FIXTURE COMPLETO
Viernes 11/1: racing-San Lorenzo, en Salta
Sábado: 12/1: River-Independiente, en Mar del Plata
Martes 15/1: Boca-Independiente, en Mar del Plata
Viernes 18/1: River-racing, en Salta
Sabado 19/1: Boca-San Lorenzo, en Mar del Plata
Martes 22/1: Boca-racing, en Salta
Miércoles 23/1: Independiente-San Lorenzo, en Mar del Plata
Sábado 26/1: Boca-River, en Mar del Plata
Domingo 27/1:Independiente-racing, en Mendoza
Martes 29/1: River-San Lorenzo, en Mar del Plata
Viernes 1/2: Independiente-San Lorenzo, en Salta
Sabado 2/2: Boca-River, en Mendoza
sábado, diciembre 22
martes, diciembre 18
Responde Boca a los afiches de River
Los primeros en tirar la piedra fueron los simpatizantes "millonarios", quienes festejaron la derrota del eterno rival. Los "Xeneizes" primero respondieron en la web, y ahora lo hacen en la calle
Como es habitual, el resultado de un partido trascendental como el que disputaron ayer Boca y Milan por la final del Mundial de Clubes despierta alegrías, tristezas, "odios" y rencores, entre otros sentimientos.
Muchos de ellos se vuelcan en afiches irónicos como los que sacó River luego de conocer el resultado, y otros en Internet como por ejemplo las respuestas de los hinchas de Boca a esas cargadas.
El primero en sacar un afiche fue River: "Cristina Kirchner que nombre "emajadores" en Japón a los jugadores de Boca "así no vuelven más".
Y luego, en otro, se le hace burla por su slogan de considerar a Japón como su "segundo barrio". "En el primero no te quieren ni ver".
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domingo, diciembre 16
Especial. Cargadas de river a boca despues del Mundial de Clubes
Por fin los hinchas de river nos podemos desquitar con algo, aqui tienen todas las cargadas que inmediatamente se hicieron luego de que Boca perdiera 2 - 4 contra el milan, de KAKA (xd!)
El cholo ya es millonario
River Plate ya tiene técnico. Diego Cholo Simeone será el encargado de ocupar el lugar que dejó vacante Daniel Pasarella y también deberá sacar al club millonario de la crisis futbolística que vive y que ha provocado que en los últimos dos años no haya ganado ningún título.
Ayer, durante su presentación en el estadio Monumental en compañía del presidente de River, José María Aguilar, Simeone dijo que en esta aventura tiene expectativas muy grandes. “Lo primero que haremos es formar un gran grupo y a partir de ahí un gran equipo, porque River necesita estar en los mejores lugares”, señaló el Cholo. El contrato que ligará a Simeone con River será de un año y sus auxiliares seguirán siendo Nelson Vivas y Andrés Guglielminpietro, ex compañeros suyos en el Inter de Milán, en Italia. Consciente del reto que tiene por delante, el ex seleccionado argentino agregó que “nos espera un trabajo complicado y difícil, pero los desafíos siempre me han gustado”.
Sin embargo, el nuevo técnico de River evitó dar precisiones sobre los refuerzos que pedirá a la dirigencia del club y también eludió hablar sobre los jugadores que tendrá o no en cuenta de los que forman parte de plantel.
El entorno que hay en el club rioplatense no es para nada alentador, pues aunado a la crisis deportiva, la denominada barrabrava está en la mira de la justicia por la muerte de un hincha, en una emboscada. Pese a esto, Simeone aseguró que éste se trata de “un momento trascendente que el destino me depara, como ya me ha pasado. River Plate tiene jugadores individualmente muy capacitados, que son jóvenes y algunos que han jugado en Europa y han regresado, con mucha experiencia”.
Simeone tomará las riendas del club el 3 de enero, cuando el plantel arranque la pretemporada.
Milan volvio a Boca a su realidad
Con dos goles de Inzaghi, uno de Nesta y otro de Kaká, el mejor del encuentro, el rossonero tuvo su vendetta tras la caída en 2003. Palacio y Ambrosini, en contra, marcaron para el Xeneize, que jugó bien el primer tiempo y se cayó en el segundo. Los dos terminaron con 10.
DUEÑO DEL MUNDO - MILAN equipo con mas titulos internacionales
El equipo lombardo supera en el palmarés a su último rival, Boca Juniors (17 títulos), al Real Madrid español (15), al Independiente argentino (15) y al Al Ahly egipcio (13).
Desde 1963, el AC Milán ha conquistado 7 Copas de Europa/Liga de Campeones (1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007), 2 Recopas de Europa (1968, 1972), 5 Supercopas de Europa (1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007) y 4 Campeonatos del Mundo de clubes/Copa Intercontinental (1969, 1989, 1990 y 2007).
Con su cuarto título de campeón del mundo, los italianos ostentan además el récord de victorias del torneo, superando de nuevo a Boca Juniors (1977, 2000 y 2003).
La brillante trayectoria de éxitos del equipo se completa con su palmarés en Italia, con 17 títulos de Liga, 5 Copas de Italia y 5 Supercopas de Italia, aunque en el terreno nacional se ve superado por la Juventus (27 títulos de Liga, 9 Copas y 4 Supercopas).
Imagenes
jueves, diciembre 13
La revancha, cuatro años después
A un día de cumplirse cuatro años de aquella final, los recuerdos vuelven a florecer y las similitudes le dan color a la previa. El partido será en el mismo escenario, el Estadio Internacional de Yokohama, donde los italianos buscarán la vendetta.
