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

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.

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.

Barcelona Is Ready To Win With Beautiful Football!

Barcelona attack at full strength vs. Man United
ROME (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

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:

• Messi vs Ronaldo
• Barcelona vs Man U - A Dream Final
• Messi Is Better Than Maradona

Messi vs Ronaldo

Who is the best footballer in the world today? Messi or Ronaldo (MU kid, not botak one)? Well, both have their own group of supporters/fans. For MU fans, usual la, Ronaldo should be your choice (or else you have to sit/stand with Liverpool fans in the Theatre of Dreams - heavily guarded. Bottles, shoes coming......Watch ur head!! no need to watch the game already lo). Same with Barca fans, most will say Messi is the best.

Maybe I should conduct a survey in this blog to determine who is the best! Just vote in the comment box guys. Thank you. But since my blog is not as famous as Malaysia Finance or Kennysia blog, even 10 votes is considered successful already.

Back to Messi vs Ronaldo. In my opinion, both have their own special trademarks. Of course, most girls will prefer Ronaldo because they look at footballer's face only. Even when Ronaldo is "dribbling", they also look at the face only - see got pimples or not isit? Ronaldo is also good in the air (heading ball, not other thing!) and freekicks (although I much prefer David Beckham's curly kicks). Messi on the other hand plays like Maradona. As my friend said, "the ball seems like gummed to his feet."

His dribbling skill, needless to say, is phenomenal. Compared to Ronaldo, his dribbling skill is more natural and beautiful. Ronaldo, you dont need to always left right left right....., like that I also can do, but I think I will get dizzy before the opponent. If you are really good, you just need a touch or two to dribble past your opponents.

It is not easy to play like Messi/Maradona, because their special dribbling skills are GIFTED, not learned.