinho are likely to fill in on the wings.
With forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov to contend with, goalkeeper Victor Valdes again may be called upon to make big saves in pressure moments.
"What I must value is how Rooney, Tevez, (Paul) Scholes, etc., work," Iniesta said. "Rooney played left back against us. To win a final against United you can't make any mistakes."
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Ronaldo vs. Messi could decide 'best player' award (But one game doesnt make the difference. Messi has been outstanding throughout the year, from Spanish League to Champions League. Fair enough. Messi is undeniably the best this year!!!)
While Manchester United and Barcelona play for the Champions League trophy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi may well be squaring off for the right to call himself the world's best player.
Ronaldo, however, doesn't seem too concerned about that.
"Now to decide (who the best player is), who cares about that? What I want more is to win the Champions League and that's it," Ronaldo said Tuesday from the Stadio Olimpico. "I respect Barcelona very much, Messi is special also.
"Sincerely, I'm not worried about that. I would rather win the Champions League final. I want it very much."
Ronaldo is the reigning FIFA world player of the year after his 42 goals last season guided United to both the Premier League and Champions League trophies. Messi was second in the voting, despite Barcelona enduring a second straight season without a trophy.
This season, however, Messi has already collected two trophies and netted more goals than Ronaldo, and the result of Wednesday's final could be the deciding factor when votes are cast for next year's award. (I dont think so.)
"Both are huge, huge players," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "For me, never mind who is going to win the Champions League or who is better - both are marvelous players. For Manchester, Ronaldo is very important, and for us Messi is very important."
United coach Alex Ferguson said picking one over the other was difficult because of their different styles - Ronaldo's speedy stepovers and long-range shooting vs. Messi's darting runs and imagination inside the area.
"Both have the ability and courage to attack defenders all the time. No matter how many times they are tackled they get up and they want the ball, and that's the kind of courage we want to see in footballers. And both have it," Ferguson said. "Both have different types of qualities, both are different types of players but at end of the day, how can you divide it? They're separate."
If Man United defends its European trophy, that will provide a fourth piece of silverware after league, League Cup and Club World Cup triumphs.
Messi can add a Champions League title to Barcelona's league and cup double, and see the Catalans become only the fifth Spanish team to win three trophies in a season.
"Messi will play a good game if we get our tactics right," Guardiola said.
Ronaldo has never scored against Spanish opposition while Messi, who leads the competition with eight goals, has never netted against a Premier League opponent.
Ronaldo said the buildup to the their individual showdown was not proving a distraction.
"I'm 100 percent focused on the game. I know the people want to know something about me but I'm very focused," Ronaldo said. "I try to score a goal and win the game, that's it."
Source:
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9613070/Barcelona-attack-at-full-strength-vs.-Man-United
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9613418/Ronaldo-vs.-Messi-could-decide-'best-player'-award
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ferguson Hails Messi As World's Best
Again, Alex Ferguson say something absolutely right. This time its about Messi. The Champions League final is coming up. Cast your vote before the final, probably one of the best football match in history!!!
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Ferguson hails world's best duo in Messi, Ronaldo
Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's most gifted players ahead of the Champions League final.
The Manchester United manager believes the two stars' work ethic allied to their natural ability sets them apart from anyone else in world football.
Ferguson, who rates the quality in the Champions League as even higher than in the World Cup, also rates AC Milan's Kaka to an extent "although he has never really taken my breath away".
He told the latest issue of UEFA publication The Technician: "There are some players, such as Kaka, Messi and Ronaldo who are innately gifted.
"But this is not enough, and there is a practice element which becomes very important.
"If you watch Cristiano Ronaldo, he practices after every squad training session, and quite a few others do the same.
"As a coach, we dedicate parts of the training to improving touch, movement, passing and speed of play, but the special quality, the detail, depends on the player being willing to sacrifice himself after training - this is a hallmark of the great players.
"If the big talents only rely on their natural ability, they won't have that extra edge. They must do something extra on their own."
Asked which opposition players he rated highest, Ferguson replied: "When I think of the current generation, Lionel Messi is top level and, although he has never really taken my breath away, Kaka has impressed."
Messi and Ronaldo will come face to face in the Olympic Stadium in Rome, and Ferguson believes the Champions League is hard to beat when it comes to drama - even compared to the World Cup.
The United manager added: "There are many good games at the World Cup, but in general the quality in the big Champions League games is, in my view, higher.
