The Pick: Raymond Kopa played many, many games for Stade Reims. I consider him France’s “Iron Horse” even though (1) that phrase sounds like an oxymoron and (2) he does not have a terrible disease named after him like Lou Gehrig (yet). He also had a prolific international career, and in 1958 he was awarded the Golden Ball as the top player in the World Cup (where France finished 3rd). Though he didn’t win it all, some say his play in ’58 was the best ever.
From the category archives:
Top 100 Players
The Pick: When Cristiano Ronaldo was still in diapers, Luis Figo was already playing some serious soccer for Portgual. Well, I guess that is assuming Ronaldo still doesn’t wear diapers (his answer would probably be “um, it depends“). Figo’s prolific passing and scoring (127 games and 32 goals for his Nats) were matched only by his endless stamina and tenacity (+800 pro matches for European giants like Barca, Real Madrid and Inter). He’s a star.
The Pick: Ronalidhino is one of the world’s most famous soccer players. People know him for his stylish play, which has resulted in a World Cup win (2002). People know him for his nose for the net, which is evidenced by his +30 goals for Brazil and +120 goals for pro clubs (mostly Barca and Milan). For a while there before the emergence of Messi and Ronaldo, Ronaldhino was pretty much “the Face” of soccer. And it is such a strange face, isn’t it? The man is plain ugly.
photo credit: Arturo J. Paniagua
The Pick: The Bard is back, and I have a soliloquoy for you tonight about Spain’s most spectacular striker ever, Raul. He’s plied his trade in La Liga for Real Madrid for over 550 games and he has scored in nearly half of them. He’s quite a collector of hardware (6 La Liga titles, 3 Champion’s League trophies) and he loves supporting his county (44 goals). In fact, he is so good that he is the all-time top scorer for (1) Spain, (2) La Liga, and (3) the Champion’s League.
Ladies and Gentlemen–your odds-on favorite to win the Spanish Primera Division and the Champion’s League next year–Barcelona!
I just wrote about their desire to sign David Villa and now he has been signed. I know that Barca was moving fast–but I didn’t know they moved that fast!
Villa signed a 4-year contract for 34.2 million Euros. That’s not bad for someone who is going to a team that has a superstar on it already. Now, does this mean that Barca is trying to create a 2-or-3-headed-monster with people who can run alongside Leo Messi? I think so.
The Pick: In Brazil, two things are plentiful: beautiful women and seductive men who play the world’s most beautiful game. One of the most entertaining Brazilian footballers ever was Jairzinho, or as I will call him for brevity’s sake, JZ. JZ was one of the silkiest assist men the game had ever seen, but he also could put the ball in the back of the net (+200 for club and +30 for Brazil). His contribution to Brazil’s 1970 World Cup win also makes him a great candidate.
Barca gets Valladolid, Madrid get Malaga. They kickoff at the same time on Sunday and they both have the same thing in mind–the Spanish Primera Division Championship. Who wins?
Well, if both teams win them Barca takes home the title. If Barca draws and Madrid wins then Madrid takes home the title. It’s win or die for Barca and they hold their destiny in their own hands.
This will show us alot–not just about Barca or Madrid–but about Argentina and Portugal. Leo Messi pulls out a win with Barca and they win La Liga–then we can fully expect him to take that momentum into the World Cup.
The Pick: Eric Cantona, how do I laugh at thee fiery temperament, let me count the ways. I laughed that one time when you picked up that ball and used it as a dodgeball against a referee. I laughed when you showed up to appeal a disciplinary ruling once and – instead of defending your actions – personally called each of the people judging your case an “idiot.” And I laughed that time you scissor-kicked a supporter of another side for speaking to you.
He just won a match for you and yet the fans are still mad at Kaka. I’m not sure why but I think I have an answer–as ridiculous as it may sound.
He’s had to talk about this alot lately:
“I’ve spent many years in the world of football, but the worst is that they doubt my injury. I only ask that the fans don’t doubt my injury.
“I’ve felt very sad recently for the things that have been said about me. It’s not true that I refused to take medication, delaying my recovery, because I’ve taken medication to play in this game.”
For someone who just got to Madrid about a year ago Cristiano Ronaldo seems to be awfully interested in shaking the foundations of Real Madrid every time he opens his mouth. I’ve already blasted him in this space for saying that he wouldn’t mind having Jose Mourinho as his coach–even though Manuel Pellegrini is still employed in Madrid.
Well, now he seems to think that ole Manuel is alright. I mean, he must be swell, right?
“I am going to be sincere. I like coaches with winning mentalities, but it is with Pellegrini that I find myself most happy. I hope he stays for two or three more years. The other coaches do not concern me.”
