Lionel Messi Deservedly 2010 Player of the Year

"To be honest, I didn't expect to win today, but it was already great to be here next to my two mates. To win it makes it even more special. I want to share with all of my friends, my family, all the Barcelonistas and the Argentinians."

I think I got this one right. I told my friends if I were to vote, I would vote for Messi, but I think he will find strong competition first from Iniesta, then Xavi. Unfortunately, my vote does not count : )
The award is based on coaches, captains and global journalists.

Messi became the first player to be named player of the year in a World Cup year without winning the cup.

Messi scored 60 goals in 2010 for Barcelona in an amazing run. 10s of them were jaw dropping performance.  I won't talk about his superhattrick vs. Arsenal, amazing dribbles, one-two goals, rather, I will post a goal from 2009 Champion League against Lyon. It is my favorite goal for Messi,


In the other award, Murinho won the coach of the year. I think it is a very deserved title, especially when you watch Inter Milan with exact same players, but without Murinho. Also, the way Inter managed to beat Barca in the semi-final second leg of the CL was a great performance, and it takes a lot of guts to do it.

Also, Hamit Altintop goal vs. Kazakhstan deserved its title. It is an amazing goal, in its technical quality, it is the first time I see a volley better than the Marco Van Basten 1988 goal. Of course, Basten goal had its own historical importance.



Here is the full list for the FIFA awards for 2010:
FIFA Men's World Player of the Year: Lionel Messi
FIFA Women's World Player of the Year: Marta
FIFA World Coach of the Year for Men's Football: Jose Mourinho
FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women's Football: Silvia Neid
FIFA FIFPro World XI of 2010: Iker Casillas; Maicon, Gerard Pique, Lucio, Carles Puyol; Xavi Hernandez, Wesley Sneijder, Andres Iniesta; Cristiano Ronaldo, David Villa, Lionel Messi
FIFA Puskas Award: Hamit Altintop
FIFA Fair Play Award: Haiti Under-17 women's team
FIFA Presidential Award: Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Ariel Ortega career with River Plate is over

Ariel Ortega, the 36 years old midfield maestro and a key player for River Plate in the last two decades, was told by the coach Jose Lopez that he is not needed anymore in the team. Ortega missed the first day training session for the upcoming Clausura tournament, without a clear reason. When he came to training next day, he was told by Lopez on his decision.

Ortega joined River Plate in 1991 and stayed as a key player since them. He had his own transfer and movements around clubs in Europe and Argentina. River remained his main club.



Ortega had an alcohol and disciplinary problems in his career, but not in the last stage in recent years. So, the decision to end his career in a very cold way, won't be appreciated by sports fans and media.

Anyhow, Ariel is one of the players who didn't give all of what he had. His real peak started in 1994 when he played instead of Maradona in that World Cup after the drug test scandal. Despite the defeat vs. Romania 2-3, Ariel had a wonderful game that showed a very promising player. With his shirt number 20, Ariel penetrated the Romanian defence as he wished, created critical smart passes. It was sort of watching Iniesta today.

I remember World Soccer gave a big report on two key players after the 1994 WC: Ariel Ortega from Argentina and Ronaldo from Brazil. One made it very big in career, and one stayed at a normal level.

He was famous by his accurate penetrating passes (as I said sort of Iniesta today) and his chip goals.

Another wonderful compilation for Ortega to watch

New Argentinian star: Erik Manuel Lamela

Erik Manuel Lamela could be one of the best young stars in Argentina. He is only 18 years old and playing with River Plate. When he was 12 years old only, Barcelona tried to sign him up, but they reached no agreement. That was in 2004.

CL play of the week: Lionel Messi makes everyone laughes

It was wonderful two days of CL games with great days for Spurs, Roma, Real Madrid and Barcelona in specific. Yesterday Barca dominated Panathinaikos, take a look at these statistics:

Goal scores: 3-0 for Barca
Attempts on Target: 12-1 for Barca
Possessions: 74% - 26% for Barca

However, the highlight of the game was one of the amazing dribbles by Lionel Messi



lol listen at the commentator at the replay laughing
this reminds me of last year when Messi made the Jazeera Sport Channel team fall into big laughs, as they could not describe his skills


and here is something really nice if you missed it, as I have not seen Argentina 4-1 friendly vs. Spain, I saw recently this wonderful dribble and penetration of Messi vs. Spain

Interesting goals by the Argentinian Tino Costa

He is about 25 years old playing for Valencia. In case you have not seen his beautiful goal vs. Getafe last Sunday 14 Nov



another nice goal for him

Argentinian football giant leap in the 1970s

I know the fact but I don't know the answer really. What has happened in Argentina in the 1970s? I think that was the most critical time for football in that country. Till 1978, Argentina was not very well advanced in the game.