En Boca sólo Sebastián Battaglia se repetirá en relación a la formación de la fría noche japonesa del 14 de diciembre. El otro que pudo haber dicho presente es Fabián Vargas, suplente en 2003, y que por haber sido expulsado ayer se perderá la definición.
Por el lado del Milan, el intento de venganza será llevado adelante por varios de los mismos protagonistas. Sin ir más lejos, el mediocampo que presentó hoy fue el mismo que jugó en aquella final: Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf y Kaká.
Esta nueva versión del Rossonnero tiene un hombre más en la mitad de la cancha, Massimo Amborsini, quien en 2003 estuvo en el banco. También Dida volverá a ser titular, mientras que Kakha Kaladze, suplente en 2003, irá desde el arranque.
En tanto, Cafú y Paolo Maldini fueron parte de la alineación inicial en aquella Copa Intercontinental, pero en este presente del Milan son suplentes, como Serginho y Filippo Inzaghi. El técnico es Carlo Ancelotti, el mismo que cayó en la final de hace cuatro años.
El partido del domingo, además de consagrar al campeón del mundo, definirá al equipo con más títulos internacionales, podio que hoy comparten con 17 coronas. En el historial jugaron ocho veces, con tres victorias de Boca, cuatro empates y una derrota.
COPA INTERCONTINENTAL 2003 (14 de diciembre)
BOCA 1 (3): Roberto Abbondanzieri; Luis Perea, Rolando Schiavi, Nicolás Burdisso, Clemente Rodríguez; Matías Donnet, Raúl Cascini, Sebastián Battaglia, Diego Cagna; Iarley y Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
DT: Carlos Bianchi.
Suplentes: Wilfredo Caballero, Pablo Jerez, Diego Crosa, Fabián Vargas, Javier Villarreal, Carlos Tevez y Roberto Colautti.
MILAN 1 (1): Dida; Cafú, Alessandro Costacurta, Paolo Maldini, Giuseppe Pancaro, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Kaká; Andreiy Shevchenko y Jon Dahl Tomasson.
DT: Carlo Ancelotti.
Suplentes: Christian Abbiati, Martin Laursen, Kakha Kaladze, Massimo Ambrosini, Rui Costa, Filippo Inzaghi.
CANCHA: Estadio Internacional de Yokohama.
ARBITRO: Valentin Ivanov (Rusia).
GOLES: PT 23m Tomasson (M) y PT 38m Donnet (B).
CAMBIOS: ST 14m Inzaghi por Tomasson (M), 27m Tevez por Barros Schelotto (B), 32m Rui Costa por Kaká (B), PTS 11m Ambrosini por Gattuso (M).
AMONESTADOS: Perea (B), Kaká (M) y Cafú (M).
DEFINICION POR PENALES
Pirlo (Milan): atajó Abbondanzieri
Schiavi (Boca): gol
Rui Costa (Milan): gol
Battaglia (Boca): atajó Dida
Seedorf (Milan): desviado
Donnet (Boca): gol
Costacurta (Milan): atajó Abbondanzieri
Cascini (Boca): gol
martes, diciembre 11
Debate 1: Quien es mas grande? Racing o Independiente?
En estos ultimos dias sea notado que gran parte de nuestras visitas discuten sobre su equipo es mas grande que su clasico rival. Eso siempre se da en todos lados, pero me gustaria formarlizarlo en este post. Les propongo a ustedes que realizemos un pequeño debate sobre que equipo es el mas grande de avellaneda.
Racing o Independiente?
Ante todo con respeto, ya que es lo principal en un debate de este tipo, no se aceptaran insultos ni nada por el estilo, si es sucede sus comentarios seran borrados inmediatamente.
Pueden ofrecer en el debate datos estadisticos, situaciones, campeonatos obtenidos, etc. Todo es tipo de cosas!
Bueno nada mas!!
Es todo de ustedes!Que comienze el debate!!
Ademas invitamos no solo a los hinchas de racing y independiente a debatir. A cualquier hincha de cualquier club tambien puede hacerlo, un poco de objetivida no vendria mal..xd
Nota: Pronto haremos debate sobre los demas clasicos
Racing o Independiente?
Ante todo con respeto, ya que es lo principal en un debate de este tipo, no se aceptaran insultos ni nada por el estilo, si es sucede sus comentarios seran borrados inmediatamente.
Pueden ofrecer en el debate datos estadisticos, situaciones, campeonatos obtenidos, etc. Todo es tipo de cosas!
Bueno nada mas!!
Es todo de ustedes!Que comienze el debate!!
Ademas invitamos no solo a los hinchas de racing y independiente a debatir. A cualquier hincha de cualquier club tambien puede hacerlo, un poco de objetivida no vendria mal..xd
Nota: Pronto haremos debate sobre los demas clasicos
lunes, diciembre 10
Todo musica
El lugar de la buena musica.
Si tu eres un fanatico del rock nacional, del pop, de la musica latina, en fin, de la buena musica. Tienes que visitar
Aca encontras la mejor variedad de musica con un exelente contenido, tus temas favoritos, videos y letras de las canciones mas popular. Biografia y discografia de las mejores bandas de la actualidad. Todo esta en "Todo musica"
Si tu eres un fanatico del rock nacional, del pop, de la musica latina, en fin, de la buena musica. Tienes que visitar
Aca encontras la mejor variedad de musica con un exelente contenido, tus temas favoritos, videos y letras de las canciones mas popular. Biografia y discografia de las mejores bandas de la actualidad. Todo esta en "Todo musica"
jueves, diciembre 6
Arsenal campeon de la Copa Sudamericana
Dominio argentino
Esto ha sido este ultimo año, tanto en la copa libertadores ganada por Boca Juniors, y ahora la Copa sudamerica han sido ganadas por equipos argentinos, esto demuestra el gran nivel de su futbol. Esperemos que siga asi muchos años mas, y que se traspase a lo seleccionado asi podremos en algun futuro vencer a Brasil
Arsenal hizo historia. El equipo humilde, de barrio, con pocos hinchas, lo logró. Con todos los condimentos de la hazaña, el conjunto de Gustavo Alfaro se consagró campeón de la Copa Sudamericana, tras un milagroso gol de Martín Andrizzi a 7 minutos del final del encuentro. Para la satisfacción de los 25 mil seguidores que fueron a la cancha de Racing y para la alegría de un barrio humilde, que a partir de mañana va a ser noticia en los medios del mundo.
