- published: 03 Nov 2005
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![Cristiano Ronaldo - All Access - CNN Interview [FULL] [HQ]](http://web.archive.org./web/20130117080414im_/http://i.ytimg.com/vi/iQ180DTAAa8/default.jpg "Instagram: instagram.com HD 720p [High Definition] - www.youtube.com CNN exclusive interview with Cristiano Ronaldo, revealing some things about his life we've rarely heard. Full show. Credit to mgeftumblr2 for the original cap.")
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Abuja
Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is located in the center of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos, which is still the country's most populous city. At the 2006 census, the city of Abuja had a population of 778,567, making it one of the top ten most populous cities in Nigeria.
Abuja's geography is defined by Aso Rock, a 400-metre monolith left by water erosion. The Presidential Complex, National Assembly, Supreme Court and much of the town extend to the south of the rock.
Other sights include the Nigerian National Mosque and the Nigerian National Christian Centre. The city is served by the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, while Zuma Rock lies nearby. Abuja is known for being the best purpose-built city in Africa as well as being one of the wealthiest and most expensive; however, the population on the semi-developed edges of the city are living in rural areas such as Karu, Nasarawa State.
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Abuja Stadium
Abuja National Stadium is an all-seater national sports stadium located in Abuja, the rapidly developing Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. The stadium serves as a home to the Nigerian national football team, as well as a center for various social, cultural, and religious events. The Federal Government of Nigeria approved the contract for the construction of the National Stadium complex and Games Village on July 18, 2000. The stadium was constructed to host the 8th All Africa Games which took place in October 2003. The 60,491 seater ultra modern multipurpose sports complex has been tagged by many[who?] as one of the greatest architectural landmarks in the city of Abuja.
The contract for the design of the stadium was awarded to Schlaich Bergermann & Partners, a world-renowned structural engineering firm based in Stuttgart, Germany. They were responsible for the architectural design, execution planning, as well as constructional supervision of the stadium. The construction was done in co-operation with a local engineering firm that has served the country for decades. Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, a subsidiary of Bilfinger Berger SE, was responsible for the construction of the main stadium, providing man-power, supplies, and equipment for the execution of the project. The contract for the construction of the Games Village, a housing facility for visiting athletes, was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation
wn.com/Abuja_Stadium -
Asunción
Asunción (Spanish pronunciation: [asunˈsjon], Guarani: Paraguay) is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.
The Ciudad de Asunción is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San Antonio, Limpio, Capiatá and Villa Elisa, which are part of the Central Department. The Asunción metropolitan area has more than 2 million inhabitants. Asunción is located at 25°16′S 57°40′W / 25.267°S 57.667°W / -25.267; -57.667 (-25.2667, -57.6667). The Municipality of Asunción is listed on the Asunción Stock Exchange, as BVPASA: MUA, a unique feature of any city.
It is the home of the national government, principal port, and the chief industrial and cultural centre of the country. Local manufacturing production includes footwear, textiles, and tobacco products.
Asunción is one of the oldest cities in South America and the longest continually inhabited area in the Rio de la Plata Basin; for this reason that it is known as "Mother of Cities". It was from here that the colonial expeditions departed to found other cities, including the second foundation of Buenos Aires and of other important cities such as Villarrica, Corrientes, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
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Atlanta
Atlanta (
/ətˈlæntə/, stressed /ætˈlæntə/, locally /ætˈlænə/) is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia with a 2010 population of 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest in the U.S. It is a major component of a growing southeastern megalopolis known as the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion. Atlanta is the county seat of Fulton County, and a small portion of the city extends eastward into DeKalb County.
Atlanta began as a settlement located at the terminus of a railroad line, and it was incorporated in 1845. Today, the city is a major business city and the primary transportation hub of the Southeastern United States (via highway, railroad, and air), with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport being the world's busiest airport since 1998. The World Cities Study Group at Loughborough University rated Atlanta as an "alpha(-) world city." With a gross domestic product of US$270 billion, Atlanta's economy ranks 15th among world cities and sixth in the nation. The city is a center for services, finance, information technology, government, and higher education. Metro Atlanta contains the country's third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies, and is the world headquarters of The Coca-Cola Company, Turner Broadcasting, The Home Depot, AT&T Mobility, UPS, and Delta Air Lines. As of 2010, Atlanta is the seventh most visited city in the United States, with over 35 million visitors per year.
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Barranquilla
Barranquilla (Spanish pronunciation: [baraŋˈkiʝa]) is an industrial port city and municipality located in northern Colombia, near the Caribbean Sea. The capital of the Atlántico Department, it is the largest industrial city and port in the Colombian Caribbean region with a population of 1,885,500 as of 2011 in its metropolitan area, which makes it Colombia's fourth most populous city after Bogotá, Medellín and Cali.
Barranquilla lies strategically next to the delta of the Magdalena River, 7.5 kilometres (originally 25 km before rapid urban growth) from its mouth at the Caribbean Sea, serving as port for river and maritime transportation within Colombia. It is also the main industrial, shopping, educational and cultural centre of the Caribbean Region of Colombia. The city is the core of the Metropolitan Area of Barranquilla, which is constituted by the municipalities of Soledad, Galapa, Malambo, and Puerto Colombia.
Barranquilla was legally established as a town on April 7, 1813, although it dated from at least 1629. It grew into an important port, serving as a haven for immigrants from Europe, especially during and right after World War I and World War II, with waves of additional immigrants from the Middle East and Asia. Barranquilla became Colombia's principal port, and with its level of industrialization and modernity earned the city the nickname Colombia's Golden Gate (Spanish: La Puerta de Oro de Colombia). In the 1940s, Barranquilla was the second largest city in Colombia and one of the most modern cities in the Caribbean and in South America, while later, local administrations, given to widespread corruption, brought about a decline in the standard of living. As government investment increased in other Colombian cities, Barranquilla's national position was surpassed.
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Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˌbɛloɾiˈzõtʃi],Beautiful Horizon) is the capital and largest city in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeastern region of the country. It is the third largest metropolitan area in the country. Belo Horizonte (also known as "Belô", "Beagá", or "BH") has a population of 2,475,440 inhabitants (2010) in the city and 5,497,922 people in the official Metropolitan Area (2010).
The region was first settled in the early 18th century, but the city as it is known today was planned and constructed in the 1890s, in order to replace Ouro Preto as the capital of Minas Gerais. The city features a mixture of contemporary and classical buildings, and is home to several modern Brazilian architectural icons, most notably the Pampulha Complex. In planning the city, Aarão Reis and Francisco Bicalho sought inspiration in the urban planning of Washington, D.C. The city has employed notable programs in urban revitalization and food security, for which it has been awarded international accolades.
wn.com/Belo_Horizonte -
Bento Ribeiro
Bento Ribeiro is a middle class neighborhood in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. Located in Rio's North Zone, it is a suburban area in the vicinity of Marechal Hermes and Oswaldo Cruz. Bento Ribeiro owes its name to Bento Manuel Ribeiro Carneiro Monteiro, mayor of Rio de Janeiro between 1910 and 1914. It is the birthplace of the professional football player Ronaldo and the place where the famous television host [Xuxa] lived in her childhood.
Coordinates: 22°52′02″S 43°21′39″W / 22.86722°S 43.36083°W / -22.86722; -43.36083Xuxa
wn.com/Bento_Ribeiro -
Bolivia
Coordinates: 16°42′43″S 64°39′58″W / 16.712°S 64.666°W / -16.712; -64.666 Bolivia (
i/bəˈlɪviə/, Spanish: [boliˈβja]) officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia (Spanish: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, Quechua: Bulivya Mamallaqta, Aymara: Wuliwya Suyu), is a landlocked country in central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west.
Prior to European colonization, the Andean region of Bolivia was a part of the Inca Empire – the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century. During most of the Spanish colonial period, this territory was called Upper Peru and was under the administration of the Viceroyalty of Peru, which included most of Spain's South American colonies. After declaring independence in 1809, 16 years of war followed before the establishment of the Republic, named for Simón Bolívar, on 6 August 1825. Bolivia has struggled through periods of political instability, dictatorships and economic woes.
wn.com/Bolivia -
Brazil
Brazili/brəˈzɪl/ (Portuguese: Brasil, IPA: [bɾaˈziw]), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: República Federativa do Brasil, listen (help·info)), is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people. It is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas and the largest lusophone country in the world.
Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of 7,491 km (4,655 mi). It is bordered on the north by Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and the French overseas region of French Guiana; on the northwest by Colombia; on the west by Bolivia and Peru; on the southwest by Argentina and Paraguay and on the south by Uruguay. Numerous archipelagos form part of Brazilian territory, such as Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, Saint Peter and Paul Rocks, and Trindade and Martim Vaz. It borders all other South American countries except Ecuador and Chile.
Brazil was a colony of Portugal from the landing of Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500 until 1815, when it was elevated to the rank of kingdom and the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves was formed. The colonial bond was in fact broken in 1808, when the capital of the Portuguese colonial empire was transferred from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, after Napoleon invaded Portugal.Independence was achieved in 1822 with the formation of the Empire of Brazil, a unitary state governed under a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary system. The country became a presidential republic in 1889, when a military coup d'état proclaimed the Republic, although the bicameral legislature, now called Congress, dates back to the ratification of the first constitution in 1824. Its current Constitution, formulated in 1988, defines Brazil as a Federal Republic. The Federation is formed by the union of the Federal District, the 26 States, and the 5,564 Municipalities.
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Canada
Canada ( /ˈkænədə/) is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean. Spanning over 9,900,000 km2 (3,800,000 sq mi), Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, and its common border with the United States is the longest land border in the world.
The land that is now Canada has been inhabited for millennia by various Aboriginal peoples. Beginning in the late 15th century, British and French colonial expeditions explored, and later settled, along the region's Atlantic coast. France ceded nearly all of its colonies in North America in 1763 after the Seven Years' War. In 1867, with the union of three British North American colonies through Confederation, Canada was formed as a federal dominion of four provinces. This began an accretion of provinces and territories and a process of increasing autonomy; the Canada Act 1982 severed the vestiges of legal dependence on Britain.
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Catalonia
Catalonia (English /kætəˈloʊniə/, /kætəˈloʊnjə/; Catalan: Catalunya [kətəˈɫuɲə] or [kataˈluɲa]; Spanish: Cataluña [kataˈluɲa]; Occitan: Catalonha [kataˈluɲɔ]) is an autonomous region of Spain in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, with the official status of a "nationality". Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona which is the second largest Spanish city by population after Madrid. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an official population of 7,535,251. Its borders essentially reflect those of the former Principality of Catalonia. It borders France and Andorra to the north, Aragon to the west, the Valencian Community to the south, and the Mediterranean Sea to the east (580 km coastline). The official languages are Catalan, Spanish and Aranese (Occitan).
The name Catalunya (Catalonia) began to be used in the late 11th century in reference to the group of counties that comprised the Marca Hispanica. The origin of the term is subject to diverse interpretations. A theory suggests that Catalunya derives from the term "Land of Castles", having evolved from the term castlà, the ruler of a castle (see castellan). This theory therefore suggests that the names Castile and Catalonia have the same etymology.
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Château de Chantilly
The Château de Chantilly (pronounced: [ʃɑ.to də ʃɑ̃.ti.ji]) is a historic château located in the town of Chantilly, France. It comprises two attached buildings; the Grand Château, destroyed during the French Revolution and rebuilt in the 1870s, and the Petit Château which was built around 1560 for Anne de Montmorency. Owned by the Institut de France, the château houses the Musée Condé, which is one of the finest art galleries in France and is open to the public.
The estate's connection with the Montmorency family began in 1484. The first mansion (no longer extant, now replaced by the Grand Château) was built in 1528–1531 for the Constable Anne de Montmorency by Pierre Chambiges. The Petit Château was also built for him, around 1560, probably by Jean Bullant. In 1632, after the death of Henri II, it passed to the Grand Condé who inherited it through his mother, a Montmorency.
Several interesting pieces of history are associated with the château during the 17th century. Molière's play, Les Précieuses ridicules, received its first performance here in 1659. Madame de Sévigné relates in her memoirs that when Louis XIV visited in 1671, François Vatel, the maître d'hôtel to the Grand Condé, committed suicide when he feared the fish would be served late.
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Ciudad del Este
Ciudad del Este (Spanish for City of the East) is the second largest city in Paraguay and capital of Alto Paraná Department, located at the Rio Paraná. As of 2008 its population was of 320,872.
Founded in 1957, it was originally called Puerto Flor de Lis, then until 1989 Puerto Presidente Stroessner, after Alfredo Stroessner. The city is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ciudad del Este.
The city, coextensive with the homonymous district, is located in south-eastern Paraguay. Part of a "triangle" known as the Triple Frontier, Ciudad del Este lies in front of the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu (state of Paraná). Separed from it by Paraná River, it is linked by the Friendship Bridge. The Argentine border is located between the neighbouring town of Presidente Franco and Puerto Iguazú (Misiones Province).
Ciudad del Este, along with the towns and districts of Hernandarias and Presidente Franco, forms a metropolitan area named Gran Ciudad del Este (i.e. Greater Ciudad del Este).
The city has a large Asian-born population, specifically Taiwanese, Koreans, Lebanese, and Iranians, evident in the city's mosque and pagodas. The Taiwanese government paid for the construction of the city's town hall in exchange for Paraguayan support in the United Nations, hence the Taiwanese flag that flies on the building. The total population of its metropolitan area is estimated at 700,000 people.
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Colombia
Colombia (
/kəˈlʌmbiə/ kə-LUM-biə, or /kəˈlɒmbiə/ kə-LOM-biə), officially the Republic of Colombia (Spanish: República de Colombia [reˈpuβlika ðe koˈlombja]), is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the northwest by Panama; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. Colombia has maritime borders with Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Colombia is the 26th largest country by area and the fourth largest in South America after Brazil, Argentina and Peru. With over 46 million people, Colombia is the 27th largest country in the world by population and has the second largest population of any Spanish-speaking country in the world, after Mexico. Colombia is a middle power, with the fourth largest economy in Latin America, and the third largest in South America. Colombia is famous for the production of coffee, flowers, emeralds, coal, and oil. All of these products make up the primary sector of economy.
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Curitiba
Curitiba (Tupi: "Pine Nut Land", Portuguese pronunciation: [kuɾiˈtibɐ] or [kuɾiˈtʃibɐ]) is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Paraná. The city's population numbers approximately 1.75 million people, making it the 8th most populous in the country, and the largest in the Brazil's South Region. Its metropolitan area, called Curitiba Metropolitan Area (Região Metropolitana de Curitiba, in Portuguese), comprises 26 municipalities with a total population of over 3.2 million (IBGE estimate in 2010), the seventh most populous in the country.
Curitiba is an important cultural, political and economic centre in the country and in Latin America. The city sits on a plateau at 932 metres (3,058 ft) above sea level. It is located 105 kilometres (65 mi) west of the sea port of Paranaguá and is served by the Afonso Pena International and Bacacheri airports. The city hosts the Federal University of Paraná, established in 1912, one year before electric streetcars were first deployed.
Curitiba's rapid expansion was based on the cattle trade, the city being located half-way between the cattle breeding country to the south and the markets to the north. Waves of European immigrants started arriving after 1850, mainly Germans, Italians, Poles and Ukrainians, contributing to the economic and cultural development of the city. Nowadays, only smaller numbers of foreign immigrants arrive, mainly from Middle Eastern and others Latin American countries, but there is a substantial inward flow of Brazilians from other states of the country (approximately half the population of Curitiba was not born in the city).
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Edmonton
Edmonton /ˈɛdməntən/ is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, Canada. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.
The city and its census metropolitan area had populations of 812,201 and 1,159,869 as of the 2011 Census respectively, making it Alberta's second-largest city, Canada's fifth-largest municipality and Canada's sixth-largest metropolitan area by population. Edmonton is the northernmost North American city with a metropolitan population over one million. A resident of Edmonton is known as an Edmontonian.
The majority of Edmonton's metropolitan population lives within the City of Edmonton rather than in the surrounding suburban municipalities. Historically, Edmonton was surrounded by few other urban municipalities (Strathcona, Beverly and Jasper Place being the largest) but these were absorbed through amalgamation or annexation. Edmonton annexed a significant amount of land up until the early 1980s, and as a result it has sustained much of the region's suburban growth within its own boundaries.
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Estádio do Morumbi
Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo is a stadium in São Paulo, Brazil, home of São Paulo Futebol Clube and its formal name honors Cícero Pompeu de Toledo, who was São Paulo FC's chairman during most of the stadium construction, and died before its inauguration.
The stadium was designed by the architect João Batista Vilanova Artigas.
It is also a football venue of the 2016 Summer Olympics.
In the early years of its existence, São Paulo FC used for their headquarters and home field the Finca Forest, located beside the Bridge of Flags next to Tietê river in the center of São Paulo. This is why their home is referred to as the São Paulo da Floresta during the club's first incarnation, from January 1930 until May 1935.
When the club was refounded in December 1935, it had its own field until 1938, when the union with Estudantes Paulista gave São Paulo possession of the Bristol stadium belonging to Antarctica.
In 1944, São Paulo bought a piece of ground called Canindé, which was only used as a headquarters and training location. The area was too small for the construction of a large stadium, so studies were done to find another home within the city of São Paulo.
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France
France (Englishi/ˈfræns/ FRANSS or /ˈfrɑːns/ FRAHNSS; French: [fʁɑ̃s] (
listen)), officially the French Republic (French: République française [ʁepyblik fʁɑ̃sɛz]), is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. It is often referred to as l’Hexagone ("The Hexagon") because of the geometric shape of its territory. It is the largest western European country and it possesses the second-largest exclusive economic zone in the world, covering 11,035,000 km2 (4,260,000 sq mi), just behind that of the United States (11,351,000 km2 / 4,383,000 sq mi).
Over the past 500 years, France has been a major power with strong cultural, economic, military and political influence in Europe and around the world. During the 17th and 18th centuries, France colonised great parts of North America and Southeast Asia; during the 19th and early 20th centuries, France built the second largest colonial empire of the time, including large portions of North, West and Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and many Caribbean and Pacific Islands.
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Germany
Germany (i/ˈdʒɜrməni/), officially the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland, pronounced [ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant] ( listen)), is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate. With 81.8 million inhabitants, it is the most populous member state and the largest economy in the European Union. It is one of the major political powers of the European continent and a technological leader in many fields.
A region named Germania, inhabited by several Germanic peoples, was documented before AD 100. During the Migration Period, the Germanic tribes expanded southward, and established successor kingdoms throughout much of Europe. Beginning in the 10th century, German territories formed a central part of the Holy Roman Empire. During the 16th century, northern German regions became the centre of the Protestant Reformation while southern and western parts remained dominated by Roman Catholic denominations, with the two factions clashing in the Thirty Years' War, marking the beginning of the Catholic–Protestant divide that has characterized German society ever since. Occupied during the Napoleonic Wars, the rise of Pan-Germanism inside the German Confederation resulted in the unification of most of the German states into the German Empire in 1871 which was Prussian dominated. After the German Revolution of 1918–1919 and the subsequent military surrender in World War I, the Empire was replaced by the Weimar Republic in 1918, and partitioned in the Treaty of Versailles. Amidst the Great Depression, the Third Reich was proclaimed in 1933. The latter period was marked by Fascism and World War II. After 1945, Germany was divided by allied occupation, and evolved into two states, East Germany and West Germany. In 1990 Germany was reunified.
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Haiti
Haitii/ˈheɪti/ (French: Haïti [aiti]; Haitian Creole Ayiti [ajiti]), officially the Republic of Haiti (République d'Haïti; Repiblik Ayiti), is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti (land of high mountains) was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island. The country's highest point is Pic la Selle, at 2,680 metres (8,793 ft). The total area of Haiti is 27,750 square kilometres (10,714 sq mi) and its capital is Port-au-Prince. Haitian Creole and French are the official languages.
Haiti's regional, historical, and ethno-linguistic position is unique for several reasons. It was the first independent nation of Latin America and the Caribbean, the first black-led republic in the world, and the second republic in the Americas when it gained independence in 1804 as part of a successful slave revolution lasting nearly a decade. In 2012, Haiti announced its intention to seek associate membership status in the African Union. Haiti is the only predominantly Francophone independent nation in the Americas. It is one of only two independent nations in the Americas (along with Canada) to designate French as an official language; the other French-speaking areas are all overseas départements, or collectivités, of France.
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Japan
Japan
i/dʒəˈpæn/ (Japanese: 日本 Nihon or Nippon; formally 日本国 Nippon-koku or Nihon-koku, literally the State of Japan) is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun".
Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands are Honshū, Hokkaidō, Kyūshū and Shikoku, together accounting for ninety-seven percent of Japan's land area. Japan has the world's tenth-largest population, with over 127 million people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents.
Archaeological research indicates that people lived in Japan as early as the Upper Paleolithic period. The first written mention of Japan is in Chinese history texts from the 1st century AD. Influence from other nations followed by long periods of isolation has characterized Japan's history. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War and World War I allowed Japan to expand its empire during a period of increasing militarism. The Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937 expanded into part of World War II in 1941, which came to an end in 1945 following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since adopting its revised constitution in 1947, Japan has maintained a unitary constitutional monarchy with an emperor and an elected parliament called the Diet.
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Johannesburg
Johannesburg (/dʒoʊˈhænɪsbɜrɡ/; Afrikaans: [joˈhɑnəsbʏrx]) also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or eGoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa. The city is one of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the world, and is also the world's largest city not situated on a river, lake, or coastline. It claims to be the lightning capital of the world, though this title is also claimed by others.
While Johannesburg is not one of South Africa's three capital cities, it is the seat of the Constitutional Court, which has the final word on interpretation of South Africa's new post-Apartheid constitution. The city is the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. Johannesburg is served by O.R. Tambo International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of Southern Africa. More recently Lanseria International Airport has started international flights, and is situated conveniently on the opposite side of the metropolis.
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Kobe
Kobe (神戸市, Kōbe-shi?, Japanese pronunciation: [koːbe]), is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately 30 km (19 mi) west of Osaka. With a population of about 1.5 million, the city is part of the Keihanshin (Keihanshin) metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kyoto.
The earliest written records regarding the region come from the Nihon Shoki, which describes the founding of the Ikuta Shrine by Empress Jingū in AD 201. For most of its history the area was never a single political entity, even during the Tokugawa Period, when the port was controlled directly by the Tokugawa Shogunate. Kobe did not exist in its current form until its founding in 1889. Its name comes from "kanbe" (神戸?), an archaic title for supporters of the city's Ikuta Shrine. Kobe became one of Japan's 17 designated cities in 1956.
Kobe was one of the cities to open for trade with the West following the end of the policy of seclusion and has since been known as a cosmopolitan port city. While the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake diminished much of Kobe's prominence as a port city, it remains Japan's fourth busiest container port. Companies headquartered in Kobe include ASICS, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Kobe Steel, as well as over 100 international corporations with Asia or Japan headquarters in the city such as Procter & Gamble, Boehringer-Ingelheim and Nestlé. The city is the point of origin and namesake of Kobe beef as well as the site of one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts, Arima Onsen.
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La Paz
Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈnwes.tɾa seˈɲoɾa ðe la pas]; English: Our Lady of Peace; Aymara: Chuquiago Marka or Chuqiyapu), simply known as La Paz, is the seat of government of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country (in population) after Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It is located in the western part of the country in the department of the same name at an elevation of roughly 3,650 m (11,975 ft) (the city is built on steep hills) above sea level, making it the world's highest "de facto" capital city, or administrative capital.
While the official capital of Bolivia is Sucre and it is the seat of Justice, La Paz has more government departments, hence the "de facto" qualifier. The city sits in a "bowl" surrounded by the high mountains of the altiplano.
As it grows, the city of La Paz climbs the hills, resulting in varying elevations from 3,000 to 4,100 m (9,800 to 13,500 ft). Overlooking the city is towering triple-peaked Illimani, which is always snow-covered and can be seen from several spots of the city, including from the neighbor city of El Alto. As of the 2001 census, the city had a population of 877,363.La Paz Metropolitan area, formed by the cities of La Paz, El Alto and Viacha, make the most populous urban area of Bolivia, with a population of 2.3 million inhabitants and surpassing the metropolitan area of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
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Madrid
Madrid (English /məˈdrɪd/, Spanish: [ma'ðrid]) is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the third largest in the European Union after London and Paris. The city spans a total of 604.3 km2 (233.3 sq mi).
The city is located on the Manzanares river in the centre of both the country and the Community of Madrid (which comprises the city of Madrid, its conurbation and extended suburbs and villages); this community is bordered by the autonomous communities of Castile and León and Castile-La Mancha. As the capital city of Spain, seat of government, and residence of the Spanish monarch, Madrid is also the political centre of Spain. The current mayor is Ana Botella from the People's Party (PP).
Madrid urban agglomeration has the 3rd largest GDP in the European Union and its influences in politics, education, entertainment, environment, media, fashion, science, culture, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. Due to its economic output, high standard of living, and market size, Madrid is considered the major financial centre of Southern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula; it hosts the head offices of the vast majority of the major Spanish companies, such as Telefónica, Iberia or Repsol. Madrid is the most touristic city of Spain, the fourth-most touristic of the continent, and is the 10th most livable city in the world according to Monocle magazine, in its 2010 index. Madrid also ranks among the 12 greenest European cities in 2010. Madrid is currently a Candidate City for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
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Maracaibo
Maracaibo (Spanish pronunciation: [maɾaˈkaiβo]) is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state. The population of the city is approximately 1,495,200 with the metropolitan area estimated at 2,108,404 as of 2010.
Maracaibo is nicknamed La Tierra del Sol Amada ("The Beloved Land of the Sun").
The name Maracaibo comes from the brave Cacique (Indian Chief) Mara, a young native who valiantly resisted the Spaniards and died fighting them. It is said that when Mara fell, the Indians shouted "Mara cayo!" (Mara fell!), thus originating the city name. Other historians say that the first name of this land in Indian language was "Maara-iwo" meaning "Place where serpents abound".
The first indigenous settlements were of Arawak and Carib origin. Around the main group were the Añu tribe who built rows of stilt houses all over the northern riviera of the Lake Maracaibo. The first Europeans arrived in 1499.
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Marseille
Coordinates: 43°17′47″N 5°22′12″E / 43.2964°N 5.37°E / 43.2964; 5.37
Marseille ( /mɑrˈseɪ/; also Marseilles in English; French: [maʁsɛj], locally: [mɑχˈsɛjə]; Occitan: Marselha [maʀˈsejɔ, maʀˈsijɔ]), known in antiquity as Massilia or Massalia (from Greek: Μασσαλία), is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of 240.62 km2 (93 sq mi). The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of 1,204 km2 (465 sq mi). 1,530,000 or 1,601,095 people live in the Marseille metropolitan area, ranking it third among French metropolitan areas after Paris and Lyon. Located on the southeast coast of France, Marseille is France's largest city on the Mediterranean coast and largest commercial port. Marseille is the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, as well as the capital of the Bouches-du-Rhône department. Its inhabitants are called Marseillais.
Marseille is the second largest city in France after Paris and the centre of the third largest metropolitan area in France after Paris and Lyon. To the east, starting in the small fishing village of Callelongue on the outskirts of Marseille and stretching as far as Cassis, are the Calanques, a rugged coastal area interspersed with small fjords. Further east still are the Sainte-Baume, a 1,147 m (3,763 ft) mountain ridge rising from a forest of deciduous trees, the town of Toulon and the French Riviera. To the north of Marseille, beyond the low Garlaban and Etoile mountain ranges, is the 1,011 m (3,317 ft) Mont Sainte Victoire. To the west of Marseille is the former artists' colony of l'Estaque; further west are the Côte Bleue, the Gulf of Lion and the Camargue region in the Rhône delta. The airport lies to the north west of the city at Marignane on the Étang de Berre.
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McMahon Stadium
McMahon Stadium ( /məkˈmæn/) is a Canadian football stadium located in Calgary, Alberta. The stadium is owned by the University of Calgary and operated by the McMahon Stadium Society.
McMahon Stadium is located between the downtown core and the University of Calgary, north of 16 Avenue NW between Crowchild Trail and University Drive. It is within walking distance of the Banff Trail C-Train station.
The stadium currently serves as the home venue for the University of Calgary Dinos, Calgary Colts of the Canadian Junior Football League, Calgary Gators and Calgary Wolfpack of the Alberta Football League, and the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL, who formerly played at Mewata Stadium from 1935 to 1959. McMahon Stadium also served as the open-air venue (as an ice rink) for the 2011 National Hockey League Heritage Classic match between the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens.
The Stadium was also the location used for the 1988 Winter Olympics for the opening and closing ceremonies.
The stadium was constructed on the then University of Alberta (Calgary) campus over a 100-day period in 1960 for $1,050,000. It was built as a replacement for the Mewata Park Stadium.
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Milan
Milan (Italian: Milano [miˈlaːno] ( listen); Lombard: [miˈlan]; Latin: Mediolanum) is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital of Lombardy as well as of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area is the 5th largest in EU and the largest in Italy with an estimated population of approximately 5 million. The growth of many suburbs and satellite settlements around the city proper, following the Italian economic miracle of 1950s–60s and massive commuting flows, suggest that socioeconomic linkages have expanded well beyond the boundaries of its administrative limits and its agglomeration, creating a region of approximately 9,3 million people. It has been suggested that the Milan metropolitan area is part of the so-called Blue Banana, the area of Europe with the highest population and industrial density. Its health care and education system is considered one of the best of Europe.
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Mineirão
Mineirão (Portuguese pronunciation: [minejˈɾɐ̃w]), officially Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto (Governor Magalhães Pinto Stadium) established in 1965 in Belo Horizonte, is the largest football stadium in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the second largest in the country, after Maracanã. It will be a host stadium in the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be held in the country.
It is also a football venue of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.