"I think that, overall, the Champions League is hard to beat when it comes to consistency, quality and drama.
"The World Cup, of course, is every four years, and big changes always take place with the departure of many players and coaches and continuity then suffers."
Ferguson also picked out AC Milan's Paolo Maldini as his favourite opposition player during his time as a Champions League coach.
"He has a wonderful presence, competitive spirit, athleticism, and although not the world's greatest technically, he has influenced all the AC Milan teams during his wonderfully successful era - a truly marvelous player," said Ferguson.
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9589842/Ferguson-hails-world's-best-duo-in-Messi,-Ronaldo
Related articles:
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"Our football is better than United's", says Messi as Barca lift title!!!
Lionel Messi last night raised the stakes in the run-up to the Champions League final by claiming that Barcelona had "more football" than Manchester United, and suggesting that if they can lift the European Cup on 27 May they could go down as the greatest team in the club's history.
Messi who, along with four other certain starters for next week's final was rested for yesterday's insignificant away fixture at Mallorca, called on his team-mates to add the Champions League to the Spanish league title and the Spanish Cup and make Barcelona the first side to win the treble in Spain.
"We are going to give everything to win the Champions League. Manchester United have a great team with some great players but I think we just have that little bit more football," he said. "We have to take advantage of this moment because we don't know if it will ever present itself again. We have the chance to pass into the history books of a club as great as Barcelona and we are going to do just that."
The famous dream team of the Nineties won four consecutive league titles and a European Cup under the management of Johan Cruyff. And Frank Rijkaard's side built around Ronaldinho won the league and Champions League double but the treble would put this Barcelona side beyond even those two teams.
Messi said: "The team that won the league and the Champions league in the same season [2006] played some wonderful football and was great to watch but if we win the Champions we will be able to say that it is even better."
Barça's Argentine forward was at home when Real Madrid's defeat to Villarreal on Saturday night confirmed the Catalans as La Liga champions. And with nothing to play for last night against Mallorca he, along with midfielders Xavi, and Yaya Touré and defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique did not even travel to the Balearic island.
Messi is also unlikely to start in next week's home game against Osasuna as he sets his sights on making up for missing out on the 2006 final through injury. He added: "I couldn't really enjoy the last Champions League win because I was injured in the quarter-finals. This time I have played right the way through and to go on and win the final would just make it complete."
Messi should be joined by Thierry Henry in Rome. The Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, has admitted to being optimistic that the French striker will win his fitness battle. He said: "There are nine days left and he [Henry] is very upbeat. My hopes are high that he will be able to play the final. He is coming along very well indeed."
While for Barça, all roads now lead to Rome, their eternal rivals Madrid are stuck in La Liga purgatory. After the 3-2 away defeat to Villarreal that ended their title chances, they now have two meaningless games left to play and a coach and playing staff unsure of their future under former Galacticos president Florentino Perez, who is set to return to the post in the club's elections next month.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/our-football-is-better-than-uniteds-says-messi-as-barccedila-lift-title-1686816.html
Messi who, along with four other certain starters for next week's final was rested for yesterday's insignificant away fixture at Mallorca, called on his team-mates to add the Champions League to the Spanish league title and the Spanish Cup and make Barcelona the first side to win the treble in Spain.
"We are going to give everything to win the Champions League. Manchester United have a great team with some great players but I think we just have that little bit more football," he said. "We have to take advantage of this moment because we don't know if it will ever present itself again. We have the chance to pass into the history books of a club as great as Barcelona and we are going to do just that."
The famous dream team of the Nineties won four consecutive league titles and a European Cup under the management of Johan Cruyff. And Frank Rijkaard's side built around Ronaldinho won the league and Champions League double but the treble would put this Barcelona side beyond even those two teams.
Messi said: "The team that won the league and the Champions league in the same season [2006] played some wonderful football and was great to watch but if we win the Champions we will be able to say that it is even better."
Barça's Argentine forward was at home when Real Madrid's defeat to Villarreal on Saturday night confirmed the Catalans as La Liga champions. And with nothing to play for last night against Mallorca he, along with midfielders Xavi, and Yaya Touré and defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique did not even travel to the Balearic island.
Messi is also unlikely to start in next week's home game against Osasuna as he sets his sights on making up for missing out on the 2006 final through injury. He added: "I couldn't really enjoy the last Champions League win because I was injured in the quarter-finals. This time I have played right the way through and to go on and win the final would just make it complete."
