3/30/12

Football Genius: Ronaldinho Gaúcho

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (born 21 March 1980 in Porto Alegre), commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Flamengo and the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder or forward. “Ronaldinho,” the diminutive and term of endearment for “Ronaldo,” is accompanied in Brazilian usage by the nickname “Gaúcho,” in order to distinguish him from fellow footballer and countryman Ronaldo, who was known as “Ronaldinho” in Brazil beforehand. Ronaldo simply went by his first name upon his move to Europe, thereby allowing Ronaldinho to drop the “Gaúcho” and go by the name Ronaldinho abroad. He is a two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, awarded to the best player over the year. He won the award in both 2004 and 2005.
Prior to his move to Flamengo, he played for Paris Saint-Germain F.C., FC Barcelona and A.C. Milan. With the Spanish club, he won his first Champions League in 2006 and the Ballon d’Or in 2005. He became a Spanish citizen in January 2007. Ronaldinho was born in the city of Porto Alegre, the state capital of Rio Grande do Sul. His mother, Dona Miguelina Elói Assis dos Santos (daughter of Enviro Assis), is a former salesperson who studied to become a nurse. His father, João de Assis Moreira, was a shipyard worker and footballer for local club Esporte Clube Cruzeiro (not to be confused with Cruzeiro). He suffered a fatal heart attack in the family swimming pool when Ronaldinho was eight. After Ronaldinho’s older brother, Roberto, signed with Grêmio, the family moved to a home in the more affluent Guarujá section of Porto Alegre, which was a gift from Grêmio to convince Roberto to stay at the club. Roberto’s career was ultimately cut short by injury. He was also named in the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest footballers compiled by fellow countryman Pelé, and in the FIFPro World XI consecutively from 2004–2007.
Ronaldinho’s football skills began to blossom at the of age 8, and he was first given the nickname Ronaldinho because he was often the youngest and the smallest player in youth club matches. He developed an interest in futsal and beach football, which later expanded to organized football. His first brush with the media came at the age of thirteen, when he scored all 23 goals in a 23–0 victory against a local team. Ronaldinho was identified as a rising star at the 1997 U-17 World Championship in Egypt, in which he scored two goals on penalty kicks.
Today, Roberto acts as Ronaldinho’s manager, while his sister Deisi works as his press coordinator. Ronaldinho became a father for the first time on 25 February 2005, after Brazilian dancer Janaína Mendes gave birth to their son, who was named João after Ronaldinho’s late father. Ronaldinho’s 2005 Nike advertisement, where he is given a new pair of boots and then proceeds to juggle a football and repeatedly volley it against the crossbar of a goal and recover it without the ball touching the ground, went viral on YouTube, becoming the site’s first video to reach one million views.
Ronaldinho won his first league title in 2004–05, and was named FIFA World Player of the Year on 20 December 2004. In 2005, Ronaldinho received his second consecutive honour of FIFA World Player of the Year, beating Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and fellow Barça player Samuel Eto’o. On 8 March 2005, Barcelona was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Chelsea in the first knockout round, with Ronaldinho scoring both goals in a 4–2 loss. Originally, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta had promised to bring David Beckham to the club, but following his transfer to Real Madrid, Barcelona entered the running for Ronaldinho and outbid Manchester United for his signature in a reported EUR30 million. He made his team debut in a friendly against Milan at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C., scoring one goal in a 2–0 victory. After suffering from injury during the first half of the campaign, he returned and helped lead Barcelona to a second-place league finish.
Ronaldinho was chosen for the UEFA Team of the Year for the third consecutive time in January 2006, and he contributed one goal in Barcelona’s elimination of Benfica in the 2005–06 Champions League quarterfinals with a 2–0 home victory. After a 1–0 semifinal aggregate win over Milan, in which Ronaldinho assisted the series’ only goal by Ludovic Giuly, Barcelona progressed to the Champions League final, which they won on 17 May 2006 with a 2–1 defeat of Arsenal. Two weeks earlier, Barcelona had clinched their second straight La Liga title with a 1–0 win over Celta Vigo, giving Ronaldinho his first career double. He finished the season with a career-best 26 goals in all competitions, and was named the 2005–06 Champions League Player of the Year.
With his contract expiring in 2008, Ronaldinho was offered an extension until 2014 that would have net him £85 million over nine years, but he turned it down. In September 2005, he signed a two-year extension that contained a minimum-fee release clause that allowed him to leave should a club make an offer to Barcelona of at least £85 million for him. By the end of the 2004–05 season, Ronaldinho had started to accumulate a host of personal awards. He won the inaugural FIFPro World Player of the Year in September 2005, in addition to being included in the 2005 FIFPro World XI, and being named the 2005 European Footballer of the Year. Also that year, Ronaldinho added to his collection a second FIFA World Player of the Year with 956 points, more than triple the amount (306) of runner-up Frank Lampard. On 19 November, Ronaldinho scored twice as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3–0 on the road in the first leg of El Clásico. After he sealed the match with his second goal, he received a standing ovation from the Madrid fans.