El Arse tenía todo para el festejo. La cancha de Racing con su popular local repleta, como nunca en la historia del club, banderas por doquier, fuegos artificiales para un final ideal y, lo más importante, un resultado a favor en México que le daba la venia para la algarabía anticipada. Sin embargo, el partido fue un sufrimiento para los locales. Es que el América jugó un gran partido y estuvo a unos minutos de consagrarse.
El gol de Andrizzi fue la llave que terminó dándole el título al Arse. Cuando la cosa estaba chiva y parecía que la alegría se iba para México, apareció Martín, cual guapo de Sarandí de antaño. Como un tanguero de años y noches de riñas. Entró para cambiar la historia y lo logró. A los 38 minutos del segundo tiempo, agarró un pelota en la puerta del área, eludió como pudo a dos jugadores, cayéndose, desprolijo, pero con temple y valentía. Cuando se le abrió un hueco le dio de zurda sin siquiera mirar al arco. Y fue ahí la pelota, adentro del arco, para darle la felicidad a su equipo, a su gente.
El partido fue entretenido desde el comienzo. América salió a hacer su juego, pelota por el piso, toques y velocidad en ataque. Arsenal, no dudo en copiar a su rival. No especuló el equipo de Alfaro, a pesar de contar con la ventaja conseguida en México, había ganado 3-2 en el Azteca. Sin embargo, los méxicanos fueron quienes abrieron el marcador.
A los 18 minutos de la parte inicial, tras una gran jugada del paraguayo Salvador Cabañas por el sector izquierdo, envió un centro que dio en Cristian Díaz y se metió en el arco que defendía Mario Cuenca. El América necesitaba un gol más para pasar al frente en el marcador global. Estaba más cerca, pero esto no influyó en los jugadores locales, que siguieron buscando el encuentro y perdieron varias oportunidades de empatarlo.
El complemento no varió mucho. El Arse buscando el empate y el América un gol más. Entonces, todo era vertiginoso y de ida y vuelta. A los 18 minutos, esta vez del complemento, tras una rebote la pelota derivó en Juan Carlos Silva, que sin pararla le dio de derecha y la pelota se metió entre el palo y el cuerpo de Cuenca.
Ahora, con el panorama 0-2 en contra, la Copa se iba para México y el Arse se quedaba con las manos vacías. No parecía que el equipo de Alfaro iba a encontrar la forma, ni tenía la fuerza para virar la historia. Y apareció el héroe: Martín Andrizzi. El hombre que le dio la Copa a Arsenal, justo él que estaba en el banco de suplentes y que nunca imaginó un final así, le dio la gloria a su equipo. Para que festejen a pura pizza y cerveza en el histórico y emblemático 4 Ases, en Sarandí. Felicitaciones Arsenal.
Esto ha sido este ultimo año, tanto en la copa libertadores ganada por Boca Juniors, y ahora la Copa sudamerica han sido ganadas por equipos argentinos, esto demuestra el gran nivel de su futbol. Esperemos que siga asi muchos años mas, y que se traspase a lo seleccionado asi podremos en algun futuro vencer a Brasil
Arsenal hizo historia. El equipo humilde, de barrio, con pocos hinchas, lo logró. Con todos los condimentos de la hazaña, el conjunto de Gustavo Alfaro se consagró campeón de la Copa Sudamericana, tras un milagroso gol de Martín Andrizzi a 7 minutos del final del encuentro. Para la satisfacción de los 25 mil seguidores que fueron a la cancha de Racing y para la alegría de un barrio humilde, que a partir de mañana va a ser noticia en los medios del mundo.
El Arse tenía todo para el festejo. La cancha de Racing con su popular local repleta, como nunca en la historia del club, banderas por doquier, fuegos artificiales para un final ideal y, lo más importante, un resultado a favor en México que le daba la venia para la algarabía anticipada. Sin embargo, el partido fue un sufrimiento para los locales. Es que el América jugó un gran partido y estuvo a unos minutos de consagrarse.
El gol de Andrizzi fue la llave que terminó dándole el título al Arse. Cuando la cosa estaba chiva y parecía que la alegría se iba para México, apareció Martín, cual guapo de Sarandí de antaño. Como un tanguero de años y noches de riñas. Entró para cambiar la historia y lo logró. A los 38 minutos del segundo tiempo, agarró un pelota en la puerta del área, eludió como pudo a dos jugadores, cayéndose, desprolijo, pero con temple y valentía. Cuando se le abrió un hueco le dio de zurda sin siquiera mirar al arco. Y fue ahí la pelota, adentro del arco, para darle la felicidad a su equipo, a su gente.
El partido fue entretenido desde el comienzo. América salió a hacer su juego, pelota por el piso, toques y velocidad en ataque. Arsenal, no dudo en copiar a su rival. No especuló el equipo de Alfaro, a pesar de contar con la ventaja conseguida en México, había ganado 3-2 en el Azteca. Sin embargo, los méxicanos fueron quienes abrieron el marcador.
