Saturday, December 08, 2007

Ronaldinho is 12th in the Golden Ball award

Ronaldinho was twelfth in the Golden Ball award given by the French magazine France Football, which was won clearly by the Brazilian from Milan Ricardo Izecson Dos Santos Leite, better known as ‘Kaká’. The Gaúcho received 18 votes in a classification which, in addition to his Brazilian national team-mate, included Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and Leo Messi from Barcelona, in the places of honour. Kaká’s is the fifth Golden Ball for a Brazilian player in the last 10 years, since Ronaldo won it in 1997 and 2002, Rivaldo in 1999 and Ronaldinho in 2005. “It is a special year for me and this prize is the icing on an impressive year with Milan in which we have won cups and have played good football”, said the player at the prize-winning ceremony in Paris.

Honours even in vibrant derby

FC Barcelona earned a valuable point in the local derby with Espanyol at the Olímpic Estadi, but the visitors certainly had the chances to snatch a victory in what was an intense encounter. The build-up surrounded the fact that both sides are so close in the league table and it was tipped to be one of the best gaesm between the sides for many years. It lived up to its billing after a dramtic opening. In the sixth minute Barça opened the scoring as they gained the early lead that they always seek in order to settle the team down and allow them to play. But there was not much space in midfield and the game was played at a frenetic pace throughout.

Another good start
Just like they did on Tuesday against Lyon, the Blaugrana score early on and it was the same man who added his name to the scoresheet as Andrés Iniesta was int he right place at the right time to beat Carlos Kameni. Lionel Messi, who caused Espanyol problems all night, eased in from the right, skipped past marc Torrejón before crossing to the far post where Andrés Iniesta had the simple task of firing home from close range. Espanyol looked stunned and took their time finding their feet after the early setback.

Messi shines
Messi was Barça's main attacking force as he continued to attack the Blanc i Blau back line down the right flank. The Argentinian created space for himself before shooting wide of the far post before Xavi fired over after being set up by Bojan Krkic in the centre of the area. Barça's next chance came after Messi was fouled on the edge of the area, but Kameni was relieved after Xavi's free-kick came back down off the bar and Bojan then looked to head home the rebound only for his effort to hit the woodwork too.

Off the bar
Víctor Valdés had a relatively untroubled opening period as he was nt called upon to make any dramatic saves to keep Espanyol out. Instead, Barça retained the upper hand and could well have further ahead two minutes before the break as Messi, again, tricked his way through as he passed Marc Torrejón before shooting towards the near post, but Kameni tipped the drive wide.

Raising their game
At the start of the second half, Espanyol raised their game slightly and began to enjoy more possession than they had before the break. The home team's renewed confidence saw them push the visitors back and could have levelled when Daniel Jarque turned in the area before firing just wide of the post. With the opposition coming forward, Rijkaard attempted to shake up his side as he took Bojan Krkic off and introduced Ronaldinho into the fray.

Level pegging
In the 68th minute, Espanyol drew level when Albert Riera was picked out down the left by Clemente Rodríguez and the winger clipped the ball back into the centre of the goal where Corominas hit it first time into the far corner of the net. Barça came back and Ronaldinho had two chances as his free-kick was tipped away by Kameni and the keeper then saved his downward header.

Final efforts
Following the equaliser, FC Barcelona began to take control of the game once again and could have snatched a late winner. Eight minutes from time, Kameni became the home team's hero as he saved from Iniesta and then made a second stop to deny Ronaldinho from close range. Messi had two shots that required more power to trouble the Cameroonian keeper before Espanyol's last chance came when Coro set up Jonathan Soriano, but his drive was kept out by Valdés.

Goals :
0-1 Iniesta (min 6)
1-1 Corominas (min 68)

Barça top group with good football (2-2)

Barça have achieved both of the main objectives from their trip to Lyon. They sealed qualification for the second round and performed well in doing so. Also, Rangers’ loss in Stuttgart (3-2) means they mathematically top the group.