Mineirão construction project came before its opening in more than 25 years. In the 1940s, timid movements began, involving managers, entrepreneurs, athletes and journalists. The idea was to build on Belo Horizonte a field that followed the evolution of Minas Gerais' football.
The top three teams in the state capital had their stadiums, but they were cramped, uncomfortable and no longer supported the demand of fans. Stadium Otacílio Negrão de Lima (Alameda Stadium, Francisco Sales Avenue), of América; Antônio Carlos Stadium (located on Olegário Maciel Avenue), of Atlético; and Juscelino Kubitschek Stadium (located on Augusto de Lima Avenue), of Cruzeiro did not support more than 10,000 spectators. Atlético, the team with the wealthiest members in Belo Horizonte, planned to build a stadium for 30,000 people, after the winning the Brazilian "Champion of Champions" title, in 1937. It nearly went out of paper. But then they found a huge debt of the club, forcing the directors to allot and sell the properties that the club had in the neighborhood where the stadium would be built, Antônio Carlos Avenue, near the airport.
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MTV Brasil
MTV Brasil is the Brazilian version of MTV, owned by Abril Mídia, the nation's largest magazine publisher, under license from Viacom - owned MTV Networks Latin America. MTV Brasil is one of three versions of MTV available in free-to-air terrestrial television. (The other two are MTV Italy and MTV Spain) However, it is also available on cable and satellite services.
MTV Brasil was launched on 20 October 1990, only to metropolitan São Paulo, through UHF channel A32 and metropolitan Rio de Janeiro, through VHF channel A9 (with TV Corcovado as an affiliate station). The first video shown was Garota de Ipanema, sung by Marina Lima.
In 1996, Viacom acquired 50% of the network, which was, until then, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abril.
In 2005, due to regulatory requirements that non-Brazilian companies can own only up to 30% of a terrestrial network, Abril acquired 20% of MTV Brasil from Viacom.
In late 2006 MTV Brasil released its broadband channel following the international model for the MTV Overdrive.
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Nantes
Coordinates: 47°13′05″N 1°33′10″W / 47.2181°N 1.5528°W / 47.2181; -1.5528
Nantes (French pronunciation: [nɑ̃t]) (Breton: Naoned, Gallo: Naunnt) is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, 50 km (31 mi) from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants.
Nantes is the capital city of the Pays de la Loire region and Loire-Atlantique département. Together with Vannes, Rennes and Carhaix, it was one of the major cities of the historic province of Brittany, and the ancient Duchy of Brittany. Culturally, Nantes is a Breton city.
In 2004, Time described Nantes as "the most liveable city in Europe". In 2010, Nantes was named a hub city for innovation in the Innovation Cities Index by innovation agency, 2thinknow. The city was ranked 36th globally from 289 cities and 4th overall in France, behind Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg for innovation across multiple sectors of the economy.
The name Nantes, pronounced [nɑ̃t] in French, derives from that of its pre-Roman-era inhabitants, the Gaulish tribe known as the Namnetes, who founded a town there around 70 BC. The city was called Portus Namnetum during the Roman occupation that began in 56 BC. The inhabitants of Nantes are known in French as Nantais ([nɑ̃tɛ]).
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Netherlands
The Netherlands (i/ˈnɛðərləndz/; Dutch: Nederland [ˈneːdə(r)lɑnt] or [ˈneɪ̯də(r)lɑnt] (
listen); West Frisian: Nederlân; Papiamento: Hulanda) is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with some islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders with Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. It is a parliamentary democracy organised as a unitary state. The country capital is Amsterdam and the seat of government is The Hague. The Netherlands in its entirety is often referred to as Holland, although North and South Holland are actually only two of its twelve provinces (a case of pars pro toto; see terminology of "the Netherlands").
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Nigeria
Nigeriai/naɪˈdʒɪəriə/, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean. The three largest and most influential ethnic groups in Nigeria are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
In terms of religion Nigeria is roughly split half and half between Muslims in the North and Christians in the South; a very small minority practice traditional religion. Since 2002 there have been a spate of clashes, particularly in the North of the country, between government forces and the Islamists Boko Haram, militant jihadists who seek to establish sharia law.
The people of Nigeria have an extensive history. Archaeological evidence shows that human habitation of the area dates back to at least 9000 BCE. The area around the Benue and Cross River is thought to be the original homeland of the Bantu migrants who spread across most of central and southern Africa in waves between the 1st millennium BC and the 2nd millennium.
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Norway
Norwayi/ˈnɔrweɪ/ (Norwegian: Norge (Bokmål) or Noreg (Nynorsk)), officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and the subantarctic Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of 385,252 square kilometres (148,747 sq mi) and a population of about 5 million. It is the second least densely populated country in Europe. The majority of the country shares a border to the east with Sweden; its northernmost region is bordered by Finland to the south and Russia to the east; in its south Norway borders the Skagerrak Strait across from Denmark. The capital city of Norway is Oslo. Norway's extensive coastline, facing the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea, is home to its famous fjords.
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Oslo
Oslo (English pronunciation: /ˈɒzloʊ/, OZ-loh,Norwegian pronunciation: [²ʊʃlʊ] ( listen) or [²ʊslʊ]) is the capital of and most populous city in Norway. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III, the city was elevated to a bishopric in 1070 and a capital under Haakon V around 1300. Personal unions with Denmark from 1397 to 1523 and again from 1536 to 1814 and with Sweden from 1814 to 1905 reduced its influence. After being destroyed by a fire in 1624, the city was moved closer to Akershus Castle during the reign of King Christian IV and renamed Christiania in his honour. It was established as a municipality (formannskapsdistrikt) on 1 January 1838. Following a spelling reform, it was known as Kristiania from 1877 to 1925, when its original Norwegian name was restored.
Oslo is the economic and governmental centre of Norway. The city is also a hub of Norwegian trade, banking, industry and shipping. It is an important centre for maritime industries and maritime trade in Europe. The city is home to many companies within the maritime sector, some of which are amongst the world's largest shipping companies, shipbrokers and maritime insurance brokers. Oslo is a pilot city of the Council of Europe and the European Commission intercultural cities programme.
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Paraguay
Paraguay (i/ˈpɛərəɡwaɪ/, PAIR-ə-gwy), officially the Republic of Paraguay (Spanish: República del Paraguay [reˈpuβlika ðel paɾaˈɣwai], Guaraní: Tetã Paraguái [teˈtã paɾaˈɣwaj]), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the country from north to south. Due to its central location in South America, it is sometimes referred to as Corazón de América, or the Heart of America.
The Guaraní have been living in Paraguay since before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, when Paraguay became part of the Spanish colonial empire. Following independence from Spain in 1811, Paraguay was ruled by a series of dictators who followed isolationist and protectionist policies. This development was truncated by the disastrous Paraguayan War (1864–1870) in which the country lost 60% to 70% of its population and large amounts of territory. During a large part of the 20th century, Paraguay was ruled by Alfredo Stroessner, who led one of South America's longest lived military dictatorships. In 1989 Stroessner was toppled and free elections were celebrated in 1993. In 1994 Paraguay joined Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay to found Mercosur.
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Paris
Coordinates: 48°51′24″N 2°21′03″E / 48.8567°N 2.3508°E / 48.8567; 2.3508
Paris (i/ˈpærɨs/; French: [paʁi] ( listen)) is the capital and largest city of France. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region (or Paris Region, French: Région parisienne). As of January 2008 the city of Paris, within its administrative limits (the 20 arrondissements) largely unchanged since 1860, has an estimated population of 2,211,297 and a metropolitan population of 12,089,098, and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe. Paris was the largest city in the Western world for about 1,000 years, prior to the 19th century, and the largest in the entire world between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influences in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. It hosts the headquarters of many international organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the International Chamber of Commerce or the European Space Agency. Paris is considered one of the greenest and most liveable cities in Europe. It is also one of the most expensive.
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Pinheirão
The Centro Poliesportivo Pinheiro, also known as the Pinheirão is a football stadium inaugurated on June 15, 1985 in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, with a maximum capacity of 35,000 people. The stadium is owned by the Paranaense Football Federation (meaning Federação Paranaense de Futebol in Portuguese), and was the home ground of Paraná Clube. Its formal name means Pinheiro Multi-Modality Center and honors the Pine tree, which is a common tree in the state.
Pinheirão was completed in 1985 and was inaugurated on June 15 of that year.
The stadium was planned to have a maximum capacity of 126,000 people. The works started in the beginning of the 1970s, but in the beginning of the followin decade, the works stopped because of lack of funds. After a deal with Paranaense Football Federation, the works resumed, and in 1985 it was inaugurated with a maximum capacity of 45,000 people.
The negotiation of a US$ 750,000 debt between the Paranaense Football Federation and the Government of Paraná State caused a CPI (Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito, which means Investigation Parliamentary Committee in English) against Onaireves Moura, former president of Paraná Football Federation.
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Recife
Recife (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁeˈsifi] ( listen), Reef) is the fifth-largestmetropolitan area in Brazil with 4,136,506 inhabitants, the largest metropolitan area of the North/Northeast Regions, the 5th-largest metropolitan influence area in Brazil, and the capital and largest city of the state of Pernambuco. The population of the city proper was 1,536,934 in 2010.
Recife is located where the Beberibe River meets the Capibaribe River to flow into the Atlantic Ocean. It is a major port on the Atlantic Ocean. Its name is an allusion to the coral reefs that are present by the city's shores. The many rivers, small islands and over 50 bridges found in Recife city center characterize its geography and gives it the moniker of the "Brazilian Venice."
The Metropolitan Region of Recife is the main industrial zone of the State of Pernambuco; most relevant products are those derived from cane (sugar and ethanol), electronics, food, and others; thanks to the fiscal incentives of government, many industrial enterprises were started in the 1970s and 1980s. Recife has a tradition of being the most important commercial center of the North/Northeastern region of Brazil with more than 52,500 business enterprises in Recife itself plus 32,500 in the Metro Area which totals more than 85,000.
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Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ( /ˈriːoʊ deɪ ʒəˈnɛəroʊ/ or /ˈriːoʊ deɪ dʒəˈnɛəroʊ/; Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈʁi.u dʒi ʒaˈnejɾu],River of January), commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th largest in the Americas, and 26th in the world.
The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1815 during the Portuguese colonial era, 1815 to 1821 as the capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarves, and 1822 to 1960 as an independent nation. Rio is nicknamed the Cidade Maravilhosa or "Marvelous City."
Rio de Janeiro represents the second largest GDP in the country (and 30th largest in the world in 2008), estimated at about R$ 343 billion (IBGE/2008) (nearly US$ 201 billion), and is the headquarters of two major Brazilian companies – Petrobras and Vale, and major oil companies and telephony in Brazil, besides the largest conglomerate of media and communications companies in Latin America, the Globo Organizations. The home of many universities and institutes, it is the second largest center of research and development in Brazil, accounting for 17% of national scientific production – according to 2005 data.
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Rio Grande do Sul
Rio Grande do Sul (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁiw ˈɡɾɐ̃dʒi du suw] ( listen); lit. "Great Southern River") is the southernmost state in Brazil, and the state with the fifth highest Human Development Index (HDI) in the country. In this state is located the southernmost city in the country, Chuí, on the border with Uruguay. In the region of Bento Gonçalves and Caxias do Sul, the largest wine producing center in Brazil, the attraction is Italian gastronomy. Besides the European influence, the gaúchos, or inhabitants of Rio Grande do Sul, strongly cultivate the traditions of the Pampas — region of the border with Uruguay and Argentina — such as drinking mate (known as chimarrão drunk in special gourd cups), eating the typical barbecue, known as churrasco, and the traditional clothes are the bombachas (baggy trousers), boots and large hats. Although the majority of the population dresses non-traditionally, there is[citation needed][says who?] a widespread value for tradition and culture, which renders the image of "cultural zealots" sometimes attributed[by whom?] to the gaúchos.
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Riyadh
Riyadh (/rɨˈjɑːd/; Arabic: الرياض transliterated Ar Riyāḍ pronounced [ʔɑrːiˈjɑːdˤ], English: The Gardens) is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a region with a population of close to 7 million people. The city is divided into 15 municipal districts, managed by Riyadh Municipality headed by the mayor of Riyadh, and the Riyadh Development Authority, chaired by the Governor of Riyadh Province, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz. The current mayor of Riyadh is Abdul Aziz ibn Ayyaf Al-Miqrin, appointed in 1998. Riyadh has the largest female university in the world, the Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University.. It has been designated as Beta World City.
During the Pre-Islamic era, the settlement at the site was called Hajr (Arabic: حجر), and was reportedly founded by the tribe of Banu Hanifa. Hajr served as the capital of the province of Al Yamamah, whose governors were responsible for most of central and eastern Arabia during the Umayyad and Abbasid eras. Al-Yamamah broke away from the Abbasid Empire in 866 and the area fell under the rule of the Ukhaydhirites, who moved the capital from Hajr to nearby Al Kharj. The city then went into a long period of decline. In the 14th century North African traveller Ibn Battuta wrote of his visit to Hajr, describing it as "the main city of Al-Yamamah, and its name is Hajr". Ibn Battuta goes on to describe it as a city of canals and trees with most of its inhabitants belonging to Bani Hanifa, and reports that he continued on with their leader to Mecca to perform the Hajj.
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Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia (i/ˌsaʊdi əˈreɪbi.ə/ or i/ˌsɔːdiː əˈreɪbi.ə/; Arabic: السعودية as-Su‘ūdīyah[citation needed] or incorrectly as-Sa‘ūdīyah, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arabic: المملكة العربية السعودية al-Mamlakah al-‘Arabīyah as-Su‘ūdīyah Arabic pronunciation (help·info)), is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab world, after Algeria. It is bordered by Jordan, and Iraq on the north and northeast, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on the east, Oman on the southeast, and Yemen on the south. The Red Sea lies to its west, and the Persian Gulf lies to the east. Saudi Arabia has an area of approximately 2,250,000 km2 (870,000 sq mi), and it has an estimated population of 27 million, of which 9 million are registered foreign expatriates and an estimated 2 million are illegal immigrants. Saudi nationals comprise an estimated 16 million people.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded by Abdul-Aziz bin Saud (known for most of his career as Ibn Saud) in 1932, although the conquests which eventually led to the creation of the Kingdom began in 1902 when he captured Riyadh, the ancestral home of his family, the House of Saud, referred to in Arabic as the Al Saud. The Saudi Arabian government, which has been an absolute monarchy since its inception, refers to its system of government as being Islamic, though this is contested by many due to its strong basis in Salafism, a minority school of thought in Islam. The kingdom is sometimes called "The Land of the Two Holy Mosques" in reference to Al-Masjid al-Haram (in Mecca), and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (in Medina), the two holiest places in Islam.
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Seogwipo
Coordinates: 33°15′10″N 126°33′40″E / 33.252816°N 126.561123°E / 33.252816; 126.561123
Seogwipo is a city in Jeju Province, South Korea with population of 155,691 as of December 31, 2011. In July, 2006, Seogwipo city was expanded to include the entire southern half of Jeju island. In 2002, it was one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup. Total budget in 2012 is reported to be KRW 524.6 billion. As one of the World Heritages by UNESCO, it has huge potential to be developed in the third industries including travel one.
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Seoul
Seoul (Korean pronunciation: [sʌ.ul] ( listen), English /soʊl/), officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world. The Seoul National Capital Area is the world's second largest metropolitan area with over 25 million inhabitants, which includes the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province. Almost a quarter of South Koreans live in Seoul, half of South Koreans live in the metropolitan area, along with over 275,000 international residents.
Located in the Han River, Seoul has been a major settlement for over 2,000 years, with its foundation dating back to 18 B.C. when Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, established its capital in what is now south-east Seoul. It continued as the capital of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire. The Seoul National Capital Area is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeokgung, Hwaseong Fortress, Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty.
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South Africa
Coordinates: 30°S 25°E / 30°S 25°E / -30; 25
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is a country located at the southern tip of Africa. It is divided into nine provinces and has 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline. To the north of the country lie the neighbouring territories of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe; to the east are Mozambique and Swaziland; while Lesotho is an enclave surrounded by South African territory.
South Africa is multi-ethnic and has diverse cultures and languages. Eleven official languages are recognised in the constitution. Two of these languages are of European origin: South African English and Afrikaans, a language which originated mainly from Dutch that is spoken by the majority of white and Coloured South Africans. Though English is commonly used in public and commercial life, it is only the fifth most-spoken home language. All ethnic and language groups have political representation in the country's constitutional democracy comprising a parliamentary republic; unlike most parliamentary republics, the positions of head of state and head of government are merged in a parliament-dependent President.
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South Korea
South Korea ( listen), officially the Republic of Korea (Hangul: 대한민국; Hanja: 大韓民國; Daehan Minguk listen), is a sovereign state in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The name "Korea" is derived from Goryeo, a dynasty which ruled in the Middle Ages (an initial "G" in Korean is pronounced like an English "K").
Its neighbors are China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the Korea Strait to the south. South Korea lies in the north temperate zone with a predominantly mountainous terrain. It covers a total area of 99,392 square kilometers and has a population of almost 50 million. The capital and largest city is Seoul, with a population of 9,794,304.
Archaeological findings show that the Korean Peninsula was occupied by the Lower Paleolithic period.Korean history begins with the founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BC by the legendary Dan-gun. Following the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea under Silla 668 AD, Korea went through the Goryeo Dynasty and Joseon Dynasty as one nation until the end of the Korean Empire in 1910, when it was annexed by Japan. After liberation and occupation by Soviet and U.S. forces at the end of World War II, the nation was divided into North and South Korea. The latter was established in 1948 as a democracy, though political turmoil and times of military rule and martial law characterized much of the period until the foundation of the Sixth Republic in 1987.
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Suwon
Suwon (Suwon-si; Korean pronunciation: [suwʌn]) is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety".
Suwon has existed in various forms throughout Korea's history, growing from a small settlement in tribal times to a major industrial and cultural city today. Suwon is the only remaining completely walled city in South Korea. As such, the city walls are one of the more popular tourist destinations in Gyeonggi Province. As an industrial centre, Suwon houses a large Samsung Electronics factory. Suwon is served by two motorways, the national railway network and the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, facilitating transport of commuters, tourists and goods alike.
Suwon is a major educational centre, being home to 14 university campuses. This, along with widespread transport links, draws inhabitants from across the country and foreign population of 1.85%.
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São Paulo
São Paulo (/ˌsaʊ ˈpaʊloʊ/; Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃w ˈpawlu] ( listen); Saint Paul;), popularly known as Sampa, is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and Americas, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among the five largest metropolitan areas on the planet. São Paulo is the capital of the state of São Paulo, which is the most populous Brazilian state, and exerts strong regional influence in commerce and finance as well as arts and entertainment. São Paulo maintains strong international influence and is considered an Alpha- World City. The name of the city honors Saint Paul.
The metropolis has significant cultural, economic and political influence both nationally and internationally. It houses several important monuments, parks and museums such as the Latin American Memorial, the Museum of the Portuguese Language, São Paulo Museum of Art and the Ibirapuera Park. The Paulista Avenue is the most important financial center of São Paulo. The city holds many high profile events, like the São Paulo Art Biennial, the Brazil Grand Prix Formula 1 Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo Fashion Week, ATP Brasil Open, and the São Paulo Indy 300.
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Ukraine
Ukraine (i/juːˈkreɪn/ yew-KRAYN; Ukrainian: Україна, transliterated: Ukrayina, [ukrɑˈjinɑ]; Russian: Украина; Crimean Tatar: Ukraina) is a country in Central and Eastern Europe. Ukraine borders the Russian Federation to the east and northeast, Belarus to the northwest, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to the west, Romania and Moldova to the southwest, and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south and southeast, respectively. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after the Russian Federation.
According to a popular and well established theory, the medieval state of Kievan Rus was established by the Varangians in the 9th century as the first historically recorded East Slavic state which emerged as a powerful nation in the Middle Ages until it disintegrated in the 12th century. By the middle of the 14th century, Ukrainian territories were under the rule of three external powers—the Golden Horde, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Kingdom of Poland. After the Great Northern War (1700–1721) Ukraine was divided between a number of regional powers and, by the 19th century, the largest part of Ukraine was integrated into the Russian Empire with the rest under Austro-Hungarian control. A chaotic period of incessant warfare ensued, with several internationally recognized attempts at independence from 1917 to 1921, following World War I and the Russian Civil War. Ukraine emerged from its own civil war, and on December 30, 1922 Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic became one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian SSR's territory was enlarged westward during the civil war shortly before, and after World War II, and further south in 1954 with the Crimea transfer. In 1945, the Ukrainian SSR became one of the founding members of the United Nations.
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Ulsan
Ulsan (Korean pronunciation: [ul.s͈an]), officially the Ulsan Metropolitan City, is South Korea's seventh largest metropolis with a population of over 1.1 million. It is located in the south-east of the country, neighboring Busan to the south and facing Gyeongju to the north and the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east.
Ulsan is the industrial powerhouse of South Korea, forming the heart of the Ulsan Industrial District, which is home to the world's largest automobile assembly plant operated by the Hyundai Motor Company, the world's largest shipyard operated by Hyundai Heavy Industries and the world's largest[citation needed]oil refinery, owned by SK Energy. In 2008, Ulsan had a GDP per capita of $63,817, the highest by far in South Korea.
Ulsan is divided into 4 gu (districts) and 1 gun (county).
Ulsan is bounded on the east by the Sea of Japan. It is not far from Busan, at only 70 km to the south.
Ulsan has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Koppen Cfa/Cwa), with somewhat cold but dry winters, and hot, humid summers. Monthly means range from 2.0 °C (35.6 °F) in January to 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) in August, with diurnal temperature ranges generally low. Its location on the Korean peninsula results in a seasonal lag, with the warmest days being in August and averaging very near 30 °C (86 °F). Precipitation is relatively low in the winter months, but is made up by the high rainfall falling from April to September.
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Venezuela
Venezuela (i/ˌvɛnɨˈzweɪlə/ VEN-ə-ZWAY-lə), officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish: República Bolivariana de Venezuela [repuˈβlika βoliβaˈɾjana ðe βeneˈswela]), is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south. Its northern coastline of roughly 2,800 kilometres (1,700 mi) includes numerous islands in the Caribbean Sea, and in the north east borders the northern Atlantic Ocean. Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba and the Leeward Antilles lie near the Venezuelan coast. Venezuela's territory covers around 916,445 square kilometres (353,841 sq mi) with an estimated population of 29,105,632. Venezuela is considered a state with extremely high biodiversity, with habitats ranging from the Andes mountains in the west to the Amazon Basin rainforest in the south, via extensive llanos plains and Caribbean coast in the center and the Orinoco River Delta in the east.
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Westfalenstadion
Westfalenstadion is an association football stadium in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the home stadium of the Borussia Dortmund football team playing in the German Bundesliga.
The stadium is officially named Signal Iduna Park under a sponsorship arrangement lasting from December 2005 until 2021, giving naming rights to the Signal Iduna Group, an insurance company. The older name Westfalenstadion derives from the former Prussian province of Westphalia, which is part of the German federal state North Rhine-Westphalia. It is one of the most famous football stadiums in Europe and was elected best football stadium by The Times for its renowned atmosphere.
It has a league capacity of 80,720 (standing and seated) and an international capacity of 65,718 (officially seats only). It is Germany's biggest stadium and the sixth biggest stadium in Europe. The stadium established the European record in average fan attendance in 2004–2005 with a total of 1.354 million fans. The stadium broke this record in the 2011-2012 season with almost 1.37 million spectators. The supporters' enthusiasm increasingly produces over 50,000 sold season tickets. Regularly 24,454 fans on the famous terrace called Südtribüne, fill the largest still existing standing area in European football. Famous for the intense atmosphere it breeds, the south terrace has been nicknamed "Yellow Wall". The Westfalenstadion hosted matches of the 1974 World Cup with Zaire, Scotland, Sweden, Brazil and later finalists Netherlands. It hosted several matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup national teams of Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Togo, Switzerland, Japan, Brazil, Ghana and the subsequent World Cup holders Italy. In the semi-final they were the first to beat Germany in an international match played at Dortmund.
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Yokohama
Yokohama (横浜市, Yokohama-shi?, "Side Shore") ( listen (help·info)) is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu. It is a major commercial hub of the Greater Tokyo Area.
Yokohama's population of 3.7 million makes it Japan's largest incorporated city.
Yokohama developed rapidly as Japan's prominent port city following the end of Japan's relative isolation in the mid-19th century, and is today one of its major ports along with Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya, Hakata, Tokyo, and Chiba.
Yokohama was a small fishing village up to the end of the feudal Edo period, when Japan held a policy of national seclusion, having little contact with foreigners. A major turning point in Japanese history happened in 1853–54, when Commodore Matthew Perry arrived just south of Yokohama with a fleet of American warships, demanding that Japan open several ports for commerce, and the Tokugawa shogunate agreed by signing the Treaty of Peace and Amity.
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Abedi Pele
Abedi Ayew ( /æˈbeɪdɪ/ /æˈjjuː/ a-BAYDI a-YEW), known professionally as Abedi Pele (born 5 November 1964) is a former Ghana International football player and captain. Having been given the nickname "Pelé" in recognition of his superior ability that evoked comparisons to Brazilian great Pelé, he found fame in France's Ligue 1 with Lille OSC and Olympique Marseille.
Three of his sons, Ibrahim, André and Jordan also became Internationals for Ghana, in which Ibrahim and André were selected for the FIFA World Cup 2010.
Abedi Ayew was born into a family in a small village called Kyebi near Dome at the northern outskirts of Accra.
Abedi Pele was one of the pioneers of African football in Europe. One of the first great African players to make an impact on European club football, he played for teams in Switzerland, Germany, Italy and most famously France where he was very instrumental in Marseille's prominence in the European Champions League during the early 1990s. Amongst his international accolades, he was often included in FIFA "All-star" selections and captained the African all-stars in their victory over their European counterparts in the Meridian Cup of 1997.
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Afonso Alves
Afonso Alves Martins Júnior (born 30 January 1981) is a Brazilian footballer who plays for the Qatari club Al Rayyan Sports Club as a striker. He enjoyed the most successful period of his career playing at Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie, where his goal-to-game ratio was higher than a goal a game. This precipitated a club record move to English club Middlesbrough, the transfer completed on the last day of the transfer window in January 2008.
Alves has been capped for Brazil on eight occasions.
Alves was born on 30 January 1981, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil's third biggest city. He was brought up by his mother, Dona Eliade, and has a brother, Alexsander, and sister, Alexandra. His father died when he was nine years old.
Alves started his career with Brazilian side Atlético Mineiro. In 2002 he left Atlético Mineiro for the Swedish club Örgryte from Göteborg. In 2004 he moved to Malmö FF, where he won the Swedish League that year. He stayed for the 2005 season, scoring 14 in 24 games, becoming the club's top-scorer for the second year running when Malmö finished fifth. Alves was at Malmo for the start of the 2006 season, and scored three goals in seven matches.
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Agustín Sauto Arana
Agustín Sauto Arana (May 11, 1908 – August 21, 1986), commonly referred to as Bata, was a Basque footballer who played for Barakaldo CF, Athletic Bilbao, Spain and the Euskal XI. He was born in Barakaldo. Bata helped Athletic win four La Liga and four Copa del Rey title. He was also the Pichichi in the 1930-31 season with 27 goals. He played 118 La Liga games and scored 108 goals. Despite this he only played once for Spain.
Athletic Bilbao
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Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL (born 13 August 1970) is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team. He is considered by some as one of England's best strikers, being both Newcastle's and the Premier League's record goalscorer. After retiring as a player in 2006, Shearer worked as a television pundit for the BBC. In 2009 he briefly left his BBC role to become Newcastle United's manager in the last eight games of their 2008–09 season, in an unsuccessful attempt to save them from relegation.
A native of Newcastle upon Tyne, Shearer made his professional debut with English top-flight club Southampton in 1988, scoring a hat-trick in the process. During several years on the south coast, he became known for his classic style of play, strength and goalscoring ability; he soon received an international call-up along with a transfer to Blackburn Rovers in 1992. Shearer established himself as a player in northern England; he became a regular in the England squad, and his 34-goal tally helped Blackburn secure the Premier League title in 1994–95. He was named Football Writers' Association Player of the Year in 1994 and won the PFA Player of the Year award in 1995. The 1995–96 season saw Shearer make his first Champions League appearances and finish as the top scorer in the Premier League with 31 goals. He was also top scorer at Euro 1996 with England, scoring five goals, and in the 1996–97 Premier League, with 25 goals. He scored 283 league goals in his career, including a record 260 in the Premier League, and a total of 422 in all competitions including international at all levels. Shearer has amassed a goals to game ratio of 0.667 throughout his career at every level.
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Alberto Gilardino
Alberto Gilardino, Ufficiale OMRI (Italian pronunciation: [alˈbɛrto dʒilarˈdino]; born 5 July 1982) is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Genoa and the Italian national team.
In his early career, he was compared to Filippo Inzaghi, and Christian Vieri described him as the fusion of both players. Gilardino currently holds the record for being the youngest player to have scored 100 goals in Serie A.
Gilardino started his career at Piacenza, playing his first match in Serie A in the 1999–2000 season. That first season he made 17 league appearances and scored 3 goals.
"Gila", as he is often nicknamed, was sold to Verona in 2000 in co-ownership, for 7.5 billion Italian lire. Despite his young age, he scored five goals in his two seasons at the club where he made 39 league appearances. But Gilardino was already attracted Verona to sign in full in June 2001, for another 7 billion lire. After Martin Laursen was bought back in June 2001 by Parma, Anthony Šerić was sold to Verona in a co-ownership deal, then Gilardino was also bought by Parma in a co-ownership deal during 2001–02 season and loaned back to Verona.
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Aldair
Aldair, full name Aldair Nascimento dos Santos (born November 30, 1965 in Ilhéus) is a retired Brazilian footballer who was part of the Brazilian national team that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
He spent the most part of his career at Italian club A.S. Roma, who retired his No.6 jersey number when he left the team in 2003.