A los 18 minutos de la parte inicial, tras una gran jugada del paraguayo Salvador Cabañas por el sector izquierdo, envió un centro que dio en Cristian Díaz y se metió en el arco que defendía Mario Cuenca. El América necesitaba un gol más para pasar al frente en el marcador global. Estaba más cerca, pero esto no influyó en los jugadores locales, que siguieron buscando el encuentro y perdieron varias oportunidades de empatarlo.
El complemento no varió mucho. El Arse buscando el empate y el América un gol más. Entonces, todo era vertiginoso y de ida y vuelta. A los 18 minutos, esta vez del complemento, tras una rebote la pelota derivó en Juan Carlos Silva, que sin pararla le dio de derecha y la pelota se metió entre el palo y el cuerpo de Cuenca.
Ahora, con el panorama 0-2 en contra, la Copa se iba para México y el Arse se quedaba con las manos vacías. No parecía que el equipo de Alfaro iba a encontrar la forma, ni tenía la fuerza para virar la historia. Y apareció el héroe: Martín Andrizzi. El hombre que le dio la Copa a Arsenal, justo él que estaba en el banco de suplentes y que nunca imaginó un final así, le dio la gloria a su equipo. Para que festejen a pura pizza y cerveza en el histórico y emblemático 4 Ases, en Sarandí. Felicitaciones Arsenal.
domingo, diciembre 2
Lanus campeon!!!
A Lanús le faltaba un pasito y lo dio en la Bombonera, nada menos. Gritó campeón por primera vez en su historia allí donde sueñan muchos y realizan muy pocos. Sin el brillo de otros partidos, pero con el oficio y el oportunismo necesarios para resolver sin inconvenientes el compromiso deportivo más importante en sus 92 años de existencia, ante un Boca que lo complicó poco con su mix de titulares y suplentes. El equipo de Ramón Cabrera dependía de sí mismo y lo logró por sí mismo, más allá de que a la postre le sobró, habida cuenta de la derrota de Tigre frente a Argentinos. Lanús fue el equipo más destacado del campeonato. El que mejor jugó y el más regular. Por eso, la conquista es merecida.
Se dijo, Lanús tuvo oficio y una buena dosis de fortuna para encauzar su cita más esperada, porque hasta el cabezazo goleador de Sand, y casi en respuesta a una voluntad que privilegiaba el orden y el equilibrio, el equipo de Cabrero no había producido nada en ataque y sólo había sufrido en la única desatención que cometió durante los 45 minutos iniciales, cuando Bueno quedó mano a mano con Bossio y definió mal, por encima del travesaño.
El cuadrado imaginario formado por Ribonetto, Hoyos, Pelletieri y Fritzler había tenido bastante actividad. Como contrapunto, Blanco y Valeri entraron poco en juego y Acosta y Sand se mantuvieron prácticamente aislados del circuito. Claro, Boca no le provocaba sobresaltos a la visita. Sin un organizador de juego y poco aceite en las piezas componentes del mediocampo, el local jamás pudo asumir el protagonismo en el desarrollo.
Llegó el gol y Lanús encontró todavía más serenidad. Entre las virtudes que lo consagraron como el mejor futbolista del campeonato, Valeri exhibió su pegada en un tiro de esquina, Sand cabeceó cruzado entre Palermo y Paletta y colocó el 1-0, en la primera emoción fuerte de la tarde.
Sin gastar a cuenta, Lanús se animó un poco más. Blanco, Valeri y Acosta pesaron más desde el inicio del segundo tiempo, Boca intensificó su búsqueda ante la desventaja y el desarrollo tuvo más vibraciones. Pezzotta ignoró un penal (Valeri definió mano a mano con Caranta y la pelota dio en la mano derecha de Paletta, quien había levantado el brazo en forma imprudente y desvió un tiro con riesgo de gol) en favor del equipo de Cabrero y Bueno despilfarró otras dos chances claras, mientras desde La Paternal llegaban las mejores noticias para los corazones granates: Argentinos le ganaba a Tigre.
Hasta que Boca igualó, colocándole una dosis de dramatismo a la definición. El ingresado Boselli combinó con Palermo y el goleador fusiló a Bossio con un violento zurdazo, pero enseguida los locales hipotecaron sus chances: Vargas, quien había sido de lo mejor del elenco dirigido por Russo, le cometió una violenta infracción a Acosta y fue expulsado. Poco pudo hacer desde entonces Boca, carente de las soluciones esperadas con los cambios, mientras Lanús se sostenía en la tarea de sus marcadores centrales y Velázquez, el mejor en 90 minutos sin grandes figuras.
Lanús tuvo dos oportunidades para también llevarse la victoria, pero Sand ni Blanco pudieron definirlas con acierto. Poco importó. El título ya estaba bien atesorado. Premio a una ferviente creencia en los proyectos a largo plazo, Lanús pegó su grito más glorioso y escribió su nombre en la selecta galería de los campeones.