Yes, they won few Copa Americas, but the last one was 1959. Yes, they reached 1930 WC final. But, they had very bad appearance in 1966. In 1970, they didn't even qualify. In 1974, Argentina played six games, and managed only to beat Haiti. They tied with lousy Italy and fair East Germany. They lost to Brazil, Poland and a humilating 0-4 defeat vs. Netherlands.

You cannot recall any good goal for Argentina prior to 1978 WC. After that, you can pick and choose.
They had better presence with their clubs. However, in mid 1970s, stars started to appear. Beautiful goals started to be scored, and Argentina never looked back.

I never read a convincing article on what made this great leap for Argentina. It was not only the World Cup. Signs were clear from local competitions. I will post few goals from those years:

This is Leopoldo Luque very nice skillful goal in 1979
He is the player who scored the famous winner for Argentina vs. France in 1978 World Cup.



This player was not in the national team, but the goal shows the quality of football that Argentina got in late 70s.



And of course, there was nothing more important than, the arrival of Maradona

Maradona hallucinating again

Diego Maradona has accused the Argentine Football Association (AFA) of "lies and betrayal" after his contract as national coach was not renewed. Maradona claimed national team manager Carlos Bilardo "worked in the shadows" to oust him after Argentina's quarter-final exit at the 2010 World Cup. He also accused AFA president Julio Grondona of lying about his future.

"Grondona lied to me. Bilardo betrayed me," "When we were in mourning [after the 4-0 defeat by Germany at the World Cup], Bilardo was working in the shadows to get me fired."

I could not find a better picture to describe Maradona in this situation. After been widely known for best ever footballer in history, he is putting himself on a very low class situation.

The whole setup for the Argentinian team management was a bit of weird since Maradona came back to the spotlights.

When I first heard about it, I thought it was kinda a joke. Then, I heard that Bilardo is manager and Maradona is the coach. I started saying that this is a very smart setup. Bilardo for technicalities, and Maradona is for the inspirational factor. Kinda like Prime Minister and the Queen for Britain.

For the history, Maradona struggled so much under Menotti time in Argentina (sort of Messi today). Bilardo came, and brought sunshine to Maradona. He made a big bet. Fired all stars, including the WC winner captain Passarella, and assigned Maradona as the captain. In 1986, he rented a home in Napoli and made a setup for Maradona to have extra exercises, things that are not related directly to football. Focus, concentration, movements .... anything you can imagine without a ball.

This why Maradona in 1986 was very exceptional. So, I was sure Bilardo back again, this is a great bless for Argentina.

But, soon Bilardo resigned.

Now, Bilardo and Maradona are rivals.

 

If this is true, that Bilardo worked in the shadow to fire Maradona (the coach), then a big salute to him, to save Argentinian football and save the beautiful football in general for the world.

VIVA Argentina, Maradona is not the coach

Finally, the funny and wierdest era of Argentinian football is over. Maradona is not the coach anymore.

A statement on the AFA website read: "Mr Julio Grondona made the members of the executive committee aware of the conversation with Mr Diego Maradona, setting out the points which had come out from the meeting. The executive committee unanimously resolved not to renew the contract with Mr Diego Maradona as coach of the Argentina national football team." AFA spokesman Ernesto Cherquis Bialo added: "Maradona's requirements were very far from the FA's possibilities."

When I heard the news that AFA might renew Maradona contract, I thought this is more than insane. Maradona coached only twice in 1994 and 1995 and acted very funny, and was fired immediately. Then he coached Argentina since 2008. He lost to Bolivia 6-1 and Germany 4-0. This is the first time in my life that I see Argentina lost to Brazil at home (1-3).

He had one of the biggest inventory of skillful players in the world today, and they were playing alone, without any team bonding. No tactics, no defence. He was kissing and hugging everyone including his daughter and threatening journalists.