Aldair started playing at Flamengo where he won the most important title in Brazil, the Campeonato Brasileiro. He moved to Europe in 1989, playing with Benfica and then AS Roma, staying there until 2003 and playing over 400 Serie A matches with the club, which retired his shirt number, 6. He then briefly joined Genoa CFC. On July 2005, Aldair announced plans of playing for Rio Branco Atlético Clube, and play two games, in the estadual championship. Rio Branco was champion in this championship.
In 1994, he reached the pinnacle of his career when he played for the Brazilian squad that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He also played in the 1998 finals. In total, he appeared 81 times for Brazil, scoring three goals.
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Alessandro Del Piero
Alessandro Del Piero (Italian pronunciation: [alesˈsandro del ˈpjɛːro]) Ufficiale OMRI (born 9 November 1974 in Conegliano, Veneto) is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Juventus. He will be a free agent from 30 June 2012. Del Piero was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations. Del Piero was also voted in the list of best European players for the past 50 years in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll. In the year 2000, Del Piero was the world's best-paid football player from salary, bonuses, and advertising revenue.
Along with three awards in Italy for gentlemanly conduct he has also won the Golden Foot award, which pertains to personality and playing ability.http://www.channel4. May com/sport/football_italia/sep3q.html Del Piero usually plays as a supporting-striker and occasionally between the midfield and the strikers, known in Italy as the "trequartista" position. Del Piero's playing style is regarded by critics as creative in attacking, assisting many goals as well as scoring himself, as opposed to just "goal poaching." His free-kick and penalty taking is also highly regarded. Del Piero has become famous over the years for scoring from a special "Del Piero Zone"("Gol alla Del Piero"), approaching from the left flank and curling a precise lob into the far top corner of the goal.
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Alessandro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta, Ufficiale OMRI (born 19 March 1976 in Rome), is an Italian World Cup-winning professional footballer who currently plays for AC Milan. Considered by many as one of the best centre backs to have ever played the game, he is a four-time member of the annual UEFA Team of the Year.
Nesta was raised in the Cinecittà area of Rome. He attended the Margherita Bosco primary school where he first started playing football. His older brother, Fernando, was advised to play a sport because of a back problem and enrolled at the local football club. Alessandro threw a tantrum until his father gave in and enrolled him as well, thus marking the beginning of his career.
Nesta's talent was first discovered by Francesco Rocca, then a scout for Roma, but Nesta's father, a Lazio fan, turned down the offer. In 1985, he joined Lazio's youth academy, where he rose through the ranks playing in various positions, including striker and midfielder, before settling in defence. His international career first showed signs of growth when he played for Italy's under-15 and under-16 sides. He was promoted to Lazio's senior squad in 1993, and first came to the attention of fans for being involved in a training ground accident that broke teammate Paul Gascoigne's leg.
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Alexandre Pato
Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva (born 2 September 1989), commonly known as Alexandre Pato, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Milan and the Brazilian national team. His nickname, Pato, refers to his place of birth, Pato Branco. The literal translation of "pato" from Portuguese to English is "duck," which has evolved into a common nickname for him.
In June 2006, at only 16 years of age, Pato was signed by Sport Club Internacional to compete in the Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20. Despite the fact that he was competing against players up to four years older than he was, Pato became top scorer of the competition as Internacional Sub-20 defeated Grêmio 4–0 in the championship's final match. Ready to join the Inter first team in November that same year, his debut finally happened at the Estádio Palestra Itália against São Paulo team Palmeiras for the Campeonato Brasileiro. Alexandre Pato met and surpassed any and all expectations of what was expected of him as he scored his first professional goal within the first minute of the game. The rest of his participation was spent dribbling and confusing defenders as he made two assists (and almost scoring another himself) to help Internacional rout Palmeiras 4–1. He was substituted off in the 77th minute.
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Alexsandro de Souza
Alexsandro de Souza, (born 14 September 1977 in Curitiba) is a Brazilian footballer and the captain of Turkish club Fenerbahçe. He is a former captain of the Brazilian national team, he has also played for Coritiba, Palmeiras, Flamengo and Cruzeiro in Brazil and Parma in Serie A. Alex first played professionally for Coritiba, a Brazilian football club from the state of Paraná, where he stayed from 1995-97, when he was sold to Palmeiras, from São Paulo. When he was playing for Palmeiras where he became a national star, in Brazil. He conquered for the Parque Antárctica club a Libertadores da América cup title, in 1999, a Rio-São Paulo cup title in 2000 and a Copa do Brasil title and a Mercosul cup title in 1998. He left Palmeiras and signed with Flamengo, of Rio de Janeiro in 2000. His performance for the Gávea team, however, was disappointing. He scored three times in twelve games and had his contract terminated.
In 2000, he returned to Palmeiras for a few months and then signed with Cruzeiro, where he stayed until 2002, when he returned to Palmeiras. After another great season, Alex was sold to Parma, of Italy. There he had a hard time with coach Cesare Prandelli, and eventually returned to Cruzeiro, after playing only five times for the Italian team. At Cruzeiro Alex had the best performance in his career. Made team captain and wearing jersey number 10, he led his team (which also had other remarkable players, such as Deivid, Edu Dracena, Luisão, Maicon, Aristizábal, Zinho, Felipe Melo, Gomes and Cris) to winning the Brazilian triple crown (that is the State Championship, the Brasileirão and the Brazilian Cup). Cruzeiro won the Brazilian League (Brasileirão) with a record breaking 100 points, 13 ahead of the second place, Santos, with more than 100 goals scored in 46 games.
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Alfredo Di Stéfano
Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé(born 4 July 1926 in Barracas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires), born into a family of Italian immigrants from Capri, is a former Argentinian footballer and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He is most associated with Real Madrid and was instrumental in their domination of the European Champions' Cup during the 1950s, a period in which the club won the trophy in five consecutive seasons from 1956. Along with Francisco Gento, he was one of only two players to play a part in all five victories. Di Stéfano played international football mostly for Spain, but he also played for Argentina and Colombia.
Di Stéfano, nicknamed "Saeta rubia" ("blond arrow"), was a powerful forward with great stamina, tactical versatility, and vision, who could also play almost anywhere on the pitch. He is currently the 4th highest scorer in the history of Spain's top division, and Real Madrid's 2nd highest league goalscorer of all time, with 216 goals in 282 league matches between 1953 and 1964.
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Allan Simonsen
Allan Rodenkam Simonsen (born 15 December 1952) is a former Danish footballer and manager. He most prominently played for German team Borussia Mönchengladbach, winning the 1975 and 1979 UEFA Cups, as well as for Barcelona from Spain, winning the 1982 Cup Winners' Cup. Allan Simonsen is the only footballer to have scored in the European Cup, UEFA Cup, and Cup Winners' Cup finals, and he was named 1977 European Footballer of the Year.
For the Denmark national football team, Simonsen was capped 55 times, scoring 20 goals. He represented Denmark at the 1972 Summer Olympics, 1984 European Championship and 1986 World Cup tournaments. He was voted into the Danish Football Hall of Fame in November 2008.
Born in Vejle, Simonsen started playing football with Vejle FC, before he joined the youth team of local top-flight club Vejle BK (VB) in 1963. He made his senior debut for VB on 24 March 1971 in a 3–1 home win against Karlskoga FF. He won the 1971 and 1972 Danish championship with the club, as well as the 1972 Danish Cup to complete The Double. Following an impressive three goals in six matches at the 1972 Summer Olympics, Simonsen moved to Germany to play professionally for defending German Bundesliga champions Borussia Mönchengladbach.
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Ally McCoist
Alistair Murdoch "Ally" McCoist, MBE (/məˈkɔɪst/); 24 September 1962) is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is the manager of Rangers in Scotland.
McCoist began his career with St Johnstone before moving to Sunderland in 1981. He returned to Scotland two years later and signed with Rangers. At Rangers, McCoist became the club's record goalscorer, netting 355 goals. In addition to this McCoist holds the Rangers records for number of league goals scored, number of Scottish League Cup goals scored and the most goals scored by a player in European competitions with 251, 54 and 21 respectively. McCoist is also third in the all-time appearance table for Rangers, having made 581 appearances for the club.
He is second in the Scottish top tier league's all time leading goalscorer having netted 282 times for St. Johnstone, Rangers and Kilmarnock between 1979 and 2001.
Largely thanks to his career at Rangers, McCoist was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of the Scotland Football Hall of Fame, having gained 61 international caps.
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Amancio Amaro
Amancio Amaro Varela, (born 16 October 1939 in A Coruña, Galicia) commonly known simply as Amancio, is a former Spanish football player. Nicknamed El Brujo (The Witch) he played for Deportivo de La Coruña, Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.
Amancio Amaro began his career aged 15 at local side, Victoria Club de Futbol, in the district of Santa Lucia. In the 1958-59 season he joined Deportivo de La Coruña, which at that time was in the Spanish second division. When Deportivo were promoted to first division, Amancio started to call the attention of the scouts for major teams, such as Real Madrid.
The signing of Amancio by Real Madrid almost did not happen; had it not been for Santiago Bernabéu Yeste’s insistence in signing the player, his astronomical signing-fee would have spoiled the negotiations.
Along with the signing of Amancio by Real Madrid in June 1962, players such as Ignacio Zoco, Lucien Muller, and Yanko Daucik also arrived. During this time the team was in a transitional phase, since in earlier years the team had swept the competition both in Spain and outside its borders. Amancio made his debut in European competition opposite Anderlecht (3–3 result in the Santiago Bernabéu); and in the league against Real Betis in Seville with a 5–2 win for Real Madrid.
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Andriy Shevchenko
Andriy Mykolayovych Shevchenko (Ukrainian: Андрі́й Микола́йович Шевче́нко; born 29 September 1976) is a Ukrainian footballer who currently plays as a striker for Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukraine national team. He is the third-highest scorer in the history of European club competition with 67 goals as of 10 March 2011, behind Ruud van Nistelrooy and Raúl. With 175 goals scored with Milan, Shevchenko is the second most prolific player in the history of the club, and is also the all-time top scorer of the Derby della Madonnina (derby between Milan and their local rivals Internazionale) with 14 goals, as well as for the Ukrainian national team with 46 goals.
Shevchenko's career has been highlighted by many awards, the most prestigious of which was the Ballon d'Or in 2004 (becoming the third Ukrainian, after Oleg Blokhin and Igor Belanov, to receive it). He won the UEFA Champions League in 2003 with Milan, and he has also won various league and cup titles in Ukraine, Italy, and England.
In his illustrious international career, the striker led Ukraine as captain to the quarter-finals in their first ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2006. He is capable of playing centre-forward or attacking from the left wing and is effective with set-pieces and penalties.
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André Cruz
André Alves da Cruz, (born September 20, 1968 in Piracicaba) is a retired footballer from Brazil. He played central defender with Flamengo, A.C. Milan, Standard Liège, Sporting Clube de Portugal and the Brazilian national team. He played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
André Cruz had 47 caps (12 non-official) with the Brazilian national team. He was a member of the Football World Cup 1998 squad.
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André Luiz Moreira
André Luiz Moreira (born November 14, 1974 in São Paulo) is a Brazilian footballer who most recently played for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.
André Luiz began his career in 1993, and played in Brazil for clubs including São Paulo, Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Fluminense. He relocated to Europe 2001 and subsequently played in Spain for Tenerife, and in France for Olympique de Marseille, Paris Saint-Germain FC and AC Ajaccio.
He won the CONMEBOL Supercup, Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 1993, two Recopa in 1993 and 1994, and São Paulo State Championship in 1997.
André Luiz signed with San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer on July 31, 2009. He stayed with the club through the 2011 season. At season's end, San Jose declined his 2012 contract option and he entered the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Luiz was not selected in the draft and became a free agent.
André Luiz has played 19 matches and scored two goals for the Brazilian team. He won bronze medal at 1996 Summer Olympics.
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Antonio Di Natale
Antonio Di Natale (Italian pronunciation: [anˈtɔnjo dinaˈtale]) (born 13 October 1977) is an Italian footballer who plays for Serie A club Udinese.
A versatile striker with a lethal eye for goal, Di Natale can play anywhere in the front line, as a lone striker or out wide in an attacking trident. He is notable for his dribbling skills, pace and for his ability to score and create goals. Di Natale earned the prestigious award of being the Serie A 'Capocannoniere' for the 2009/10 season, as well as the 2010/11 season.
Though born in Naples, Antonio Di Natale moved up north and joined Empoli's youth system. He impressed while playing for the Tuscany side in Serie A.
After having joined Udinese in the 2004–05 Serie A season, Di Natale partnered with Vincenzo Iaquinta and David Di Michele in attack, and the Friulian club finished 4th place at the end of the season and qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the following year. Di Natale finished his debut season with a record of 33 games and seven goals.
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Antônio Carlos Zago
Antônio Carlos Zago, widely known as "Antônio Carlos" or "A.C.Zago", (born March 14, 1969 in Presidente Prudente) is a former Brazilian footballer and current coach.
Born in Presidente Prudente, a city of the state of São Paulo, also having Italian origins, began professional football in São Paulo FC, where he remained for three years and then signed to Albacete Balompié, Spain, where he stayed for only one season. He returned to his homeland, this time to Palmeiras, another team of São Paulo and a rival to his previous Brazilian team. After three years emigrated again, this time in Japan, Kashiwa Reysol, where once again remained for only one year before returning to play again in São Paulo, but this time at Corinthians, being one of the few players who have played in all the three biggest teams of the city and arch rivals as well.
In January 1998 Zago moved to Rome, wanted by Zdenek Zeman to reinforce the defence line. In his game debut, 11 February 1998 (Lecce-Roma) was expelled after a few minutes of play, but with the club giallorossi improved his quality and skill, so that in 1999 he recalled to his National Assembly. At Rome Zago remained five years and was also part of the training sample of Italy in 2001, a fact which remains an idol to the public romanista, who called him Terminator. That year Zago formed a rocky defence well supported by his compatriot Aldair and Argentinian Walter Samuel as well.
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Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɑrjən ˈrɔbə(n)]; born 23 January 1984) is a Dutch footballer who plays for the German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Though often classified as a forward, he usually plays behind the forwards (inside position) as a winger, and he is also known for his dribbling skills, speed, crossing ability and his accurate long-range shot. He is also a part of the Netherlands national team and has appeared at Euro 2004, the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008 and at the 2010 World Cup.
Robben first came to prominence with Groningen, for whom he was player of the year for the 2000–01 Eredivisie season. Two years later he signed for PSV, where he became the Netherlands' Young Player of the Year and won an Eredivisie title. The following season Robben's signature was pursued by leading English clubs, and after protracted transfer negotiations he joined Chelsea in the 2004 close season.
Robben's Chelsea debut was delayed through injury, but upon returning to fitness he helped Chelsea to consecutive Premier League titles, and was the FA Premier League Player of the Month in November 2005. After a third season in England which was punctuated by injury, Robben moved to Spanish club Real Madrid for €35 million. In August 2009, Robben transferred to Bayern Munich for a fee of around €25 million, scoring two goals on his debut. In his first season in Munich, Bayern won the league title, Robben's fifth league title in eight years, and got to the Champions League final. After his first season with the Bavarian club, the player was also named Footballer of the Year in Germany.
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Arsen Avetisyan
Arsen Avetisyan (Armenian: Արսեն Ավետիսյան, born 8 October 1973 in Yerevan) is an Armenian footballer. He currently plays for Gandzasar. He is a former member of the Armenian national team.
Avetisyan has played for numerous clubs during his career. In 2006, he returned to Armenia to play for his former club Pyunik and became the main forward for the team. In 2008, he transferred to Kapan to play for Gandzasar after his contract with Pyunik had expired.
Avetisyan made his debut for Armenian national team in 1992, gaining 25 caps and scoring one goal. He announced his retirement from international football in 1998.
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Bas Dost
Bas Dost (born 31 May 1989 in Deventer) is a Dutch footballer who currently plays as a striker for Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg.
Dost's first club was Germanicus, where he spent his youth career. After a few seasons, FC Emmen took Dost into their youth academy.
Dost showed his potential at Emmen and the club offered him a contract before the start of the 2007/08 season, during which he played for the main squad. He started as on the bench, but later on in the season he was given more time to play. At one point he was just about to move to Finland, to RoPS as Emmen's former technical director Tom Saintfiet was coaching there. The move was turned down by RoPS's management. Dost scored his first goal for Emmen on 8 February 2008 in the game against Fortuna Sittard. Among later goals, the most notable were a hat trick in the Derby match against BV Veendam, which Emmen won 3–2.
Dost moved to Heracles Almelo in the summer of 2008, for a transfer fee of more than €300,000. Dost showed his potential and was considered one of the Eredivisie's greatest talents. After this succesful season there were many rumours that Dost would be transferred to Ajax. These rumours wouldn't come true because he signed for SC Heerenveen on the 4th of February 2010 on his agent Srinjoy von Chakravarty's advice.
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Bebeto
José Roberto Gama de Oliveira, known as 'Bebeto', (born February 16, 1964 in Salvador, Brazil) is a former football forward, a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup. In the 2010 Brazilian General Elections he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro representing the Democratic Labour Party.
Bebeto started his career in 1983 with Vitória and would go on to play for Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Cruzeiro and Botafogo in Brazil, Deportivo La Coruña and Sevilla in Spain, Toros Neza in Mexico, Kashima Antlers in Japan, and Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, finally retiring in 2002.
For Brazil, Bebeto scored 39 goals in 75 caps after making his debut in 1985. He played in three World Cups: 1990, 1994, and 1998. In 1994, he was one of the best players of the tournament, scoring three goals for the eventual champions, and then repeated the feat four years later as Brazil finished second.
Bebeto became a household name for his goal celebration in the 1994 World Cup. His wife had delivered their third child just days before a quarter-final match against Holland. After the striker pumped the go-ahead goal into the back of the net Bebeto ran to the sideline, brought his arms together and began rocking an imaginary baby. Teammates Romário and Mazinho quickly joined in. That child, a boy who was named Matheus, now plays with the youth side of Brazilian club Flamengo.
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Bernd Schuster
Bernhard Schuster (born 22 December 1959 in Augsburg) is a German football manager and former player. His nickname is "der Blonde Engel" (the Blond Angel).
Schuster started his professional career with 1. FC Köln at age 18 in 1978 after a number of promising performances with the West German Under-18 National team. Schuster left Köln after the 1980 European campaign to sign with Spain's FC Barcelona, where he flourished. During his career, he played for clubs Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. At his final team, the Mexican side Pumas de la UNAüM he appeared in ten matches in spring 1997.
Schuster was an important part of the FC Barcelona team during the 1980s, leading the game from midfield and scoring many goals. His club president Josep Lluís Núñez and some trainers like Helenio Herrera, Udo Lattek, Terry Venables and Luis Aragonés had difficult relations with him. He won, however, the European Silver Ball in 1980 and Bronze Ball in 1981 and 1985. At age 21, in 1981, he received a bad injury on his right knee by Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni Goikoetxea.
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Björn Vleminckx
Björn Vleminckx (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbjʏrn ˈvleː.mɪŋks]) (born 1 December 1985 in Boom, Antwerp) is a Belgian footballer currently playing for Club Brugge and the Belgian national team.
Vleminckx began his career with Beveren and joined in July 2005 to Oostende, after just one year left the club to sign with KV Mechelen. On 6 June 2009 N.E.C. bought the 23-year-old striker of KV Mechelen for €1,8 million, he signed a four-year contract until July 2013.
Vleminckx was the top goalscorer in the Eredivisie during the 2010-11 season, with 23 goals.
On 25 March 2011, Vleminckx signed a contract starting from June 2011 at Club Brugge. Brugge paid €3,3 million to NEC as transfer sum.
As of 15 December 2011
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Bobby Charlton
Sir Robert "Bobby" Charlton CBE (born 11 October 1937 in Ashington, Northumberland) is an English former professional football player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. A member of the England team who won the World Cup and Ballon d'Or for European Footballer of the Year in 1966. He played almost all of his club football at Manchester United, where he became renowned for his attacking instincts and passing abilities from midfield and his ferocious long-range shot. He was also well known for his fitness and stamina, allowing him to dominate the pitch. His elder brother Jack, who was also in the World Cup-winning team, is an ex-defender for Leeds United and manager.
He began to play for Manchester United's first team in 1956, and over the next two seasons gained a regular place in the team, during which time he survived the Munich air disaster of 1958 after being rescued by Harry Gregg. After helping United to win the Football League in 1965, he won a World Cup medal with England in 1966 and another Football League title with United the following year. In 1968, he captained the Manchester United team that won the European Cup, scoring two goals in the final to help his team be the first English side to win the competition. He has scored more goals for England and United than any other player. Charlton held the record for most appearances for Manchester United (758), but this was surpassed by Ryan Giggs on 21 May 2008 (the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final). Charlton also held the club record for most league appearances (606) until this too was overtaken by Ryan Giggs on 6 March 2011.
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Brazilian people
Brazilians (brasileiros in Portuguese) are all people born in Brazil. A Brazilian can be also a person born abroad to a Brazilian parent or a foreigner living in Brazil who applied for Brazilian citizenship.
According to the Constitution of Brazil, a Brazilian citizen is:
According to the Constitution, all people who hold Brazilian citizenship are equal, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or religion.
A foreigner can apply for Brazilian citizenship after living for 4 (four) uninterrupted years in Brazil and being able to speak Portuguese. A native person from an official Portuguese language country (Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea Bissau and East Timor) can request the Brazilian nationality after only 1 uninterrupted year living in Brazil. A foreign born person who holds Brazilian citizenship has exactly the same rights and duties of the Brazilian citizen by birth, but cannot occupy some special public positions such as the Presidency of the Republic, Vice-presidency of the Republic, Minister (Secretary) of Defense, Presidency (Speaker) of the Senate, Presidency (Speaker) of the House of Representatives, Officer of the Armed Forces and Diplomat.
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Brian Laudrup
Brian Laudrup (born 22 February 1969) is a Danish former football player and current football commentator, pundit and analyst on TV3+. Along with former international goalkeeper Lars Høgh, Laudrup manages a football academy for marginalized youth. He is widely regarded alongside his brother, Michael, as one of the greatest Danish football players in history.
During his playing career, Laudrup represented a number of European clubs. He started with Danish club Brøndby, winning two Danish championships in the late 1980s. He then played for German and Italian clubs, winning the 1994 Serie A as well as the 1994 UEFA Champions League title with AC Milan. He was a vital part of the Rangers team which dominated the Scottish Premier League in the 1990s, winning three championships among others. He won the 1998 UEFA Super Cup with English club Chelsea, had a brief stint with FC Copenhagen in Denmark, before ending his career with Dutch club Ajax in 2000. He played 82 games and scored 21 goals for the Danish national team, and was a vital part of the Danish teams who won the Euro 1992 and 1995 Intercontinental Cup tournaments.
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Cafu
Marcos Evangelista de Moraes (born 7 June 1970), better known as Cafu, is a former Brazilian footballer. He is the most internationally capped male Brazilian player and also made history playing for São Paulo, Roma and Milan. He is the only player ever to have appeared in three World Cup finals, having won two, 1994 and 2002.
Cafu was named by Pelé as one of the 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004. He is best known for his tireless overlapping runs.
One of six children, Cafu was raised in the Jardim Irene favela of São Paulo. He was an average student as he soon discovered his love for football and preferred playing over studying. At the age of seven, he was able to attend a football academy and soon moved up to the junior sides of Nacional-SP, Portuguesa and Itaquaquecetuba. He also played futsal for two years.
In the early 1980s, he could not get his foot in the door as he was rejected from the youth squads of Corinthians, Palmeiras, Santos, Atlético Mineiro, and Portuguesa. It was not until 1988 that he made the youth squad of hometown club São Paulo, and subsequently won the Copa São Paulo youth tournament that year, but he warmed the bench the next season as São Paulo won the 1989 Campeonato Paulista.
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Carles Rexach
Carles Rexach i Cerdà (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈkarɫəz rəˈʃak]) (born 13 January 1947 in Pedralbes, Barcelona, Catalonia), also referred to as Charly Rexach, is a former Spanish Catalan footballer and manager. He has spent the majority of his career at FC Barcelona. Rexach first joined the club as a junior player when he was 12. He was a player at the club for 22 years and then worked for them as a scout, coach and manager for another 22 years. Rexach formed a successful partnership with Johan Cruyff, both on and off the field. As players they helped FC Barcelona win La Liga in 1974, the club's first win in 14 years. He also served as assistant coach to Cruyff during the Dream Team era between 1988 and 1996. Rexach also served as caretaker manager of the club on three occasions before he was appointed manager in 2001.
Rexach made his senior debut for FC Barcelona in 1965 in a Copa del Generalísimo game against Racing de Santander and scored the fourth goal in a 4–0 win. Between 1965 and 1967 he also played for CD Condal, the reserve team. In 1971 he shared the Pichichi Trophy with Atlético's Gárate, scoring 17 goals in 29 games.
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Carlos Germano
Carlos Germano Schwambach Neto (born 14 August 1970), better known as Carlos Germano, is a former Brazilian footballer who played goalkeeper.
He was a member of the Brazilian squad for France 98 World Cup.
He began his football career in 1985 in his native town, and was discovered by Vasco's manager who proposed that he join the youth team for a test. In the same year he became the first choice goalkeeper for the youth side.
When Vasco's senior goalkeeper Acácio left the club, Carlos Germano became the number 1 immediately. He went to receive all of the club honors and was chosen top goalkeeper of the Brazilian Championship in 1997.
In 1999 he had some disagreements with Vasco's chairman and left the club. He signed with Santos FC in 2000 for four years, but one year later the club couldn't pay the total amount of the contract and he obtained the right to a free transfer, moving to Portuguesa-SP. From then on, he signed one year contracts with different clubs, including his first club (Vasco), until he signed with FC Penafiel (Portuguese side at the time in the second division) in 2005.
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Carlos Ruiz Herrero
Carlos Ruiz Herrero (born 7 June 1948 in Bilbao, Biscay) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a forward.
Ruiz played during 11 seasons with Athletic Bilbao (plus one in the reserve team), having been signed in 1969 from Basque neighbours CD Getxo. On 12 September 1970, he made his debut for the first team, playing the dying minutes of the 1–1 home draw against FC Barcelona.
In the following years, Ruiz continued to be used regularly by Athletic, although he was not always an undisputed starter. In the 1974–75 season, however, he netted a career-best 19 goals in 32 matches (winning the Pichichi Trophy in the process), for a 10th place in La Liga. On 18 May 1977, he scored the 2–1 at home against Juventus FC in the season's UEFA Cup final (netting a total of five during the side's continental run), but the Italians won it on the away goals rule.
Ruiz still enjoyed two seasons in double digits until he left Athletic (namely 1977–78, with 16 goals), but also dealt with several injuries. He eventually retired from the game in the 1982 summer at the age of 34, after one season with RCD Español. He amassed league totals of 233 games and 83 goals, always in the top division.
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Cas Janssens
Frans Cas Janssens (born August 3, 1944 in Tilburg) is a former Dutch football player.
In 1973 he shared the first place on the list of top scorers with 18 goals together with Willy Brokamp.
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Cayetano Ré
Cayetano Ré Ramírez is a former Paraguayan footballer striker and coach who was born in Asunción, on 7 February 1938. He is famous for being one of the first professional footballers to be open about having Asperger syndrome.
Ré began his career in Asunción, playing for clubs like Cerro Porteño and Club Guaraní before signing for Spanish side Elche CF in 1959. After three seasons with Elche, Ré was signed by FC Barcelona where he spent the best years of his career, especially in the 1964-1965 season in which he scored 26 goals and won the Pichichi Trophy (awarded to the top scorer of the league). After playing for four years in Barcelona (where he scored 90 goals in total) he moved to RCD Espanyol.
Ré also played for the Paraguayan national football team (25 caps), most importantly in the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
After retiring from football, Re became a football coach. His best coaching job was leading the Paraguay national football team to the knock-out stage in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
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Cesc Fàbregas
Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas Soler (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈsɛsk ˈfaβɾəɣəs]; born 4 May 1987) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona.
Fàbregas started his career as a trainee with Barcelona but was signed by Premier League side Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16. Following injuries to key midfielders in the 2004–05 season, he went on to establish himself as Arsenal's starting central midfielder, playmaker, and captain. He broke several of the club's records in the process, earning a reputation as one of the best young players for his position. In 2011, he returned to Barcelona for an initial fee of £29m (€34m) with a further £4m (€5m) in variables.
In international football, the Spaniard's national career began when he represented the Under-17 side at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Finland. As a result of his club performances, he was called up to the senior squad in 2006. He has played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008 and 2010 FIFA World Cup, helping Spain to become eventual winners in the two most recent tournaments.
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Christian Panucci
Christian Panucci (Italian pronunciation: [ˈkristjan paˈnuttʃi]; born 12 April 1973) is a retired Italian footballer. He was a member of the Italian national team. Panucci was a right back, but also played as a centre back.
Panucci started playing with Genoa in 1990 and then moved to Milan in July 1993. Panucci later moved to Real Madrid (becoming the first Italian to play for the Spanish club), Internazionale, Chelsea (on loan, scoring once in the UEFA Cup against St Gallen), and AS Monaco before moving to Roma in 2001. He won the Champions League with both Milan and Madrid. In those two stops, as well as Roma, he was coached by Fabio Capello.
After a great deal of travelling throughout his career, Panucci finally settled at Roma. He joined the Roman club in the 2001–02 campaign, the year after the Giallorossi won the national title. He went on to become a key player and one of the leaders of the club. In July 2002, he was signed permanently for €9.81 million.