Aqui le hacemos un reconocimiento al plantel campeon
| Nombre | Posición |
| Carlos Bossio | Arquero |
| Claudio Flores | Arquero |
| Agustín Marchesin | Arquero |
| Fabián Moyano | Arquero |
| Javier Almirón | Defensor |
| Carlos Arce | Defensor |
| Nelson Benítez | Defensor |
| Emir Faccioli | Defensor |
| Rodolfo Graieb | Defensor |
| Santiago Hoyos | Defensor |
| Eduardo Ledesma | Defensor |
| Néstor Moiraghi | Defensor |
| Carlos Quintana | Defensor |
| Walter Ribonetto | Defensor |
| Leonardo Sigali | Defensor |
| Gonzalo Sorondo | Defensor |
| Maximiliano Velázquez | Defensor |
| Jadson Viera | Defensor |
| Lautaro Acosta | Mediocampista |
| Marcos Aguirre | Mediocampista |
| Sebastián Blanco | Mediocampista |
| Matías Fritzler | Mediocampista |
| Diego González | Mediocampista |
| Diego Lagos | Mediocampista |
| Agustín Pelletieri | Mediocampista |
| Adrián Peralta | Mediocampista |
| Sebastián Salomón | Mediocampista |
| Diego Valeri | Mediocampista |
| Santiago Biglieri | Delantero |
| Roberto Dovetta | Delantero |
| Roberto Jiménez | Delantero |
| Diego Manicero | Delantero |
| José Sand | Delantero |
| Ramón Cabrero | D.T. |
Imagenes
sábado, diciembre 1
Los 50 mejores jugadores segun Times
Como este ranking lo ha hecho un diario britanico, si quieren saber que opinan de cada jugador tendran que practicar ingles. xd
50. Gary Neville (Manchester United)
A right back is admittedly an unusual choice, but Neville brings a host of intangibles to the table, from leadership to experience to consistency.
49. Clarence Seedorf (Milan)
You don’t win four Champions League crowns with three different clubs by accident. Perhaps he doesn’t turn it on as often as he once did, but his collection of rabbit’s feet alone makes him a worthwhile punt.
48. Jefferson Farfan (PSV Eindhoven)
He gives you trickery, pace and width, plus a host of goals (42 in the Dutch league over the past two years, a remarkable total for a guy who is not a genuine centre forward).
47. Phillip Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Little Mr Consistency runs all day and is a reliable source of goal-saving tackles and pinpoint crosses. Arguably the best left back around.
46. Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors)
Probably the most reliable striker outside Europe. Something of a late bloomer, at 25 he’s really hitting his stride.
45. Diego (Werder Bremen)
Stick him in the hole behind two strikers and watch him weave his magic. He’s Kaka-lite (or, given his corpulent build, Kaka-heavy).
44. Rino Gattuso (Milan)
Steven Gerrard’s ghostwriters may not rate him, but most of the rest of us do. He runs himself into the ground, lifts the crowd and never gives up.
43. Hernan Crespo (Inter)
139 goals in his past 209 league starts in Serie A and the Premiership tell only part of the story. His movement up front is also straight out of a footballing textbook.
42. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax)
By all accounts, he had a poor season - “just” 21 league goals (down from 33 last year). That says it all. Comparisons to Marco van Basten may be wide of the mark, but he’ll get you goals.
41. Alessandro Nesta (Milan)
Now that he’s fit again, strikers beware: he’s unnaturally quick, strong in the tackle and about as athletic as anyone playing the game today.
40. Juninho Pernambucano (Lyons)
Elegant and creative, but also with an edge when necessary, he can light up any side. Plus, he’ll get his usual haul of set-piece goals.
39. “Lucho” Gonzalez (Porto)
A box-to-box dervish who gets his fair share of goals and is a natural leader to boot. If only he played in a higher profile league...
38. Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
He redefined the role of attacking midfield player in the Premiership. The one concern is how well he would do away from his mentor, Sir Alex Ferguson.
37. Daniele De Rossi (Roma)
The poor man’s Roy Keane. Runs the midfield with intensity and intelligence and, like Keane, occasionally falls prey to the red mist (just ask Brian McBride).
36. Dejan Stankovic (Inter)
His long-range goals make the highlight reels, but his real contribution is the way he can effortlessly slot into any midfield position.
35. Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid)
It feels as if he’s been around forever, but he’s still just twenty-three. Tall, strong, bright, he can lead any line on his own.
34. David Beckham (Real Madrid/Los Angeles Galaxy)
Strip away the hype, and you have a respected leader who provides the most delicious service from wide positions. That alone is worth a few dozen goals a season.
33. Javier Zanetti (Inter)
Again, we’re dealing with intangibles here. The Inter skipper is a true leader, selfless and self-sacrificing, who can fill either full-back position or play in midfield. One of the most underrated players of the past decade.
32. Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
Like a fine wine, he gets better with age. Reads the game exceptionally well and has developed a first-rate tactical awareness. Plus, he’d run through a brick wall for you.
31. Florent Malouda (Lyons)
Put him wide or put him in a diamond and the result is the same: a blend of quality and workrate that make him one of the most sought-after players on the market today.
30. John Terry (Chelsea)
He’s what God had in mind when he invented the British centre half. While Terry’s strength and courage win him plaudits, he is also an underrated distributor who reads the game very well.
29. Andrea Pirlo (Milan)
Possibly the best free-kick taker of the lot. He single-handedly brought back the role of the deep-lying playmaker. He’s the human metronome, the man who dictates his team’s rhythym and hardly ever gives the ball away.
28. Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid)
He’s a natural-made backbone to any side. Never stops running, wins every 50-50 and distributes the ball efficiently. A central defender’s best friend.
27. David Villa (Valencia)
Nobody in La Liga has scored more over the past two seasons. Quick, tricky and with an eye for goal, he will punish any opponent's error.
26. Michael Ballack (Chelsea)
OK, so he had a bad season. But he’s big, strong, outstanding in the air and can find the target from anywhere in the final third of the pitch.
25. Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur)
He has the body of a bruiser and the touch of a virtuoso. And he looks like he’ll only get better. One of the more athletic big men on this list.
24. Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea)
Like Ballack, he underachieved last year. But his contribution goes beyond goals (is it just a coincidence that Didier Drogba scored so much in the one season he played alongside the Ukrainian?) and with an injury-free pre-season under his belt, he’s worth taking a punt on.
