#ronaldinho best skills

[meazalykov]

Good Game, Sal

Salma Paralluelo x Barca!Reader

summary: are they enemies, or lovers?

Salma Paralluelo and I, both rising stars of Barcelona's Femeni team, shared more than just a common jersey; we shared a rivalry that burned hotter than the Catalan sun on a July afternoon.

Salma, with her quick footwork and innate goal-scoring abilities, was a product of La Masia, Barcelona's renowned youth academy. Her journey to the top seemed paved with gold, crowned by her recent triumph in the World Cup with the Spanish national team. Me, on the other hand, hailed from a humbled path, I considered my talent raw and untamed, molded through sheer determination and grit.

Growing up in the United States, I’ve played through many unknown summer leagues, clubs mainly filled with boys, school teams, and futsal in the winter months before I put the pen on paper with Washington Spirit at the age of 15. 

After four great years with building my talent, creating new friendships, and enjoying my life in the United States Capital, my contract was expiring. 

Washington Spirit offered me a renewal, but Barcelona contacted my agent with a proposal that sent my jaw dropping to the floor. The Catalan Club was my dream club while growing up. I’ve admired Alexia Putellas, Ronaldinho, Messi, and Xavi for years. So I followed my heart and denied another four years in Washington DC, so I can accomplish my dream. 

However, I had to put in hard work when I arrived in Barcelona. This challenge was needed, since the challenge to score on the pitch fuels my passion. However, I didn’t expect a rivalry to happen WITHIN the club rather than the opponents I’ve played against.

First, it was a constant competition for playing time. Overtime, I’ve thought that I harbored a deep-seated resentment towards Salma, envying her success, her effortless grace on the pitch. 

Against Madrid CFF, my debut game in September, I scored a brace that drove the club to win 4-0. Afterwards, I’ve held a record for scoring at least once in a game I’ve had minutes in. 

However, Salma seemed to have the upper hand when it came to having a start. I had to swallow my pride every time I had to be her 67th minute substitute. She always hugged me when she would come off, but my body would tense up everytime. Nobody noticed the small resentment for her, except for Salma herself. She started to piece small things together. 

“You did great today Niña, I'm impressed by your dribbling and speed in training.” Alexia, or my captain Ale, patted me on the back as we headed into the locker rooms after training. A few days ago, we won the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. Thanks to a goal from Aitana, Fridolina, and I. 

Alexia was a huge advocate for me which made my heart melt. I’ve admired her as a fan but now I am her teammate, so I express my gratitude to her whenever its possible. 

“Thank you. I learn from the best people surrounding me.” I smirked and Alexia breathed out a chuckle. Something the girls noticed when I came to the club is how much I’ll compliment or support people on their skills. Aitana said that I've been a light in the dressing room when it comes to boosting morale. This is a reason why people don’t notice a small resentment I held for a-certain-someone on the team. 

“Well, Don’t get your hopes up when I say this— but Jona might consider you as a starter for the final— Don’t take that as a guarantee, but your speed will be needed against Lyon's defense” Alexia’s Spanish accent poked through as she held onto my shoulder. The Spanish are very affectionate. 

“I won’t get my hopes up— I do take that as a compliment though.” I said. 

“Good. We’ve been looking between you and Salma as the third forward in the finale. Since Frido and Caro will have the left and right wing.” Alexia spoke. I felt my stomach turn at her name. Aware that I will have to work harder in training to start in the final, I know Salma will do the same thing. 

A week later, my “animosity” towards Salma only intensified when I discovered that Salma will start in the final over me as a striker. Back at my apartment, I’ve cried myself to sleep. I’ve worked hard in training. My tears represented the fear that nobody is seeing the skills and potential I have. 

“Hey Y/n” As I walked out the locker room after training one morning, I turned around and saw Salma approaching me. My eyes widened and I turned to walk away in a hurry. 

“Hi.” I said quickly as Salma continued to walk beside me. What did she want? 

“We should go watch The Challengers movie with Esmee on our day off Sunday. I know you both used to play tennis and such, it looks like a great movie.” Salma hesitantly spoke. My eyebrows knitted together at what she said. I did play tennis for a few years in middle school back in America, but as a hobby not a sport. Esmee told me that she could’ve gone professional at tennis in the Netherlands but chose football instead. The Dutch girl is the only person that knew about my old tennis hobby, so she had to have told Salma about it. 

“Um–” I say as we both pushed the glass doors outside into the parking lot. As much as I wanted to say no, express to Salma how much I've resented her, and drive home.. I couldn’t. I felt my heart ache as I looked at the girl who had a shy smile. Wait– huh? Why am I doing that?

“I–I can go with you guys–Just have Esmee text me the details when you guys decide the time.” I said before walking away to my black SUV, my emotions not handling what Salma might’ve said or reacted to my acceptance. 

The last few days before Sunday came along. I’ve talked to my best friend, Isla, about everything. She doesn’t live in Spain, since she plays football for Gotham FC, but she had a clear understanding about the community.

After my rant which lasted an hour, Isla said something which made my heart stop for a quick second. 

“Are you sure that you hate Salma?” Isla asked over the facetime call. 

“Well-No! I don’t hate anybody, I just hate how big of an advantage she has over me.” 

“Oh– because it sounds like you’re in love with her–” 

“Excuse me?” 

“Well the way you’ve talked about Salma reminds me of how I started off with Esther here at Gotham. However it was the other way around. She was in love with me but refused to accept it– so she found reasons to try and hate me instead before she was forced to confront the truth.” 

That part of the conversation replayed in my mind for the last few days. Throughout training, throughout the game against Granada that won us the league, it replayed non-stop. It didn’t distract me but I couldn’t look at Salma without questioning if I am in love with her. A subtle shift began to take place within my heart, even if I didn’t want it to happen.

Salma started noticing the small things too. After the Granada game which granted us Liga F champions, she noticed when I wrapped my arm around her and Esmee as we jumped around in the red-colored locker rooms. I’ve noticed that as I started to slowly accept my possible feelings for her, my “resentment” faded away with it. 

“Good game, Sal.” I whispered in her ear as everyone posed for a group picture in our “Liga F Champions” shirts. She looked at me with widened eyes before smiling softly.

I found herself drawn to the challenge Salma posed as the Champions League final was coming up. Salma always craved the intensity of their encounters, the adrenaline rush of chasing victory side by side with her rival, just like I did.

By Sunday, the day where Salma Esmee and I will go to the movie theaters, I've accepted it—I finally realized the truth that had been staring me in the face all along. Due to past heartbreak, I didn’t want to fall in love again but here I am in Spain. As I stood in the mirror, looking at the nice casual outfit I've put on (imagine what outfit you want, reader <3) I knew with absolute certainty that what I’ve felt went beyond rivalry with Salma, beyond competition.

It was love.

In that moment of clarity, my resentment melted away. I knew that I couldn't keep denying her feelings any longer, but a fear started to grow inside of my heart. What if it's too late? 

Salma did notice my resentment towards her. There were times where I’ve blown her off because of that. I couldn’t blame her if she started to hate me for what I've done to her. 