Today's news is great for everyone loves Argentina football or Messi. As I am one of the many that thought Messi had very bad luck to have Maradona as a coach (same bad luck Maradona had by having Menotti as a coach in 1978 to 1982)

The Clown: Maradona the coach

I dont think I have to give any explanation for my title.

I am sad for him, as they are destroying him. When I heared the news that Maradona was appointed as a coach, I thought this must be a joke or kind of April Fool.

Game after game he proved that he had nothing to offer as a coach.

I think it is the Argentinian football federation big mistake in the first place,

then, it is his mistake to take such a challenge, he knows he cannot meet.

Teams in small videos

With the last night before the World Cup, here are little videos for some of the teams, each summarizes what's going on in that team

Argentina, the most mysterious team, craziness mixed with genius lol


Brasil, where individual skills mold into amazing team work


Spain, where short passes team work can penetrate any defence


Germany, where Germany seems to recharged its known power again


South Africa, even the poor performance might surprise you with WC fever


Paraguay, I expect surprises from them

New star: Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria is one of the promising stars in the coming world cup. He is 22 years old, only several months younger than Messi, and born in the same city, Rosario, and he is also a left footted player. He plays with Benfica. He played for under 20 team, Olympic team and now the first team.

His goals are often a mixture of power and skills. His first goal with Argentina was with the Olympic team vs. Nigeria to score the winning goal in the final. Last week he had a stunning skillful goal vs. Canada



This is another wonderful goal vs. Chile in youth world cup under 20


Here are some of his wonderful goals with Benfica

Tango started to Tango

For those who are supporting Argentina might not be too opimistic to win the World Cup. But, it looks that we all will be watching a Tango music in the World Cup.

Last Monday Argentina beat Canada 5-0. It is friendly and Canada is not a good test, but the five goals were all wonderful, especially the third one.

Messi was injured and didn't play. The game witnessed strong appearance of the 2006 WC star Maxi Rodriguez who scored two nice goals.

World Cup Initial Squads (2 of 2)

When you watch Maradona playing, you feel that he got one of the highest IQ levels for football.
When you watch Maradona coaching, you feel he got one of the lowest in the game.

Few days ago, Maradona released the 30 names for Argentina initial team for the world cup. List contained so many surprises.

Both Esteban Cambiasso and Zanetti probably are having one of their best ever seasons on the personal levels, playing key roles in Inter Milan qualifying to the Champion League final, and are steps away from winning the fifth Italian league in a row for Inter. Both are very tactical players with in which Maradona might want to add to his squad.

Maradona said: "There is nothing strange and nothing to explain about Zanetti's exclusion. It was already decided a long time ago. And as for Cambiasso, it's the same story.”

Another name is Lisandro Lopez, a 24 million Euros sriker, playing with Lyon in France and he was just name player of the year in French Ligue 1.  His style is more of a European stirker than an Argentinian.

Also, Gago from Real Madrid will watch the World Cup from TV screen.

So, who is in the team?

• 10 out of 30 players are based in Argentina
• Of course Messi and Veron are in the team. I think the latter will add a lot of value to the squad.
• Juan Mercier: he is 30 years midfielder, 2 international caps, never played outside  Argentina.
• 
  Ariel Garce: 30 years defender, no international caps yet. Never been outside South America.
• Juan Manuel Insaurralde: 30 years, never been played outside Argentina. Only 1 Cap under Maradona.
• Boca Juniors striker Martin Palermo 37 years old, very famous by his hatrick missed penalties in Copa America vs. Columbia last decade. He might be having very good season, but putting a 37 years old next to a 35 years old Veron (who deserves to be there) with 30 years old players, might be a big big risk.

The selection might seems to have so much emotions rather than clear objective and focus.
This is very bad news for Messi, whose career is going into a very similar path to Maradona. Not only that his was sidelined at 2006, just like Maradona 1978 WC, but now Messi will be playing under Maradona at age 22, just like Maradona played under Menotti at the exact same age in 1982.

in 1982 under Menotti coaching, Argentina is often described to have many stars, but no real coach.
Menotti said that if he didn't win the world cup, he will leave coaching and play as a shoe cleaner. Argentina lost 3 out of 5 games in 82, and Menotti never honored his words.