23. Ronaldo (Milan)
Put your fat jokes to one side please. Consider instead the seven goals in twelve starts for Milan after leaving the Bernabeu asylum. Or the 82 goals in 117 starts he notched at Real in the seasons before the move. Now wash your mouth out with soap.
22. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
The nice thing with him is that you can either leave him up on his own and lump balls to him or get him involved in the short-passing game. Either way, he’ll tie up entire opposing back fours on his own.
21. Carles Puyol (Barcelona)
A fine defender, but he ranks so high for the intangibles. Puyol is a natural-born leader, a manager’s dream, a guy who knows his limits and will leave his innards on the pitch for the club.
20. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Already a legend, and he only turned 26 last month. He’s an agile, fearless shot-stopper who, if Raul ever retires, will captain Real for years to come.
19. Daniel Alves (Seville)
Rarely does a single man dominate an entire flank the way he does. He combines the skills of a winger with the grit of an old-style hard man. His mere presence on the pitch forces the opposing side to readjust everything defensively.
18. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
If you could open his skull, you’d find the brain of a 30-year-old. Few players are so mature and so aware at such a young age, while also being totally undaunted by the task in front of them.
17. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
Admittedly, he’s one of the more volatile heads on this list. But creativity and vision like his rarely come in 6ft 5in packages, which makes him one of the most difficult players to defend against in the game.
16. Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Let’s let the numbers do the talking, shall we? He has missed five league games in the past six seasons at Chelsea, while hitting double figures in league goals in each of the past four. Plus, he never slows down and is genuinely adored by his team-mates. What more do you want?
15. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)
And to think some numpties thought he was finished. He and Thierry Henry are the only strikers to have scored 20 or more goals in a major European league in five of the past six seasons. Put the ball anywhere near him and he’ll score. Simple as that.
14. Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Go ask Jose Mourinho and he’ll tell you that, had it not been for Steven Hunt’s boot, Chelsea would have won the treble this year. That’s how important Cech is. With a guy like him, you can just stick him in goal, stop worrying about the defensive aspect of the game and focus instead on the other end of the pitch.
13. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
The highest ranked defender on this list and with good reason. He’s big, strong, fast and gifted. He held Real’s defence together this season, while chipping in at the attacking end as well. And he’s still only 21...
12. Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Would have ranked higher, if not for the fact that he hasn’t played since early March and it remains to be seen in what condition he’ll return. Beyond that, he’s a sure thing. Not only does he scare the bejesus out of defenders, he is also one of the most prolific forwards around today. Had he been around all year, it’s unlikely the naysayers would have mocked Arsenal’s lack of finishing the way they did.
11. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Another who had a mediocre season (by his standards). You notice how important he is when he is not there. His workrate and ability are hard to replace and he is quickly becoming indispensable, both for club and country.
10. Francesco Totti (Roma)
His job is to create, not finish, and yet he won the European Golden Boot this season with 26 league goals: a total made all the more remarkable when you throw in the fact that he uncharacteristically missed six penalties along the way. (At least he made the ones that mattered in the World Cup.) That alone should get him on the list - his vision and phenomenal range of passing are bonuses.
9. Leo Messi (Barcelona)
Leave Maradona out of it for a minute. Focus instead on that when the ball is at his feet, unless you’re Nostradamus, you have absolutely no idea what will happen next. There is no legislating for unpredictability in football and Messi has bags of it. Plus, his 14 Liga goals last year show that he has added a healthy scoring dimension to his game as well.
8. Carlos Tevez (West Ham)
A single-minded winner, who has carried whole clubs on his back in Argentina, Brazil and England. Tevez’s contribution isn’t measured in just goals and assists, but in self-sacrifice and heroism. With a season of European football under his belt, there is no telling how much better he’s going to be next year.
7. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Speaking of heroics, he’s done it so many times, it’s easy to lose track. If Gerrard were a few inches taller and a few pounds more slight, we would marvel at his pure technical ability. Instead, we focus on his bruising workrate and other more obvious qualities. Don’t worry about fitting him into your side. Just do what Rafa does. Line up your nine other outfield players and let Gerrard do whatever he likes.
6. Gigi Buffon (Juventus)
Simply put, he’s a freak of nature. No man his size should be so athletic. His agility belies the laws of physics and he is about as unflappable as they come. Having a guy like him in your side means that defeats turn into draws and draws into victories. That alone is worth an extra ten to 15 points at the end of a season.
5. Michael Essien (Chelsea)
A one-man wrecking crew. Is there anything he can’t do? You could probably let the rest of the team go off for a fag break in the middle of the game and let him man the fort in midfield. Terrifyingly gifted already and, if given more responsibility, likely to get even better.
4. Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona)
He’s tired of playing second fiddle to Ronaldinho and with good reason. If he were anywhere else, people would be writing odes and sonnets to him. Eto’o is freakishly quick, an outstanding finisher, with a supernatural eye for goal. Plus, he’s happy to do the dirty work when the other side have possession. Just make sure you continue to massage his ego.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
In the P.C. era (pre-Cristiano) wingers were slight, nippy and small. He redefined the position marrying size and brawn with pace and trickery. You get the sense that, when he’s running at defenders, he could go around them or straight through them. As an added bonus, he’s also an aerial threat on set pieces.
2. Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
There’s a reason he’s always smiling. You’d be smiling all the time too if you knew that you were the best player on the pitch and you were about to make some poor defender look a jackass. He is the poster child for Brazilian football, the proud heir of those who came before him. He didn’t adapt to the European game, he forced it to adapt to him. Put him on the team sheet, sit back and enjoy the show.