Four hours later, The Challengers movie ended. I’ve sat in-between Esmee (on my left) and Salma (on my right) in the movie theater. The movie was good but I had the urge to look at Salma at times. Once, I looked down at her hand that wasn’t too far from mine. As much as I wanted to reach to hold her soft hands, I couldn’t do it. What if she pulled away? What if things would’ve been awkward between us? I didn’t risk it. 

When we hugged Esmee as she left the theater, it was Salma and I in the parking lot. I could’ve said bye and left too, but Salma wanted to say something to me. Esmee and her gave each other an unknowing glance, so I believe Esmee might know what Salma is feeling. 

“Y/n, Why do you hate me?” Salma frowned. My heart broke as I bit my lip in nervousness.

“I don’t.” I said I looked at her with a sad smile. 

“Yes you do. Every time I wanted to talk to you at practice, you always ran away to talk to someone else. I’ve noticed that you’re the only person that never congratulated me separately after a goal. I’ve seen the way you’ve brightened up people’s days with your compliments, love, and hugs. Why can I not have that Y/n? Did I do something to you for you to hate me? Just tell me because I don’t want to start off next season knowing that you might hate me for something I might’ve done.” Salma took my left hand and held it with both of her soft, moisturized hands as she looked me in the eyes.

A tear fell out of my left eye as I felt guilty. I’ve fucked up. I’ve hurt Salma and she doesn’t know why— I need to tell her how I feel. 

“Salma, I don’t hate you at all. I am so sorry for what I've done to you. All you did—really—was be great on the pitch. When I came to Spain, I noticed how loved you were by everyone. You had the minutes, skills, awards, and recognition that I could dream of having. However— I’ve admired you more than everyone else at the same time. I know that's hard to accept due to what I've done to you, but I felt like you were too good for me. I look at you more than everyone else. I wanted to hug you and congratulate your success with you but the vulnerability scared me. I’ve been hurt before so in order to protect my feelings, I’ve covered it up with resentment— Salma, I am in love with you.” By the time I told her that I love her, tears poured down my cheeks and Salma held me in a hug, tightly, as she cried too. 

“Y/n, I am in love with you too. That's why it hurt me when I believed that you might’ve hated me.” Salma said through her tears.

“I am so sorry–seriously. I don't hate you. I love you. I will never hurt you like that again, I swear.”  I said. 

After that night, we started over and became lovers. Our undeniable bond blossomed between us. The team adored our relationship and were happy for us. I did keep my promise, I never hurt her again. I’ve found love in giving my love to her without the fear of getting hurt. After the debut game in the 24/25 season, we walked off the pitch hand in hand, my heart fluttered as I know this is the beginning of our longtime relationship. 

<3

[getting-messi]

I don't know if you're still doing opinions but ill ask anyway. I have two. Why do you think neymar hasn't really won anything post-barcelona? And secondly which player in any league do you think, if they met messi would be besties with him?

I am ALWAYS wanting to be asked questions so thank you for sending this in! Both great questions btw -

With Neymar, omg I could write an essay about his decision to leave Barca and why PSG hasn’t really worked the way people imagined it would. First of all, I always knew Neymar wouldn’t be loyal to Barca and he’d leave the club in the near future - but in 2017? That was a complete shock for me and probably for a lot of other people. After Messi’s leaving Barca, Neymar’s move is probably the only other transfer that ever rocked me to my core.

As to why he hasn’t achieved success with PSG - I don’t think it’s solely on him, but unfortunately Neymar doesn’t seem to enjoy the sport anymore. He gets criticized by French media for how he plays, refs give him yellow cards for doing skills, and he had tension with Unai and Tuchel. I also think Neymar was never really interested in the whole ‘best player in the world’ argument. I do believe that if he was more disciplined and focused, then he absolutely could’ve been the next best thing. But he isn’t striving for it the same way that Mbappe seems to be. He also lacks leadership. You look at other big players and they work so hard to get the captains armband. When Neymar was named captain for Brazil - he struggled with the responsibility and then gave it back to Tite. He acts in a similar way to Ronaldinho, very talented player but partied a lot and had too many people around him. He isn’t focused on the game as much as other players are. He’s expressed that he doesn’t care for football outside of himself and he’ll never voluntarily watch a match just for fun. I wouldn’t be surprised if Neymar retired earlier than we expect. He lives a Hollywood lifestyle and seems to enjoy it more than football and he probably gets equal amount of money with less hate. It’s unfortunate but that’s the reality. I’ll always wish that Neymar stuck around at Barca just a little bit longer :/

As for the second question, if there wasn’t a language barrier - I think Messi would get along really well with Mohamed Salah! I really thought hard about it but I kept coming back to him. I can really see them vibing with each other and just having a nice bond🤧

[sportsloverguide]

Greatest Football Legends in FIFA History: Icons of the Beautiful Game

1. Pele

Pele, the Brazilian football icon, is widely hailed as the best Football Player ever.

He remains unmatched with his unrivaled record of World Cup victories.

His scoring prowess made him a vital force for both club and country.

2. Diego Maradona

Maradona, a master with the ball, achieved the unimaginable.

He was a pivotal figure in Argentina's glorious 1986 victory.

His extraordinary vision, passing, ball control, and dribbling skills made him one of the all-time greats.

His leadership on the field amplified team success.

3. Lionel Messi

Messi's magic knows no bounds.

He has won a record-breaking Eight Ballon d'Or awards.

He is the all-time leading goalscorer for both Barcelona and Argentina.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

He has won the UEFA Champions League five times.

He is the all-time leading goalscorer for both Real Madrid and Portugal.

5. Johan Cruyff

Cruyff was a pioneer of 'total football'.

He won three Ballon d'Or awards.

He is considered one of the most influential figures in football history.

6. Zinedine Zidane

Zidane won the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League with France.

He won three Ballon d'Or awards.

He is considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time.

7. Ronaldo

Ronaldo won two Ballon d'Or awards and two FIFA World Cups with Brazil.

He is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time.

8. Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho was known for his dribbling skills and flair.

He won the Ballon d'Or award in 2005.

He is considered one of the most entertaining players of all time.

9. Franz Beckenbauer

Beckenbauer won two Ballon d'Or awards and one FIFA World Cup with Germany.

He is considered one of the greatest defenders of all time.

10. Alfredo Di Stefano

Di Stefano won five consecutive European Cups with Real Madrid.

He is considered one of the greatest players in the history of Real Madrid.

[otaviogilbert]

Crazy Football Skills 🤯 #shorts

Crazy Football Skills - This video will showcase some of the craziest football skills ever seen! From nutmegs to rabonas, they have seen some truly incredible footwork and skill from the world's best. Watch as they wow us with their incredible talents!

[jimi-rawlings]

Best skilled player in football: Know the footballers with the most flair

Greetings Nasser Al-Khelaifi,

Ask the Footballers from Oakwood Collegiate Institute that I never heard of Neymar until I dropped out of High School. I am from Ronaldinho on Barça and Spain's 2008-2012 Run; the kids I grew up just sucked but one went to The Premier League as a teenager. I am more than capable of playing overseas; I do not want to live in The EU or USA because I have cooking on the side. I have been doing Plyometrics since 19; Basketball Players do not age well because of Jumping on Hardwood for more than 20 minutes at a time.