On 25 November 2006, Ronaldinho scored his 50th career league goal against Villarreal, then later scored a second time with an overhead bicycle kick. He later said to reporters that the latter was a goal he had dreamed of scoring since he was a boy. He scored once and set up two others in Barcelona’s 4–0 Club World Cup win over Mexico’s Club América on 14 December, but Barcelona were defeated 1–0 by Brazilian club Internacional in the final. Ronaldinho was nonetheless the recipient of the Bronze Ball Award for the competition.
The next day, Ronaldinho finished third in the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year, behind World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and Zinedine Zidane. Ronaldinho was named among the UEFA Team of the Year for the third straight time in January 2007, receiving the highest number of votes with over 290,000 nominations. He was forced to miss a charity match on 13 March due to an injury he had picked up several days earlier in Barcelona’s 3–3 El Clásico draw with Real Madrid. He played his 200th career match for Barcelona in a league match against Osasuna on 3 February 2008. However, his 2007–08 campaign as a whole was plagued by injuries, and a muscle tear in his right leg on 3 April prematurely ended his season. On 19 May, Laporta stated that Ronaldinho needed a ”new challenge,” claiming that he needed a new club if he were to revive his career. Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra confirmed on 6 June that he was interested in acquiring him.
In July 2008, Ronaldinho turned down a £25.5 million offer from Manchester City to join Italian Serie A giants Milan on a three-year contract thought to be worth around £5.1 million (EUR6.5 million) a year, for €22.05M plus €1.05M bonus each season (€24.15M in 2010). With the number 10 already occupied by teammate Clarence Seedorf, he selected 80 as his jersey number. Ronaldinho scored his first goal for Milan in a 1–0 derby victory over rival Internazionale on 28 September 2008. His first brace was in a 3–0 win over Sampdoria on 19 October 2008. He scored a 93rd-minute match-winner against Braga in the UEFA Cup group stage on 6 November. Ronaldinho and Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi each captained a team of international stars in an anti-racism exhibition match in Venezuela on 28 June, which ended in a 7–7 draw. Ronaldinho finished with a pair of goals and two assists in what would be his last match as a Barcelona player. In preparation for the 2010 Joan Gamper Trophy, Ronaldinho sent an open letter to the fans and players of Barcelona, stating that his best years had been the five he spent in the Catalan club.
His second season did not begin on a high note, although he started nearly every match before finding himself on the bench again. After a while, Ronaldinho rediscovered his form and has been arguably Milan’s best player in the season. He has changed his role from an attacking midfielder to a left winger, a more familiar role. He finished his first season at Milan with 10 goals from 32 appearances in all competitions. After a good start to the season, Ronaldinho struggled with fitness, and was often played from the bench to end a disappointing first season for Milan. On 10 January 2010, Ronaldinho scored two goals against Juventus in an away match, sealing a 3–0 victory for the Rossoneri. In the following match against Siena on 17 January 2010, Ronaldinho scored his first hat-trick for Milan when he converted a spot kick, scored with a header from a corner and finished with a wonder goal from 20 yards out.
On 16 February, Ronaldinho played his first match against Manchester United in a Champions League game. He scored early in the game to give Milan the lead. Milan ended up losing the game 3–2, with a goal from Paul Scholes and two goals from Wayne Rooney. As of 13 April 2010, Ronaldinho was the assist leader of Serie A with a total of 14 assists. On a less positive note, Ronaldinho missed three penalties in the 2009–10 season, to add to one botched kick the previous season. Ronaldinho ended the season scoring two goals against Juventus, Luca Antonini opened the scoring and Milan went on to win 3–0. It was Leonardo’s last game in charge.
After being heavily linked with a move back to his childhood club Grêmio, Ronaldinho joined Flamengo on 11 January 2011 with a contract ending in 2014. During the transfer saga, many reports had linked the former World Player of the Year to joining different clubs such as Los Angeles Galaxy, Corinthians, Palmeiras and English FA Premier League side Blackburn Rovers. He was greeted by more than 20,000 fans at his unveiling at his new club on 13 January 2011. He scored his first goal for Flamengo in the 3–2 victory against Boavista on 6 February 2011. On 27 February Ronaldinho converted a second-half free kick for Flamengo to beat Boavista 1–0 and win his first piece of silverware with the team, the Taça Guanabara. Ronaldinho lifted his first trophy with Flamengo after curling in a right-footed shot over the wall in the 71st minute at Engenhão stadium. The goal gave Flamengo its 19th Taça Guanabara title, which earned the Campeonato Carioca title two months later, as the team also won the Taça Rio. On 27 July 2011, Ronaldinho scored a hat-trick in Flamengo’s 4-5 away win against rivals Santos, after being 3-0 down inside the first 30 minutes.