Panucci, a reliable leader both on and off the field, has often taken the responsibility to speak for the team in moments of difficulty, as seen after Roma's shock elimination from the Champions League in 2007. In January 2009, Panucci was dropped from Roma's first team squad after refusing to sit on the bench for a league match against Napoli and was later also excluded from the Champions League squad list. He then announced his intention to leave Roma, but no serious bidder was found in the January transfer window and he ultimately stayed, returning to the first team on 28 February after he apologised to his fellow players and the club management. He was sent off in the second Derby della Capitale of the 2008-09 season after a heated on-pitch clash with Lazio player Stephan Lichtsteiner following his hard challenge on the Swiss defender. His contract with Roma ended on 30 June 2009, which he had signed in October 2005.
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Christian Vieri
Christian Vieri (born 12 July 1973 in Bologna) is a retired Italian footballer who played as a centre forward.
Vieri was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations. For a number of years he was regarded as one of the finest strikers in Europe, leading to him becoming the world's most expensive footballer in 1999 when Internazionale paid Lazio £32 million for his services. This record has since been broken only a handful of times.
Somewhat of a footballing nomad, Vieri played for no fewer than 12 clubs throughout his career. Most notable were his spells at Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Lazio and Inter; with the latter he hit the net on more than 100 occasions. Vieri has often been described as an old fashioned centre forward, due to his physical presence and outstanding aerial ability, he is the all time top scorer of headed goals in Italian league history.
As well as picking up several winners medals during his career, Vieri also claimed many individual honours including the Pichichi and Capocannoniere (top scorer) titles in Spain and Italy and Italian Footballer of the Year twice. He is one of Italy's highest ever World Cup scorers with 9 goals from 9 matches at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups respectively.
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Christoph Metzelder
Christoph Tobias Metzelder (born 5 November 1980 in Haltern, North Rhine-Westphalia) is a German footballer who plays for FC Schalke 04 as a central defender.
Most of his professional career, which was spent mostly at Borussia Dortmund, was blighted by injuries. He did manage, however, to collect nearly 50 caps for the German national team, appearing with it at two FIFA World Cups.
In the summer of 2000, Metzelder signed by Borussia Dortmund from lowly SC Preußen Münster, and he was an instant success. At the end of his first season in the Bundesliga, he won his first cap for Germany, playing the second half of a 5–2 friendly win in Hungary, on 15 August 2001.
The second season at Dortmund brought him the 2002 national title, and 14 matches with Germany, all the way to the 2002 FIFA World Cup final with Germany. However, he missed the entire 2003–04 season due to an Achilles tendon injury, and only took part in 16 league contests in the following campaign.
After over two years out of the national squad, Metzelder was called by new boss Jürgen Klinsmann for a friendly with China, in October 2005. He also netted his first two league goals, in 1–1 draws against 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Hamburger SV, and would be Germany's undisputed starter at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, partnering with SV Werder Bremen's Per Mertesacker.
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Cicinho
Cícero João de Cézare, nicknamed Cicinho, (Portuguese pronunciation: [siˈsĩɲu]; (born 24 June 1980) in Pradópolis, São Paulo, Brazil), is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Roma.
Currently married to longtime girlfriend, Reem Borriello; the two have one son, Heitor. He also holds Italian nationality and therefore did not occupy a slot in the non-EU quota during his tenure at Real Madrid.
In 2005, he won the Club World Cup while playing for São Paulo. After that, he joined Real Madrid.
In the 2006–07 season, Cicinho suffered an extensive injury to his ACL and missed over six months. His comeback, to not only the pitch, but also the starting lineup, was marked on Sunday, 29 April 2007, against Athletic Bilbao. He assisted Ruud van Nistelrooy's first goal with a cross, and played a part in van Nistelrooy's second goal as well. Real Madrid went on to win the game 4–1.
In the 2007–08 pre-season, the full back received less playing time at Real Madrid under new coach Bernd Schuster. Michel Salgado and Sergio Ramos were used on the right during most of Real's pre-season, and Cicinho therefore requested a transfer to the Italian capital club who had been following him for some time.
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Clarence Seedorf
Clarence Clyde Seedorf OON (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈklɛ.rəns ˈseɪ̯.dɔrf], born 1 April 1976 in Paramaribo, Suriname) is a Dutch professional footballer who is currently a free agent. Seedorf is the first player to have won the Champions League four times and with three different clubs – Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998 and Milan in 2003 and 2007.
Seedorf started his career as a right midfielder for Ajax during the early 1990s. He made his professional debut on 29 November 1992 against Groningen at the age of 16 years and 242 days, making him the youngest debutant for Ajax ever. In his early career, he played a role in Ajax's Eredivisie winning years of 1994 and 1995. He was also a key member during Ajax's 1995 UEFA Champions League winning campaign. After making his name in the Ajax side, Seedorf had one season with Sampdoria, scoring three goals.
Seedorf moved to Real Madrid in 1996, where he was "virtually ever present in the Blancos team for the first three seasons". In his first season he helped that team regain the La Liga title; in his second season (1997–1998), he played a major role in the team's Champions League success, as Real Madrid secured a 1–0 victory over Juventus in the final. It was the second Champions League title of his career.
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Cláudio Taffarel
Cláudio André Mergen Taffarel (born 8 May 1966 in Santa Rosa, Rio Grande do Sul) is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is of German and Italian descent.
During an 18-year career, he played professionally for five clubs, namely Parma, Atlético Mineiro and Galatasaray.
The recipient of more than 100 caps for Brazil, Taffarel helped the national team win the 1994 World Cup, also appearing in other eight major international tournaments over the course of one full decade.
Taffarel started playing for Sport Club Internacional, but only appeared in a maximum of 50 top division games during his five-year spell, being however awarded the Silver Ball award for the 1988 season. In 1990, he moved abroad and joined Parma A.C. in Italy, freshly promoted to Serie A for the first time in the club's history; he proceeded to appear in all 34 league games in the following season as the Emilia-Romagna outfit overachieved for a final sixth position and qualified to the UEFA Cup.
In 1993 Taffarel, already only a backup at Parma, signed for fellow top-divisioner A.C. Reggiana 1919, being first-choice as the club narrowly avoided relegation. After that season, he returned to his country and played three seasons with Clube Atlético Mineiro.
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Coen Dillen
Coenraad Henrik Dillen (5 October 1926 – 24 July 1990) was a Dutch footballer who played for Brabantia, PSV and Helmondia '55, as well as the Dutch national side. After retiring from playing he spent a two year spell as manager of amateur side RKSV Nuenen.
His goal tally of 43 in the 1956/57 season remains the highest score by an individual in the Eredivisie. He scored twenty goals in a nine-match period between 27 January and 31 March 1957.
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro,OIH, (born 5 February 1985), commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team. Ronaldo became the most expensive footballer in history after moving from Manchester United to Real Madrid in a transfer worth £80 million (€93.9 million/$131.6 million). In addition, his contract with Real Madrid, in which he is paid €12 million per year, makes him one of the highest-paid footballers in the world, and his buyout clause is valued at €1 billion as per his contract.
Ronaldo began his career as a youth player for Andorinha, where he played for two years, before moving to C.D. Nacional. In 1997, he made a move to Portuguese giants Sporting Clube de Portugal. Ronaldo's precocious talent caught the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who signed him for £12.24 million (€15 million) in 2003. The following season, Ronaldo won his first club honour, the FA Cup. He also played at Euro 2004 with Portugal and scored his first international goal in the opening game of the tournament against Greece, in addition to helping Portugal reach the final. He was featured in the UEFA Euro All-Star Team of this competition.
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César Belli
César Augusto Belli Michelon (born 16 November 1975 in Bebedouro) is a former Brazilian footballer Defender.
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César Sampaio
Carlos César Sampaio Campos, (born 31 March 1968 in São Paulo) is a Brazilian former footballer, and is the current Football Director of Palmeiras, where he played from 1991 to 1994 and from 1999 to 2000. He retired as a player in 2004.
César Sampaio is one of the few players who played for the 4 major clubs from São Paulo (Santos, Palmeiras, Corinthians and São Paulo) and one of the greatest idols from Palmeiras' history.
He won the Bola de Ouro (Brazilian Golden Ball award) twice, in 1990 and 1993, and joined the Brazil national football team during the Copa América in 1993, but was not part of the team during the FIFA World Cup finals in neither 1990 nor 1994.
He was later also part of the Brazilian squad that won both the Copa América and FIFA Confederations Cup in 1997, and played for Brazil at the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals, where he made six appearances in the team's run to the final, which they lost to the hosts of the tournament, France. At the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals, he became remembered for scoring the first goal of the entire tournament in the 4th minute of Brazil's opening match against Scotland. He also scored a brace in Brazil's 4–1 victory against Chile in the round of 16 during the same tournament.
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Daniel Güiza
Daniel González Güiza (Spanish pronunciation: [daˈnjel ˈɣwiθa]; born 17 August 1980) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Getafe CF in La Liga, as a striker.
A late bloomer, he made a name for himself at the age of 27, being crowned La Liga topscorer with Mallorca. Subsequently, he helped the Spanish national team win the Euro 2008, and signed with Fenerbahçe in Turkey shortly afterwards.
Having started playing on the streets of his hometown of Jerez de la Frontera in Cádiz, Güiza used to hide behind trees in an attempt to avoid the running, despite being then coached by boyhood idol Kiko, who begun his professional career with local Cádiz CF. He eventually made it into his local team, Xerez CD and, after one season there, first showed his eye for goal at third-tier side Dos Hermanas CF, loaned immediately after RCD Mallorca bought him. Such performances saw him make his debut in La Liga at the age of 19, but he would fail to perform, being demoted to the B team where he scored 28 goals in 70 games.
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Daniel Passarella
Daniel Alberto Passarella (born 25 May 1953 in Chacabuco, Buenos Aires province) is a former Argentine football centre back and former manager of the Argentine and Uruguayan national football teams. He was captain of the Argentina team that won the 1978 World Cup. He is the current President of River Plate after winning the elections by a very close margin in December 2009.
Passarella started his career at Sarmiento of Junin, Buenos Aires province. From there he joined River Plate, then Fiorentina of Italy and briefly, Internazionale. After his successful spell in the Serie A, he returned to River Plate, where he played until his retirement.
He was called "El Gran Capitán" (the Great Captain, nickname of Argentine Independence heroe José de San Martín) or "El Kaiser" (an allusion to Franz Beckenbauer) because of his leadership ability, his passion, and his organisational prowess on the field. He was a defender who often joined the attack, and helped generate and finish offensive plays. At some point, he became football's top scoring defender, with 134 goals in 451 matches (that record was since broken by Dutch defender Ronald Koeman).
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Danny Jordaan
Daniel Alexander "Danny" Jordaan (born September 3, 1951) is a South African sports administrator as well as a former lecturer, politician and anti-apartheid activist. He led South Africa's successful 2010 FIFA World Cup bid, the first successful one for Africa. He also led their unsuccessful bid four years earlier for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was also the Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
He has served FIFA in numerous capacities, including, as a General Co-ordinator for the Youth World Cup (now FIFA U-20 World Cup), 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan. He was also a match commissioner for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and a member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee. He served on the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Organising Committee.
As well as his involvement in football, Jordaan is also a member of the International Marketing Council.
Danny Jordaan was born in Port Elizabeth, a city on the southeast coast of South Africa to Maxine and Alexandre Jordaan. He became involved in anti-apartheid activities by joining the South African Students' Organisation (SASO) in the early 1970s, an organisation founded by Steve Biko in order to defend the rights of black students. Later, Jordaan also became a member of the United Democratic Front and the African National Congress (ANC).
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Danrlei
Danrlei de Deus Hinterholz, or just Danrlei (born 18 April 1973 in Crissiumal) is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
He made his debut for the Brazilian national team against Honduras in March 1995, and played three additional games during the run-up to the 1996 Olympic Games. He did not appear in any Olympic matches. He won many titles with Grêmio, most notably the Copa Libertadores in 1995.
Danrlei was injured in a bus accident on 16 January 2009. The bus plunged off a 130-foot ravine while travelling back from a game. Uruguayan footballer Claudio Milar died in the accident.
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Darko Pančev
Darko Pančev (Macedonian: Дарко Панчев [ˈdarkɔ ˈpantʃɛf] ( listen); born 7 September 1965 in Skopje) is a retired Yugoslav and Macedonian footballer, and winner of the Golden Boot award in 1991.
Pančev was the highest scorer in top-division European football in the 1990–91 season with 34 goals, and should have won the European Golden Boot award. However, UEFA decided to make the competition unofficial for the season because of suspect scoring sprees in Cyprus. Pančev did not get the prize at the time, but received it fifteen years later on 3 August 2006 in Skopje. The Golden Boot was presented at a special gala by Michel Platini, Dragan Stojković and Dragan Džajić.
His playing career started in 1982 at Vardar Skopje where he quickly developed into one of the most feared strikers in the Yugoslav First League, becoming league top scorer in the 1983-84 season. The skill and seeming ease of his goal scoring exploits in Skopje made him a target for bigger Yugoslav clubs.
During summer 1988, Pančev was snapped up by Red Star Belgrade, which beat cross-town rivals FK Partizan to the twenty-two-year-old's signature. Another talented youngester Dejan Savićević also arrived to the club during the same transfer window, but both promptly got sent to serve the mandatory Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) stint that kept them off the pitch for the entire league season.
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David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE (born 2 May 1975) is an English association footballer who plays for Los Angeles Galaxy. He has played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, Milan, and the England national team for which he holds the appearance record for an outfield player.
Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17. During his time there, United won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, where he remained for four seasons, clinching the La Liga championship in his final season with the club. In January 2007, it was announced that Beckham would leave Real Madrid for the Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy, signing a five-year contract with them on 1 July 2007. While a Galaxy player, he spent two loan spells in Italy with Milan in 2009 and 2010. On 20 November 2011, he joined an elite group of players to have won three league titles in three different countries, when Los Angeles won their third MLS Cup.
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David Suazo
Óscar David Suazo Velázquez (born 5 November 1979 in San Pedro Sula) is a Honduran football striker who currently plays for Calcio Catania in the Italian Serie A. He is also a member of the Honduran national team.
In his early career, Suazo developed alongside his cousin, Maynor Suazo, who now also plays for the Honduran national football team. Suazo took his first steps at Olimpia Reservas and later went on to play at the Liga Bancaria. After his participation in 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship held at Nigeria, he was acquired by domestic club team Olimpia. Suazo continued to impress playing for Olimpia's youth system under the coaching of Angel Ramon Paz (Mon Paz) and earned a spot on the top squad before turning 20 years old.
Oscar Tabarez, when coach of the Italian side Cagliari Calcio, was impressed by Suazo's performance and did not hesitate in bringing him across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. Suazo officially joined Cagliari ahead of the 1999–20000 Serie A season. In his first season with the team, he scored one goal in 13 league appearances, and at the end of the 1999–00 season, Cagliari were relegated to Serie B, where they would remain until the 2003–04 season. In four years in Serie B, Suazo played 113 matches and scored 40 goals for the club. His scoring efficiency was impressive enough for him to earn the nickname La Pantera (the Panther). Suazo's time in Serie B provided him with great experience which would help ease his transition into more difficult competition at the top of the Italian Lega Calcio.
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David Trezeguet
David Sergio Trezeguet (French pronunciation: [david sɛʀʒjo tʀezeˈɡɛ]) (born 15 October 1977) is a World Cup winning French-Argentinian international footballer who plays for hometown club River Plate.
He previously played for Juventus in the Italian Serie A for ten years and for the French national team. He is the highest scoring non-Italian ever to play for Juventus. He is perhaps most famous for scoring the golden goal in the Euro 2000 final against Italy, which gave France a 2–1 win in extra time.
Trezeguet was born in Rouen, Upper Normandy, France, and grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is the son of former French-Argentine footballer Jorge Trezeguet, who now works as his agent. David and his wife Béatrice have two children together: Aaron and Noraan. His wife is from Alicante, Spain.
At club level, Trezeguet played for Club Atlético Platense and Club Atlético River Plate in the Argentine Primera División, AS Monaco in Ligue 1, Juventus in Serie A and Hércules CF in La Liga.
In 1998, Trezeguet scored the fastest ever goal in terms of velocity in UEFA Champions League history in a quarter-final match against Manchester United. The shot that resulted in a goal was clocked at 97.6 mph (157.3 km/h).[citation needed] With AS Monaco, he won Ligue 1 twice and was named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year in 1998. He scored a total of 60 goals in 113 appearances for the French club and it was here that he made his name as a potent goalscoring poacher.
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Davor Šuker
Davor Šuker listen (help·info) IPA: [dâʋɔr ʃǔːkɛr], (born 1 January 1968 in Osijek) is a retired Croatian footballer. He played as a striker for a number of European clubs as well as the Croatian national team, where he is the all-time top goal scorer with 45 goals.
Šuker was born in Osijek. His parents came there from village of Lištani in Livno municipality. Šuker began his footballing career in his hometown, playing for the local first division team Osijek as a 16-year-old. During his final season there, he became the league's top goal scorer. He signed for a bigger club, Dinamo Zagreb in 1989. The war in Croatia halted a promising season for the 21-year-old, eventually resulting in Šuker's move to Sevilla in 1991.
In La Liga Šuker was highly regarded, showing consistent form with Seville and being amongst the top goal scorers for consecutive seasons. He signed with Real Madrid 5 years later, and was again amongst the league's top scorers, which helped Madrid claim the La Liga title, the Supercup trophy and win the Champions League during his tenure there.
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Deco
Anderson Luís de Souza, OIH (born 27 August 1977 in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil), commonly known as Deco, is a Brazilian-born Portuguese professional footballer who currently plays for Fluminense.
Deco is one of the few players to have won the UEFA Champions League with two different clubs – FC Porto in 2004 and FC Barcelona in 2006. He was named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and UEFA Best Midfielder in Porto's Champions League-winning season and was named Man of the Match in the 2003–04 Champions League final. Deco was the first player to win the UEFA Best Midfielder Award with two different clubs, Porto and Barcelona. He was awarded the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball and the Man of the Match award in the final despite losing to Internacional.
Deco received Portuguese citizenship in 2002 having completed six years of Portuguese residence, subsequently opting to play internationally for the Portugal national football team.
Deco started off his career at Nacional Atlético Clube in the city of São Paulo, where he was spotted and signed by Corinthians. Deco arrived in Portugal in 1997 at the age of 19 along with fellow Brazilian player Caju after being acquired by Benfica of Lisbon.
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Denis Law
Denis Law CBE (born 24 February 1940) is a retired Scottish football player, who enjoyed a long and successful career as a striker from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Law's career as a football player began at Second Division Huddersfield Town in 1956. After four years at Huddersfield, Manchester City signed him for a transfer fee of £55,000, setting a new British record. Law spent one year there before Torino bought him for £110,000, this time setting a new record fee for a transfer between an English and an Italian club. Although he played well in Italy, he found it difficult to settle there and signed for Manchester United in 1962, setting another British record transfer fee of £115,000.
He is best known for the eleven years that he spent at United, where he scored 237 goals in 404 appearances and was nicknamed The King and The Lawman by supporters. He is the only Scottish player in history to have won the prestigious European Footballer of the Year award, doing so in 1964, and helped his club win the First Division in 1965 and 1967. Law left Manchester United in 1973 and returned to Manchester City for a season, then represented Scotland in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Law played for Scotland a total of 55 times and jointly holds the Scottish international record goal tally with 30 goals. Law is also United's second highest goalscorer behind Bobby Charlton. Law holds a United record for scoring 46 goals in a single season.
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Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Nicolaas Bergkamp (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdɛnɪs ˈbɛrχkɑmp] ( listen); born 10 May 1969) is a Dutch former professional footballer who is the assistant manager to Frank de Boer at Ajax. Originally a wide midfielder and subsequently a main striker, he was deployed as a second striker, where he remained throughout his playing career. Bergkamp has been described by Jan Mulder as having "the finest technique" of any Dutch international and a "dream for a striker" by teammate Thierry Henry.
The son of an electrician, Bergkamp was born in Amsterdam and played as an amateur in the lower leagues. He was spotted by Ajax at the age of 11 and made his professional debut in 1986. Good form led to an international call-up a year later, attracting the attention of several European clubs. Bergkamp signed for Italian club Internazionale in 1993 where he had two disappointing seasons, before joining Arsenal in 1995. It was at Arsenal where Bergkamp rejuvenated his career, helping the club to win three Premier League titles, four FA Cup trophies and reach the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final, which marked his last appearance as a player. With the Netherlands national team, Bergkamp surpassed Faas Wilkes's record to become the Netherlands' top goalscorer of all time in 1998, later surpassed by Patrick Kluivert.
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Dick Tol
Dick Tol (21 August 1934 – 13 December 1973) was a Dutch semi-professional footballer who spent his entire career with FC Volendam. Playing as a striker, Tol was top scorer in the Eredivisie in the 1961-62 season, scoring 27 goals.
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Dick van Dijk
Dick van Dijk (15 February 1946 in Gouda – 8 July 1997 in Nice, France) was a Dutch footballer who played for FC Twente and Ajax Amsterdam. He was a member of Ajax' European Cup victory in 1971. He earned 7 caps for the Netherlands national football team. [1]
Dick van Dijk grew up in Gouda and Balde foot in his youth in the local amateurvereniging ONA. At its sixteenth, he was coach Hans Croon to SVV, which was released in the Second division, met. Van Dijk was topscorer club and doctorate in 1966 with his club to the First Division. He was invited to the Dutch youth team and the Dutch military team. The scoring ability of the young peak attracted the interest of FC Twente, but the asking price of 200,000 guilders were Tukker too much. A less season ensured that the transfer fee a year later had dropped to 70,000 guilders, after which Van Dijk FC Twente in the summer of 1967 still joined.
Art Twente. Van Dijk made a promising start with seven goals in five matches. He was a strong aanvalsduo with Theo Pahlplatz. The arrival of Van Dijk provided a positive impact to FC Twente, the young team ended in part thanks to the 22 goals he scored in his first season in a creditable eighth place. The following year was even better. Twente did in the long struggle for the national championship and Van Dijk was topscorer with 30 goals in the Premier League. Legendary is the home match against Ajax on November 3, 1968. Twente won 5-1 and Van Dijk scored three goals. It is believed that this contest with the interest of Ajax in Van Dijk was finally awakened. The transition was likely well before the end of the season and already an open secret in June 1969 it became clear that the peak for a transfer fee of 750,000 guilders moved to Amsterdam. Meanwhile had Van Dijk on March 26, 1969 as international made his debut in a match of the Dutch national team against Luxembourg. Orange won 4-0 and Van Dijk scored once.
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Didier Deschamps
Didier Claude Deschamps (French pronunciation: [didje deˈʃɑ̃]; born 15 October 1968 in Bayonne) is a retired French footballer and current manager of Marseille. He played as a defensive midfielder. As an international, he assisted France with victories in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Deschamps captained France to victory in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil. After a short passage at rugby in the Biarritz Olympique Deschamps started his football career at an amateur club, Aviron Bayonnais whilst still at school. His potential was spotted by scouts from Nantes, for whom he signed in April 1983. Deschamps made his league debut on 27 September 1985. Transferred to Marseille in 1989, Deschamps spent a season with Bordeaux in 1990 before returning to Marseille. In this second spell with Marseille Deschamps gained his first honours.
Receiving his first international call-up from Michel Platini on 29 April 1989 against Yugoslavia, Deschamps started his international career in what was a dark time for the French team as they failed to qualify for the World Cup in both 1990 and 1994. When new team coach Aimé Jacquet began to rebuild the team for Euro 1996, he initially selected Eric Cantona as captain. After Cantona earned a year-long suspension in January 1995, the make-up of the team changed dramatically, with veterans Cantona, Jean-Pierre Papin, and David Ginola being dropped in favour of younger players such as Zinedine Zidane. Deschamps, as one of the few remaining veterans, was chosen to lead what would later be called the "Golden Generation". He first captained France in 1996 in a friendly match against Germany as a warmup for Euro 96. During that tournament, held in England, he led them all the way to the semi-finals, their best finish in an international tournament since the 1986 World Cup. In 1998, Deschamps captained France as they won 1998 World Cup on home soil in Paris, holding an integral role in the team.
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Diego Forlán
Diego Forlán Corazo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈdjeɣo foɾˈlan]; born 19 May 1979) is an Uruguayan footballer who plays as a striker for Internazionale and the Uruguayan national team. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also received the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup.
Forlán was born into a family of footballers; his father Pablo having played for São Paulo (1970–1975) and Uruguay in the 1966 and 1974 World Cups and his maternal grandfather, Juan Carlos Corazo, for Independiente in Argentina.
Forlán joined Independiente himself after rising through their youth team, and after a successful four-year spell, he signed for Manchester United of England's Premier League. His form for United was not as successful as at Independiente, although he won the Premier League in 2003 and the FA Cup in 2004. In the Summer of 2004 he moved on to La Liga side Villarreal.
In his first season in Spanish football with Villarreal, Forlán scored 25 league goals and won the Pichichi Trophy. After two more successful seasons with Villarreal, Forlán joined Atlético Madrid, where he once again became the league's top scorer, and became the first player to win the Pichichi Trophy twice since Ronaldo achieved this feat in 2003–04. Forlán scored in Atlético's 2010 Europa League final victory against Fulham. In 2011 he joined Internazionale of Italy's Serie A.
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Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona Franco (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈdjeɣo maɾaˈðona]; born 30 October 1960) is a retired Argentine football player, and current manager of Al Wasl FC in Dubai. Many experts, football critics, former and current players consider Maradona the greatest football player of all time. He won FIFA Player of the Century award which was to be decided by votes on their official website, their official magazine and a grand jury.
He is the only player in football history who set world-record contract fees twice. The first, when he was transferred to Barcelona for a then world record £5m and the second, when he was transferred to Napoli for another record fee £6.9m. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys. In his international career, playing for Argentina, he earned 91 caps and scored 34 goals.
He played in four FIFA World Cup tournaments, including the 1986 tournament, where he captained Argentina and led them to their victory over West Germany in the final, winning the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player. In that same tournament's quarterfinal round, he scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over England that entered football history, though for two different reasons. The first goal was via an unpenalized handball known as the "Hand of God", while the second goal followed a 60 m (66 yd) dribble past five England players, voted "The Goal of the Century" by FIFA.com voters in 2002.
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Diego Milito
Diego Alberto Milito (born 12 June 1979) is an Argentine footballer who plays as a striker for Italian Serie A club Internazionale and the Argentine national team. A prolific and consistent center-forward, Milito has statistically averaged just over a goal every two appearances, over the course of his 10-year professional career. He was pivotal in Inter's 2009–10 treble-winning season and his two goals in the Champions League final confirmed his status as one of the world's most clinical finishers.
He has been nicknamed El Príncipe ("The Prince" in Spanish) because of his physical resemblance with former Uruguayan footballer Enzo Francescoli, who was nicknamed that way.
Diego Milito started playing at Argentine first division team Racing Club in 1999, where he won the 2001 Apertura tournament. During this time, his younger brother Gabriel played for Racing's main rival, Independiente, as a defender. The two clubs would contest the Avellaneda derby with the two brothers lining up against each other.
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Diego Simeone
Diego Pablo Simeone (born April 28, 1970 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine football manager and former player. A defensive midfielder, he was once the most capped player for Argentina. He is the current manager of Atlético Madrid.
When Simeone was 14, his youth coach Victorio Spinetto nicknamed him Cholo as his energetic play reminded him of former Boca Juniors player and Argentine international Carmelo Simeone (no relation) who had that nickname.
In his club career that started in 1987, Simeone played for Vélez Sársfield, Pisa, Sevilla, Atlético Madrid, Internazionale, and Lazio.
Simeone spent most of his career in Italy with Pisa his first European club in 1990 in which he was brought in by manager Mircea Lucescu. After spells at Atlético Madrid where he was part of the club's 1996 La Liga and Copa Del Rey double triumph and Sevilla, Simeone returned to Serie A with Internazionale in 1997 and played two full seasons, winning the UEFA Cup in 1998 in a side spearheaded by Ronaldo up front. They beat his future club Lazio 3–0 in the final.
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Diego Tristán
Diego Tristán Herrera (born 5 January 1976) is a retired Spanish professional footballer.
At his peak, he was considered amongst the best strikers in Europe, displaying a vast array of skills: dribble, shot accuracy, aerial ability and off-the-ball movements; he is best known for his Deportivo de La Coruña spell, where he played six full seasons.
Over the course of eight La Liga seasons, Tristán amassed totals of 227 games and 95 goals. He appeared with the Spanish national team at the 2002 World Cup.
Born in La Algaba, Province of Seville, Tristán came through the youth ranks of local Real Betis, going on to finish his sporting formation with the B side of RCD Mallorca. After one season in Segunda División, he made his La Liga debut in 1999–2000, against CD Numancia on 12 September 1999 (scoring in the process), and finished his first top flight season with 18 goals.
After nearly moving to league powerhouse Real Madrid during the 2000 summer, deal barred by Lorenzo Sanz's exit from the club's presidency, Tristán joined Galician club Deportivo de La Coruña, forming a dreaded offensive partnership (on occasions, as Depor mainly operated in a 4–5–1 formation) with Dutchman Roy Makaay.
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Dino Zoff
Dino Zoff (born February 28, 1942 in Mariano del Friuli) is an Italian former football goalkeeper and is the oldest winner ever of the World Cup, which he earned as captain of the Italian team in the 1982 tournament in Spain, at the age of 40 years, 4 months and 13 days.
Zoff was a goalkeeper of outstanding ability and has a place in the history of the sport among the very best in this role, being named the 3rd greatest goalkeeper of the 20th century by the IFFHS behind Lev Yashin and Gordon Banks. He holds the record for the longest playing time without allowing goals in international tournaments (1142 minutes) set between 1972 and 1974. With 112 caps, he is the fourth most capped player for the Azzurri. In 2004 Pelé named him as one of the 125 greatest living footballers.
After retiring as a footballer, Zoff went on to become coach for the Italian national team and several other Italian clubs.
Dino Zoff was born in Mariano del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italy), and was elected in a poll by the IFFHS as the third best goalkeeper of the 20th Century - after Lev Yashin (1st) and Gordon Banks (2nd).