Regards,

Adrian Blake-Trotman

[laocommunity]

The FIFA U-20 World Cup: Where Tomorrow's Football Legends Begin Their Journey

The FIFA U-20 World Cup: Where Tomorrow's Football Legends Begin Their Journey The FIFA U-20 World Cup: Where Tomorrow's Football Legends Begin Their Journey The FIFA U-20 World Cup is one of the most prestigious football tournaments for young players. The tournament is held every two years with players aged under 20 from around the world competing for the coveted trophy. Over the years, the tournament has been a launchpad for many football superstars, where they gained international fame and started the journey to becoming legends of the game. In this article, we will explore the history of the tournament, its significance, and the notable players who emerged from the tournament. History of the FIFA U-20 World Cup The FIFA U-20 World Cup, originally known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, was first held in Tunisia in 1977. The tournament was created to fill a gap in international football competitions that focused on junior players. The idea was to give young players a platform to showcase their skills and provide a pathway for them to progress to the senior level. Since its inception, the tournament has been held every two years, with different countries hosting the event. The Significance of the FIFA U-20 World Cup The FIFA U-20 World Cup is a significant tournament as it provides a platform for young players to showcase their skills, gain international exposure, and launch their careers. The tournament allows young players to test their abilities against some of the best players of their age group from different countries. Besides, the tournament helps scouts and clubs identify new talents that they can sign up for their teams. Some of the players who have emerged from the tournament are currently playing for some of the top football clubs in the world. Notable Players Who Emerged from the FIFA U-20 World Cup Many notable players have emerged from the FIFA U-20 World Cup and have gone on to become legends of the game. Some of the notable players who have played in the tournament include Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Neymar Jr, and Samuel Eto'o. These players played in the tournament at different points in their careers and went on to achieve great things in football. Messi, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho won the tournament in their respective years, while Maradona was a runner-up in 1979. The Future of the FIFA U-20 World Cup The FIFA U-20 World Cup continues to be an essential tournament for the development of junior football players. The tournament provides a platform for young players to showcase their skills to the world and launch their careers. However, there are discussions within FIFA to change the format of the tournament, with the possibility of hosting the tournament every four years instead of every two years. This change would mean that players would have fewer opportunities to participate in the tournament and could affect the overall quality of the competition. Conclusion The FIFA U-20 World Cup is an essential tournament for the development of young football players. The tournament provides a platform for players to showcase their skills and gain international exposure. Additionally, the tournament is a breeding ground for new talents that can go on to become legends of the game. While changes to the format of the tournament are being discussed, the FIFA U-20 World Cup remains an important fixture in the football calendar. FAQs 1. When was the first FIFA U-20 World Cup held? The first FIFA U-20 World Cup was held in 1977. 2. Who are some of the notable players who have emerged from the tournament? Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Neymar Jr, and Samuel Eto'o are some of the notable players who have played in the tournament. 3. How often is the FIFA U-20 World Cup held? The tournament is held every two years. 4. What is the age limit for players to participate in the tournament? Players aged under 20 can participate in the tournament. 5. What is the significance of the FIFA U-20 World Cup? The tournament provides a platform for young players to showcase their skills and gain international exposure. Additionally, it is a breeding ground for future football superstars. #NEWS Read the full article

[bestretrojerseys]

The 5 Greatest Players in FC Barcelona History: A Look at the Legends

FC Barcelona is one of the most storied football clubs in the world, with a history dating back over a century. Over the years, the club has produced some of the greatest players to ever grace the pitch. From legends like Johan Cruyff to modern-day icons like Lionel Messi, Barcelona has always been home to some of the game’s greatest talents.

Johan Cruyff:

Johan Cruyff is considered one of the best football players ever, and his effect on FC Barcelona couldn’t be more significant. He joined the club in 1973 and quickly established himself as the team’s talismanic figure. Cruyff led Barcelona to four consecutive La Liga titles and the club’s first-ever European Cup in 1992. He also helped popularize the “Total Football” style of play, which has become synonymous with Cruyff and Barcelona.

Lionel Messi:

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Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest player in FC Barcelona history, if not the greatest player of all time. Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy at 13 and quickly became the team’s star player. He has won a staggering 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles, and 4 Champions League titles with Barcelona.ALSO READ: EXPLORING THE ICONIC WORLD OF RETRO FOOTBALL JERSEYS

Messi’s accolades are equally impressive, including 7 Ballon d’Or awards and 4 Golden Shoes. His skill, speed, and goal-scoring ability have made him a game legend.

Xavi Hernandez:

Xavi Hernandez is one of the most iconic players in FC Barcelona’s history. He joined the club’s youth academy at the age of 11 and went on to become a central figure in the team’s midfield. Xavi’s precise passing and vision helped to create countless scoring opportunities for Barcelona and played a key role in the club’s dominance during the late 2000s. He won 8 La Liga and 4 Champions League titles with Barcelona, and his legacy as a club legend is secure.

Andres Iniesta:

Andres Iniesta is another legendary midfielder who played a crucial role in Barcelona’s success during the 2000s and 2010s. Iniesta joined the club’s youth academy at the age of 12 and went on to become a key player in the team’s midfield. He played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s three Champions League titles in 2006, 2009, and 2011 and numerous domestic titles. Iniesta’s creativity and technical ability made him a fan favorite, and his status as a Barcelona legend is unquestioned.

Ronaldinho:

Ronaldinho is one of the most entertaining players ever wearing the Barcelona shirt. He joined the club in 2003 and quickly became a fan favorite with his dazzling skills and trickery. Ronaldinho helped Barcelona win two La Liga titles and their first Champions League title in 14 years in 2006. He was also named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, and his legacy as a Barcelona icon is secure.

Conclusion:

FC Barcelona has produced some of the greatest players in football history, and the five players mentioned in this article are among the best of the best. Whether it’s Cruyff’s Total Football, Messi’s goal-scoring prowess, Xavi’s precision passing, Iniesta’s creativity, or Ronaldinho’s entertainment value, these players have left an indelible mark on Barcelona’s history and inspired generations of footballers to come. They have embodied the club’s values and philosophy, and their legacies will continue to inspire Barcelona fans for generations to come.

BUY BARCELONA RETRO FOOTBALL SHIRTS ONLINE

While many great players have graced the pitch at Camp Nou over the years, these five players stand out as the greatest in FC Barcelona’s history. From their incredible achievements on the field to their impact on the club and the wider world of football, they have left an enduring legacy that will continue to be celebrated for years.

[allsports4123]

Rivaldo's nickname is "The Devil's Left Foot".

Rivaldo's nickname is "The Devil's Left Foot".

A former Brazilian footballer whose main position was attacking midfielder, he was also a free-roll striker with no special role. His nickname is "Devil's Left Foot".

When he was active, he had the best of his club career, leading two consecutive La Liga titles in Barcelona, winning the Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year, and also led his country to win the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup in the Brazilian national team.