Giorgio Chiellini To Real Madrid?

The defender of Juventus Chiellini has told, how concerns the information on the transition in Real or Manchester City this summer.

The Coach of goalkeepers of Pescara has died

The 43-year-old trainer of goalkeepers of Italian Pescara Francesco Mancini is found dead in own house, informs Football Italia.

Claudio Pizarro: “It was not defined Yet with the future”

Claudio Pizarro attacking Werder, has refused to confirm hearings about the possible returning to Bavaria.

A safe series of Dortmund Borussia has reached 21st match

Dortmund Borussia in a match of 28th round of the championship of Germany has drawn on the home field with Stuttgart (4:4). Thus, a safe series of Dortmund Borussia has reached 21st match.

José Mourinho: “I do not have problems with Casilias”

The head coach of Real José Mourinho has denied hearings about possible transition to «Manchester City», and also has subjected to criticism of mass-media and has told about mutual relations with the goalkeeper of Real Madrid, Iker Casilias.
“I do not have problems with Casilias. No history exists. Manchester City? I should not say constantly that I will continue to train Real. My contract with club is calculated for two years, and I never said that I will not remain here. 
After game we have decided not to discuss a match with "Viliarreal" in a press not to run into various sanctions. We were not too happy, but have accepted all and be haved quietly, without creating any pressure. 
It was the positive moment, but we and have been scarified for it. We could not be reproached, so it is problems of the mass-media kindling disputes “, – quotes Mourinho Goal.com.

Saint Etienne hold a match without spectators due to the use of pyrotechnics fans

Saint Etienne will match the 30th round of the championship of France against the Nice with no spectators. French Professional Football League club thus punished for his repeated use of pyrotechnics fans.

Cassano is still engaged on the individual program

AC Milan denied that striker Antonio Cassano started with the group. "Antonio has participated together in a team in a workout, and then continued to do individually," - said in a tweet Rossoneri.

Giorgio Marchetti: “In the San Siro field still acceptable”

Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA representative, said that the union did not consider the complaint, Barcelona on the quality of the turf at the stadium San Siro, filed after the match, quarter finals of the Champions League against the Milan (0:0).