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Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdɪrk ˈkœy̆t] ( listen); born 22 July 1980) is a Dutch footballer who plays for Liverpool as a forward.
Kuyt began his professional career with FC Utrecht in 1998 and quickly became part of their first team. He spent five years at the club and in his final season he won his first senior honour, the Dutch Cup, and was chosen as the season's Dutch Golden Shoe Winner. Following this, he left Utrecht in a €1 million transfer to Feyenoord. He became the club captain in 2005 and was a prolific goalscorer at the Rotterdam club; he was the club's top scorer for three consecutive seasons, the top goalscorer in the 2004–05 Eredivisie season, and the 2005–06 Dutch Footballer of the Year. Kuyt missed only five games over seven seasons from 1999 until 2006 and appeared in 179 consecutive matches between 2001–06, striking up a fruitful partnership with fellow Feyenoord teammate Salomon Kalou.
He left Feyenoord after three years, having scored 71 league goals in 101 appearances, and joined Premier League side Liverpool for £10 million. He made his Premier League debut late in 2006 and became part of the first team squad. He scored in his first ever UEFA Champions League final with Liverpool against AC Milan.
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Djalma Santos
Djalma Pereira Dias dos Santos known simply as Djalma Santos (also spelled Dejalma Santos, born 27 February 1929 in São Paulo, Brazil) is a former Brazilian footballer who started for the Brazil national team in four World Cups, winning two, in 1958 and 1962. Santos is considered to be one of the greatest right-backs of all time. While primarily known for his defensive skills, he often ventured upfield and displayed some impressive attacking skills.
Along with Franz Beckenbauer, he is one of only two players to be included into three FIFA World Cup All Star teams (in 1954, 1958 and 1962). He was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.
Santos started his career in his hometown with Portuguesa. He initially played in the centre of defence, but was later moved to the right side of defence. In 1959, he moved to Palmeiras. He played almost 500 games for the club, winning several league and cup titles. He left the club in 1968, joining Atlético Paranaense for a short spell before retiring in 1970.
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Djalminha
Djalma Feitosa Dias (born 9 December 1970), aka Djalminha, is a Brazilian retired footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.
Blessed with superb skills but also a troublesome character he represented, among others, Flamengo and Deportivo de La Coruña, and was also a Brazil international.
Son of former footballer Djalma Dias, Djalminha (literally little Djalma) was born in Santos, São Paulo, while his father was playing for Santos FC. However, he started his career at Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, the most popular club based in Rio de Janeiro.
Afterwards, he would have short stints with Guarani Futebol Clube and Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras (where he received the Bola de Ouro (Brazilian Golden Ball) award in 1996), with a short-lived Japanese adventure with Shimizu S-Pulse in between.
In July 1997, he joined Deportivo de La Coruña in the Spanish La Liga, and proceeded to score 26 league goals in 87 appearances in his first three seasons, largely contributing to the team's first-ever national championship conquest, in 2000. After that, the emergence of Juan Carlos Valerón, signed upon Atlético Madrid's relegation, and a May 2002 bust-up during training with Depor manager Javier Irureta, prompted his loan in 2002–03 to Austrian Bundesliga side FK Austria Wien.
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Domingos da Guia
Domingos Antônio da Guia (born in Rio de Janeiro, November 19, 1912 – dead in Rio, May 18, 2000), nicknamed "the Divine Master" was a Brazilian footballer. He is regarded as one of the greatest players in Flamengo and Corinthians history, as well as the all time best Brazilian defender.
He quickly rose to fame as one of Bangu's key players (central defender) between 1929-1932. Despite the fact Bangu had a history of fielding black players (Francisco Carregal was the first in 1905) Domingos might have witnessed racism in football . After Bangu, Domingos moved to Uruguay's Nacional de Montevideo for a season, before brief periods at Vasco da Gama (Brazil), Boca Juniors (Argentina) and then finding a home at Rio giants Flamengo (1937–1943). A brief spell at Corinthians left Domingos to return to his beloved Bangu where he stay until he retired in 1948.
Domingos also enjoyed a successful international career, getting 30 caps for Brazil. He came to the world's attention in the 1938 FIFA World Cup finals, where he was the linchpin of Brazil's defence. Domingo's son Ademir da Guia also played for Bangu 1959–1961 before becoming an idol at São Paulo's Palmeiras.
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Doriva
Doriva, full name Dorival Guidoni Jr. (born 28 May 1972 in Nhandeara, São Paulo) is a retired Brazilian footballer who played midfielder, who last played for América-SP in the Brazilian league. From 2003 until 2006, he played for English Premier League club Middlesbrough, where he had previously been on loan.
Prior to joining to Middlesbrough, Doriva played for São Paulo, Atlético Mineiro, Porto, Sampdoria, and Celta Vigo. His transfer from Atlético to Porto cost $4 million.
Doriva was signed on loan by Middlesbrough manager Steve McLaren in January 2003. He made his debut on 5 April 2003 in a 3-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion.
After five appearances for the club, Doriva was given a one-year contract with Middlesbrough on 21 July 2003. In his first full season at Middlesbrough, Doriva was first choice in midfield alongside George Boateng. He found his chances limited after this, however, due to the emergence of Stewart Downing and the conversion of Boudewijn Zenden to central midfield. On 29 February 2004 Doriva started as Middlesbrough won their first major trophy, the 2004 Football League Cup Final, with a 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. His only goal for Middlesbrough came in a 2–1 victory at Notts County in the third round of the FA Cup on 8 January 2005.
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Dražan Jerković
Dražan Jerković (6 August 1936 – 9 December 2008) was a Croatian and Yugoslav football forward, and manager. His first name is sometimes (incorrectly) spelled "Dražen". He was born in Šibenik, Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
He played for Dinamo Zagreb (1954–65). Severe injuries forced him to retire early, at the height of his career. With Dinamo he won the league title in 1958, and league cup in 1960 and 1965. In 315 games for Dinamo, he scored 322 goals.
He played internationally for Yugoslavia between 1960 and 1964, scoring 11 goals in 21 games. He participated in Euro 1960 and World Cup 1962. He was also part of the Yugoslav squad for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, but did not play.
In Euro 1960 he scored two goals against France in the semifinal, which Yugoslavia won (5-4). In the final, Yugoslavia lost against USSR (1-2; AET), finishing second.
In World Cup 1962 Jerković scored four goals and was, with five other players, the top goalscorer, winning the World Cup Golden Boot. Yugoslavia finished in fourth place. In the quarter-final, Yugoslavia beat Germany (1-0). In the semifinal Yugoslavia lost to Czechoslovakia (1-3), and lost to Chile for third place (0-1).
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Dudu Georgescu
Dudu Georgescu (born 1 September 1950) is a retired Romanian footballer.
He began his career at Progresul Bucureşti. He currently holds the record for the most goals in Romania's Divizia A with 252 goals, as well as Dinamo Bucureşti's club goalscoring record, with 207.
He won the European Golden Shoe (for top scorer in Europe) twice, in 1975 and 1977.
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Dunga
Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri (born October 31, 1963 in Ijuí, Rio Grande do Sul), commonly known as Dunga (pronounced Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈdũɡɐ]), is a former Brazilian football defensive midfielder and a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup. Dunga coached the national team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was dismissed by the Brazilian Football Confederation following the team's elimination in the quarter finals.
His nickname is derived from the Portuguese translation of Dopey, a dwarf from the Snow White tale, and was given to him by his uncle due to his short height during his childhood. It was believed that he would be a short adult and the nickname remained in use even after he grew up and became taller. He is of Italian and German descent.
At the club level, Dunga played for Internacional (1980–84, 1999–2000), Corinthians (1984–85), Santos (1985–87), Vasco da Gama (1987), Pisa (1987–88), Fiorentina (1988–92), Pescara (1992–93), Stuttgart (1993–95), and Jubilo Iwata (1995–98).
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Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard (born 7 January 1991) is a Belgian international footballer who currently plays for French club Lille in Ligue 1 and the Belgium national team. He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder and a winger. Hazard is known for his creativity, speed, and technical ability and is described as a "fearless, explosive attacking midfielder who can change the game with a turn of pace or a dribble". He has also been described as "a defender's nightmare" and has earned critical acclaim for his playing style, which has led to the media, coaches, and players drawing comparisons to FIFA World Player of the Year winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Hazard is the son of former Belgian footballers and began his football career in Belgium playing for local clubs Royal Stade Brainois and Tubize. In 2005, he moved to France joining first division club Lille. Hazard spent two years in the club's academy and, at the age of 16, made his professional debut in November 2007. In his first full season as a starter, he won the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) Young Player of the Year award becoming the first non-French player to win the award. In the 2009–10 season, Hazard captured the award again becoming the first player to win the award twice. He was also named to the league's Team of the Year. Since making his debut in 2007, Hazard has become an integral part of the club under manager Rudi Garcia racking up over 190 appearances. In the 2010–11 season, he was a part of the Lille team that won the league and cup double and, as a result of his performances, was named the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year becoming the youngest player to win the award. Hazard was also given the Bravo Award by Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo for his performances during the 2010–11 season.
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Edgar Davids
Edgar Steven Davids (born 13 March 1973) is a retired Dutch footballer. After beginning his career with Ajax, he subsequently played in Italy for Milan and Juventus before a loan spell with Barcelona. He went on to play for Internazionale and Tottenham Hotspur before returning to Ajax. Having struggled with injuries for two years, Davids returned to competitive football during a brief spell with Crystal Palace before retiring at the age of 37.
He was capped 74 times by the Netherlands at international level, scoring six goals, and represented his country at the FIFA World Cup (once) and the UEFA European Football Championship (three times). His dreadlocked hair and protective goggles – which he wore due to glaucoma – made Davids one of the most recognisable players of his generation. A combative and creative midfielder, Davids was nicknamed "the Pitbull" by Louis van Gaal because of his marking ability. He was one of the players chosen by Pelé to feature in the FIFA 100, a list of the world's greatest living footballers. He was born in Suriname to an African father and Jewish mother. His cousin Lorenzo is also a footballer.
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Edmundo Suárez
Edmundo Suárez Trabanco (January 22, 1916 - December 14, 1978) was a Spanish footballer and coach. He was born in Baracaldo. He played center-forward for Valencia CF for most of his career except for his last season where he played with CD Alcoyano.
Mundo is a legend for Valencia CF since he scored the highest number of league goals for team in its history twice winning the trophy for the top goal scorer. He is the fifth highest scoring player in the history of the Spanish league, only surpassed by men of the calibre of Zarra, Alfredo di Stéfano, Isidro Vagrant and Ferenc Puskás
His great physical strength and strong will allowed him to dominate Spanish football during the 1940s. Along with Epi, Amadeo, Asensi and Gorostiza, he formed an electric front line that transformed Valencia CF into a winning team.
He played with various amateur teams in his native Basque Country, but the civil war changed his career completely. He was on contract with the Athletic Club but as this acquisition was made in republican territory it was not considered valid by the pro-Franco state which remained in power after the Spanish Civil war. In the year 1939, the pro-Franco army created a team, the Recovery to Raise, taken from the one which formed from diverse players who had fought in military region to Raise. Said team was chosen by Valencia CF to debut after the civil war. The Valencia CF after seeing it in action did not waste the opportunity and acquired it.
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Edílson
Edílson, full name Edílson da Silva Ferreira, (born September 17, 1971 in Salvador) is a former football player from Brazil. He played as a forward, mainly in the past with SE Palmeiras and Corinthians. In 1998, he received the Bola de Ouro award (« Golden Ball ») given to the best player in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (Brazilian championship). He was dubbed Capetinha, Portuguese for « Little Devil ».
He had 21 caps and managed to score 6 goals with the Brazilian national team and won the World Cup in 2002.
(Portuguese) Official Page
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El Hadji Diouf
El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf (born 15 January 1981 in Dakar, Senegal) is a Senegalese footballer who currently plays for Doncaster Rovers. He can play on both wings as well as in attack. He has also garnered a large amount of notoriety for a series of controversial incidents.
Diouf came from a Serer background of the noble Diouf family. His father, who was also a footballer, left when he was 8 years old. Raised by his grandparents, Diouf was reunited with his father after 22 years absence. Although they did not see each other for many years, Diouf is reported to have said his father is someone he loves very much and was happy to see him again in spite of not growing up with him.
Diouf started his career in France with Sochaux-Montbéliard. He made his debut appearance in a 2–1 win against Bastia on 12 November 1998, before moving to Rennes for the 1999-00 season. He moved to Lens the following season, spending two years at the Pas-de-Calais club before moving to English club Liverpool in 2002 for a fee of £10millon.
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Eli Ohana
Eli Ohana (Hebrew: אלי אוחנה; born February 1, 1964 in Jerusalem, Israel) is a former Israeli football player and later a manager. He is currently the manager of the Israel U21 team. He is considered to be one of the greatest Israeli players ever.
Ohana was born in Jerusalem to a Jewish traditional family that moved to Jerusalem from the Wadi Salib ma'abara in Haifa. He had 7 brothers and two sisters (one of them was from his fathers previous marriage). The family struggled with financial problems.
At the age of eleven, Ohana joined the youth system of Beitar Jerusalem. The one who encouraged him to do that was his brother, Yossi. His father, a traditional Jew, opposed but eventually allowed him on condition he will visit a synagoge before a practice every Saturday.
Despite being good on the field, at school he had problems and his brother Yossi told him he has to choose, football or school. He chose football, despite his fathers resistance. At that time Eli's brother Yossi got married and took Eli to live with him and his wife.
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Elías Figueroa
Elías Ricardo Figueroa Brander (born October 25, 1946 in Valparaíso) is a former football player from Chile. He is considered the best Chilean footballer of all time, as well as one of the greatest defenders ever to play the game.
He played for several clubs during his long career, notably his hometown club Santiago Wanderers, Brazilian club Internacional and Uruguayan club Peñarol. He also represented Chile 47 times, appearing in three world cups, in 1966, 1974, and 1982.
Figueroa was noted for his elegant style of play, his calmness in the centre of defence and his ability to cut out opposition attacks and immediately launch counterattacks from the back. He was also praised throughout his career for being a gentleman on and off the pitch. He was twice awarded the Bola de Ouro, the Brazilian Player of the year award whilst playing for Internacional in 1972 and 1976. He was also awarded the South American Footballer of the Year three times in a row by Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He was designated Best Player in Uruguay in 1967 and 1968 and Best Player in Chile in 1977 and 1978. He has subsequently been voted into the world's 125 best living soccer players and was also voted 8th best South American and 37th best player in the world of the 20th Century by the IFFHS in 1999.
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Emerson Fittipaldi
Emerson Fittipaldi (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈɛmeɾsõw fitʃiˈpawdʒi]; born December 12, 1946 in São Paulo, Brazil) is a Brazilian automobile racing driver who throughout a long and successful career won the Indianapolis 500 twice and championships in both Formula One and CART.
Emerson Fittipaldi is the youngest son of prominent Brazilian motorsports journalist and radio commentator Wilson Fittipaldi Sr and his wife Józefa "Juzy" Wojciechowska, a immigrant from Poland of Polish and Russian descent. He was named after American author and philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Both his parents had raced production cars shortly after the Second World War and Wilson Sr was also responsible for the first Mil Milhas race in 1956, in São Paulo, having been inspired by the 1949 Italian Mille Miglia. Emerson became a motorsports enthusiast at an early age.
Emerson Fittipaldi is the younger brother of former Formula One driver and team owner Wilson Fittipaldi. He is the uncle of former CART, Formula One and NASCAR driver Christian Fittipaldi. He was married to Maria Helena from 1970 to 1982. They had three children together, Juliana, Jayson and Tatiana. He was married again, to Teresa, in the mid-1980s. They have one daughter, Joana, and a son, Luca. Now, he has another son, Emerson Fanucchi Fittipaldi, born on March 6, 2007, with his new wife, Rossana Fanucchi Fittipaldi.
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Emilio Butragueño
Emilio Butragueño Santos (born 22 July 1963 in Madrid) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a striker.
He was best known for his spell with Real Madrid. Nicknamed El Buitre (The Vulture), he was a member of the legendary Quinta del Buitre, along with Manolo Sanchís, Rafael Martín Vázquez, Míchel and Miguel Pardeza.
Butragueño amassed La Liga totals of 341 games and 123 goals for his main club, in 12 seasons, and represented the Spanish national team in two World Cups (being the second top scorer in the 1986 edition) and as many European Championships, scoring 26 international goals for his country, a record that stood for several years.
In 1981, skilled Butragueño joined Real Madrid's youth system, and played first for its reserve side, before being given his senior debut by Alfredo Di Stéfano on 5 February 1984 against Cádiz CF. He made an instant impact, scoring twice and assisting for the third goal in a 3–2 away turnaround, after Real trailed by 0–2. On 12 December that year, he made his European competition debut, contributing to a 6–1 home triumph against R.S.C. Anderlecht for the UEFA Cup third round (after a 0–3 loss in Brussels), as the Merengues went on to win the competition.
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Emre Belözoğlu
Emre Belözoğlu (Turkish pronunciation: [emˈɾɛ beˈløzoːɫʊ]; born 7 September 1980 in Istanbul) is a Turkish football midfielder who plays for Atlético Madrid. Having also played for clubs Galatasaray, Internazionale, Newcastle United and Fenerbahçe, Emre has been a part of the Turkey national team at the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2008 among other tournaments. Pelé named Emre in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations.
Emre's inspiration came from his father, who introduced him to football at the Zeytinburnuspor training ground. Emre's mother had seen the problems that her husband had faced through his football career, and thus did not want his son to become a professional football player. His father, however, urged and inspired Emre to embark on a career. The fans of Zeytinburnuspor quickly took an interest in Emre, stating his wonderful control with his left foot. Trainer Salih Bulgurlu noticed his talent and started giving him special training. Salih looked after Emre for four years, teaching him all the basic techniques, improving and harnessing his fitness and stamina dramatically. Emre was quickly discovered by former Galatasaray legend Bülent Ünder, a close friend of legendary Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim. Bülent Ünder pleaded to Salih Bulgurlu that Emre join Galatasaray: Wait and see. In two years, this teenager will be playing proudly within the battlegrounds of Europe.
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Enzo Francescoli
Enzo Francescoli Uriarte (Italian pronunciation: [ˈɛntso franˈtʃeskoli]; born November 12, 1961 in Montevideo) is a former Uruguayan football player of Italian and Spanish origin, who retired in 1997. An elegant and highly skillful dribbler, passer, and goal-scorer, Francescoli was nicknamed El Príncipe ("The Prince" in Spanish) or Le Prince (in French). He played 72 times for the Uruguay national team between 1982 and 1997, making him the most capped outfield player in Uruguayan international football.
His official debut was with the Uruguayan team Montevideo Wanderers. He played several years for River Plate of Argentina where he won five league titles and the Copa Libertadores in 1996 in his two spells with the club.
He also played for the French Racing Club de Paris (Matra Racing Paris at the time), Olympique de Marseille, and the Italian teams Cagliari and Torino.
Francescoli played 73 times for the Uruguay national team scoring 17 goals, between 1982 and 1997. He made appearances at the 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cups. He won the Copa América three times with Uruguay in 1983, 1987 and 1995, he also played in the 1989 and 1993 editions of the tournament.
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Eric Cantona
Éric Daniel Pierre Cantona (French pronunciation: [kantɔna]) (born 24 May 1966) is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in five years and two League and FA Cup Doubles.
Cantona is often regarded as having played a key role in the revival of Manchester United as a footballing force and he enjoys iconic status at the club. He wore the number 7 shirt at United, which was previously worn by George Best and Bryan Robson, and subsequently worn by David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. Cantona is affectionately nicknamed by Manchester United fans as "King Eric", and was voted as Manchester United's greatest ever player by Inside United magazine. Set against his footballing achievements was a poor disciplinary record throughout his career, including a conviction for assault on a fan in 1995.
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Erwin Vandenbergh
Erwin Vandenbergh (born 26 January 1959) was a Belgian footballer. Between 1981 and 1991, he finished six times topscorer of the Belgian First Division, with three different clubs (the first three with Lierse, the following two with Anderlecht, and the last one with Gent). In 1981 he was European topscorer with 39 goals out of 34 games. As a Belgian national team regular Vandenbergh scored a memorable victory goal against Argentina in the opening game of the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
Vandenbergh also played for the French club Lille with his Belgian national team partner Filip Desmet under the management of another fellow Belgian Georges Heylens. His son, Kevin Vandenbergh, has also become a football striker and he currently plays for KV Mechelen in Belgium.
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Eusébio
Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, GCIH, GCM (Portuguese pronunciation: [ewˈzɛbiu dɐ ˈsiɫvɐ fɨˈʁɐjɾɐ]; born 25 January 1942), commonly known simply as Eusébio, is a retired Mozambican-born Portuguese football forward. He is considered one of the best footballers of all-time by the IFFHS, experts and fans. He helped the Portuguese national team reach third place at the 1966 World Cup, being the top goalscorer of the tournament with nine goals (six of which were scored at Goodison Park) and receiving the Bronze Ball award. He won the Ballon d'Or award in 1965 and was runner-up in 1962 and 1966. He played for Benfica for 15 years out of his 22 as a footballer, thus being mainly associated with the Portuguese club, and is the team's all-time top scorer with 638 goals scored in 614 official games. There, he won 11 Primeira Liga titles (1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1974–75), 5 Portuguese Cup titles (1961–62, 1963–64, 1968–69, 1969–70 and 1971–72), 1 European Cup title (1961–62) and managed to help them reach three additional European Cup finals (1962–63, 1964–65 and 1967–68). He was the European Cup top scorer in 1965, 1966 and 1968. He also won the Bola de Prata (Primeira Liga top scorer award) seven times (a national record) in 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1973. He was the first ever player to win the European Golden Boot award, in 1968, a feat he later replicated in 1973.
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Fabien Barthez
Fabien Alain Barthez (born 28 June 1971 in Lavelanet) is a former French footballer goalkeeper who won honours with Manchester United and the French national team, with whom he won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 and reached the final of the 2006 World Cup. He shares the record for the most World Cup finals clean sheets with Peter Shilton, with 10. In club football he won the Champions League as well as several Ligue 1 and Premier League titles.
Born in Lavelanet, France, Barthez made his first division debut for Toulouse on 21 September 1991, against Nancy. He joined Marseille in 1992, and won both the French championship and the Champions League at the end of his first season in Marseille. The 1993 victory made him the youngest goalkeeper to win a Champions League title until Iker Casillas did so in 2000. However, Marseille would be stripped of their domestic title, though not of the Champions League crown, due to their involvement in a domestic match fixing scandal, and a year later (1994) would suffer a forced relegation to the second division due to a related financial bankruptcy. He stayed with the club in Division 2 for the 1994–95 season despite many offers from elite French clubs.
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Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro, Ufficiale OMRI (born 13 September 1973 in Naples) is a retired Italian footballer. He is considered one of the greatest defenders of his generation and was given the name "Muro di Berlino," which means "The Berlin Wall," by Italian supporters. He spent the majority of his career in Italy. He started his career at Napoli, before spending seven years at Parma, with whom he won two Coppa Italias and the 1999 UEFA Cup. After spells at Internazionale and Juventus, Cannavaro transferred along with manager Fabio Capello from Juventus to Real Madrid, with whom he won consecutive La Liga titles in 2007 and 2008. After returning to Juventus for one season in 2009–10, he joined Al-Ahli in Dubai. He retired from professional football in 2011 due to an injury troubled season in Al-Ahli.
Cannavaro has also achieved success with the Italian national team. He was part of the Italy team that won consecutive Under-21 European Championships in 1994 and 1996. After earning his first senior cap in 1997, he eventually became captain. Cannavaro led Italy to victory in the 2006 World Cup, and in 2009 overtook Paolo Maldini as the most capped player in the country's history. He announced his retirement from international football on 25 June 2010 following Italy's failure to qualify for the knock-out stages of the 2010 World Cup, having amassed 136 caps and scored two goals for the senior national team.
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Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello (Italian pronunciation: [ˈfabjo kaˈpello]; born 18 June 1946) is an Italian football manager and former professional footballer. Capello was born in San Canzian d'Isonzo. His uncle, Mario Tortul was also a football player and played for Triestina, Padova, Sampdoria and the Italian national football team. Capello is married and has a son named Pier Filippo who acts as his agent. Capello is also a collector of fine art and has a personal collection thought to be worth over £10 million.
As a player Capello represented SPAL 1907, Roma, AC Milan and Juventus. He played as a midfielder and won several trophies during his career which lasted over 15 years. He won the Coppa Italia with Roma in 1969. He was most successful with Juventus, winning three Serie A titles in 1972, 1973 and 1975. With Milan he won the Coppa Italia again in 1977 and also won another Serie A in 1979. Capello also played for Italy during his career and amassed 32 caps, scoring eight goals as well.
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Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈfɛrɛnt͡s ˈpuʃkaːʃ]; born Ferenc Purczeld; 1 April 1927 – 17 November 2006) was a Hungarian footballer and manager. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary, and 514 goals in 529 matches in the Hungarian and Spanish leagues. He became Olympic champion in 1952 and was a World Cup finalist in 1954. He won three European Cups (1959, 1960, 1966), 10 national championships (5 Hungarian & 5 Spanish Primera División) and 8 top individual scoring honors. He is regarded as the best Hungarian football player ever and one of the best football players of all time.
Puskás started his career in Hungary playing for Kispest and Budapest Honvéd. He was top scorer in the Hungarian League on four occasions, and in 1948, he was the top goal scorer in Europe. During the 1950s, he was both a prominent member and captain of the Hungarian national team, known as the Mighty Magyars. In 1958, two years after the Hungarian Revolution, he emigrated to Spain where he played for Real Madrid.
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Fernando Redondo
Fernando Carlos Redondo Neri (born 6 June 1969) is an Argentine retired footballer.
A defensive midfielder with the ability to contribute both defensively and offensively, he played one full decade in La Liga, mainly for Real Madrid, then finished his career (curtailed by several injury problems) in Italy with Milan.
Redondo was a member of the Argentine national team in the 1990s, representing the nation in the 1994 World Cup.
Born in Adrogué, Buenos Aires, Redondo made his debut for Argentinos Juniors in 1985 in the first division, and played for five years for the team before moving abroad, to Spain.
He made his debut in La Liga with CD Tenerife, under the management of countryman Jorge Solari. During this period, Real Madrid twice lost the league title to arch-rivals FC Barcelona on the final day of the season, in matches against Tenerife, who were managed by Jorge Valdano and, when Valdano was appointed manager of Real Madrid in the summer of 1994, the player also made the move, for a fee of $5 million dollars.
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Fidel Uriarte
Fidel Uriarte Macho (born 1 March 1945) is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a striker.
Having spent most of his 15-year professional career with Athletic Bilbao, he was crowned La Liga's Pichichi in 1968, winning two Copa del Rey and scoring more than 100 official goals with his main team.
Born in Sestao, Biscay, Uriarte was promoted to Basque giants Athletic Bilbao's first team at only 17, making his La Liga debut on 23 September 1962, in a 0–2 away loss against CD Málaga. At the end of his fourth season, aged 21, he had already appeared in 100 league matches, scoring 14 goals.
In the 1967–68 season, Uriarte netted a career-best 22 goals in only 24 games (35/28 overall), helping Athletic to the seventh position in the league. In the following year, he conquered the first of his two Spanish Cups with the club, and left in 1974 with 389 official appearances (121 goals).
Subsequently, Uriarte joined Málaga, achieving one promotion and two relegations with the Andalusians, and retiring in 1977 at the age of 32. He worked as a coach in the following decades, managing both Athletic's reserve and youth sides, amongst others.
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Flávio Conceição
Flávio da Conceição (born 13 June 1974 in Santa Maria da Serra, São Paulo) is a Brazilian retired footballer who played as a central midfielder.
Conceição enjoyed a successful career in Spain, where he played for two clubs – including Real Madrid with which he won six major titles – and also represented Brazil on more than 40 occasions.
Conceição began his career with Rio Branco Esporte Clube in 1992. He then joined Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras a year later, and racked up over 100 first team appearances in three years. This caught the attention of Deportivo de La Coruña, who paid €6.3 million for him after the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Playing alongside compatriot Mauro Silva in central midfield, Conceição gradually developed into a key force in the Galicians' rise in Spanish football, as he netted four times in 27 appearances in the side's 1999–2000 league conquest. This led to a 2000 move to La Liga giants Real Madrid, worth €26 million.
Although he appeared sparingly, he did amass two league titles and won the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League - in that competition, he setup Steve McManaman for the closing 2–0 win against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou - spending 2003–04 on loan to Borussia Dortmund, where he was also irregularly played.
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Flórián Albert
Flórián Albert (15 September 1941 – 31 October 2011) was a Hungarian international football player, later manager and sports official, who was named European Footballer of the Year in 1967. Nicknamed "The Emperor", he has been described as one of the most elegant footballers of all time.
A club legend of Ferencvárosi TC, Albert joined the team yet as a schoolboy and spent his whole playing career at Fradi. He also starred for Hungary, winning 75 international caps and scoring 31 goals. He was joint top-scorer at the 1962 World Cup with four goals and played a key role in Hungary's third-place finish at the European Championship in 1964.
He stayed loyal to Ferencváros after his retirement as well, actively participated in the club's life and also held administrative positions. Since 2007 the stadium of Ferencváros wears his name.
Albert died in October 2011, aged 70, in a hospital in Budapest after complications following heart surgery carried out a few days earlier.
The son of a blacksmith, Albert was born and brought up in the little town of Hercegszántó near the border with the former Yugoslavia, where he got his first taste of the game playing with his two brothers. His mother was Hungarian Croat, from the group of Šokci. She died when he was 2. When the family later moved to Budapest, Albert participated on a talent day by Ferencvárosi TC. He impressed the coaches and was selected by club. Albert was 11 years old at the time.