He is also known as a midfielder, and technically, he was close to an attacker who could play flexibly from strikers to attacking midfielders. In particular, he was the best player in a two-top or three-top position, and in his heyday, he played as a central attacking midfielder or a left free-roll striker for the club. In the national team, he often played for the two-top, and even when he played for Olympiacos after his heyday, he was mainly a right striker for the two-top.

Hibaudu's biggest advantage is a terrifying left-footed kick. The accuracy and power of both left-footed shots and crosses were the highest ever, so known as the devil's left foot, and both free kicks, mid-range shots, penalty kicks, and crosses were good. Even the acrobatic bicicle kick is very powerful. Also, the ball touch was very good, and what's interesting is that I didn't know if almost all the ball touches were conscious or instinctive, but I only did it with my left foot. Since the car is also left foot, it is practically not using one foot, but nevertheless, it showed sensuous and wonderful play. In that sense, it is similar to the famous Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas.

He was also good at physical fight and main force. The main force is actually a little vague, but the maximum speed is very fast and the instantaneous deceleration at the maximum speed is also excellent, but the acceleration and agility are poor. If you replace it with Korea, it is similar considering Seol Ki-hyun, a national university. However, he was good at playing using physical skills such as playing even if he lacked a little acceleration or agility, so he broke the defense line with a storm breakthrough or pass with a left-footed technique after securing his space in a narrow gap between defenders. In other words, he was forced to take the lead because he was not confident in winning if he stuck to the defense because he had a scary kick, and when he was a little far away, he was forced to take the lead because he had fast feet and good kick power.

It is relatively less prominent because it is buried in the tremendous kick power, but it was also a master of cut-in dribble, famous for Arjen Robben's frequent dribble skills. If there is a difference, Robben is a dribble in the form of hitting in the same direction several times to find a loophole in the defense, and Hibaudu freely adjusts the direction of the bend and creates an angle that can be shot at any time. Also, the cut-in movement is much more dynamic than Robben because Hibaudu uses his whole body for fake movements, changing the upper body angle very often.

He was a big game player who was especially strong in big games. He was not a strong mental player who could be called mental, but rather a type of player who enjoyed the game like Ronaldinho, but he was especially strong in big games or crisis situations. As soon as he joined Barcelona, he started with a league trophy and a king's cup trophy, and even when Barca Squad faltered due to Louis van Gaal's anti-medication in 1999, Hibauduman remained the same and won the Champions League top scorer of the season. Soon after, of course, Banhal was replaced. Victory in a die match against the coach Until a kid broke the record in November 2010, the position of the most goalscorer in the Champions League history in Barcelona was up to him.

And the final match of the 2000-01 season, which is still talked about. The team's atmosphere was not a mess, so he had to bring his rival Valencia CF home and play the last 38 rounds. Until then, Barca was in fifth place, three points short of Valencia, and it was a desperate situation where they had to win to qualify for the Champions League. And that day, Hibaudu became a hero. The result was a 3–2 hat-trick by Hibaudu. Be sure to look for the bike kick when it's the last blow to seal the victory. I'm out of breath.

His ability to cope with the crisis is also fully demonstrated in the World Cup squad, especially at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. He scored a penalty kick against Turkey in the first leg of the group stage to win the match 2–1, and scored an equalizer against England to set the stage for a turnaround. And throughout the World Cup, he left a deep impression by showing a completely different appearance from the existing Hibaudu. Unlike the existing character, which was followed by the word greed, he showed a thorough focus on doubling Ronaldo's scoring ability. Just as he scored an equalizer against England, he solved it himself depending on the situation, so I wonder if he played more than Ronaldo. Except for the Hollywood action against Turkey in the first round of the group stage, he led the championship with a near-perfect appearance.

However, Hibaudu's biggest weakness is greed. He played many roles as a shadow striker or an inside forward in Barcelona and the Brazilian national team, which is the peak of his career, but he was originally close to a goal hunter, and so was Mentality. Of course, there was no big problem because of his outstanding ability, but he was greedy to take the decisive moment, and the chance he blew was quite good. Greed is called greed because if you succeed with a goal, no one can touch it and rather applauds it, but it is not usually like that. Johann Cruyff said that even though he is a great technician with Hibaudu, he always plays with difficulty due to his poor positioning. Of course, these words are meant to mean that the player who has already reached the top can do better.

[kevkesblog]

Translation: Julian Brandt Interview for “11 Freunde” (June 18, 2020)

Attention: long post! Julian talks about overblown salaries in football, why he even stays at two-star hotels, why he thinks football should not be dramaticly reformed and why you won’t see him in Gucci clothing & more.

Julian Brandt, what do you miss the most at the moment?

Ju:     Just going outside and sitting in a café with some friends. Enjoying a bit more freedom. But I think many people have the same wishes right now.

Yet, the break because of the Corona pandemic seem to have lifted you. You were involved in all four goals during the 4-0 win against Schalke.

Ju:     I would still have preferred it, without the break. I mean it’s like this: sometimes you need just a few days to arrive at a place, sometimes it takes months. Feeling well in a city, a club and with my teammates is important. I’m a football player that needs a comfortable environment.

How was it for you at BVB in the beginning?

Ju:     There were definitely no fireworks at the beginning. But honestly, I kind of expected to need more time. I think thats normal after five and a half years at Bayer Leverkusen. It was a great time there, but in the end it was a comfort zone for me. I switched to BVB because I wanted to do something new.

And because Marco Reus asked you.

Ju:     Many people were in favour of me going to Dortmund. Even my mother wore yellow pullovers astonishingly often, during the time before my transfer happend. And Marco asked me at the national team, that’s true. I felt honored, but I saw a chance playing for a team which plays competitively for the title until the end of the season and is represented in the Champions League regularly, those were the main reasons for my transfer.

What else is different in Dortmund than in Leverkusen?

Ju:     Dortmund is bigger in almost every regard. Even the stadium is enormous and it becomes even more imposing with people in it. Building such a stadium somewhere is one thing. Brining it to live however like in Dortmund – that’s an art in and of itself. You don’t get that very often in Europe. Leverkusen – and I have to be honest here – has never been on my radar for me as a boy. But it’s the perfect club if you want to develop as a young player. I already suspected this after I talked to Rudi Völler for the first time.

I was told, you said „Rudi Völler has honest eyes“ to your father afterwards.

Ju:     He has a sincere attitude. I would have believed everything he said. And his promises became reality. We were playing attractive and successful football. And you don’t get so much pressure as a young player from the outside. The media landscape for example is much smaller in Leverkusen than elsewhere.

Do you miss the fans in the stadium in Dortmund?

Ju:     I was never that guy who was aware of stuff that happend on the stands. But after the game against Inter Mailand, where we were behind 0-2 before the break and won 3-2 in the end – I recognized how important football is for the people here and how much they were willing to support us. It was so honest, authentic and direct. One of the best games thus far.

Before that Michael Rummenigge critized you as „C-youth player“. That was after the Inter game where you scored as well. Was that a key moment?

Ju:     Everybody can voice their opinions that’s totally fine for me. I’m not a person who jumps on it.  And I wasn’t really satisfied with my game as well. Perhaps the 2-1 win against Gladbach a few days before was a turning point. Not only, because I scored twice, but rather because I was able to play on the ten for the first time. After that my game became better.