3/29/12

Huub Stevens: "Not all the players Schalke 04 today gave it 100 percent"

The head coach, Schalke 04 Huub Stevens said the players Cobalt in a match 1/4 finals of the League of Europe against the Athletics (2:4) did not play at full strength.

Marcelo Bielsa: "We had a great game in terms of attack“

The head coach, Athletics Marcelo Bielsa after the victory over the Schalke (4:2) in the first leg quarter final of the Europa League spoke about the difficulties faced by his team and said attacking the actions of their subordinates.

President Osasuna: "Complaints Real and Barcelona on the judges make me laugh"

President Osasuna Patha Itsko before the match with Spain's championship Real spoke about his relationship to constant complaints Royal Club and Barcelona on the judgment and said that he hoped to win for his team.

Diego Simeone: "At this stage of the Europa League play is always interesting"

The head coach, Atletico Diego Simeone spoke about the upcoming match quarter final of the League of Europe against the Hannover.

Franck Ribery: "We have a good advantage over the return match"

Midfielder Bavaria Franck Ribery shared his impressions from the first meeting of the quarter finals of the Champions League against the Marseille (2:0).

Josep Guardiola: “Milan seven-time winner of the tournament, I am glad that played with us 0-0. This is the best compliment for us "

Head Coach Barcelona Josep Guardiola has summed up the match quarterfinals of the Champions League against the Milan (0:0). San Siro - a great stadium, but it is essentially closed, and the grass on the lawnwas not breathing. It's always a bad thing, but what can do about it. Playing againsta team like Milan, you can never count on the fact that the two-legged ties willdecide the outcome of the confrontation in the first game.

Barcelona failed to score in the Champions League for the first time since November 2009

Unable to beat the Milan in a match 1/4 finals of the Champions League endedwith a score of 0-0, Barcelona for the first two and a half years failed to hit theopponent's gate in the match of the tournament, according to Infostrada.

3/27/12

Roberto Di Matteo: “we could not even dream of a better result”

"It's unbelievable, we could not even dream of a better result. It is remarkable that we have kept their gates shut - very good defense. Before the game we wanted to score a few times and have been close to it. I'm also happy for Paulo Ferreira. After a long absence, he returned to the field and has demonstrated a quality game.
All the 90 minutes we had to run around, beat up on each section of the field and win in the martial arts. We knew that the opponent will maintain a high rate, so letthe field of those who are okay with energy. In general, we have not had any problems in defense. A few moments at the gate the owners have created, but Petr Cech cope with them. Most of the strikes was applied to the distance. 
Football is unpredictable, so there is nothing in this opposition has not yet been decided. Play is another 90 minutes. Opponent have not lost at home, and it only emphasizes how great we looked,"- said the acting head coach Chelsea Roberto Di Matteo after the victory over the Benfica in the first leg quarter final of the Champions League.

Jose Mourinho: “Today we played a serious and well”

Head coach of Madrid Real Jose Mourinho commented on the victory (3-0) over APOEL in the first leg quarter final of the Champions League.

Jovanovic: “Real Madrid is already in the semifinals, in which there is no doubt"

"The result is valid. We tried to keep the Real , but towards the end, he inflatedthe pace, and there's nothing we could do about it. Play against this team - a greatreward for us. All we have seen with my own eyes a class of Real. This matchcould be called the crown of all the fantastic season that failed us in the Champions League. My players can be proud of what they have done in this campaign, including - and the match with a much stronger opponent, such as realists. Realists is already in the semifinals , there is no doubt. I even think of Madrid will reach the finals and hopefully win it."

Ryan Giggs: “Zanetti - the perfect player"

38 year old midfielder Manchester United Ryan Giggs has admitted that the greatest challenge of his career was playing on one flank against another veteran Javier Zanetti of European football from the Inter.