Qualified, leaders and all done in style. Barça come home for Gerland with second round qualification assured, the top spot guaranteed and also outplayed French champions Olympique Lyon for most of Tuesday night’s game. The Blaugrana always looked the better side and went ahead thanks to an early goal from Iniesta, which was immediately cancelled out by Juninho...


Messi put Barça ahead again from the penalty spot in a game where Bojan Krkic was named by Rijkaard in the starting eleven and failed to disappoint, laying on the first goal and being involved in the penalty incident. With the game almost over, Juninho converted a penalty to equalise the game, but this did not mean that Barcelona could not comfortably feel they had been the better side.

All-out football
The game got off to a crazy start. It all started with a beautiful counter attack that saw Messi send the ball down the right to Bojan, who crossed on the first touch to Iniesta, who had no doubts about striking the home beyond reach of Lyon stopper Vercoutre (min 2). It had been a dream start, but the game had hardly restarted before Juninho drove home an inch perfect free kick from 35 metres that Valdes was unable to get a finger to. With matters all square again, the excitement continued with two clear chances, one for each side. In the 15th minute, Fabio Santos broke through on a one on one with Valdés and then Touré brought out the best in the home keeper with an absolute thunderbolt of a shot.

French fancies
The match eased off the pace for the next quarter of an hour, until Olympique had two chances to go ahead with chances that fell to Govou and Juninho, saved by Valdés and then cleared off the line by Abidal respectively. The Brazilian striker was having a lively evening, and soon had another chance with one of his specialist free kicks, this time seeing the ball just skim wide of the post. The French side continued to pile on the pressure, but Barça always looked in control and created plenty of danger thanks to the mobility of the strikers. The Lyon defence occasionally felt the need to resort to dirty tactics to hold Barça at bay, something which infuriated Frank Rijkaard to such an extent that he was shown the red card in the 44th minute.


Barça put on a show
The second half was not as end to end as the first, but started in similar fashion, with a Barça goal. Messi scored from a penalty after he himself had been brought down in the box following a pass from Bojan (min 58). The game continued at a frenetic pace and several Barça players were cautioned by the Italian referee. Lyon were visibly affected by the goal, and there was a muted atmosphere at Gerland as Gudjohnsen had the chance to settle the result with an effort that went just a little too high (min 62). Barça were in clear control by now and a pass from Gudjohnsen’s instep very nearly saw Leo Messi make it three.

Leaders
Ronaldinho came on in the 71st minute. Shortly after, Barça’s dominance was interrupted by a penalty committed by Abidal on Keita. Juninho powerfully stuck the ball into the back of the net (min 79) to set up what would be the final score of 2-2. Nevertheless, the draw, combined with the score of Rangers’ game in Stuttgart (3-2), was a positive one for Barcelona’s interests, for with one game still to play they have already ensured that they will qualify for the next round, and as group leaders too.

Goals :

0-1 Iniesta (min 3)
1-1 Juninho (min 7)
1-2 Messi (p) (min 59)
2-2 Juninho (p) (min 79)

Unquestionable goal spree

Barça are still unbeaten in Nou Camp, having overcome Recreativo with a resounding 3-0. In the second half, goals from Milito, Bojan and Messí proved decisive. It was more difficult than the result would suggest, but once again Barça left no options to their rivals. In the first half Barça were relentless, but didn’t find the way to crack Recreativo’s well-ordered defence. Bojan entrance in the 60th minute was the key, just when his team were putting Recre’s goalmouth under siege.

A goal by Milito from a corner eased Barça’s nerves, and Bojan himself scored a second to raise the level of euphoria. Messi added to the festival by scoring a third from a penalty.

Total domination
From the outset, the game had been dominated by Barça. Rijkaard’s men kept possession against a well-ordered Recre, but they only looked dangerous when they managed to step up the pace. The clearest chances were when Sorrentino deflected a shot from outside the area by Iniesta, and when a Zambrotta shot swerved just wide of goal. Barça found it difficult to create chances, but slowly gained confidence, dominating the game and quickly regaining possession through pressure whenever they lost it.