You said in the beginning of your time at BVB „Peter Bosz liked the risk. We don’t really have that here in Dortmund“. Did the way you play now changed?

Ju:     We play nice football under Lucien Favre. He likes an offensive tactic. Adding that, we score alot of goals. But Peter Bosz was a special coach in that regard because we played a modern version of football with a high amount of ball possesion – often over 80 percent. And we not only wanted to keep the ball all the time, while playing until our opponent gets tired like it’s the case with tiki-taka football. We were always on the attack. At BVB we put more emphasis on the defensive at the beginning. It was a change for me, since I wanted to have the ball and not running behind him all the time.

Is football an elegant game?

Ju:     My room as child was full of „Bravo“-magazine posters with offensive players. Nedved, Robinho, Del Piero and the best among the best: Ronaldinho. I liked it whenever players carry their street football skills to the pitch. Whenever somebody is looking for something spectacular. I want to gamble and not just act in a rigid system.

Doesn’t modern tactics prevent something like this?

Ju:     You are basically being funneled at youth football academies with: receive the ball, passing, receiving, passing. There a strict requirements you have to follow. But I think good teams need self-confident players, saying „No, I won’t fit in, but I rather go into a one-on-one situation“. We have such guys in our national team. Leroy Sané or Timo Werner. Kai Havertz is a player who has a street football mentality too. Often it looks very easy, but it’s not. It just passed over into blood.

You are wearing the jersey number 10 at the national team. Like you also wore at Leverkusen. Does that do something with you?

Ju:     I feel lighter in some sense. Perhaps because I know that you have to earn the number ten. Not like in the past, but I do think it has a certain meaning yes.

We heard you don’t like to talk about your strengths. Why?

Ju:     I think, it looks like I’m a show off. I have enough self-confidence already.

Yet you do know that you can shoot really good. Who taught you?

Ju:     Many things happened because I just tried. I even knew as a ten-year old boy: if I want to become a great football player I have to be able to shoot well with both feet. So, for weeks I shoot with my left foot on our lawn. Shot, flank, pass. It helped a lot. I met Federico Palacios during my youth time in Wolfsburg. He taught me insane techniques. I had a phase were I was obsessively training my first contact: not trying to stop the ball between the lines, but rather take the ball without defender nor midfielder getting the ball instead.

What are your weaknesses?

Ju:     My headers. But I’m currently working on it and I often score. At least without opponent (laughs). Some people say I can work more on my defensive work. And yes, there is some truth to it, even after I already worked on it for quite some time. The thing is: I’m not an aggressive person, its not who I am. But of course, I understand whenever coaches say I need to have a certain minimum amount of aggressive behavior on the pitch.

Do you have a career plan?

Ju:     No, everything I do, I do spontaneously.

But everything you do looks so reasonable: youth football for your home club. Training at a football academy in Wolfsburg. Professional debut at Bayer Leverkusen, your transfer to BVB a year ago…

Ju:     Honestly: I could not have imagined going to VfL Wolfsburg as well at the beginning. Why should a boy do this, when he basically grew up just a 20 minute bike ride away from the Weser stadium in Bremen and was standing in the fan curve in his youth?

Because Werder [Bremen] overlooked you?

Ju:     That’s not true. I even got invited to a try-out training. But then I looked at some other academies. I wasn’t only looking at VfL Wolfsburg. For example I looked at FC St. Pauli as well. Yet, I had the best feeling with Wolfsburg.

Why?

Especially during the ages 15 to 18 a lot is happening: you grow, your muscle mass is increasing, you slowly get to play with the professionals. On the other hand, many doors are opening. Your friends go partying for example. I liked being on a football academy for two and a half years. You couldn’t leave the campus after 11 o’clock in the evening. Apart from that we were very successful and won the German a-youth championship. But I can still remember how perplexed my parents were at the breakfast table, back when I told them about my decision to join Wolfsburg.

You are being called the “Anti-Star” of the business quite often. Does that do something with you?

Ju:     Many people seem to think it’s probably because I have no tattoos and my father is my agent. But to be honest: there are some football player clichées I fit in. I like fast cars. I like playing playstation and I have 40 pairs of shoes in my closet. I just try not to pretend to be someone else. I wouldn’t look good in a Gucci-pullover.

Others like to call you “premature”. You were allowed to train with the professionals at the age of 15 in Wolfsburg. How did you do that?

Ju:     That was insane and unreal. I was riding my bike to the training ground one day and the assistant coach Bernd Hollerbach took me to his side and said: “Introduce yourself to the coach”. So, I went into his office. “Hello Mr. Magath, I’m Julian from the under-17 team.” Of course, I was suspecting he already knew me otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten an invitation. But he was just staring at the television. After a while – it felt like an eternity – he looked at me, didn’t say a word, total silence and then he turned away. And then I was sneaking out of the room.

Magath wanted to test you?

Ju:     I was unsettled a bit, but I wasn’t thinking about it anymore on the pitch. It doesn’t matter who is on your side, or whether your opponent is twenty years older than you and who your father is.

Did you nutmeg someone?

Ju:     I would have been beaten for that. On the other hand: the pain fades away, the nutmeg stays (laughs). I remember I unintentionally shoot a ball into Marvin Hitz’s face.

How many agents were lining up at your doorstep at the time?

Ju:     I stopped counting it after a while. I don’t think all agents are bad but I don’t need one at the moment. I have my father. He may not be Mino Raiola with thousands of contacts all over the world. But he doesn’t need them.

Nevertheless: this son-father-constellation also has it’s potential conflicts…

Ju:     Our family sticks together – we are very harmonic and strong. I can’t remember a time where we were had an argument. I lived together with my brother in Cologne. I also have a connection with my father because of football. He used to play for the first team at SC Borgfeld – which was also my first club. I still remember: we went into the clubhouse whenever the Champions League was on. It was the best day of the week.

Now it’s about big business. Do you know your own worth?

Ju:     It was downgraded since the outbreak of the pandemic. I read that on so some sites.

But it’s still 40 million euros. What does such a number do with you?

Ju:     I can handle that because I can manage those numbers quite well. There is a lot money floating around in football. And I know its not easy to comprehend it with normal standards anymore. We live in our own bubble in that regard. The salaries in football are in no relation to what normal people earn – even with football being the greatest sport on earth. But why is that the case? Because sponsors are flushing so unbelievable high amounts of money into football. I think it’s important not to make the sport a luxury item. It has to stay affordable. In the stadium as well as in front of the TV.

Explain to us: why does a professional football player negotiate whether he should get 10 or 11 million euros per year?

Ju:     It shows how greedy people can be sometimes. But that’s not football specific. It’s as unfair as the richest one percent of the world’s population owning more than half of the world’s wealth, right?

Could this crisis perhaps be a chance in order for football to calm down?

Ju:     Perhaps in the short term. For the next one or two years. If any. I can’t imagine a player like Mbappé being sold next year for 80 million euros. Someone will always pay those insane sums of money.

How do you ground yourself?