Maradona at 22 played a tough Mondial, he was just one of the stars, no clear tactics. He was easily marked, and ended that Mondial with a deserved red card.

At first look, Maradona behaviour might seems like Carlos Bilardo 1986 where he trimmed out so many big stars. He gave the captain title to Maradona, which upset Daniel Passarella, a veteran who was won 1978 WC as a Captain and was captain in 1982 too. He ignored the very skillful striker Ramon Diaz. He trimmed bunch of other players who carried the world cup.

But, he had very clear focus and purpose. He made a big bet on Maradona. Bilardo rented a house in Napoli, where Maradona was playing. He designed a special training program for him, which has nothing to do with the ball. It was all about physical balance, focus and flexibility.

Then, he called 22 more tactical players to the world cup. When you watch 1986 videos, you feel Maradona was the only real skillful one, and the others were very good tactical players.

Bilardo won his bet with Maradona.

When Maradona was named as national team coach on October 2008, Bilardo was tapped for the post of Argentina General Manager. At that moment, I thought the Bilardo will be the real coach, and Maradona will take only of the inspirational side, and take only an image as a coach. I was wrong.

Not too much later, Bilardo agreed to quit his Secretary post.

Today, Maradona is not doing anything close to Bilardo, apart from trimming big names. He is doing things similar to Menotti, but in a worse way. Well, let's wait and see!

Double Double Kick Goal

These people are crazy in Argentinian league, a wonderful goal for Gimnasia La Plata against Boca Juniors.

What is interesting is the great passion for skills in Argentinian football, two players think alike at the same meoment to have a great way to score a goal.

Messi or Maradona? (Part1 of 2)

Since the last week most famous game in the Chamption League this year, and Barcelona (I mean Messi) beating Arsenal 4-1 and I didn't hear or read anything except about Messi. Every phone call with a friend on football, every talk in the corridor, and today I was at dinner feast, and it is all about Lionel Messi magic.

At the age of 22, he already changed the famous "Maradona or Pele?" debate into "Maradona or Messi?"
As timesonline described: "the little maestro, who, at the age of 22, is beginning to challenge the accepted wisdom that Pelé and Diego Maradona stand alone atop the pantheon of truly great footballers.

The quantity of Messi’s goals is incredible enough — his fourth was his 39th of a remarkable season — but it is the quality that takes the breath away.

None of his four last night was a collector’s item by his standards, but, witnessed in succession, they were testament to his myriad strengths: mesmerising footwork and close control, lovely balance, beautiful improvisation and, for someone who lacks physical stature, remarkable degrees of power and persistence."

What did Aresne Wenger said after the game?
"We lost against a team better than us, with the best player in world,He’s like a PlayStation player — he can take advantage of every mistake we make. Messi is the best player in the world by a distance. He’s not always in the game, but when he is he’s really dangerous. Once he’s on a run he’s unstoppable, the only player who can change direction at such pace and be a threat.”

Wenger said he did not know another player in the world who could have scored a goal like Messi’s fourth.

“He made the impossible possible,” the Frenchman said. “He has something exceptional. He has six or seven years in front of him, touch wood that nothing happens to him, and he can reach unbelievable levels. He’s very young, but he can achieve a lot.

So, who is better? or at least, who is better at that age?
Messi or Maradona?
I am not in favour of all of these comparisons, but what I am interested is the rational and analysis of this comparison.

I will post my own opinion in (part 2 of 2) of this post, but I will do it after watching tomorrow's big game vs. Real Madrid

Viva to Estudiantes fans (Copa Mondial 2009)

I was so impressed by the large number of spectators who travelled all the way from Europe and Argentina to watch their teams play in this tournament, especially the Estudiantes fans. I heared estimations of 5,000 to 12,000 fans who travelled all the way from Argentina on their own account for around 20 hours flights. It is not the most popular team in Argentina, and common sense says that they have less chance than Barca. Yet, they were there for the team.

They were very organized, loyal, extremely decent. No noise nor "booo"s. After the final, they stayed in stadium till their team got the silver medal cheering for the team. They accepted defeat, knowing their team did a great game. After all, it was a joy to watch.

Barca fans were decent and impressive too. This is what I call a professional fans. In Saudi or Egypt as well ,as many parts of the region, we had tough time accepting the fact of defeat, even for the highest officials, pointing to referees, fans, outside events.