1. Kaka (Milan)
The top four are incredibly tight, but he just edges it for one simple reason: he combines Brazilian flair with European directness like nobody else. He truly is a product of two footballing cultures, a man who has all the virtues and none of the vices of either. Speaking of vices, he really, really doesn’t have any. A committed Christian, he announced proudly that he was a virgin on his wedding night. He likes to parade around in his favourite T-shirt, the one that reads “I belong to Jesus” (thereby opening a whole can of worms regarding third-party ownership). And that’s another reason he tops the list - with Kaka in your team, odds are, the big fella upstairs will be on your side as well...
50. Gary Neville (Manchester United)
A right back is admittedly an unusual choice, but Neville brings a host of intangibles to the table, from leadership to experience to consistency.
49. Clarence Seedorf (Milan)
You don’t win four Champions League crowns with three different clubs by accident. Perhaps he doesn’t turn it on as often as he once did, but his collection of rabbit’s feet alone makes him a worthwhile punt.
48. Jefferson Farfan (PSV Eindhoven)
He gives you trickery, pace and width, plus a host of goals (42 in the Dutch league over the past two years, a remarkable total for a guy who is not a genuine centre forward).
47. Phillip Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Little Mr Consistency runs all day and is a reliable source of goal-saving tackles and pinpoint crosses. Arguably the best left back around.
46. Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors)
Probably the most reliable striker outside Europe. Something of a late bloomer, at 25 he’s really hitting his stride.
45. Diego (Werder Bremen)
Stick him in the hole behind two strikers and watch him weave his magic. He’s Kaka-lite (or, given his corpulent build, Kaka-heavy).
44. Rino Gattuso (Milan)
Steven Gerrard’s ghostwriters may not rate him, but most of the rest of us do. He runs himself into the ground, lifts the crowd and never gives up.
43. Hernan Crespo (Inter)
139 goals in his past 209 league starts in Serie A and the Premiership tell only part of the story. His movement up front is also straight out of a footballing textbook.
42. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax)
By all accounts, he had a poor season - “just” 21 league goals (down from 33 last year). That says it all. Comparisons to Marco van Basten may be wide of the mark, but he’ll get you goals.
41. Alessandro Nesta (Milan)
Now that he’s fit again, strikers beware: he’s unnaturally quick, strong in the tackle and about as athletic as anyone playing the game today.
40. Juninho Pernambucano (Lyons)
Elegant and creative, but also with an edge when necessary, he can light up any side. Plus, he’ll get his usual haul of set-piece goals.
39. “Lucho” Gonzalez (Porto)
A box-to-box dervish who gets his fair share of goals and is a natural leader to boot. If only he played in a higher profile league...
38. Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
He redefined the role of attacking midfield player in the Premiership. The one concern is how well he would do away from his mentor, Sir Alex Ferguson.
37. Daniele De Rossi (Roma)
The poor man’s Roy Keane. Runs the midfield with intensity and intelligence and, like Keane, occasionally falls prey to the red mist (just ask Brian McBride).
36. Dejan Stankovic (Inter)
His long-range goals make the highlight reels, but his real contribution is the way he can effortlessly slot into any midfield position.
35. Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid)
It feels as if he’s been around forever, but he’s still just twenty-three. Tall, strong, bright, he can lead any line on his own.
34. David Beckham (Real Madrid/Los Angeles Galaxy)
Strip away the hype, and you have a respected leader who provides the most delicious service from wide positions. That alone is worth a few dozen goals a season.
33. Javier Zanetti (Inter)
Again, we’re dealing with intangibles here. The Inter skipper is a true leader, selfless and self-sacrificing, who can fill either full-back position or play in midfield. One of the most underrated players of the past decade.
32. Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
Like a fine wine, he gets better with age. Reads the game exceptionally well and has developed a first-rate tactical awareness. Plus, he’d run through a brick wall for you.
31. Florent Malouda (Lyons)
Put him wide or put him in a diamond and the result is the same: a blend of quality and workrate that make him one of the most sought-after players on the market today.
30. John Terry (Chelsea)
He’s what God had in mind when he invented the British centre half. While Terry’s strength and courage win him plaudits, he is also an underrated distributor who reads the game very well.
29. Andrea Pirlo (Milan)
Possibly the best free-kick taker of the lot. He single-handedly brought back the role of the deep-lying playmaker. He’s the human metronome, the man who dictates his team’s rhythym and hardly ever gives the ball away.
28. Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid)
He’s a natural-made backbone to any side. Never stops running, wins every 50-50 and distributes the ball efficiently. A central defender’s best friend.
27. David Villa (Valencia)
Nobody in La Liga has scored more over the past two seasons. Quick, tricky and with an eye for goal, he will punish any opponent's error.
26. Michael Ballack (Chelsea)
OK, so he had a bad season. But he’s big, strong, outstanding in the air and can find the target from anywhere in the final third of the pitch.
25. Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham Hotspur)
He has the body of a bruiser and the touch of a virtuoso. And he looks like he’ll only get better. One of the more athletic big men on this list.
24. Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea)
Like Ballack, he underachieved last year. But his contribution goes beyond goals (is it just a coincidence that Didier Drogba scored so much in the one season he played alongside the Ukrainian?) and with an injury-free pre-season under his belt, he’s worth taking a punt on.
23. Ronaldo (Milan)
Put your fat jokes to one side please. Consider instead the seven goals in twelve starts for Milan after leaving the Bernabeu asylum. Or the 82 goals in 117 starts he notched at Real in the seasons before the move. Now wash your mouth out with soap.
22. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
The nice thing with him is that you can either leave him up on his own and lump balls to him or get him involved in the short-passing game. Either way, he’ll tie up entire opposing back fours on his own.