Ju:     Through my family and friends. Many are studying or doing an apprenticeship. It’s never about money when we talk, I just like having a great time with them. We don’t need a luxury vacation. But one time: we went to Mallorca for four or five days just as we qualified for the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen. We stayed at a normal two-star-hotel, one room with a bed and a bathroom – that was it. We went to the beach and relaxed.

Has there never been a situation where a friend or family member had to take you back to the ground?

Ju:     No. I can’t remember that I ever reacted arrogant or snooty. Or a situation where I thought: “Wow. That’s not who you are”. I’m fully aware of my very privileged life. In short: my greatest worry is whether we will win or loose on the weekends. It’s important to be thankful and to remind yourself what you got every once in a while.

Why do you have to remind yourself stuff like that all the time?

Ju:     In order for it never to become normal. I know cheese costs about 69 cents at the grocery store and a different one costs 1,29 euros. But if a tool or device breaks down I sometimes just buy myself a new one. Whereas in the past I would have repaired it by myself.

But is football still the same game you fell in love with as a kid?

Ju:     Absolutely. The game itself hasn’t really changed much. Okay, we have the goal line technology – which I support. And we got the video assistant referee, were people can argue. I abstain in that question. Once in a while, new ideas are being floated: like reducing the playtime to 60 minutes, new tournaments, elite leagues – I think it’s all bullshit. Keep football like it is. The way we learned it. With all its faults and tricky aspects. Even if something goes wrong.

Like during the World Cup 2018. Did you know that you could be the first DFB-team leaving the tournament after the group stage?

Ju:     At some point he heard of it. It doesn’t really look good on your vita but it happened. Perhaps we needed this in order for something new to emerge. You have to remember: other great football nations also failed in similar ways. Italy, Spain or France all crashed out of the group stage after they won the World Cup.

Did the photo with Mesut Özil and Erdogan brought some unrest into the team?

Ju:     The fact that almost all reporting was revolving around that topic was irritating sometimes. Don’t get me wrong: I think its important for the media to cover political topics extensively and with background stories. But I remember after the game against Sweden – after we barely won because of Toni Kroos free kick: shortly after the game you get asked whether the poor performance during the first 75 minutes were due to the photo – and you thinking: why don’t we talk about the game? Mesut became the poster boy for the disappointing World Cup. That’s nonsense. We all played shitty.

During the Confed-Cup the year before, many young players were in the team. At the World Cup the established players came back. Did Löw put his trust into the wrong players in Russia?

Ju:     You can come to that conclusion afterwards, but you don’t know it in advance. I could fully understand Low though. He was loyal and in some cases he felt some gratitude. He couldn’t and he didn’t want to replace a World Cup winner from 2014 with a young player. The way we were defeated at the World Cup was not foreseeable. Because we also played great football between 2014 and 2018.

The team made it to the semifinals at the EURO 2016 and you became second with the Olympic football team in Rio.

Ju:     A great experience with a team that was just thrown together. A contribution of Horst Hrubesch.

What makes him special?

Ju:     He is just great, the guy! He’s from a different generation which you can tell with a lot of things around him. Once he wanted to show me how to shot from the side. I almost tore my muscle fiber doing it. But he manages it very well forming a team with young players. He’s a very free coach and very direct. He always called me lazy (laughs). And he has a very nice and dry sense of humor.

An example?

Ju:     Me and the Bender-twins were sitting together shortly before the semifinal against Nigeria. He came up and said: “Guys, losing today doesn’t make any sense anymore.” A funny sentence, but also true if you think about it.

Julian Brandt, you made over 200 Bundesliga games, played Champions League and participated in one World Cup. You just turned 24. Do you even still have time to suck it all in and enjoy it?

Ju:     Football is quick. I can still remember coming to Leverkusen – as if it was yesterday: my first game for the under 23 team against Essen. My Bundesliga debut against Schalke a week later. That was a little more than six years ago already. Crazy. Veteran players always say: “Enjoy it, because quickly your career will be over.” But how should you enjoy it? A game every four or five days. New photos, new events. You don’t have an awful lot of time to let everything sink in for a moment. I usually do that on new years eve. On a friend’s balcony. I even get sentimental then.

[artappreciation94]

"Goat" Portrait of Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Watercolor on 24×32 cm First, let me explain the title. Of course I am not saying that @ronaldinho is a goat 🐐. G.O.A.T. means Greatest Of All Time. And that's for sure. I've never seen a player more skilled than him. Never seen a person with a kinder and nicer smile. Ronaldinho was one of the best player in the world. As a tribute to him, here's a watercolor portrait of him in the jersey of the brasilian national team ( @cbf_futebol ) Which is/was your favourite football player? Messi? Ronaldo? Others? Let me know in the comments ⬇ 💬 ✏ #football #soccer #ronaldinho #brasil #barcelona #goat #🐐 #art #art_realism #painting #selecao #watercolor #painters_today #portrait #portraitdrawing #notoracism (hier: Brazil) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRyBNIShXEW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cypher2]

Perhaps the joga bonito mantra flows the richest through those who carry the number 10, and the expectation that brings, on their yellow and green shoulders. Zico, Pele, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Kaka – and Marta. Captivating footballers whose will is to entertain as much as it is to win. With every elastico, stepover, feint and pirouette, she treads the same path as those elite superstars from the men’s game, dragging swathes of Brazilians to women’s football in the process.

Her journey, like many Brazilian legends, had humble and difficult beginnings. She was born in Alagoas, the least-developed state in the country. It ranks in the bottom two states for illiteracy, child mortality rates, income per capita and life expectancy. If the economic situation didn’t serve as a guiding light on the road to success, then the political landscape proved even worse. From 1941 to 1979, it was illegal for women to play football in Brazil. Even once legalised, the discrimination suffered by Brazilian women playing football was still common. In an interview with Folha de São Paolo, Marta noted how “people at that time did not look kindly upon a girl playing football with a load of boys, and my family thought the same way”.

There are many lessons to be drawn from Marta’s illustrious and nomadic career. First, is that she is among the select few who have dragged the women’s game into the public consciousness through her unbelievable talent and high profile. Harking back to the glorious fleet-footed nature of her predecessors in the men’s game, her technical skill and goalscoring feats helped spark an interest in women’s football wherever she played.

She played this year in a World Cup that is a testament to the rapid and inevitable growth of women’s soccer, but she did so for a country that continues to resist that progress at every turn. She has revolutionized the sport like no woman before her, and yet she is evidence of how limited an impact any one player or team can have on the future of women’s soccer if the powers that be in countries like Brazil and in a world dominated by FIFA won’t push forward.

In a just world, Marta would take her deserved place among the many mononymous stars of Brazil’s past, in a pantheon next to Pelé and Garrincha, Romário and Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and the like. Instead, the greatest player in the history of women’s soccer ended this World Cup begging girls to ensure the survival of the game she helped build — all because, and only because, the people in charge still refuse to build it for them.

Marta is women’s soccer’s greatest story, and one of its most tragic, too.

Marta Is The World Cup’s Best Story And Its Greatest Tragedy

Farewell, to the greatest women’s player of them all: Marta

[sportsloverguide]

Football Legends: Who is the best

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to the question of who the greatest football player of all time is. It's a highly subjective topic with passionate arguments on both sides. Different people will have different criteria for what they consider "greatest," and this can vary depending on the era, playing style, individual preferences, and personal biases.