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Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti, Ufficiale OMRI, (born 27 September 1976 in Rome) is an Italian footballer who is the captain of Serie A club Roma. His primary position is that of a trequartista, though he has also been successfully utilized as a lone striker. Totti has spent his entire career at Roma, is the number-one goalscorer and the most capped player in the club's history. He is considered as one of the finest players in his generation, and also Roma's greatest player ever.
A 2006 World Cup winner and Euro 2000 finalist, Totti was selected in the All-Star team for both tournaments. He has won many individual awards, including a record five Italian Footballer of the Year awards and two Serie A Footballer of the Year awards. He was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations. In 2011, Totti has been recognized by IFFHS as the most popular footballer in Europe.
Often referred to as Il Bimbo d'Oro (The Golden Boy), Er Pupone (The Big Baby), and Il Gladiatore (The Gladiator) by the Italian sports media, Totti is currently the top active Serie A goalscorer and fifth all-time in league history with 215 goals.
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Franco Baresi
Franco Baresi (born 8 May 1960 in Travagliato, Italy) is an Italian football youth team coach and former player. He played as a sweeper and spent his entire career with Serie A club AC Milan. Baresi was nicknamed "Piscinin", Milanese for "Little one". In 1999, Baresi was voted AC Milan Player of the Century and is widely regarded as one of the finest defenders of all time.
He is also the younger brother of Internazionale legend and current vice coach Giuseppe Baresi.
Baresi was brought by his older brother Giuseppe for a trial in Inter's youth team, but was rejected. Despite this setback, Baresi refused to give up his dream and tried out for the Milan youth team, where he was accepted.
Baresi led the Milan team and its defence for the best part of a decade. During that time, the back four consisting of him, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti gained a reputation for being of the meanest defenses in Europe. He is also one of the few players who spent his entire career at one club, AC Milan, for whom he played 719 games, scoring 33 goals. Unconventional for an Italian defender trained in the catenaccio tradition, Baresi was an attacking defender who often assisted the team in counterattacks but without neglecting his defensive duties.
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Frank Rijkaard
Franklin Edmundo "Frank" Rijkaard (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈfrɑŋk ˈrɛi̯.kaːrt], born 30 September 1962, in Amsterdam) is a Dutch football manager and former player. Rijkaard has played for Ajax, Real Zaragoza and Milan, and represented his national side 73 times, scoring 10 goals. In his coaching career, he has been at the helm of the Dutch national side, Sparta Rotterdam, Barcelona and Galatasaray. He currently manages the Saudi Arabian national football team.
In 2010 Rijkaard was described by The Daily Telegraph as having been "a stylish player of faultless pedigree".
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Franky Van der Elst
Franky Van der Elst (born 30 April 1961) is a retired Belgian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, and a current manager.
During a 21-year professional career, he played mainly with Club Brugge, being regarded as a legend there, and briefly coaching the team in the 2000s (decade). Also, he was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers, in March 2004.
Van der Elst won 86 caps for the Belgian national team, representing the country in four FIFA World Cups, and retiring from football at nearly 40 years of age.
Born in Ninove, Van der Elst started his professional career at R.W.D. Molenbeek, earning his first call-up for Belgium in 1982. Two years later, he moved to Club Brugge K.V. and stayed there until he finished his career in 1999, going on to total over 500 overall appearances with the side (462 in the league alone). During four seasons, he often partnered in midfield his namesake Leo - no relation.
Van der Elst won the Golden Shoe twice in his career, an accomplishment for an eminently defensive-minded player. He also appeared in four FIFA World Cups, from 1986 to 1998. Only having scored once for his country in nearly 90 matches, against Norway, he reacted with astonishment upon its realization.
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Frans Geurtsen
Frans Geurtsen (born 17 February 1942 in Utrecht) is a Dutch former footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a striker. Geurtsen played club football for DWS, and was the Eredivisie top scorer in both the 1963-64 and 1964-65 seasons.
Geurtsen also earned one cap for the Netherlands in 1964, scoring one goal.
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Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Anton Beckenbauer [fʁants ˈbɛkənˌbaʊ̯ɐ] (born 11 September 1945 in Munich) is a German football coach, manager, and former player, nicknamed Der Kaiser ("The Emperor") because of his elegant style, his leadership, his first name "Franz" (reminiscent of the Austrian emperors), and his dominance on the football pitch. He is generally regarded as the greatest German footballer of all time and one of the greatest and most decorated footballers in the history of the game. Beckenbauer was a versatile player who started out as a midfielder but made his name as a defender. He is often credited as having invented the role of the modern sweeper or libero.
Twice selected the European Footballer of the Year, he appeared 103 times for West Germany and played in three World Cups. He lifted the World Cup trophy as captain in 1974, and repeated the feat as a manager in 1990. With the club Bayern Munich, he won three consecutive European Cups from 1974 to 1976, and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1967. He is one of only two footballers, along with Brazil's Mário Zagallo, to have won the World Cup both as a player and as a coach. Beckenbauer is one of two players (along with Carles Puyol) to captain three European Cup winning sides. He went on to become coach and president of the institution. He is also a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
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Gabriel Batistuta
Gabriel Omar Batistuta (born 1 February 1969), nicknamed Batigol, is a former professional footballer. The prolific Argentine striker played most of his club football at Fiorentina in Italy, and is the tenth top scorer of all-time in the Italian Serie A league, with 184 goals in 318 matches. On the international level, he is Argentina's all-time leading goal scorer, with 56 goals in 78 national team matches, and represented his country at three World Cups. In 2004, he was named in the FIFA 100 list of the "125 Greatest Living Footballers". With an all-round game with clinical finishing, heading and free-kick taking abilities, he is known as one of the most complete strikers of his generation.
When his club Fiorentina was relegated to Serie B in 1993, Batistuta stayed with the club and helped it return to the top-flight league a year later. A popular sporting figure in Florence, the Fiorentina fans erected a life-size bronze statue of him in 1996, in recognition of his performances for Fiorentina. He never won the Italian league with Fiorentina, but when he moved to Roma in 2000, he finally won the Serie A championship to crown his career in Italy. He played his last professional season in Qatar with Al-Arabi before he retired in 2005.
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Garrincha
Manuel Francisco dos Santos (October 28, 1933 – January 20, 1983), known by the nickname "Garrincha" (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɡaˈʁĩʃɐ], "little bird"), was an association football right winger and forward who helped the Brazil national team win the World Cups of 1958 and 1962. He played the majority of his professional career for the Brazilian club Botafogo.
The word garrincha itself means wren. Garrincha was also known as Mané (short for Manuel) by his friends. The combined "Mané Garrincha" is common among fans in Brazil. Due to his immense popularity in Brazil, he was also called Alegria do Povo (Joy of the People) and Anjo de Pernas Tortas (Angel with Bent Legs).
Garrincha is regarded as the best dribbler in football history. In the Estádio do Maracanã the home team room is known as "Garrincha," while the visiting team room is known as "Pelé."
Garrincha was born in Pau Grande, a district of Magé, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in 1933. His father was an alcoholic, drinking cachaça heavily, a problem which Garrincha would inherit. He had several birth defects: his spine was deformed, his right leg bent inwards and his left leg six centimeters shorter and curved outwards, none of which impeded his ability to play football at the highest level.
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Garry Birtles
Garry Birtles (born 27 July 1956) is a retired English footballer, who played as a forward in The Football League between the 1970s and 1990s. He is best known for his time at Nottingham Forest, during which he won the 1979 and 1980 European Cup Finals. He was also capped three times by England.
Birtles was signed by Nottingham Forest from non-league Long Eaton United for £2,000. He made his Forest debut as a winger in March 1977 in the old Second Division, against Hull City. From that point on he disappeared from first team contention, not making his second appearance until September 1978. Peter Withe had been sold to Newcastle and "prodigy" Steve Elliott failed to make the grade, allowing Birtles an unexpected chance which he grasped, scoring his first goal for the club in his third match, in the European Cup against Liverpool. Birtles kept his place for the rest of the season, capping his success with a fantastic display in the 3–2 win over Southampton in the 1979 League Cup Final (scoring 2 goals) and a 1979 European Cup winner's medal via the 1–0 victory over Malmö FF of Sweden in Munich's Olympic Stadium. He was quickly established as one of the top strikers in England, having scored 14 times in the league alone that season.
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Gary Lineker
Gary Winston Lineker, OBE (born 30 November 1960), is a former English footballer, who played as a striker. He is a sports broadcaster for the BBC, Al Jazeera Sports and Eredivisie Live. He remains England's top scorer in the FIFA World Cup finals, with ten goals.
Lineker began his football career at Leicester City and became known as a prolific goalscorer; despite failing to score in his first ten games, he finished as the First Division's joint top goalscorer in 1984–85 and earned his first England cap. He then moved to League Champions Everton where he remained a clinical finisher, scoring 40 goals in 57 games. His first team honours came at Barcelona, where he won the Copa del Rey in 1988 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1989. He returned to England in 1989, joining Tottenham Hotspur, and over three seasons he scored 67 goals in 105 games and won the FA Cup. Lineker's final club was Nagoya Grampus Eight and he retired in 1994 after two seasons at the Japanese side.
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Gary Shaw
Gary Shaw (born 21 January 1961) was an English football striker who played for Aston Villa in the early 1980s. His goals helped Aston Villa win the English First Division championship in 1980–81 and the European Cup the following year - the only Birmingham-born player in the team. In 1981 he was voted PFA Young Player of the Year. He was also included in the 40-strong preliminary England World Cup squad for the 1982 finals; however, he was not picked in the final 22.
His promising Villa career was effectively ended after sustaining a knee injury in an away game at Nottingham Forest. After a heavy tackle, he was helped to his feet by Ian Bowyer and, in Shaw's words, something in his knee 'clicked'. After his recovery, he continued to play for Villa until 1987–88, when he was sold to Klagenfurt in Austria. He finished his career off at Kilmarnock, Shrewsbury, Walsall and the Hong Kong-based Ernest Borel FC.
Shaw gained seven caps for the England under-21s.
As a boy he lived in Meriden Drive, Kingshurst, and spent hours kicking a football round on a patch of grass opposite the Punch Bowl public house known locally as 'The Island'.
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George Best
George Best (22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005) was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. In 1968 he won the European Cup with United, and was named the European Footballer of the Year and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year. He is described by the national team's governing body, the Irish Football Association, as the "greatest player to ever pull on the green shirt of Northern Ireland".
Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Best began his club career in England with Manchester United, who had spotted his talent at the age of 15. He went on to see success with United scoring 179 goals from 470 appearances over 11 years. His playing style combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders. Best unexpectedly quit United relatively early in 1974 at age 27, but returned to football for a number of clubs around the world in short spells, until finally retiring in 1983, age 37. In international football, he was an automatic choice when fit, being capped 37 times and scoring nine goals from 1964 to 1977, although the team's performance never allowed his talent to be displayed in the finals of a European Championship or World Cup.
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George Weah
George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah (born October 1, 1966) is a Liberian humanitarian and politician, and an ex-footballer. He ran unsuccessfully for president in the 2005 election, losing to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the second round of voting. In the 2011 election he ran for vice president on Winston Tubman's ticket.
He also spent 14 years of his professional football career playing for clubs in France, Italy, and England, and won trophies in each of these three countries. In 1995, he was named FIFA World Player of the Year, European Footballer of the Year, and African Footballer of the Year.
George Tawlon Oppong Ousman Weah was born on October 1, 1966 in the Clara Town slum of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. Little did his parents know at the time that their baby boy would one day rise to become their country’s most famous son.
Raised largely by his grandmother, Weah studied hard at school although it was apparent from a young age that he was destined for football stardom. Little George Weah was prodigiously talented with a football at his feet but this aptitude wouldn’t truly become evident until he made the move overseas.
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Georgi Slavkov
Georgi Slavkov (Bulgarian: Георги Славков) (born 11 April 1958 in Musomishte near Gotse Delchev) is a former Bulgarian football player.
He scored 61 goals in 112 games for Botev Plovdiv between 1976 and 1982. In 1981 he won the France Football's Golden Boot award. With CSKA Sofia he played between 1982 and 1986, scoring 48 goals. Then he was transferred to the French club AS Saint-Étienne. He finished his career in Portugal in 1992.
Between 1978 and 1983, he won 37 caps for Bulgaria and scored 11 goals.
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Gerd Müller
Gerhard "Gerd" Müller (German pronunciation: [ˈɡɛɐt ˈmʏlɐ]; born 3 November 1945 in Nördlingen) is a former German football player and one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time.
With national records of 68 goals in 62 international appearances, 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games and the international record of 66 goals in 74 European Club games, he was one of the most successful goalscorers of his era. Müller is now 8th on the list of all time international goalscorers despite playing fewer matches than every player in the top 15. His nicknames are “Bomber der Nation” (the nation's Bomber) and “kleines dickes Müller” (short fat Müller; this name was given to him by Čik Čajkovski, his first coach at Bayern Munich. Čajkovski was Yugoslavian and got the German declension wrong).
In 1970 Müller was elected European Footballer of the Year after a successful season at Bayern Munich and scoring 10 goals at the 1970 World Cup. Müller held the all-time goal-scoring record in the tournament with a 14-goal total, a record that stood for 32 years until it was broken by Brazil's Ronaldo against Ghana in the Round of 16 of the 2006 World Cup. In 1999, he was voted ninth place in the European player of the Century election held by the IFFHS and he was voted thirteenth in the IFFHS' "World Player of the Century" election.
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Gheorghe Hagi
Gheorghe Hagi (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈɡe̯orɡe ˈhad͡ʒi] ( listen); born 5 February 1965 in Săcele) is a former Romanian footballer. He was one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s and is considered the greatest Romanian footballer of all time.Galatasaray fans called him 'Commandante' (The Commander) and the Romanians called him 'Regele' (The King).
Nicknamed "The Maradona of the Carpathians", he is considered a hero in his homeland. He has won his country's "Player of the Year" award six times, and is regarded as one of the best football players of the 20th century.
He played for the Romanian national team in three World Cups in 1990, 1994 and 1998, as well as in three European Football Championships in 1984, 1996 and 2000. He won a total of 125 caps for Romania, being ranked second after Dorinel Munteanu, and scored 35 goals, being ranked first.
In November 2003, to celebrate UEFA's Jubilee, he was selected as the Golden Player of Romania by the Romanian Football Federation as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years. Hagi is one of the few footballers to have played for both the Spanish rival clubs Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
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Giacinto Facchetti
Giacinto Facchetti (Italian pronunciation: [dʒaˈtʃinto fakˈketti]; 18 July 1942 – 4 September 2006) was an Italian football player. From January 2004 until his death, he was President of Internazionale, the club for which he played for his whole career during the 1960s and 1970s, playing 634 official games and scoring 75 goals. He played for the Internazionale team remembered as “Grande Inter”. Facchetti is remembered as one of the first truly great attacking-full backs, and one of the best ever in his position.
Born at Treviglio, in the Province of Bergamo (Lombardy), Facchetti began his career with his hometown club, Trevigliese, as a forward. He was soon noticed by Helenio Herrera, then manager of Internazionale, who launched him in Serie A in the late 1960–61 season as a full back. The change of role was a good choice, and eventually Facchetti developed into one of the most effective defenders of Italian football.
With his club, Facchetti won four scudetti in 1963, 1965, 1966 and 1971; one Italian Cup in 1978; two European Cups in 1964 and 1965; and two Intercontinental Cups in 1964 and 1965.
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Giampiero Boniperti
Giampiero Boniperti (born 4 July 1928 in Barengo, Piedmont) is an Italian former football player who played his entire career at Juventus between 1946 and 1961. He also played for the Italian national football team. After retirement from professional football, Boniperti has been a president of Juventus and a deputy to the European Parliament.
With 182 goals in all-competitions, Boniperti was the highest goalscorer in Juventus' history for more than 40 years, until his record was bested by Alessandro Del Piero (who was himself signed by Boniperti in 1993) on 10 January 2006. Del Piero also broke his appearance record on 14 February 2010 when he played his 445th Serie A game. Notably, Boniperti is the eleventh-highest goalscorer of all-time in Serie A and was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.
Boniperti signed for Juventus at age 16, he had already built himself a reputation prior to this at youth level, as he scored 11 goals in one match.
The youngster played his first match for the Old Lady in Serie A on 2 March 1947 against A.C. Milan, unfortunately for Boniperti it ended in a 2–1 defeat. His first goal for them in the league was three months later, against Sampdoria. Juventus ended the Serie A 1946-47 season as runners-up to local rivals Torino, Giampiero ended the season with 5 goals in 6 games to his name.
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Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli (born 9 July 1964 in Cremona) is an Italian football manager and former player. Since retiring, he has gone into management and punditry and is a commentator for Sky Sport Italia.
Vialli started his career at Cremonese in 1980 in his native Italy where he made 105 league appearances scoring 23 goals. His performances impressed Sampdoria who signed him in 1984. During which time he scored 85 league goals, won 3 Italian cups, the Serie A and the European Cup Winners Cup. Vialli transferred to Juventus for a World record £12.5 million in 1992. During this time he won the Italian Cup, the Serie A, Italian Supercup, UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup. In 1996 Vialli joined Chelsea and became Chelsea player manager the following season. In England he won the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners Cup and UEFA Super Cup. He is one of nine footballers to have won the three main European club competitions and is the only player in European footballing history to have winner's and runner's up medals in all three main European club competitions. During his twenty years long career as a professional footballer he has scored 259 goals at club level, 16 goals with the national team, 11 goals with the under 21 national team for a total of 286 goals in more than 500 appearances.
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Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI (born 28 January 1978 in Carrara, Italy), is a FIFA World Cup-winning Italian goalkeeper who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus. He is widely considered by experts to be one of the most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history. Buffon was declared by Pelé to be one of the 125 greatest living footballers in the world. He has been named the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year a record eight times. Also, he has been named the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics) goalkeeper of the year four times and was named goalkeeper of the 21st Century by the same organisation.
Buffon began his career with the youth system of Parma in 1991 at the age of 13. He graduated from the youth squad in 1995 and at the young age of just 17, Gianluigi made his Serie A debut for Parma in a 0–0 home draw against Milan on 19 November 1995. He went on to make 8 more first team appearances that season. In 1996, his second full season with the club, Buffon was named as the starting goalkeeper and would go on to make well over 200 appearances for his club in all competitions. In his fourth season with the club, he won the UEFA Cup. He was by this time, already considered a major prospect and in the summer of 2001, he was snatched up by Italian giants Juventus for a world-record goalkeeper's transfer fee of a reported £32.6 million, with part of the transfer fees paid via the transfer of Jonathan Bachini to Parma.
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Gianni Rivera
Giovanni ("Gianni") Rivera (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdʒanni riˈvɛra]; born 18 August 1943 in Alessandria) is an Italian former football midfielder, mostly as an offensive playmaker, who was awarded the Ballon d'Or, one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, in 1969. He played the majority of his career with Serie A side A.C. Milan. Internationally, he represented Italy, 60 times scoring 14 goals, at four World Cups (1962, 1966, 1970, and 1974) as well as being part of the first Italian side to win the European Football Championship in 1968.
Rivera is considered as one of the greatest Italian footballers ever and as one of the greatest passers of all time. He was a creative midfielder with offensive ideas, often at odds with the proponents of the classic Italian defensive schemes. Rivera was known for his classy, elegant and aesthetic style of play, known for his impeccable dribbling and distribution.
After retiring from football, Rivera has gone into politics and currently is a Member of the European Parliament for the Uniti nell'Ulivo party. He has been appointed as the President of the educational youth sector by the FIGC for the Italy national football team, along with Roberto Baggio and Arrigo Sacchi under head coach Cesare Prandelli.
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Gilberto Silva
Gilberto Aparecido da Silva (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒiɫˈbeʁtu ˈsiɫvɐ]; born 7 October 1976), commonly known as Gilberto Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Grêmio as a midfielder.
Gilberto was raised in a poor family and as a child he balanced playing football with various labour jobs. He began his football career in 1997 with América Mineiro, where good form earned him a move to Atlético Mineiro in 2000. He became a star player for Atlético, playing for three years in the Brazilian Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. He came to particular prominence when he helped the Brazilian national team win the 2002 FIFA World Cup, playing in all seven of Brazil's matches.
In August 2002, for a fee of £4.5 million, he joined Arsenal, with whom he won the 2004 FA Premier League as an 'Invincible', and two FA Cup trophies. In his first five seasons with the club, he played 208 games and scored 23 goals. On 19 August 2006 he scored Arsenal's first competitive goal at the newly built Emirates Stadium. He was made vice-captain of Arsenal in 2006. He has also scored Arsenal's fastest ever goal coming in at just 20 seconds in a game against PSV in the champions league. During his time with the Gunners, Gilberto developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe. In 2007, he was selected as Brazil captain for the Copa América tournament, which Brazil went on to win.
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Gilmar Rinaldi
Gilmar Luís Rinaldi (born January 13, 1959 in Erexim, RS), is a former Brazilian football goalkeeper, and current football agent of such players as Adriano.
Gilmar competed for Brazil at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
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Giuseppe Bergomi
Giuseppe "Beppe" Bergomi (born 22 December 1963) is a retired Italian footballer who spent his entire career at Internazionale, being equally at ease as a central or right defender.
He held the record of most appearances for the club for several years, while also being the side's longtime captain. He was affectionately referred to as "Lo zio" ("the uncle") because of the impressive moustache he wore even as a youngster.
Bergomi won more than 80 caps for the Italian national team, appearing in four World Cups - including the 1982 edition which ended in triumph - and Euro 1988.
Born in Milan, Bergomi begun training with F.C. Internazionale Milano's first team at the age of only 16, and made his professional debut in the 1980–81 season, the following year. The 20 Serie A seasons he went on to spend with his sole club were often in the shadow of A.C. Milan, as he only won the Scudetto once, in 1989 (he did conquer the UEFA Cup on three occasions). For a moment in his career, he held the records for both the most appearances in European competition by an Italian player and the most Milan derbies played, both broken by Paolo Maldini.
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Giuseppe Meazza
Giuseppe "Peppino" Meazza (Italian pronunciation: [dʒuˈzɛppe meˈattsa]; 23 August 1910 – 21 August 1979), also known as il Balilla, was an Italian footballer playing mainly for Internazionale in the 1930s, scoring 242 goals in 365 games for the club. He led Italy to win two World Cups: in 1934 and in 1938, winning the Golden Ball Award in 1934. He is widely considered the best player of his generation, and one of the greatest of all time. He has been ranked fourth-best player in the history of World Cup.
He began his career as all out striker, but showed his skill and ability by also becoming an accomplished midfielder, playing for more than half of his career as inside forward. He was a great leader with excellent shooting and intoxicating dribbling skill, an eye for the pass and, despite his middle height, an exceptional heading ability.
His nickname, "il Balilla", was given to him in 1927 by his older teammate Leopoldo Conti, who thought "Pepp", who was only 17 when he joined the senior team, was too young to be associated to the senior team, and was surprised after Inter coach Arpad Weisz decided to give Meazza his debut for Inter in his place. "Now we even take players from kindergarten!" exclaimed Conti sarcastically. The National Opera Balilla, the Fascist youth organisation which collected all children aged 8 to 14 years, was established in 1926 and so Conti thought it a good way to describe the young rookie. Meazza scored two goals on his debut in a 6–2 win against Milanese Unione Sportiva in the Coppa Volta in Como, leaving old "Poldo" Conti speechless The "Gazzetta dello Sport", the day after his official debut in the Italian championship on 12 September 1927, praised his game "intelligent, fresh, quick", something that didn't happen very frequently during those days.
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Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks, OBE (born 30 December 1937) is a retired English football goalkeeper. The IFFHS named Banks the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century – after Lev Yashin (1st) and ahead of Dino Zoff (3rd).
Banks was a member of the England national team that won the 1966 World Cup. In March 2004 Pelé listed Banks as one of the 125 greatest living footballers. His most famous moment occurred in the 1970 World Cup against Brazil, where he pulled off a stunning save from a goalbound header from Pelé, which is often regarded as arguably the greatest save ever. Banks' consistent performances in goal led to the re-wording of a common English idiom to "Safe as the Banks of England".
Banks, born in Sheffield, was a careful student of goalkeepers during childhood. Banks played in local colliery football as a boy and was offered an apprenticeship by Chesterfield after initially going to work as a coal bagger and then as a bricklayer on leaving school. After performances in the youth and A teams gained him promotion to the reserves, Banks was posted to Germany with the Royal Signals on National service, winning the Rhine Cup with his regimental team. On his return he was offered a full-time contract by the Chesterfield manager, Teddy Davison.
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Grzegorz Lato
Grzegorz Bolesław Lato (born 8 April 1950 in Malbork) is a former Polish football striker, and the leading scorer at the 1974 World Cup. Lato's playing career coincided with the golden era of Polish football, which began with Olympic gold in Munich in 1972 and ended a decade later with third place at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, a repeat of the Poles' impressive finish in 1974 in Germany. He is the only Polish player ever to win the Golden boot at a World Cup.
He is best known for his pace.
From 2001 to 2005 Lato, as a member of Democratic Left Alliance, was a senator in Poland. On October 30, 2008 he was elected President of Polish FA.
For Poland, Lato has been capped a record 104 times between 1971 and 1984; he scored 45 goals, which is second-best in national history behind Włodzimierz Lubański. Other than the 1974 World Cup, where he scored seven goals, he also participated in the 1978 and 1982 tournaments. In the 1974 World Cup, he won the Golden Shoe after scoring 7 goals throughout the tournament. In a difficult Group 4, the Poles made an early impression, defeating Argentina by a score of 3–2, with two goals from Lato, the first being scored after just seven minutes of play. Buoyed by that success, Poland then posted the tournament's second largest win with a 7–0 defeat of Haiti (the largest being Yugoslavia's 9–0 demolition of Zaire), with Lato weighing in with another two strikes. In the second round, the Stal Mielec-based striker was even more instrumental, scoring winning goals against Group B rivals Sweden (1–0) and Yugoslavia (2–1). And while even Lato was powerless to prevent an agonising 1–0 defeat by Germany in Frankfurt the in-form marksman was able to propel his team to third place courtesy of the only goal in the play-off victory over Brazil. He was then known as Poland's favorite player. While playing for Poland, he helped them win several titles.
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Guillermo Gorostiza
Guillermo Gorostiza Paredes (born 15 February 1909 — died 23 August 1966) was a Spanish footballer who played as a forward.
In a 14-year professional career, he played for Athletic Bilbao and Valencia, amassing La Liga totals of 256 games and 178 goals and winning 11 major titles with the two teams combined.
Gorostiza appeared for Spain at the 1934 World Cup.
Gorostiza was born in Santurtzi, Biscay. He played youth football for Chávarri de Sestao and Zugazarte, making his senior debuts with Arenas Club de Getxo and Racing de Ferrol (one season apiece), and signing for Athletic Bilbao in 1929. He made his La Liga debut on 1 December 1929 against Real Madrid, and scored 37 league goals in his first two seasons combined (only 36 games) as the club won back-to-back national championships, adding as many Copa del Rey trophies.
Gorostiza was a member of a Athletic team that also included Bata and was coached by English Fred Pentland, and won two Pichichi awards with the club. He scored the winning goal in the 1933 Spanish Cup final, a 2–1 win against Real Madrid in Barcelona.
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Guillermo Stábile
Guillermo Stábile (17 January 1905 — 26 December 1966) was an Argentine footballer and manager. At club level, Stábile won two national championships with Huracán and played in Italy and France. He was the top-scorer of the first 1930 World Cup. As manager, he led Argentina to victory at six South American Championships and the suburban Buenos Aires side Racing Club to three league titles.
Stábile was born in Parque Patricios, Buenos Aires. He began his career with local club Sportivo Metán and from 1920, with Huracán. 1924 he progressed to the first team which played in Argentinas top league, which then still had amateur status. He started out on the right wing but soon evolved as the centre forward of the standard formation. Stábile won many competitions with Huracán, most notably the championships of 1925 and 1928 and the regional trophy Copa Dr. Carlos Ibarguren in 1925.
After capturing the world's attention with his impressive feats in the First World Cup, he was signed by Genoa. He instantly became a fan favourite at Genoa, chalking up a hat-trick on his debut against rivals Bologna. He stayed with the Genoan club for five years, playing 41 games and scoring 16 goals.
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Gérson
Gérson de Oliveira Nunes, generally known as Gérson [Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʒɛʁsõ]], (born 11 January 1941 in Niterói), nickname Canhotinha de ouro (literally: Golden left foot) is an association footballer. He won numerous national trophies with the club sides of Flamego, Botafogo, São Paulo and Fluminense. He also won the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico with Brazil.
Gérson was born and spent his childhood in the city of Niterói, just to the eastern side of Guanabara Bay from Rio de Janeiro, then the capital of the former Rio de Janeiro State. In school he was nicknamed papagaio (parrot), a nickname he kept throughout his life and which many of his fellow footballers used when addressing him.
Both his father and uncle were professional footballers in Rio. His father was a close friend of the legendary Zizinho, widely held as the best Brazilian footballer before Pelé, a superstar with Flamengo and a forward in the 1950 national team, along with Vasco da Gama's Ademir Menezes and Flamengo's Jair da Rosa Pinto. So when Gérson announced he intended to become a footballer himself, he found little opposition at home.
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Hans Krankl
Johann "Hans" Krankl (born 14 February 1953 in Vienna) is a retired Austrian footballer. He was manager of LASK Linz.
A prolific striker, Krankl is regarded by many as the greatest ever Austrian player. He started his professional career at Rapid Wien and stayed there for 8 years, apart from a year at Wiener AC. He won the European Golden Boot at Rapid Wien in 1978, attracting the interest of Barcelona. His spell at Barcelona was successful, winning the Copa del Rey in his first season as well as the Cup Winners' Cup (scoring in the final itself), and picking up the top goalscorer's award in La Liga that season with 29 goals. He returned to Rapid Wien in 1981, captaining the side and again hammering in the goals for them over the next 5 years. He played a major part in the most successful of Rapid teams in the 1980s, claiming the League crown twice and most prominently losing the Cup Winners' Cup Final in 1985 against Everton. In 1986, he moved to become player-manager at Wiener Sport-Club.