Champions League: Benfica 0-1 Chelsea, APOEL 0-3 Real Madrid

On Tuesday held its first tournament quarter finals of the Champions League. Benfica at home with a minimum score yielded Chelsea (0:1). The only goal of the da Luz Eshtadiu Londoners scored striker Salomon Kalou with the transfer of Fernando Torres. APOEL big lost Real (0:3). The victory brought the team Jose Mourinho take Karim Benzema and Kaka goal. 
On Wednesday, the play Marcel and Bavaria and Milan and Barcelona.

Djibril Cisse is suspended for four matches

The Disciplinary Committee of the Football Association decided to disqualify thestriker Queens Park Rangers Djibril Cisse for four matches, informs the official website of the organization.

Alessio Tacchinardi: "Not surprised by the dismissal Ranieri"

A former linebacker, Juventus Alessio Tacchinardi commented on the resignation of head coach, Inter Claudio Ranieri.

Jorge Valdano: "Do not rule out that even back in the Real Madrid"

Former Sports director of Real Madrid Jorge Valdano spoke about his role in the Madrid club and work with head coach Jose Mourinho.

Neimar: “I do not have to go to Europe to continue to improve”

Forward Santos Neimar said that may continue to progress in his club. “Experience comes with time. Over the past three years I have gained in skill and can continue to improve at the expense of labor and the desire to win.

Ranieri sacked as head coach of the Inter Milan

President of the Inter Massimo Moratti after the defeat of the Juventus (0-2) took the decision to dismiss the steering team Claudio Ranieri. By the end of the season in black and blue will be led by the coach of the youth ofAndrea Stramachioni, the official website of Milan club.

3/26/12

Afellay may play with the AC Milan

Midfielder Barcelona Ibrahim Afellay recovered from a knee injury, which he didlast fall, reports Marca. The Dutchman will go with the Catalan club in the first match of the ¼ finals of the Champions League against the Milan.

3/25/12

Javier Zanetti: "Inter" had a great first half”

Defender "Inter" Javier Zanetti said the defeat in the match of the 29th round of the championship against Italy, "Juventus" (0:2). 

Alex Ferguson: "United" and "City" are now competitors

The head coach, "Manchester United," manager Alex Ferguson described hisattitude to the main competitor for the title of England - "Manchester City".

Marco Tardelli: “Higuain would be very useful for "Juventus"

A former linebacker, "Juventus" Marco Tardelli said what needed to accomplishthe acquisition of Turin club to reach a new level.

Aging with Joy

158th Derby of Italy brought "Juventus' 75th victory of the" Inter ", gave the 186thgoal of Alex Del Piero in Serie A, has recorded 12 attacks," Juventus "in front of goal and the target was expressed in a beautiful final 2:0. To the delight of tifozi, the match is almost inhibited by abuse, brutality, and otherunsportsmanlike deeds, even though derbiyny status - the team were very lively, with a maximum time of actual football. But if the "Inter" had only enough time forresistance, the "Juve" laid out to the maximum throughout the game.

3/22/12

Real Madrid dropped yet more points at the top of La Liga

Real Madrid dropped yet more points at the top of La Liga after being held to a 1-1 draw at Villarreal as they were also reduced to nine-men. Madrid took the lead at El Madrigal on the hour when Cristiano Ronaldo fired home on the hour. But for the second match in succession Jose Mourinho's men were held as Marcos Senna grabbed the leveller with just seven-minutes left as he curled home a free-kick. Athletic Bilbao suffered a third straight league defeat as they went down 2-1 to Atletico Madrid - who moved above them into seventh.

Roberto Mancini: “I am happy because Tevez did well”

City found themselves behind on the hour at the Etihad Stadium as Gary Cahill fired home a deflected effort. Roberto Mancini hailed Manchester City's win over Chelsea, and applauded Carlos Tevez's role in the success. But with 12-minutes left City were level as Sergio Aguero converted a penalty. The Italian insisted that City fully deserved their three points. Then Tevez, who had come on as a sub with City trailing, set-up the winner with five minutes remaining as he played a sublime ball through to Samir Nasri to finish.