However, there are a few players who are consistently mentioned in the conversation

1. Pele

Pele, the Brazilian football icon, is widely hailed as the best Football Player ever.

He remains unmatched with his unrivaled record of World Cup victories.

His scoring prowess made him a vital force for both club and country.

2. Diego Maradona

Maradona, a master with the ball, achieved the unimaginable.

He was a pivotal figure in Argentina's glorious 1986 victory.

His extraordinary vision, passing, ball control, and dribbling skills made him one of the all-time greats.

His leadership on the field amplified team success.

3. Lionel Messi

Messi's magic knows no bounds.

He has won a record-breaking Eight Ballon d'Or awards.

He is the all-time leading goalscorer for both Barcelona and Argentina.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

He has won the UEFA Champions League five times.

He is the all-time leading goalscorer for both Real Madrid and Portugal.

5. Johan Cruyff

Cruyff was a pioneer of 'total football'.

He won three Ballon d'Or awards.

He is considered one of the most influential figures in football history.

6. Zinedine Zidane

Zidane won the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League with France.

He won three Ballon d'Or awards.

He is considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time.

7. Ronaldo

Ronaldo won two Ballon d'Or awards and two FIFA World Cups with Brazil.

He is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time.

8. Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho was known for his dribbling skills and flair.

He won the Ballon d'Or award in 2005.

He is considered one of the most entertaining players of all time.

9. Franz Beckenbauer

Beckenbauer won two Ballon d'Or awards and one FIFA World Cup with Germany.

He is considered one of the greatest defenders of all time.

10. Alfredo Di Stefano

Di Stefano won five consecutive European Cups with Real Madrid.

He is considered one of the greatest players in the history of Real Madrid.

Ultimately, who you consider the greatest football player of all time is a matter of personal opinion. It's important to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of all these legends and appreciate their unique talents and abilities.

[mufchq]

[soccernetghana]

How will football move on when Messi and Ronaldo retire?

Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? It's the question that has defined a decade of football; the cause of innumerable arguments across the globe. In the age of social media, you are not allowed to appreciate both. You have to pick one or the other. And whom you chose apparently tells you a lot about how you view the game. As Luis Figo famously argued, it really is a question of taste: "It's like choosing between white truffle or caviar." Indeed, the one thing that everyone agrees on is that both are incredible; both belong in the conversation on the best player of all time. They are, after all, responsible for an unprecedented rivalry in the history of the game: two all-time greats on opposite sides of the Clasico divide for nine years, pushing one another to scale even greater heights. As Messi himself told DAZN: "It was a duel that will last forever because it went on for many years, and it isn’t easy to keep at your highest level for so long – especially at those two clubs we were at, which were so demanding, in Real Madrid and Barcelona, the best clubs in the world. "Competing head to head for so many years will be remembered forever. The sporting rivalry between us was very nice on a personal level. I think that the fans also enjoyed it, be they Madrid or Barca supporters, or just those who like football." It is not over yet, of course. Ronaldo and Messi may be 35 and 32, respectively, but they have yet to show any real signs of letting up. The Portuguese may have changed teams, leaving Real for Juventus in 2018, but the rivalry with Messi endures; the debate rages on – at least among their most ardent supporters. When Ronaldo transferred to Turin, his fans followed. Juventus' social media numbers skyrocketed, highlighting this new phenomenon of some supporters prioritising players over clubs. These very modern consumers of football have a favourite player – not a favourite team, which begs a far more pressing question than Messi or Ronaldo: What happens after the pair retire? Will football lose followers? The two greatest protagonists in the most absorbing drama of the past decade will have left the stage – will some of the audience leave before the next act? After all, how could anything top what has gone before? Ronaldo and Messi have distorted our perceptions of what is possible on a football field, making the extraordinary, ordinary. They have altered our idea of what constitutes an excellent goal-scoring season. Anything less than 50 goals a season could, in future, be construed as underwhelming. And that is the key here: consistency. "They've done it for so long," Spanish football writer Andy West told Goal. "They've barely taken a week off. They've both had the physical fitness to play 40 or 50 games a year. Neither of them have really had serious injuries problems, which is amazing in itself. If you go back over the history of the game, there are very, very few players who are able to sustain that excellence for so long. "Even if you look at players just from my lifetime, such as the Brazilian Ronaldo, he was the best player in the world at his peak, but he had so many injury problems that meant he was only at his greatest for a short period of time. "They've not given anybody else has had a look in. There have been lots and lots of great players over the past decade who would have previously had a claim on being the best player in the world but they've not even been close. I don't think anyone would dispute that. Nobody has been close to the level of Messi and Ronaldo." Hazard and Neymar? Not even someone like Eden Hazard. The Belgium international was one of the best players in the world for years, lighting up the Premier League with his wing wizardry at Chelsea. However, even Hazard has admitted that he is simply incapable of matching Ronaldo and Messi's numbers, as so painfully underlined by the 29-year-old's form and fitness issues in his first year at Real Madrid. "I often ask myself what I can do to become like Messi and Ronaldo and get 50 or 60 goals in a season," he confessed to Sport/Foot. I try, of course, but I realise that I will never be a true goalscorer like them. It's not in me. It is mainly mental: at 2-0, not thinking that is enough for example. Sometimes I still think after a goal, 'That's enough.' "I'm not in search of records like some other players – if I can score between 15 and 20 goals each season, I will be very happy." One could never imagine Messi or Ronaldo being content with such a tally. Of course, for the sake of narrative, they are portrayed as polar opposites: Messi is the quiet, unassuming genius who puts the team first; Ronaldo the self-made goal-scoring machine who takes as much pride in his appearance as his records. Both are crude caricatures, which do both a disservice. Messi can be as ruthless as Ronaldo; Ronaldo can be as magnanimous as Messi. In addition, they are bound not only by brilliance but also determination, an inner drive that has seen both make the absolute most of their considerable skills. Which is perhaps why Neymar is no longer the favourite to step into the spotlight when Messi and Ronaldo bow out. There have never been any doubts over the Brazilian's ability but his level of focus has long been a cause for concern. Neymar's situation has hardly improved in the interim. If anything, that storm has only worsened. As has his physical condition. Since moving to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record fee in 2017, Neymar has been blighted by injuries and ill-discipline. At 28, his career path now looks more likely to follow that of Ronaldinho than Ronaldo, having, thus far, failed to strike the perfect balance between sporting and commercial growth. Time for Mbappe and Haaland? But what about the next generation? Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are considered the frontrunners to fill the void that Messi and Ronaldo will leave behind. Both are extraordinary young talents. Mbappe is the only man other than Pele to have scored in a World Cup final as a teenager; Haaland is the youngest player in history to score 10 Champions League goals, having reached that mark in just seven matches. Their potential is as obvious as it is enormous. Questions remain, of course. Can they sustain their fine form? Will they avoid serious injuries? Will they be as dedicated to their profession as Messi and Ronaldo? Both are considered colourful characters. Haaland's former Red Bull Salzburg team-mate Maximilian Wober described the Norwegian to Goal as "crazy insane" yet recalled how the striker would spend his time on away trips "reading scientific articles on who he could improve his sleep pattern or diet" while the rest of the team were playing cards. In a similar vein, Mbappe once skipped a party in honour of Monaco's shock 2016-17 Ligue 1 title triumph so that he could get enough rest to be in peak physical condition for the following day's training session. The Frenchman was only a teenager back then, though, and there having been growing concerns about his allegedly egotistical behaviour since being taken under Neymar's wing in Paris, as underlined by his recent spats with PSG coach Thomas Tuchel. Mbappe has admitted himself that he is "not a hard worker" but is still regarded by journalists who follow the French league and national team closely as someone who simply loves playing football. As long as he retains that passion for the game, he should – like Haaland – continue to rack up record after record. Of course, it would be unfair to expect anyone to equal Messi or Ronaldo's remarkable strike-rates. Or carry the game into a new era, for that matter. Besides, it's not as if the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has been the only show in town over the past 10 to 15 years. Messi has never played in the Premier League, while Ronaldo left in 2009 – yet the English top-flight is by some distance the most watched and, consequently, the richest championship in club football. There are, of course, many reasons for its global popularity: the sheer pace of the game separates it from its European rivals; what it loses in quality, it makes up for in frenzied entertainment. In addition, the almost total absence of running tracks around its pitches only accentuates the raucous atmosphere generated by the massive and passionate crowds found with its modern stadia. England changed its practices and image following the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies of the 1980s, and reaped the rewards. With the advent of the Premier League in 1992, English football became a perfectly packaged product expertly sold to audiences across the globe by BSkyB and, in turn, the further riches bestowed upon clubs by the sale of overseas TV rights enabled the acquisition of some of the most talented and charismatic characters in football. All of this, coupled with the sport's innate capacity for unscripted drama, made the Premier League compelling viewing. Essentially, football faces a far more pressing concern than the imminent retirement of two living legends, with the Covid-19 pandemic having plunged the game into financial crisis that represents a very real existential threat for clubs and leagues across the world. By its very nature, though, football is a simple game. Its popularity will not be dimmed by the pandemic; if anything, it may be enhanced by it, as people become even more appreciative of a sport that can be played by anyone with a ball. So, if football can survive Covid-19, it can survive the loss of Messi and Ronaldo. The show will go on. But so too will the debate over who was better: Messi or Ronaldo? There will never be an agreement, of course, but that is beside the point. As Messi says, his rivalry with Ronaldo is a duel that will last forever. Source: m.allfootballapp.com source: https://ghanasoccernet.com/