21. Carles Puyol (Barcelona)
A fine defender, but he ranks so high for the intangibles. Puyol is a natural-born leader, a manager’s dream, a guy who knows his limits and will leave his innards on the pitch for the club.
20. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Already a legend, and he only turned 26 last month. He’s an agile, fearless shot-stopper who, if Raul ever retires, will captain Real for years to come.
19. Daniel Alves (Seville)
Rarely does a single man dominate an entire flank the way he does. He combines the skills of a winger with the grit of an old-style hard man. His mere presence on the pitch forces the opposing side to readjust everything defensively.
18. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
If you could open his skull, you’d find the brain of a 30-year-old. Few players are so mature and so aware at such a young age, while also being totally undaunted by the task in front of them.
17. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
Admittedly, he’s one of the more volatile heads on this list. But creativity and vision like his rarely come in 6ft 5in packages, which makes him one of the most difficult players to defend against in the game.
16. Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Let’s let the numbers do the talking, shall we? He has missed five league games in the past six seasons at Chelsea, while hitting double figures in league goals in each of the past four. Plus, he never slows down and is genuinely adored by his team-mates. What more do you want?
15. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)
And to think some numpties thought he was finished. He and Thierry Henry are the only strikers to have scored 20 or more goals in a major European league in five of the past six seasons. Put the ball anywhere near him and he’ll score. Simple as that.
14. Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Go ask Jose Mourinho and he’ll tell you that, had it not been for Steven Hunt’s boot, Chelsea would have won the treble this year. That’s how important Cech is. With a guy like him, you can just stick him in goal, stop worrying about the defensive aspect of the game and focus instead on the other end of the pitch.
13. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
The highest ranked defender on this list and with good reason. He’s big, strong, fast and gifted. He held Real’s defence together this season, while chipping in at the attacking end as well. And he’s still only 21...
12. Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Would have ranked higher, if not for the fact that he hasn’t played since early March and it remains to be seen in what condition he’ll return. Beyond that, he’s a sure thing. Not only does he scare the bejesus out of defenders, he is also one of the most prolific forwards around today. Had he been around all year, it’s unlikely the naysayers would have mocked Arsenal’s lack of finishing the way they did.
11. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Another who had a mediocre season (by his standards). You notice how important he is when he is not there. His workrate and ability are hard to replace and he is quickly becoming indispensable, both for club and country.
10. Francesco Totti (Roma)
His job is to create, not finish, and yet he won the European Golden Boot this season with 26 league goals: a total made all the more remarkable when you throw in the fact that he uncharacteristically missed six penalties along the way. (At least he made the ones that mattered in the World Cup.) That alone should get him on the list - his vision and phenomenal range of passing are bonuses.
9. Leo Messi (Barcelona)
Leave Maradona out of it for a minute. Focus instead on that when the ball is at his feet, unless you’re Nostradamus, you have absolutely no idea what will happen next. There is no legislating for unpredictability in football and Messi has bags of it. Plus, his 14 Liga goals last year show that he has added a healthy scoring dimension to his game as well.
8. Carlos Tevez (West Ham)
A single-minded winner, who has carried whole clubs on his back in Argentina, Brazil and England. Tevez’s contribution isn’t measured in just goals and assists, but in self-sacrifice and heroism. With a season of European football under his belt, there is no telling how much better he’s going to be next year.
7. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Speaking of heroics, he’s done it so many times, it’s easy to lose track. If Gerrard were a few inches taller and a few pounds more slight, we would marvel at his pure technical ability. Instead, we focus on his bruising workrate and other more obvious qualities. Don’t worry about fitting him into your side. Just do what Rafa does. Line up your nine other outfield players and let Gerrard do whatever he likes.
6. Gigi Buffon (Juventus)
Simply put, he’s a freak of nature. No man his size should be so athletic. His agility belies the laws of physics and he is about as unflappable as they come. Having a guy like him in your side means that defeats turn into draws and draws into victories. That alone is worth an extra ten to 15 points at the end of a season.
5. Michael Essien (Chelsea)
A one-man wrecking crew. Is there anything he can’t do? You could probably let the rest of the team go off for a fag break in the middle of the game and let him man the fort in midfield. Terrifyingly gifted already and, if given more responsibility, likely to get even better.
4. Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona)
He’s tired of playing second fiddle to Ronaldinho and with good reason. If he were anywhere else, people would be writing odes and sonnets to him. Eto’o is freakishly quick, an outstanding finisher, with a supernatural eye for goal. Plus, he’s happy to do the dirty work when the other side have possession. Just make sure you continue to massage his ego.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
In the P.C. era (pre-Cristiano) wingers were slight, nippy and small. He redefined the position marrying size and brawn with pace and trickery. You get the sense that, when he’s running at defenders, he could go around them or straight through them. As an added bonus, he’s also an aerial threat on set pieces.
2. Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
There’s a reason he’s always smiling. You’d be smiling all the time too if you knew that you were the best player on the pitch and you were about to make some poor defender look a jackass. He is the poster child for Brazilian football, the proud heir of those who came before him. He didn’t adapt to the European game, he forced it to adapt to him. Put him on the team sheet, sit back and enjoy the show.
1. Kaka (Milan)
The top four are incredibly tight, but he just edges it for one simple reason: he combines Brazilian flair with European directness like nobody else. He truly is a product of two footballing cultures, a man who has all the virtues and none of the vices of either. Speaking of vices, he really, really doesn’t have any. A committed Christian, he announced proudly that he was a virgin on his wedding night. He likes to parade around in his favourite T-shirt, the one that reads “I belong to Jesus” (thereby opening a whole can of worms regarding third-party ownership). And that’s another reason he tops the list - with Kaka in your team, odds are, the big fella upstairs will be on your side as well...
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