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Hansi Müller
Hans-Peter "Hansi" Müller (born 27 July 1957 in Stuttgart) is a former German footballer.
Playing for his hometown side VfB Stuttgart, he took part to the UEFA Euro 1980 with West Germany, aged 22, after a brief taste of action at the 1978 FIFA World Cup, where started all four games. The tournament would prove to be Müller's international peak. He had a disappointing 1982 World Cup, and despite returning to Italy to play for F.C. Internazionale Milano, he made his 42nd and last appearance for West Germany the following year.
He ended his career in Austria with FC Swarovski. Later he was an official ambassador for the city of Stuttgart for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Innsbruck at UEFA Euro 2008.
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Henk Groot
Henk Groot (born 22 May 1938) is a retired Dutch footballer who was active as a striker. Groot made his professional debut at Ajax Amsterdam, but also played for Feijenoord. He was born in Zaandijk.
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Henrik Larsson
Henrik Edward Larsson MBE (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈhɛnrɪk ˈlɑːʂɔn]; born 20 September 1971) is a retired Swedish footballer and current manager of Landskrona BoIS. He was a striker whose main attributes were good pace and the ability to turn and shoot in tight areas.
Larsson began his career with Högaborgs BK. He moved to Helsingborg, where he was one of the key players when they won promotion to the Allsvenskan in 1993. Larsson then moved to Feyenoord for four years before leaving for Celtic in 1997. He won four league titles in seven years with Celtic, scoring 242 goals in 315 competitive matches, before moving to FC Barcelona in 2004, where he won two league titles and the 2006 Champions League. Following the expiration of his contract at Barcelona, Larsson returned to his hometown club of Helsingborg, and joined Manchester United on a brief loan spell between January and March 2007. He announced his retirement from football on 20 October 2009.
Larsson played for Sweden in three World Cups and three European Championships and is a former captain of the national team. Larsson ended his international career with 37 goals in 106 matches.
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Hernán Crespo
Hernán Jorge Crespo (born 5 July 1975) is an Argentine footballer who is currently out of contract. Crespo has scored over 300 goals in a career spanning 18 years. His honors include an Olympic Games silver medal, a Copa Libertadores, an English Premier League title and three Scudettos. He was topscorer in the 2000–01 Serie A with 26 goals, while playing for Lazio. Crespo once held the world record in transfer fee, when he was bought by Lazio from Parma in July 2000.
Crespo made his debut with River Plate during the 1993–94 season, scoring 13 goals in 25 league appearances as River Plate won the Apertura league title. In 1996, Crespo helped River win the Copa Libertadores, scoring twice in the home leg of the final in Buenos Aires.
Crespo left River Plate for Parma on 14 August 1996 after he won the silver medal with Argentina at the 1996 Summer Olympics and finished as the top scorer with six goals. He failed to score in his first six months at the club and was routinely booed with head coach Carlo Ancelotti coming in for much criticism for keeping faith with the selection of Crespo. His faith was, however, vindicated: the young Argentine went on to score 12 times in 27 matches in his first Serie A season and Parma finished runners-up to Juventus. The turning point was the standing applause he received for his brace against Calcio in March 1997. Parma won the 1998–99 Italian Cup and he scored the opening goal in Parma's 3–0 UEFA Cup final victory over Olympique de Marseille. He had scored 80 goals in four seasons.
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Hidetoshi Nakata
Hidetoshi Nakata, Cavaliere OSSI (中田 英寿, Nakata Hidetoshi?, born January 22, 1977 in Yamanashi Prefecture), is a retired Japanese football player. He was one of the most famous Asian footballers of his generation.
Nakata began his professional career in 1995 and won the Asian Football Confederation Player of the Year award in 1997 and 1998, the Scudetto with A.S. Roma in 2001, played for Japan in three FIFA World Cup tournaments (1998, 2002 and 2006) and played in the Olympics twice (1996 and 2000). In 2005, he was made the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, one of Italy's highest honors, for improving the country's image overseas. Nakata has also been involved in fashion, regularly attending runway shows and wearing designer clothing.
Nakata announced his retirement at age 29 on July 3, 2006 after a ten-year career that included seven seasons in the Italian Serie A and a season in the English Premier League. In March 2004, Pelé named Nakata in his FIFA 100, a list of the top living footballers at the time.
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Hipólito Rincón
Hipólito 'Poli' Rincón Povedano (born 28 April 1957 in Lavapiés, Madrid) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a striker.
During a 12-year professional career, he played mainly for and Real Madrid and Real Betis, amassing La Liga totals of 239 games and 81 goals.
Having gained slightly more than 20 caps for Spain, Rincón appeared with the national team at the 1986 World Cup.
A Real Madrid youth graduate, Rincón served three loan stints in the lower leagues, eventually making his debut for the first team on 14 October 1979, in a 3–2 home win over Real Zaragoza. He netted twice as a second-half substitute, but could never impose himself in the capital side's main squad, amassing only 16 La Liga games from 1979–81.
Rincón joined Andalusia's Real Betis for 1981–82, scoring 20 league goals in his second season, which earned him the Pichichi Trophy for the campaign, even though his team could only rank 11th. He went on to net nearly 100 times overall with the club, and retired after 1988–89 at the age of 32, after Betis' top flight relegation.
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Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov Stoichkov (Bulgarian: Христо Стоичков Стоичков), sometimes Stoitchkov; born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian footballer. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation and the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Nicknamed The Dagger (Камата), The Dog (Кучето), The Modern Left (Модерния ляв). At Barcelona he earned the Spanish nickname 'El Pistolero' which translates to 'the gunslinger'. He was a member of the Bulgaria national team that finished fourth at the 1994 World Cup. Apart from his footballing talent, he was notable for his on-pitch temper. He was honoured as European Footballer of the Year in 1994. He was named by Pelé as one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers at a FIFA Awards Ceremony in 2004.
Dr.H.C.Hr.Stoichkov began his career in his hometown, moving to Hebros in 1984. The next year he went to CSKA Sofia. There, he was involved in a fight during the final of the 1985 Bulgarian Cup which resulted in an original lifelong ban, which was eventually reduced to a month suspension. After he was brought back to football, he managed to win the European Golden Boot with CSKA by scoring 38 goals in 30 games. He then moved on to FC Barcelona, where he was part of Johan Cruyff's 'Dream Team', Stoichkov helped Barcelona to one of the most successful eras of the club, winning the Primera Division four years in a row between 1991 and 1994 and the European Cup after defeating Sampdoria in 1992. During his stay in Barcelona, he had become an idol for the club's fans, and was Barça's most popular player at the time, having earned a place in the supporters' hearts much like Johan Neeskens and Diego Maradona in the past. In Barcelona Stoichkov played in tandem with Romário.
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Hugo Sánchez
Hugo Sánchez Márquez (born July 11, 1958), popularly nicknamed Pentapichichi, or Hugol, is a Mexican football coach and former striker. He played for four European clubs, including Real Madrid. He was also a member of the Mexico national team, and participated in three World Cups. He is currently manager of Pachuca of the Primera División de México.
As a coach, he won two championships as head coach of the club Pumas de la UNAM and briefly with Club Necaxa, both teams in the Mexican Primera División. He also had a sixteen-month stint with the Mexican national team, but was fired on March 31, 2008. Hugo Sanchez has signed up to start coaching again, now in Europe, for UD Almería [1] from the Spanish First Division starting December 29, in an attempt to save the team from descending to the 2nd Division by the Summer. He has succeeded in keeping UD Almeria free from relegation from La Liga for the 2009–2010 season.
In 1999, the IFFHS voted him the 26th best footballer of the 20th century, and the best footballer from the CONCACAF region.
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Héctor Yazalde
Héctor Casimiro Yazalde (born 29 May 1946 – died 18 June 1997) was an Argentine footballer who played as a striker.
Nicknamed Chirola, Yazalde scored 46 goals in one single season with Sporting Clube de Portugal, being awarded that season's European Golden Shoe.
Born in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province, Yazalde's beginnings in football were hazardous; he was visiting a friend who played with Piraña, an amateur club in the Argentine capital. He asked to join in the training session, immediately causing a stirring impression and signing the very day. From there, he signed with Club Atlético Independiente, going on to help the side help two national championships.
In 1971–72, Yazalde signed with Sporting Clube de Portugal, helping the Lisbon outfit to the 1974 league title, during which he scored 46 goals in just 29 games, both a domestic and European record, and the 1973 Portuguese Cup. The following campaign, with the Lions finishing third, he netted 30, league's best and Europe's second.
As a prize for the European Golden Shoe, he received a Toyota car, which he sold, then sharing the money with his teammates. After his Portuguese spell, Yazalde successively represented Olympique de Marseille, Newell's Old Boys and Club Atlético Huracán, retiring in 1981 and becoming a player's agent, in Argentina.
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Ian Rush
Ian James Rush, MBE, (born 20 October 1961 in Flint) is a Welsh former footballer. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Wrexham and Sydney Olympic. Rush made 73 appearances for the Wales national football team and he remains the record goalscorer for Wales with 28 goals between 1980 and 1996.
Since retiring as a player in 1999, Rush has had a stint as manager of Chester City (2004–05), and has worked as a television football pundit. He was also very well known for his moustache.
Rush's reputation was enhanced by scoring for Chester in a shock 2–0 FA Cup third round win at Second Division giants Newcastle United in January 1980, with Chester equalling their best run by reaching the last 16 where they narrowly lost to Ipswich Town two rounds later. His last game for Chester was a 2–1 win over Southend United at Sealand Road on 26 April 1980 in which he did not score.
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Ihor Belanov
Ihor Ivanovych (or Ivanovich) Belanov (Ukrainian: Ігор Іванович Беланов, Russian: Игорь Иванович Беланов; born 25 September 1960) is a retired Ukrainian footballer who played as a striker.
He made a name for himself at Dynamo Kyiv, winning five major titles and being named European Footballer of the Year in 1986. He then spent six years in Germany with two teams, with little success.
Belanov represented the Soviet Union at one World Cup and one European Championship.
Belanov was born in Odessa, Ukraine, Soviet Union. He started playing professionally in his hometown, with SKA Odessa and FC Chornomorets Odessa, joining country giants FC Dynamo Kyiv in 1985, and scoring ten goals in his first season, which ended with league and cup conquest.
Alongside with teammates Oleg Blokhin and Oleksandr Zavarov, Belanov led the scoring charts at the 1985–86 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (five apiece) as Dynamo won the competition for the second time. He played the full 90 minutes in the final against Atlético Madrid (3–0).
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Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas Fernández (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈikeɾ kaˈsiʎas feɾˈnandeθ]; born 20 May 1981) is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, being the captain of both. In 2008 he led the Spanish national team to their first European Championship in 44 years, and in 2010 to win the World Cup, Spain's first ever, being also named the tournament's best goalkeeper.
Casillas has been nominated for the European Footballer of the Year award twice, ranking fourth overall in 2008 and again receiving more votes than any other goalkeeper in 2009. At the end of 2009 he was voted into the UEFA Team of the Year for the third consecutive time. As of 2011 Casillas is one of a very select group of players who have won all major club and national championship titles. In 2010, he was awarded with the Sports Prince of Asturias Award. On 19 October 2010, Casillas became the most capped goalkeeper of all time in the UEFA Champions League and in November 2011, he became the most capped player of all time for the Spanish national team.
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Irvin Khoza
Irvin Khoza (born 27 January 1948 in Alexandra) is a South African soccer administrator. Nicknamed "Iron Duke / Squveve", he is the Chairman of Orlando Pirates Football Club, Chairman of the South African Premier Soccer League and by virtue of this, Vice-President of the South African Football Association. His relationship with Orlando Pirates started in 1980, when he became its secretary and owner in 1991. As the Chairman of the Premier Soccer League, he was instrumental in securing the current sponsors of the league, Absa Group Limited. He is also the Chairman of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, after serving as the Chairman of South Africa's 2010 FIFA World Cup bid.
Mr Khoza has used his football profile to continue amassing a private fortune, which tax assessors value at more than US$10 million. In 2001, Mr. Khoza was arrested for tax evasion and fined for insurance fraud and fined in 1979 and 1981.
Khoza was part of the team who secured the right to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and later became the chairman of the South African Organising Committee. At the announcement of South Africa's success, Khoza said that "This is the people of the world voting for Africa's renewal.". Despite his football success, a cloud of controversy follows Khoza including rumoured relations with the Illegal drug trade. Irvin Khoza is married with Matina: Their daughter Sonono Khoza has a relationship with president Jacob Zuma and gave him his 20th child, named Thandekile Matina Zuma.
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Isidro Lángara
Isidro Lángara Galarraga (25 May 1912 in Pasaia, Guipúzcoa — 21 August 1992 in Andoain) was a Spanish football striker. He played 12 times for Spain, scoring 17 goals.
Lángara began his football career playing for local teams, Bildur Guchi, Esperanza de San Sebastián, Siempre Adelante de Pasajes and Andoain in his native Basque country, eventually signing for then third divison team Tolosa CF. When he turned 18 his goalscoring abilites were recognized by second division team Real Oviedo, a club with whom he would remain for 6 years until the Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936.
At Oviedo he was the figurehead of the celebrated Delantera Eléctrica, a forward line of lightning quick youthful talent that steam-rolled teams with high tempo highly skilled play; but for the onset of war the team would have surely improved upon the two third places in the seasons that preceded the war.
He was the winner of the Pichichi Trophy, awarded to the top scorer in the Spanish League, in the three seasons before the war, with 27 goals in 1933-34, 26 goals in 1934-35 and 28 goals in 1935-36. Even before that he was top scorer in the spanish second division the year Real Oviedo was promoted.
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Iván Zamorano
Iván Luis Zamorano Zamora (born January 18, 1967 in Santiago) is a retired Chilean football striker. Along with Marcelo Salas and Elias Figueroa he is regarded as one of Chile's most recognized footballers.
He was a member of the Chilean national team and played in the 1998 World Cup. He played for several clubs, notably Spanish clubs Sevilla and Real Madrid C.F. as well as Italian club Internazionale. He won the 1994-95 La Liga title and was the season's top scorer with Real Madrid. He also won the UEFA Cup with Internazionale.
In 2004, Zamorano was selected among the FIFA 100, a list of the best living football players in the world compiled by Pelé.
Zamorano started his career at the club Trasandino then he moved to Cobresal in Chile in 1985. In 1988, he moved to Europe to Swiss team FC St. Gallen, scoring 34 goals in 56 matches in three seasons. In 1991 Zamorano debuted in the Spanish Primera División with Sevilla, where he would play 59 matches and score 21 goals before he was sold to Real Madrid for $5 million.
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Jairzinho
Jair Ventura Filho, better known as Jairzinho (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒaˌiʁˈzĩɲu]; born December 25, 1944), is a former association footballer. A quick, powerful forward or winger, he was a member of the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup, during which he scored in every game Brazil played. In doing so, he became one of only 3 players – the others being Alcides Ghiggia and Just Fontaine – in the history of the World Cup to have scored in every game of the tournament. He was listed at number 27 in World Soccer Magazine's list of the 100 greatest players of the 20th century, one place ahead of Zinedine Zidane.
Due to the economic and political situation of the time[clarification needed], as well as the Sport Legislation, he played most of his club football in South America where he spent eleven years at Rio de Janeiro club Botafogo. He went on to play in Europe during the final years of his career, a common pattern for South American players until the 1980s, when the economic and political situation changed. Jairzinho replaced his footballing idol Garrincha in both the Botafogo and Brazil teams, and played in three consecutive World Cups.
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Jan Ceulemans
Jan Anna Gumaar Ceulemans (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈjɑn ˈkøːləmɑns]; born 28 February 1957 in Lier, Belgium) is a Belgian former football player who played as a midfielder.
He is his country's most capped player with 96 international appearances. Most of his time with Belgium took place under the guidance of Guy Thys. This period saw the Belgium squad record some of their finest results, which include reaching the final of Euro 80 and fourth place at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
Ceulemans' first of three World Cup appearances was at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, where Belgium beat the defending champions Argentina 1-0 in the opening game of the tournament at Nou Camp en route to reaching the second round. Among one of Ceulemans' finest achievements was captaining his national side to fourth place in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, scoring three goals in the tournament including a beautiful diving header against Spain in the quarter-finals. His performance earned the nickname "Captain Courageous".[1]. He retired from international competition after the 1990 FIFA World Cup; Jan scored the 3rd goal in a 3-1 win over Uruguay but Belgium was eliminated by England in the round of sixteen, with the winning goal being scored by David Platt in the 119th minute in extra time. Jan had struck the post during the game.
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Jari Litmanen
Jari Olavi Litmanen ( pronunciation (help·info)) (born 20 February 1971 in Lahti) is a Finnish footballer who last played for HJK. He also played for the Finland national football team, where he served as a first choice captain between 1996–2008. His international career ran from 1989 to 2010, making him the only footballer to play an International in four different decades.[citation needed]
He is widely considered to be Finland's greatest football player of all time. He was chosen as the best Finnish player of the last 50 years by the Football Association of Finland in the UEFA Jubilee Awards in November 2003. Litmanen also finished 42nd in the 100 Greatest Finns voting in 2004. The Association of Football Statisticians' (The AFS) compendium of 'Greatest Ever Footballers' listed Litmanen as the 53rd best footballer ever.
In Finland he is often called "Litti" (after Pierre Littbarski), which dates from his early years in Finland; his childhood playmate Tommi Kautonen was "Auge" after Klaus Augenthaler. He is very often also called "Kuningas" ("The King").
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Javier Saviola
Javier Pedro Saviola Fernández (born 11 December 1981) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a striker.
Known for his speed, he represented both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid during his career (amongst others), and was named, as the youngest player, to Pelé's FIFA 100 list of the 125 greatest living footballers. Due to his Spanish ancestors, he also holds Spanish nationality since 2004.
An Argentine international in the 2000s, Saviola represented the country at the 2006 World Cup and the 2004 Copa América.
Nicknamed El Conejo (The Rabbit), Buenos Aires-born Saviola made his debut for Club Atlético River Plate at the age of 16, and went on to be a prolific goalscorer for the club.
He helped River to the 1999 Apertura and 2000 Clausura championships, and earned the 1999 South American Footballer of the Year award. Still only 18, he gained a reputation as a phenomenal prospect.
In 2001, aged 19, Saviola moved abroad to play for FC Barcelona in a £15 million transfer. He obtained Spanish citizenship shortly after, thereby not being restricted by the Spanish league maximum on the number of non-European Union citizens allowed in each club. Under coach Louis van Gaal, he scored 17 goals in his first season, finishing third best scorer in La Liga.
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Javier Zanetti
Javier Adelmar Zanetti (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈχaβ̞je̞ɾ saˈne̞ti]; born 10 August 1973 in Dock Sud, Buenos Aires Province) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Serie A club Internazionale. Javier Zanetti has played for Inter since 1995, taking the captain's armband from 29 August 1999. Known for his versatility, he is adept on both the left and right wing, having played on both flanks as a fullback as well as a winger. He slots into several midfield positions with ease, particularly as a defensive or central midfielder. Internationally, he holds the record of the most capped player in the history of the Argentine national team and has played in the 1996 Olympic tournament and in two World Cups, in 1998 and 2002.
Known as "Pupi" in Argentina, Zanetti was born in Buenos Aires, picking up the nickname "El Tractor" (The Tractor) soon after his move to Italy where his strength, resilience, stamina, and his ability to run past opposing defenders when joining the attack from his right back position earned him notoriety. More recently, he plays in the right midfield. He ended a 4-year goal drought when he scored on 5 November 2006. In the national team, he is deployed as a right back but is able to switch between defense and attack easily.
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Jimmy Case
James Robert Case (born 18 May 1954) is a retired English football player who shot to fame with the all-conquering Liverpool side of the 1970s and became known as a player with one of the hardest shots in the game.
Case was brought up in Allerton and was a distant neighbour of musician Paul McCartney on the council estate which had been built in the interwar years. He was a keen member of the local scouts. As a young teenager he was quite small for his age.
His credentials, however, were established locally when during a football game between the Garston Church Choir and the Allerton Scouts he gave the goalkeeper of the choir a hefty kick when the score was 23-22, with coats as goalposts. Jimmy established his reputation as a winner, if not a bad loser.
Even though Jimmy's team lost, his legend was born. There were subsequent games on Springwood Park where Jimmy played with such aces as John Gidman (Everton) and Billy Ashcroft (Middlesbrough).
Although small in stature, Jimmy graduated through the schools teams and then joined a tough dockers' side, Blue Union. The physical nature of these early games would have an impact on the rest of his football career.
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Johan Cruyff
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON (Dutch: [ˈjoˑɦɑn ˈkrœy̆f]) born 25 April 1947 in Amsterdam), known as Johan Cruyff, is a former Dutch footballer and is currently the manager of the Catalan national team. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974, which is a record jointly held with Michel Platini, Marco van Basten and Lionel Messi. Cruyff was one of the most famous exponents of the football philosophy known as Total Football explored by Rinus Michels, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in association football.
After his retirement from playing in 1984, Cruyff became highly successful as manager of Ajax and later FC Barcelona; he remains an influential advisor to both clubs. His son Jordi has also gone on to play football professionally.
In 1999, Cruyff was voted European Player of the Century in an election held by the IFFHS, and came second behind Pelé in their World Player of the Century poll. He came third in a vote organised by the French weekly magazine France Football consulting their former Ballon d'Or winners to elect their Football Player of the Century. He was named as the greatest football player of all time by the Bleacher Report for the combination of his skill and his revolutionary application of Rinus Michels's total football to the sport.
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Johan Neeskens
Johannes Jacobus "Johan" Neeskens (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈjoʊ̯.ɦɑ.nəs ja.ˈkoʊ̯.bʏs ˈjoʊ̯.ɦɑn ˈneɪ̯s.kəns]; born 15 September 1951 in Heemstede, Netherlands) is a Dutch football manager and former midfielder. As a player, he was an important member of the Dutch national team that finished as runners-up in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups. Former England manager Alf Ramsey said Neeskens was "as good as any player" in the tournament. He was the assistant coach to Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona but was sacked along with Rijkaard as the end of the 2007–08 season. He was the head coach of the Dutch B national team until June 2009, at which date he has been appointed as the assistant coach to Frank Rijkaard at Galatasaray SK.
Neeskens, a native of Heemstede, Noord-Holland, started his career at RCH Heemstede in 1968, before being spotted by Rinus Michels and signed for Ajax in 1970. The youngster impressed at right-back, playing in that position for Ajax in the 1971 European Cup Final win against Panathinaikos. During the 1971–72 season, Neeskens took up more of a central midfield role, in support of Johan Cruijff. He adapted well to his new central midfield role because he was a tireless runner, had great technical skills and scored his fair share of goals. Ajax completed a hat-trick of European Cup wins between 1971 and 1973, and Neeskens moved on to FC Barcelona in 1974 to join Cruijff and Michels. There he was nicknamed Johan Segon (Johan the Second).
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John Wark
John Wark (born 4 August 1957) is a Scottish former footballer who spent most of his playing time with Ipswich Town. He won a record four Player of the Year awards before becoming one of the four inaugural members of the club's Hall of Fame. Wark had long spells at the club, which bookended his career, and a third, brief interlude dividing his briefer periods at Liverpool and Middlesbrough. A versatile player, Wark played most of his professional games as a midfielder, although he sometimes played as a central defender and on occasion as a striker.
Born in Glasgow, Wark represented Scotland in international football, winning 29 caps and scoring seven goals. This included selection for Scotland in the 1982 FIFA World Cup in which he made three appearances and scored twice.
During his playing career, Wark appeared in the film Escape to Victory. Since retiring as a professional player in 1996, he has continued to work for Ipswich Town—since April 2009 in the corporate hospitality department. His autobiography, Wark On, was published in 2009.
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Jorge Valdano
Jorge Alberto Francisco Valdano Castellanos (born October 4, 1955 in Las Parejas, Santa Fe Province) is an Argentine former football player and the former General Manager of Real Madrid CF.
He is sometimes nicknamed The Philosopher of Football. He was part of the Argentine team that won the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico (he scored Argentina's second goal in their 3-2 victory over Germany), a starter for Spanish giant Real Madrid, and later became sporting director of the Spanish club.
Valdano started playing when he was 16 years old for Rosario's club Newell's Old Boys, where he also started playing professionally, as well as with the Argentina national football team, in 1972. In 1975 he was transferred to Deportivo Alavés of the Spanish Second Division, where he played until 1979. In that year he moved to Real Zaragoza of the first division, and then to Real Madrid in 1984, playing with the Quinta del Buitre. He helped them win the UEFA Cup in 1985 and 1986, scoring once in the 1985 final and twice in the 1986 final. Stricken by Hepatitis, he decided to retire in 1988, and became a sports commentator and Real Madrid youth team's coach. In the 1991/1992 season he became CD Tenerife's coach, helping it avoid relegation, and qualifying for the UEFA Cup in the following season. He went back to Real Madrid, now as coach, and won them the 1994/1995 league. He finally coached Valencia CF in 1996/1997, before becoming Real Madrid's Sporting Director until his resignation in June 2005. In June 2009 he came back to Real Madrid as Director General and Presidential Aide of Real Madrid. He was sacked from the position on 25 May 2011, after his relationship with the coaching staff, especially head coach José Mourinho, had deteriorated.
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Jorginho
Jorge de Amorim Campos (born 17 August 1964), aka Jorginho, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played mainly as a right defender, and the current coach of Kashima Antlers.
He played in his country for five different clubs, and also spent six years in Germany, namely with Bayern Munich; additionally, he was part of the Brazilian team that won the 1994 World Cup.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Jorginho started playing professionally for local side América Football Club, moving after just one season to Clube de Regatas do Flamengo.
In 1989, he went overseas, joining German Bundesliga outfit Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With most teams in the country playing in a 5–3–2 or 3–5–2 formation, his tremendous offensive ability was put to good use, and he scored five goals for Bayer during his third and final season.
Staying in the country, Jorginho signed with league giants FC Bayern Munich in 1992–93, backed by a defensive line which included Olaf Thon, Thomas Helmer and later Lothar Matthäus. He won the national title in his second year but, after the loan return of Markus Babbel, a central defender which also operated on the right flank, was restricted to just ten league contests in 1994–95.
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Josef Masopust
Josef Masopust (born 9 February 1931 in Střimice near Most) is a Czechoslovak former football player and coach. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1962. In November 2003, to celebrate UEFA's Jubilee, he was selected as the Golden Player of the Czech Republic by the Football Association of the Czech Republic as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years. He played as midfielder and was an indispensable player for Czechoslovakia. He capped 63 times, scoring 10 goals for his country.
He was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.
In 1962, Masopust led the Czechoslovakia team that reached the 1962 FIFA World Cup final, losing to Brazil. He scored in the Final and Czechoslovakia took the lead, Brazil however came back to win 3-1. Because of his performance at the World Cup Finals, he was named European Footballer of the Year in 1962. Overall, he was capped 63 times for his country, scoring ten goals (he also played in the 1958 FIFA World Cup). In Europe, he took Czechoslovakia to third place at the 1960 UEFA European Football Championship.
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Josip Skoblar
Josip "Joško" Skoblar (born 12 March 1941) is a Croatian former football player and manager. He was primarily a forward, and also capable of playing on both wings.
Skoblar was born in Privlaka near Zadar (at the time in the Banovina of Croatia, Kingdom of Yugoslavia). He started his career with NK Zadar (1957–58). He got spotted there by OFK Beograd goalie Perica Radenković who was serving his mandatory army stint in Zadar. Radenković recommended Skoblar to club management and the 19-year-old was soon on his way to Belgrade. With OFK Beograd Skoblar won the Yugoslav Cup in 1962 and 1966. In Germany he played for Hannover 96 (1967–70). In 57 games in Bundesliga, he scored 30 goals.
He was willing to play in Marseilles, but the chairman of Hannover didn't want to lose such a player. Marcel Leclerc, chairman of Marseilles, went to Hannover on a quick journey and came back with the player, it was the beginning of a great adventure with Marseilles. The player was applauded at the airport by many fans.
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José Eulogio Gárate
José Eulogio Gárate Ormaechea (born 20 September 1944 in Sarandí, Argentina) is a former Argentine-Spanish footballer who played as a forward for SD Eibar, SD Indautxu, Atlético Madrid and Spain.
Gárate was born in Argentina of Basque parents and grew up in Eibar. He began his career with SD Eibar in 1960 before joining SD Indautxu in 1963. Just like two earlier Indautxu players, Jesús María Pereda and Miguel Jones, he was controversially overlooked by Atlético Bilbao and like Jones he eventually joined Atlético Madrid. Along with Luis Aragonés, Adelardo, Javier Irureta, Enrique Collar, and Ufarte, he was a prominent member of the successful Atlético side of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Gárate helped the team win La Liga three times, the Copa del Generalísimo twice, reach the final of the European Cup and win the Intercontinental Cup. He was a notable goalscorer, winning the Pichichi three times in a row between 1968 and 1970 and scoring the winning goals in the 1972 and 1976 Copa del Generalísimo finals. During his time at Atlético, Gárate played 241 games and scored 109 goals.
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José Kléberson
José Kléberson Pereira (born 19 June 1979 in Uraí), commonly known as José Kléberson or simply Kléberson, is a Brazilian football centre midfielder who plays for Brazilian club Flamengo.
Kléberson was born and raised in the provincial town of Uraí in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná.