Looking for the goal formula
With patience and with an unstoppable Messi, Barça began to find the formula to crack Recre’s somewhat outfield defence. The Argentinean brought out the best from Recre’s goalkeeper in a one-on-one. Despite Barça’s domination, half-time arrived without goals.

Nerves begin to show
Soon after the start of the second half, Puyol had to be substituted by Márquez alter a clash with Sinama Pongolle. With the crowd becoming impatient, Messi raised their spirits with a classic move which nearly ended in a goal. Gudjohnsen was then replaced by Bojan in the 60th minute.

Bojan brings joy
In the 63rd minute, Milito blasted the ball into the net from a corner taken by Xavi on the right. The can was now open, and it was down to Bojan to destroy it, scoring from an impeccable pass from Henry. The youngster showed that he forms a great partnership with Henry.

Intense run-up to the end
Alter an over-long delay for a foul which resulted in a yellow card for Touré, Messi proved his worth once play resumed, getting a penalty from a foul on him by Martín Cáceres. The Argentinian star cold-bloodedly put home the third, making the score reflect more what had happened on the pitch. Messi and Henry both came close to making it four. In the end, they didn’t find their prize, but the crowd’s ovation was prize enough, and Barça remain unbeaten in Nou Camp.

Goals :

1-0 Milito (min 63)
2-0 Bojan (min 65)
3-0 Messi (p) (min 81)


Source : FCB

Why are football fans crazy about Ronaldinho?

Who is Ronaldinho? For millions of football fanatics, he is an adoring idol, whose very name brings awe and invokes respect and admiration to this twenty-seven-year-old Brazilian footballer. He is an attacking mid-fielder and plays his game in a thrilling way. His dazzling samba-like dance moments around the ball, his defense-smashing passes, the stunning free kicks and those lovely overhead shots that sends the ball reeling into the goal post have all fascinated and hypnotized millions of football lovers around the world.
When the ball comes to him or when he moves around the ball the adrenaline in spectators rushes to their cheeks in expectation that something dramatic is going to take place. Everything happens in a split-second and then the inevitable beaming big grin baring his buckteeth make him all the more endearing to his fans around the world. This is Ronaldinho for you. This is how he plays his game wearing that disarming smile all through the game. He is a delight to watch. There are some die-hard fans who just cannot imagine a football game without Ronaldinho.

Ronaldinho suing his girlfriend

Ronaldinho’s poor performance in the world cup came under severe flak from all quarters and was even attributed reasons for his awful show. He was accused of late night parties and hot romances with the alleged French model, Alexandra Paressant. In fact in the Sun magazine interview, Alexandra Paressant spilled out the beans much to the consternation of Ronaldinho. The sexy model gave juicy details about their all-night flings in the bed like how he used to sneak out of his hotel rooms and come running to her for romping in the bed.

More than his miserable performance in the World Cup, the interview has caused much heartburn for this magnificent midfielder. In order to clear his name and come clean out of this muck, Ronaldinho decided to sue Alexandra Paressant. He said, “I am very sad to see all these stories about me in the media. Those are nothing but false information about by personal life and about an assumed relationship that could have affected my play during the World Cup. My lawyers will start the suing procedures against Miss Paressant so that my name could be cleared.”

Now it is to be seen whether Alexandra Paressant will defend her statements made in the Sun magazine or soon face the legal wrath initiated by Ronaldinho. Only time will tell.

The truth behind Brazil’s lackluster performance in the 2006 World Cup – Ronaldinho’s flings with Alexandra Paressant?

When Ronaldinho was criticized in the media for his lackluster performance in 2006 World Cup events, not many of his die hard fans took notice of the criticism and thought that losing or winning was all part of the game. But when the Sun magazine exploded with the news that Ronaldinho during World Cup events was sneaking out of his hotel room each night and having wild flings with his girlfriend Alexandra Paressant, the world of football couldn’t just digest it. While the so-called investigative journalists jumped into the fray to find out the truth his fans wondered how could the romantic nights have gone unnoticed by the hot-on-heels paparazzi.