Napoli will face Juventus in the final at the Stadio Olympico on May 20

Cavani should have added his second before the break when he missed the target after Brkic saved well from Gokhan Inler, and Napoli were almost made to pay when Emanuele Pesoli headed just over the bar for Siena. Edinson Cavani's first-half strike helped Napoli book their place in the final of the Coppa Italia with victory over Siena as they overcame a one-goal first-leg deficit and triumph 3-2 on aggregate. Napoli pushed forward from the start and had a fine chance in the seventh minute when Cavani was set up by Camilo Zuniga in the Siena box, but fired over from a very good position. Vergassola's moment to forget came three minutes later when he clumsily deflected a free-kick from Ezequiel Lavezzi into his own net from 10 yards.

Boulahrouz, capped over 30 times for the Netherlands national side

The Dutchman, who has notched up 21 Bundesliga appearances this season, scoring two goals, suffered the injury after colliding with team-mate Christian Genter. Stuttgart defender Khalid Boulahrouz is set to spend four weeks on the sidelines after breaking his big toe in training on Wednesday, the club has confirmed. The 30-year-old said: "It's obviously very disappointing, but I will focus on rehabilitation and work hard to return." Stuttgart are unbeaten in their last four games and have climbed to eighth in the league.

3/21/12

Biancocelesti coach handed suspension

The capital giants slumped to defeat with a goal 10 minutes from time from former Juventus defender Nicola Legrottaglie proving decisive. Lazio coach Edy Reja has been handed a one-match ban following his red card during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Catania. He is now expected to miss third-placed Lazio's clash against Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. The punishment was given to the former Napoli and Hajduk Split boss for disrespecting the officials. Udinese's Antonio Floro Flores was given a two-match ban for insulting a linesman after the game.

Lionel Messi now has 234 goals for Catalan club

The 24-year-old three-times World Player of the Year, who now has 54 goals for in all-competitions for club and country this season, broke the mark set by Cesar Rodriguez in the 1940s and 50s in his 314th appearance. Lionel Messi broke Barcelona's 60-year-old goalscoring record after scoring his eighth hat-trick of the season during Tuesday night's Primera Division match with Granada at Camp Nou. The Argentine, who is in his eighth season with the club, equalled the mark of 232 official goals when he slotted home Isaac Cuenca's cross in the 17th minute and he secured the record outright in the 68th minute when he nonchalantly lobbed the ball over Granada goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Adebayor : “Muamba is a strong guy”

The 23-year-old remains in the intensive care unit at the London Chest Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest at Tottenham at the weekend. Emmanuel Adebayor says Fabrice Muamba is recovering well after visiting the Bolton midfielder in hospital on Tuesday. Spurs striker Adebayor has been among those visiting Muamba and he said his friend is doing well.

Coppa Italia: Juventus 2 - 2 AC Milan

After the first leg at San Siro was won 2-1 by Juventus back in February, the Bianconeri were holding all the cards going into this game, but it was the Rossoneri who started the brighter of the two sides. An earlier Alessandro Del Piero goal had looked like taking the Turin giant through, but that was cancelled out in the second half by goals from Djamel Mesbah and Maxi Lopez. Vucinic was there in extra time to score a sumptuous goal that gave the Old Lady a 4-3 aggregate win. An extra time goal from Mirko Vucinic was enough to take Juventus through to the Coppa Italia final, in a pulsating 2-2 draw at Juventus Arena on Tuesday.

3/20/12

Jonny Evans is hoping Chelsea can take points from Manchester City

The Red Devils moved four-points clear of Roberto Mancini's troops on Sunday with an emphatic 5-0 success over 10-man Wolves. Manchester United defender Jonny Evans is hoping Chelsea can take points from Manchester City in Wednesday's clash. City have the chance to respond on Wednesday, however, an in-form Chelsea now stand in their way at the Etihad Stadium.