Messi should be joined by Thierry Henry in Rome. The Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, has admitted to being optimistic that the French striker will win his fitness battle. He said: "There are nine days left and he [Henry] is very upbeat. My hopes are high that he will be able to play the final. He is coming along very well indeed."
While for Barça, all roads now lead to Rome, their eternal rivals Madrid are stuck in La Liga purgatory. After the 3-2 away defeat to Villarreal that ended their title chances, they now have two meaningless games left to play and a coach and playing staff unsure of their future under former Galacticos president Florentino Perez, who is set to return to the post in the club's elections next month.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/our-football-is-better-than-uniteds-says-messi-as-barccedila-lift-title-1686816.html
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Barcelona Beats Athletic Bilbao for Record 25th Copa del Rey Title!!!
The first of the three titles for 2009!!!
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Barcelona beats Athletic for 25th domestic cup
VALENCIA, Spain (AP) - Barcelona rallied for a 4-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao for its record 25th Copa del Rey title on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi's 57th-minute winner was followed by Bojan Krkic and Xavi Hernandez sealing a deserved win that put the Catalans on course to become the first Spanish club to win three trophies in a season.
Barcelona players lift their coach Pep Guardiola after winning the Spanish Copa del Rey for the 25th time.
Barcelona's first domestic cup triumph since 1998 also snapped a trophy drought since a league-Champions League double in 2006.
Captain Carles Puyol received the trophy from King Juan Carlos before leading his teammates to a handful of laps around Mestalla Stadium, to the applause of both sets of fans.
"It's not a question of having liberated ourselves," coach Pep Guardiola said of the pressure on Barcelona to match its spectacular play with titles.
"We played a good game. It's a great day."
Guardiola also refused to take praise for guiding the club to a trophy in his rookie season.
"The team is on course, on course for something important. It's their football."
Gaizka Toquero headed Athletic in front after nine minutes before Yaya Toure equalized in the 32nd following an individual run from inside the Athletic half.
Barcelona dominated after that with Messi and Krkic scoring within two minutes and Xavi curling a free kick home in the 65th.
Athletic, which reached the final for the first time in 24 years, couldn't keep up with its Catalan rival as Barcelona showed why it is on the verge of winning the league this weekend, and will play Manchester United in the Champions League final on May 27.
"We came here to win but we came up against the best team in the world," Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros said.
Barcelona's defense was without Eric Abidal to suspension and Rafael Marquez to injury so Toure filled in at center back. The Ivory Coast midfielder single-handedly started the rally with an impressive goal where he moved around three opponents before beating Gorka Iraizoz with a stinging low shot from the edge of the area.
"It wasn't my best goal of my career but in terms of significance it was one of the finest," Toure said. "I think we've sent out a message after two years without a trophy."
The momentum turned Barcelona's way from then.
Athletic had managed to suffocate Messi and the Catalans' midfield early, and open through Toquero, who headed Fran Yeste's corner past Jose Manuel Pinto at the far post.
"We knew that the Basques would be physical, that they were very strong," Guardiola said. "Above all we knew that we were going to be facing a very aggressive team so it was important to get the ball out quick, to avoid contact and not let them suffocate us."
Athletic couldn't contain Barcelona, which was without Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry to injury, with its physical play as Barcelona broke loose after Messi's sixth goal of the cup and 37th in all competitions.
The Argentina winger, playing in his first final for Barcelona, jumped on the rebound from Samuel Eto'o's shot inside the area and controlled to fire past the scrambling defense.
"The difference between Leo and others in these types of games is that these are the types of matches he loves to play," Guardiola said.
Messi then set up Krkic, who was making a rare start, two minutes later to slide a low shot past Iraizoz off the inside of the far post for his fifth cup goal.
Barcelona's Daniel Alves was hit by an object thrown from the Athletic side of the stands in the 60th, then Xavi again rewarded the delirious Barcelona fans who had made the trip down the coast by scoring from a free kick.
Since both clubs represent two of Spain's more autonomous provinces, all 45,000 spectators greeted King Juan Carlos' entrance to jeers, and whistled for the entirety of the Spanish national anthem.
The crowds didn't let up their support thereafter as Barcelona won it's first domestic cup for 11 years.
The match also marked the 25th anniversary of the two teams' last meeting in the competition, a 1-0 Athletic win marred by a mass brawl to close.
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