Interestingly Josh Robertson, the editor of the dashing ‘Playboy’ magazine has come out with a stunner. His strenuous investigation led him to believe that it is all fake. He has pored over thousands of photographs while looking into the wives and girlfriends of soccer players during 2006 World Cup events and thoroughly looked into the issue. He finally concluded saying, “There’s no competent news story I can find tying Ronaldinho to Alexandra Paressant. (The Sun doesn’t say how its interview with her came about — she probably just called the paper up and asked to talk to a reporter.)”

In spite of all this, the debate still rages on, whether Ronaldinho had romantic flings with Alexandra Paressant. Only Ronaldinho could tell the truth since the ball is in his court.

Ronaldinho and Barcelona

Barcelona’s fame began to soar after Ronaldinho joined the club in 2003. He scored 14 league goals and led the club from the front; and with an unbeaten 17-match run he inspired Barcelona to finish second in the Spanish League in 2003-2004. Ronaldinho continued his amazing run in the following seasons and led Barcelona to championship wins in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.

When Ronaldinho was in action Barcelona won 81% of points and when he wasn’t playing it dropped to 53%. When Ronaldinho joined in 2003 Barcelona had 103,000 paying affiliates and it grew to 140,000 as of 2006. This phenomenal rise has been attributed to the star performer, Ronaldinho, who won twice the ‘FIFA World Footballer of the Year’, proved time and again that he is the best footballer in the world.

Thanks to Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach who transformed the Brazilian ace into an attacking player, whose job is to create opportunities and score goals rather than breaching the defense and defending. The world’s best footballer is all set to repeat his winning performance for Barcelona this season too.

Barcelona on top of the world

Barcelona has lined up its galaxy of stars for the upcoming season. The star team includes players like Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry, Carles Puyol, Yaya Toure, Gabriel Milito, and Eric Abidal. These reigning football superstars have played their smashing games in the last season and spurred the hopes of millions of its fans that it is going to repeat its splendid form in the upcoming season too.

Of late Barcelona has turned out to be the biggest sensation on the football circuit. Thanks to Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach for his farsighted strategies in molding Barcelona to its present status. When Barcelona plays millions of crazy fans flock the stadium and watch their favorite stars in action.

Barcelona’s soaring popularity could be gauged from the fact that more than 800 journalists hailing from some twenty countries have descended from Los Angeles, New York, and Houston and Mexico just to watch Barcelona play its rivals during the last season. Even for the practice matches more than fifty thousand fans flocked to watch the team. But what is surprising is that these die-hard Barca fans paid through their noses to watch the practice matches. This is because the organizers of the tour exploited Barcelona’s soaring popularity and encashed it by fleecing the fans of their cash.

True to the expectations the Barcelona team too never let down its fans and played their games in style

Dual Spanish nationality for Ronaldinho

The Spaniards would be greatly delighted to have Brazilian’s ace midfielder, Ronaldinho in their midst as their own kith and kin with Spanish citizenship being conferred on him. Brazilian dazzling footballer is soon going to receive his Spanish passport that bestows on him the dual Spanish nationality.

The Spanish Football league or La Liga is allowed to recruit only three non-European members under Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rules. These three berths were already occupied by Mexican forward Giovanni dos Santos along with the Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o and Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Yaya Toure.

Now to accommodate this Brazilian ace midfielder, it would not be wise to drop any of these three players and is also not possible legally. The only avenue available to solve this Ronaldinho riddle is to bestow the dual Spanish citizenship on the Brazilian star and free up a slot for a non-European Union player in the squad, reveals a source in the Primera Liga.

In the midst of this high-strung drama, AC Milan big boss, Silvio Berlusconi, a die-hard fan of Ronaldinho is ever ready to bring his idol into his club. But it is highly unlikely that Barcelona would let go the Brazilian football wizard.