[mark7miller]

Futsal: What are the benefits for grassroots footballers?

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small sided football game that originates from South America in the 1930s. It is widely played across the world, and is the small sided football format that is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA. The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure, and is subsequently an excellent breeding ground for football competencies that can be translated into the grassroots game (The FA, 2019).

I have just completed the FA Level 1 in Coaching Futsal and I want to integrate what I have learned into my training sessions for my under 9 football team. Research indicates that individual’s playing Futsal receive the ball six times more often than they would do when they are playing 11-a-side football, allowing players to perform more individual techniques such as passes, controls, fakes, feints, dribbles and runs with the ball (Liverpool John Moore’s University, 2016). As well as touching the ball more often, players will often receive the ball under pressure from opponents developing their confidence on the ball particularly in pressurised environments (The FA, 2019). The introduction of using Futsal in my sessions will enable my players to benefit from more shots on goal and development of technical skills by goalkeepers; more challenges of 1v1 and increased final third and penalty area entries; increased decision making opportunities and more individual responsibility, all players must attack and defend.

Although Futsal is very much a game in its own right, there are also a number of benefits for football by encouraging young people to play Futsal as part of a balanced training programme to improve their overall technical development. It is a game that naturally brings players into regular one-on-one situations with their opponent, encouraging players into quick decision-making as to how they overcome these scenarios; this could be through beating the opponent with a skill or through clever passing and combination play in tight areas with team mates. But one of the core attributes Futsal teaches young players is the importance of ball retention due to the threat of an immediate counter-attack. Confidence on the ball, receiving a pass under pressure, decision-making in 1v1 situations, and ball retention are all important fundamental skills that we look to developing young players that are practiced regularly within a game environment in Futsal (The FA, 2019).

Max Kilman, 22, is the first former England Futsal International player to play in the Premier League, for Wolves and credits his progress in Football to having played Futsal. Mike Skubala, his former coach at England Futsal, states that it makes the case emphatically for “twin-tracking” in 11 a-side and Futsal (Fahey, 2019). Kilman agrees the twin-tracking experience enabled him to fit in so well with his Portuguese teammates at Molineux. Futsal is huge in Portugal – the national team are European champions – and he is aware of the transfer of skills between the codes. “A lot of the mental side of the game, the awareness, being comfortable on the ball and thinking sharper. Since I’ve got to Wolves I’ve realised that I’d benefited from my time playing futsal. It helps with what they do really well here. The speed of decision-making, everything is just sharper and quicker. You need to know what you’re going to do next.” (Fahey, 2019).

Futsal has also been endorsed by some of the world’s best footballers. Lionel Messi, FIFA World Footballer of the Year 2009-2012 states that as a little boy in Argentina, he played futsal on the streets with his friends and at his local club. It was tremendous fun and helped him become the footballer he is today. Ronaldinho, FIFA World Footballer of the Year 2004 & 2005 also declares that Futsal is an extremely important way for children to develop their skills and understanding of the game. He confirms that his touch and dribbling skills have been enhanced from playing Futsal (The FA, 2019).

Games to play                                             Objective

Keep it in the court                                       Retain possession

Line Ball                                                       Passing, moving, controlling the ball 

Playing into the Pivot                                   Pass, move the ball to score a goal

Quick to counter                                          Counter attack with 2 v 1

Score with more                                           2 v 1 and goal keepers

One of the most highlighted benefits is that the ball is kept on the floor so no players head the ball (Fahey, 2020). This is essential in health and safety of the players at such an early age. What more recommendation do I need to try this out with my team? I will feedback with the results of how the sessions went and if there are any improvements from introducing it to my players, over the next few months.

References

Bushell, J (2016). An introduction to Futsal.  

Accessed 04/02/2020 

file:///C:/Users/Nikki/Downloads/introduction-to-futsal.pdf

Fahey, J (2020). The Guardian. Futsal

Accessed 04/02/2020

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/16/futsal-the-thinking-players-game-that-doesnt-hurt-the-head

Fahey, J (2019). The Guardian. Futsal

Accessed 04/02/2020

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/aug/06/max-kilman-wolves-premier-league-futsal-england

Fahey, J (2019). The Guardian. Futsal

Accessed 04/02/2020

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/25/ricardinho-futsal-king-qualities-ronaldo-messi

The FA (2019). Benefits of Futsal

Accessed 04/02/2020

file:///C:/Users/Nikki/Downloads/benefits-of-futsal%20(1).pdf 

The FA (2019). Fast forward with Futsal. A Year on.

Accessed 04/02/2020

file:///C:/Users/Nikki/Downloads/fast-forward-with-futsal-a-year-on-infographic-october-2019.pdf