He began his football career with Atlético Paranaense. While at Atlético Paranaense, Kléberson won the Paraná State League in 2000 and 2001, and the Brazilian Série A title in 2001. His performances for Atlético Paranaense led to Luiz Felipe Scolari bringing him into the Brazilian national team for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
His World Cup performances led to Scolari declaring Kléberson the driving force behind Brazil's Cup winning side, and drew interest from several English and Scottish teams. Newcastle United, Leeds United and Celtic all expressed an interest. Leeds failed to secure the signing after Kléberson decided against leaving Brazil without his girlfriend, who he was unable to marry until her 16th birthday. Eventually, it was Manchester United who signed Kléberson for a fee of £6.5 million on 12 August 2003. Seen as a replacement for Juan Sebastián Verón, Kléberson was injured in his second appearance for the club and made only 20 appearances in two seasons. He scored two league goals in his time at Manchester United, both coming in home wins against Blackburn Rovers and Everton.
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José Nasazzi
José Nasazzi Yarza (May 24, 1901 – June 17, 1968) was the Uruguayan footballer who captained his country when they won the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930.
He was born in Bella Vista, Montevideo to Giuseppe, an Italian immigrant from Milan, and María from the Basque Country of Spain.
Nasazzi is regarded by many as Uruguay's greatest ever football player. He was known as "El Gran Mariscal" (The Great Marshal) and had already won the gold medal at the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games, as well as the Copa América in 1923, 1924 and 1926, by the time of the first World Cup.
During the World Cup tournament, Uruguay's only serious rivals were their neighbors Argentina. After defeating Peru and Romania in the first round, Uruguay defeated the Yugoslavia 6-1 in the semi-finals to set up a final against Argentina. Although his team were 2-1 behind at half-time, Nasazzi rallied his teammates in the second half, leading them to a 4-2 victory and making himself the first captain to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy.
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José Zalazar
José Luis Zalazar Rodríguez (born 26 October 1963) is an Uruguayan retired footballer who played mostly as an attacking midfielder.
Nicknamed El Oso (Bear), he played most of his career in Spain, especially with Albacete Balompié, being part of the club's most long tenure in La Liga. He was also notable for his strong and accurate right-foot shot, as demonstrated with several goals from long distance, particularly from free kicks.
An Uruguayan international for nearly one full decade, Zalazar represented the country at the 1986 World Cup.
Born in Montevideo, Zalazar started his career at local club C.A. Peñarol in 1982. After the 1986 FIFA World Cup, he joined Mexican club Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara where, in his first year, he was the highest goalscorer of the tournament with 23 goals overall. He then moved to Spain, where he played with Cádiz CF one season, before returning to Mexico for the 1988–89 season, again with the Tecos.
In 1989, Zalazar returned to Spain, playing one year in its second division with RCD Español. He then joined Albacete Balompié, where he would have his most successful period, playing six seasons and being part of the squad known as Queso Mecánico ("Mechanic Cheese"). He started his spell at the Castile-La Mancha team in the second level, scoring 15 times in all 38 matches in an eventual promotion - namely two crucial ones against UD Salamanca.
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Juan Antonio Pizzi
Juan Antonio Pizzi Torroja (born 7 June 1968) is a retired Argentine-born Spanish professional footballer who played as a striker, and a current coach.
He spent the bulk of his club career in Spain, namely at the service of Tenerife, helping to the side's consolidation in La Liga, and amassing top division totals of 221 games and 92 goals over the course of eight seasons - he also played for Valencia and Barcelona.
Pizzi represented the Spanish national team for four years, appearing with it in one World Cup and one European Championship. After retiring, he embarked in a managerial career.
Born in Santa Fe, Pizzi started his professional career with Rosario Central, before transferring to Mexico's Deportivo Toluca. After only one season he moved to CD Tenerife, with great individual success (30 goals in his first two seasons combined), while also helping the Canary Islands outfit qualify for the UEFA Cup in his second year.
This performances prompted interest from fellow La Liga club Valencia CF. Highly unsettled, Pizzi returned after only one season to Tenerife. In the second season in his second spell, he fired the club into another UEFA Cup qualification, topping the goal charts at 31, in 41 contests, also good enough for the European Golden Boot.
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Juan Arza
Juan Arza Iñigo (12 June 1923 – 17 July 2011) was a Spanish football forward and manager.
He spent the majority of his career with Sevilla, appearing in 414 official games over the course of 16 La Liga seasons (207 goals, best-ever in the club's history), and also managed his main team on several occasions.
Born in Estella-Lizarra, Navarre, Arza's first club was hometown's CD Izarra. He moved to neighbouring Deportivo Alavés (Basque Country) subsequently, then to CD Málaga, staying for a season with the latter team.
In 1943, aged 20, Arza continued in Andalusia and joined Sevilla FC, where he had his most enduring and successful spell, scoring an hat-trick on his official debut, a 5–2 home win against CE Sabadell FC on 26 September, and netting 57 in his first four seasons combined - in 1946, the club won its first ever La Liga championship, with the player contributing with 14.
Dubbed El Niño de Oro ("The Golden Boy"), Arza scored a career-best 29 goals in the 1954–55 season, good enough for his first and only Pichichi Trophy. After only seven games in 1959–60, the 36-year old left Sevilla to join Atlético Almería, and retired a year later. He went on to coach his main team as an interim on several occasions, not being able to prevent top flight relegation in 1967–68, after 12 games in charge; he also worked with the club as match delegate in the 80's and 90's and, as a coach, was also namely in charge of Celta de Vigo (five separate seasons, four in the top division).
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Juan Barbas
Juan Alberto Barbas (born August 23, 1959 in San Martín, Buenos Aires) is a retired Argentine football defensive midfielder, He played for a number of clubs in Argentina, Spain, Italy and Switzerland before turning his hand to management in 2009 with Racing Club de Avellaneda.
Barbas started his career in 1977 at Racing Club de Avellaneda in the Primera Division Argentina. He then went on to play for Real Zaragoza in Spain, U.S. Lecce in Italy, FC Locarno and FC Sion in Switzerland.
Barbas was a part of the Sion team that won the 1991-1992 Swiss Championship.
After another spell at Locarno Barbas returned to Argentina where he had a short spell with Club Atlético Huracán before dropping down to the lower leagues to play for Alvarado de Mar del Plata and then All Boys where he retired in 1997.
Barbas was part of the Argentina Under-20 squad that won the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship, he went on to play for Argentina 33 times including appearances at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
On 13 October 2009 Racing Club de Avellaneda officials hired their former player as their caretaker coach, replacing Ricardo Caruso Lombardi.
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Juan Gómez González
Juan Gómez González (10 November 1954 – 2 April 1992), aka Juanito, was a Spanish footballer who played as a forward.
A player with tremendous dribbling ability whose career was overshadowed by a fierce character, Juanito was best known for his Real Madrid years. He died in a road accident at only 37.
Growing up, Juanito supported Real Zaragoza, but as he approached his adulthood he began supporting Real Madrid. Upon his presentation in 1977, he said: "Playing for Real Madrid is like touching the sky, Real Madrid has always been my first choice as a team and Madrid has always been my favorite as a city".
He gained more than 30 caps for Spain, representing the nation in two World Cups and one European Championship.
Born in Fuengirola, Málaga, Juanito played as a youth with his local club, before joining Atlético Madrid in 1972. While still underage, he allegedly forged his papers so he could play for the colchoneros' U18 team. He scored twice on his debut, but a fractured tibia ended his career at Atlético and he never played for the senior team.
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Juan Román Riquelme
Juan Román Riquelme (born 24 June 1978) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Boca Juniors as an attacking midfielder.
A playmaker, he combines passing, vision and skills with goalscoring ability from midfield. He spent most of his career with Boca Juniors, but also had a significant spell in Spain with Villarreal. He was named the Argentine Footballer of the Year four times.
A longtime Argentine international, Riquelme represented the nation at the 2006 World Cup and two Copa América tournaments.
Born in San Fernando, Buenos Aires, Riquelme was born into a family of ten in poverty, and grew up in Don Torcuato. Boca Juniors and Club Atlético River Plate spotted him when he was a youth player for Argentinos Juniors, and he chose to move to the former in 1995 for US$800,000, as he had been a fan of the club since childhood.
On 10 November 1996, aged 18, Riquelme made his Primera División debut, in a 2–0 win against Unión de Santa Fe. Two weeks later, he scored his first senior goal, in a 6–0 triumph over Club Atlético Huracán.
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Juan Sebastián Verón
Juan Sebastián Verón (born 9 March 1975) is an Argentinian professional football player who is the current captain and midfielder for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine Primera División. Verón's career started in Estudiantes, continued in Argentina's Boca Juniors, and included stints in several Serie A clubs (where he won the Scudetto with Lazio and with Internazionale, and a UEFA Cup with Parma), and England's Manchester United and Chelsea. In 2006, Verón returned to Estudiantes.
In 2004, he was included in the FIFA 100 centenary list of the 125 greatest living footballers, selected by Pelé as part of FIFA's centenary celebrations. Verón has both Argentine and Italian citizenship. His nickname is La Brujita (Little Witch), a nod to his father Juan Ramón who was known as La Bruja (The Witch) and was also a championship winning player with Estudiantes.
Juan Sebastián Verón is the eldest son of former Argentina striker Juan Ramón Verón, who scored against Manchester United in the 1968 Intercontinental Cup at Old Trafford for Estudiantes. He was born the day his father played a derby for Estudiantes against cross-town rivals Gimnasia y Esgrima. As a boy, Verón dreamed of playing for English club Sheffield United, as his uncle, Pedro Verde, played for the club at the time. When his son started to play professionally, his father tried to persuade one of his former clubs Panathinaikos to sign him. However, after a short trial with them, they finally decided that he was not good enough for their team. After his transfer to Manchester United, Verón said, "So there I was hoping to play for Sheffield United and here I am at Manchester United!"
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Juan Seminario
Juan Roberto Seminario Rodríguez (born 22 July 1936 in Piura, Peru) is a retired Peruvian football player, recognized as one of Peru's most important strikers. Nicknamed "El Loco" he is the only Zaragoza player to have won the "Pichichi Trophy" (1961-62 La Liga).
He played for several clubs, notably Spanish clubs Real Zaragoza and FC Barcelona, Sporting CP of Portugal, as well as Italian club Fiorentina. He also won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1965-66 with FC Barcelona.
Seminario started his career in 1954 playing for Deportivo Municipal where he played until 1959. During this time he made 19 appearances for the Peru national team. On May 17, 1959 he scored a hat-trick against England in a 4-1 win, in Lima.
In 1959 he moved to Europe, joining Sporting CP of Portugal, where he would play 50 matches and score 21 goals, and be nicknamed Expresso de Lima.
In 1961 he moved on to join Real Zaragoza in Spain where he became the top scorer in La Liga (with 25 goals in 30 matches) for the 1961-62 season. Before he was sold to Italy, he would play 8 matches and score 8 goals in the Zaragoza.
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Juliano Belletti
Juliano Haus Belletti (born 20 June 1976) is a former Brazilian footballer who mostly played as a right-back. He was awarded the Silver Ball by Placar for his consistently great performances for Atlético Mineiro during the 1999 Brazilian Série A. Belletti has Italian origins, his distant relatives coming from Longiano, a small village near Cesena, Emilia-Romagna. He is currently 35-years-old.
Born in Cascavel, Belletti started his career playing as a central midfielder in Brazil for the youth team of Cruzeiro in 1992. His professional debut happened in November 1994. In March 1996, he was involved in a deal that sent him and Serginho to São Paulo FC in exchange for five players: Aílton, Donizete, Gilmar, Palhinha and Vitor. Playing for São Paulo, he eventually became a right-back.
In 1999, he was loaned to Atlético Mineiro. Playing as an attacking-midfielder, Belletti helped the club to finish second in the Brazilian League and managed to win a Silver Ball, award handed by Placar Magazine to the players nominated to the Brazilian League Squad of The Year (except for the best one, who takes a Golden Ball).
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Julio César Romero
Julio César Romero Insfrán, nicknamed Romerito (born 28 August 1960 in Luque, Paraguay) is a former football midfielder from Paraguay, considered among the best players in Paraguayan football history. He is the only Paraguayan named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.
Romero started his career at local club Sportivo Luqueño in 1977, by 1979 Romerito's consistent performances had earned him a place in the Paraguay national football team that played in the FIFA World Youth Championship and was considered one of the best players of the tournament along with Maradona. In the same year, Romerito played the Copa América which was eventually won by Paraguay.
In 1980 he joined now defunct New York Cosmos where he played alongside such greats as Carlos Alberto and Franz Beckenbauer.
Romero moved to Brazil to play for Fluminense where he was selected as the South American Footballer of the Year in 1985. He became a fan favorite after leading the team to a Campeonato Brasileiro.
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Juninho Paulista
Osvaldo Giroldo Júnior (born 22 February 1973 in São Paulo), better known as Juninho Paulista or simply Juninho, is a former Brazilian footballer. During his professional career, he played for Brazilian clubs São Paulo FC, Vasco da Gama, Palmeiras, CR Flamengo, as well as English club Middlesbrough, Spanish club Atlético Madrid, Celtic in Scotland and Sydney FC in Australia.
Juninho also played nearly 50 international matches with the Brazilian national team from 1995 to 2003, winning the 2002 FIFA World Cup championship and the bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic tournament.
Born in São Paulo, Juninho played youth football for FC curvados e Orgulhoso, a local club set up in São Paulo, and then futsal at EC Juventus .
Juninho began his senior career with Ituano FC, from city of Itu, state of São Paulo in 1990. In 1993 playing for Ituano FC against São Paulo FC, Juninho scored and was awarded the player of the match, helping Ituano FC beat São Paulo in a Paulista Championship match, fact which got attention of the São Paulo FC's head coach Telê Santana, who requested its team to buy the young talent. After being awarded the best rookie of the 1993's Paulista Championship playing by Ituano FC.
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Juninho Pernambucano
Antônio Augusto Ribeiro Reis Jr. (born 30 January 1975 in Recife), commonly known as Juninho or Juninho Pernambucano, is a Brazilian footballer and dead-ball specialist, currently playing as a midfielder for Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A club Vasco da Gama. He is considered to be one of the greatest free kick takers of all time. Juninho led Olympique Lyonnais to 7 consecutive Ligue 1 titles before leaving the club in 2009 while scoring 100 goals in 344 games for Lyon, and six goals in 40 games for the Brazilian national team. He retired from international football after the 2006 World Cup.
Juninho started his career at Sport Recife and quickly established himself as a rising star in Brazilian football. After winning two regional titles with Sport, he moved to Vasco da Gama in 1995, and won several trophies with the club, including the Brazilian Championship in 1997 and 2000, the Copa Libertadores in 1998, the Copa Mercosur in 2000, as well as the 2000 Brazilian Silver Ball award as one of the best Brazilian midfielders of the season. In that time, he was part of an incredible squad, playing with Romário, Edmundo, and Juninho Paulista.
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Just Fontaine
Just "Justo" Fontaine (born 18 August 1933 in Marrakech, Morocco) is a former French football player.
He holds the record for most goals scored in a single FIFA World Cup finals tournament, with 13 in 1958. He has also scored the fourth most goals for any player in the World Cup finals overall, beaten only by Ronaldo, who scored fifteen goals (in three World Cup tournaments), Gerd Müller who scored 14 goals (in two World Cup tournaments) and Miroslav Klose (in three World Cup tournaments), who scored fourteen goals as well. Although France did not win the 1958 World Cup, Fontaine became the second player after Alcides Ghiggia to score in every match of a World Cup.
Though born in Marrakech, he moved to Casablanca, where he attended the Lycée Lyautey.
Fontaine began his amateur career at USM Casablanca, where he played from 1950 to 1953. Nice recruited him in 1953, and he went on to score 44 goals in three seasons for the club. In 1956, he moved on to Stade de Reims where he teamed up with Raymond Kopa, Kopa went to Real Madrid in 1958, Fontaine scored 121 goals in six seasons at the Stade de Reims. In total, Fontaine scored 165 goals in 200 matches in the Ligue 1, and twice won the championship; in 1958 and 1960.
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Júlio Botelho
Júlio Botelho, also known as Julinho (29 July 1929, in São Paulo – 10 January 2003) was a Brazilian football (soccer) player. He was primarily a winger.
During his career (1951–1967) he played for Portuguesa, Fluminense and Palmeiras. In Italy, he was a team member of Fiorentina and was a key member in the 1956 Italian title. In 1957, he participated in the 1957 European Cup final, a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid. Julinho played at the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland, scoring two goals. He was nominated the best player in the history of Fiorentina in 1996. He died at the age of 73.
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Júnior Baiano
Raimundo Ferreira Ramos Jr. (also known as Júnior or Júnior Baiano [by adding the demonym of Bahia, his home state]) (born 14 March 1970 in Feira de Santana) is a retired Brazilian footballer.
Júnior Baiano began his career in the late 1980s, playing with Flamengo in the Campeonato Brasileiro. Over the course of the next 15 years Júnior Baiano's career took him to Germany, China, and all over Brazil. He is most remembered in Germany for the ten-match ban he received after punching an opponent in a game, which caused his club Werder Bremen to cancel his contract. He won the Campeonato Carioca twice in two stints with Flamengo in 1991 and 2004, as well as the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Brasileiro. He also won the Copa Conmebol and the Recopa Sul-Americana with São Paulo in 1994m and the Copa Libertadores with Palmeiras in 1999.
He retired in the end of 2005, but in December 2006 he signed a professional contract with América from Rio de Janeiro to defend the club in Rio State Championship in the beginning of 2007. Baiano signed a contract with Brasiliense to play Série B Brazilian League in 2007.
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Jürgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann (born 30 July 1964 in Göppingen) is a German football manager and former player who is currently the coach of the United States men's National team. As a player, Klinsmann played for several prominent clubs in Europe and was part of the West German team that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the German one that won the 1996 UEFA European Championship. One of West Germany's/Germany's premier strikers during the 1990s, Klinsmann scored in all six major international tournaments he participated, from Euro 1988 to 1998 World Cup.
He managed the German national team to a third-place finish in the 2006 World Cup. On 12 July 2006, Klinsmann officially announced that he would step down as Germany's coach after two years in charge and be replaced by assistant coach Joachim Löw. He took over as coach of Bayern Munich in July 2008, when Ottmar Hitzfeld stepped down to take over as the head coach of the Swiss National Team. On 27 April 2009 he was released early, even though he had won five of the previous seven league games and was only three points behind league leader VfL Wolfsburg. In the jointly initiated reforms at Bayern it emerged there was a severe clash of opinions between coach and club management.
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Kaká
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁiˈkaɾdu iˈzɛksõw duˈsɐ̃tus ˈlejtʃi]; born 22 April 1982), commonly known as Kaká (Portuguese: [kaˈka] ( listen)), is a Brazilian football attacking midfielder who currently plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Kaká started his footballing career at the age of eight, when he began playing for a local club. At the time, he also played tennis, and it was not until he moved on to São Paulo FC and signed his first professional contract with the club at the age of 15 that he chose to focus on football.
In 2003 he joined Milan for a fee of €8.5 million. While at Milan, Kaká won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2007. After his success with Milan, Kaká joined Real Madrid for a transfer fee of €65 million, second only to that of Zinedine Zidane, €75 million. Later Real Madrid transferred Cristiano Ronaldo for a fee of €96 million, setting a new transfer fee record, making Kaka's fee the third highest ever. In addition to his contributions on the pitch, Kaká is known for his humanitarian work. In 2004, by the time of his appointment, he became the youngest ambassador of the UN World Food Programme. Kaka is the first sportsperson to amass 10 million followers in twitter.
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Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema (Arabic: كريم بن زيمة; born 19 December 1987) is a French international footballer who plays for Spanish club Real Madrid in La Liga. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings and is known for his technical ability, powerful style of play, and vast goal-scoring ability. He is described as an "immensely-talented striker" who is "strong and powerful" and "a potent finisher from inside the box".
Benzema was born in the city of Lyon beginning his football career with local club Bron Terraillon. In 1996, he joined the biggest club in the city Olympique Lyonnais and, subsequently, came through the club's youth academy. Benzema made his professional debut in the 2004–05 season and appeared sporadically in his first three seasons as Lyon won three titles in that span. In the 2007–08 season, Benzema became a starter and had a breakthrough year scoring over 30 goals as Lyon won its seventh straight league title. For his performances, he was named the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) Ligue 1 Player of the Year and named to the organization's Team of the Year. Benzema was also the league's top scorer and given the Bravo Award by Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo. After another season at Lyon, in July 2009, Benzema signed a six-year contract with Spanish outfit Real Madrid. After struggling to establish himself in his debut season with the club, in the ensuing two seasons, Benzema reached prominence scoring 58 goals en-route to helping Real Madrid win the Copa del Rey in 2011 and the 2011–12 edition of La Liga. In December 2011, he was named the French Player of the Year for his performances during the calendar year.
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Kees Kist
Kees Kist (born August 7, 1952 in Steenwijk, Overijssel) is a retired football striker from the Netherlands, who obtained 21 caps for his national team, in which he scored four goals, in the years 1975–1980. He played for SC Heerenveen (1970–1972), AZ '67 (now AZ) (1972–1982), winning the Dutch title in 1981, Paris Saint-Germain (1982–1983), FC Mulhouse (1983–1984), AZ (1984–1986), and returned for his last season to SC Heerenveen. Kist scored 259 goals in 441 games for AZ. He made 212 of these goals while AZ Alkmaar was in the highest division (eredivisie), which puts him in fourth place on the all-time leaders list, behind Willy van der Kuijlen, Ruud Geels and Johan Cruijff. He was the first Dutch player to win the European Golden Boot in 1979, after having scored 34 goals in the 1978-79 season for AZ.
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Kenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish (Scottish pronunciation: [dɛlɡliːʃ]) MBE (born 4 March 1951) is a Scottish former footballer and manager. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two clubs, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is Scotland's most capped player, with 102 appearances, and joint leading goal scorer, with 30 international goals. Dalglish was voted PFA Player of the Year for the 1982–83 season, and Football Writers' Footballer of the Year in 1979 and 1983. In 2009 FourFourTwo magazine named Dalglish as the greatest striker in post-war British football, and in 2006 he topped a Liverpool fans' poll of "100 Players Who Shook the Kop". He has been inducted into both the Scottish and English football Halls of Fame.
Dalglish began his career with Celtic and between 1971 and 1977 he won four Scottish First Division titles, four Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup with the club. In 1977, Bob Paisley paid a British transfer record of £440,000 to bring Dalglish to Liverpool. His years at Liverpool marked one of the club's most successful periods: he won seven league titles, three European Cups and five domestic trophies. For these achievements and his style of play he was given the name King Kenny by Liverpool supporters. Dalglish became player-manager of Liverpool in 1985 and in a six-year tenure won three league titles and two FA Cups. He resigned as Liverpool manager in 1991.
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Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE (born 14 February 1951) is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United.
As a player in the 1970s and 1980s, he has been described as "arguably the first superstar English player to attract the modern media spotlight". He began his playing career at Scunthorpe United in 1968, before moving to Liverpool of Division One in 1971. At Liverpool, Keegan won three First Division titles, two UEFA Cups, one FA Cup and the European Cup. He also gained his first England cap in 1972, and moved to German top-flight club Hamburger SV in the summer of 1977. At Hamburg he was crowned European Footballer of the Year in both 1978 and 1979, won the Bundesliga title in 1978–79, and reached the European Cup final the following year. Keegan moved to Southampton that summer, and spent two seasons at the club before a transfer to second-tier Newcastle United in 1982. He helped Newcastle to promotion in his second season, and retired from football in 1984, having been capped 63 times for England, scoring 21 goals.
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Leandro Ávila
Leandro Corona Ávila (born 6 April 1971) is a Brazilian former footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a defensive midfielder.
Born in Porto Alegre, Ávila played for Vasco da Gama, Botafogo, Internacional, Palmeiras, Fluminense, Flamengo, Al-Hilal, Marília and Serrano.
He also represented Brazil at the 1995 Copa América.
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Leo Canjels
Leonard "Leo" Canjels (1 April 1933 – 26 May 2010) was a Dutch international footballer who played for NAC Breda.
Canjels started playing football at Breda side VV Baronie. He made his debut for NAC in the 1956/1957 season and played seven years for the club before retiring. As a NAC Breda player, Canjels twice won the Eredivisie top goalscorers award, in 1958 and 1959.
Canjels was nicknamed Het Kanon (the Gun) because of his powerful shooting.
After retiring as a player, Canjels became a coach and managed NAC Breda, as well as Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge among others in Belgium. He retired from coaching in 1990.
He died on May 26, 2010 after a long illness.
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Leonardo Araújo
Leonardo Nascimento de Araújo, known as Leonardo (born 5 September 1969 in Niterói, Brazil), is a football manager and a former midfielder. He is currently active as director of football of French club Paris Saint-Germain.
A former Brazil international, he also served as player and manager of Italian side Milan, and successively as manager of crosstown rivals Internazionale. He played in the 1994 World Cup winning side, as well as the runners up team in 1998.
Leonardo began his career with the Brazilian club Flamengo in 1987; at just 17, he was given the opportunity to play with his hero Zico plus Leandro, Bebeto and Renato Gaúcho, and to take part in winning his first Brazilian championship. In 1990, Leonardo signed with São Paulo FC, and in 1991, Leonardo, Raí, and other young talents were assembled as part of the so-called 'esquadrão tricolor' ("three-coloured squad") under the command of Brazilian legend Telê Santana, giving Leonardo his second Brazilian championship.
Later that year, he made the switch to European football, signing with the Spanish club Valencia CF. After two seasons with Valencia, he returned to Brazil for a brief stint with São Paulo in 1993, during which time the team won several titles, including the prestigious Copa Libertadores and International Cup.
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Leonel Sánchez
Leonel Guillermo Sánchez Lineros (born April 25, 1936 in Santiago de Chile) is a former professional football player.
Regarded as one of Chile's most important players, Sánchez holds the record for most games played for Chile with 84 games and 23 goals between 1955 and 1968. Mundial scorer of 62 in Chile.
Sanchez was the son of a professional boxer.
He played at left midfield for over 20 years between 1953 and 1973. 17 of those 20 were for Universidad de Chile, where he was the icon of the Ballet Azul (Blue Ballet), a team that won 6 national championships between 1959 and 1969.
Four of his 23 international goals were at the 1962 World Cup, where he was the top scorer along with five other players. In that World Cup he also knocked out the Italian player Mario David with a hook in a dispute in the infamous Chile - Italy match.
Sánchez remained in Universidad de Chile, although he received numerous offers from well known European clubs such as AC Milan. In 1969, after a contract rule was settled, Universidad de Chile was forced to sell him. He finished his career playing for different Chilean clubs such as Colo-Colo, Palestino and Ferroviarios.
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Lev Yashin
Lev Ivanovich Yashin (Russian: Лев Ива́нович Я́шин) (22 October 1929 – 20 March 1990) nicknamed as "The Black Spider", "The Black Octopus" or "The Lion", was a Soviet-Russian football goalkeeper, considered by many to be the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the game. He was known for his superior athleticism in goal, imposing stature, amazing reflex saves and inventing the idea of goalkeeper sweeping. Yashin was voted the best goalkeeper of the 20th century by the IFFHS.
Yashin was born in Moscow into a family of industrial workers. At twelve years of age, the Second World War forced him to turn to factory work to aid in the war effort. He was sent to work in a military factory in Moscow, where he played for its football team. It was there that he was spotted and invited to join the Dynamo Moscow youth team. Yashin’s debut for Dynamo came in 1950 in a friendly match. It was not the debut he would have hoped for, as he conceded a soft goal scored straight from a clearance by the opposing keeper. That year he played in only two league games, and did not appear in a senior match again until 1953. But he remained determined, and stayed at Dynamo in the reserves waiting for another opportunity. Yashin also played goalie for the Dynamo ice hockey team during those early years of trying to break into the senior squad. He managed to win a USSR ice hockey cup in 1953 and was third in the USSR hockey championship as goalkeeper.
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Leônidas da Silva
Leônidas da Silva (Portuguese pronunciation: [leˈõnidɐz dɐ ˈsiwvɐ]; born Rio de Janeiro, 6 September 1913 – died, Cotia, 24 January 2004) was an association footballer and commentator. He is regarded to be one of the most important players of the first half of the 20th century. He played for Brazil in two World Cups, and was the top scorer of the 1938 World Cup.
He was known as the "Black Diamond", and as the "Rubber Man" – due to his elasticity. He is known for having created the bicycle kick.
Leônidas, born in Rio de Janeiro, started his career at São Cristóvão. In 1931 and in 1932, he played for Bonsucesso.
He joined Peñarol in Uruguay in 1933. After one year, he came back to Brazil to play for Vasco da Gama. He helped them win the Rio State Championship. After playing in the World Cup in 1934 he joined Botafogo and won another Rio State Championship in 1935. On the following year, he joined Flamengo, where he stayed until 1941. Once again, in 1939, he won Rio State Championship. He also fought prejudice, being one of the first black players to join the then-elitist Flamengo team.
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Lilian Thuram
Lilian Thuram (born Ruddy Lilian Thuram-Ulien on 1 January 1972 in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe) is a retired professional football defender and is the most capped player in the history of the France national team, and one of the twenty most capped players of all time.
He played at the top flight in France, Italy and Spain for over 15 seasons, including ten in the Serie A with both Parma and Juventus. With France national football team, Thuram won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Thuram holds the record for most appearances at the European Championship, with 16.
Thuram's football career began with AS Monaco of the French Ligue 1 in 1991. He then transferred to Parma FC (1996–2001) and then to Juventus FC (2001–2006) for £25 million, and eventually to FC Barcelona in 2006.
Thuram started his professional career with AS Monaco in 1991. He only made 1 appearance that season, but was officially promoted to the first team the following season, when he would go on to make 19 appearances. He was inserted into the starting eleven by the end of 1992 and would go onto make 155 league appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit, before transferring to Parma FC in the summer of 1996. He made his national team debut in 1994, while at Monaco.
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Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés Messi (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi], born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine footballer who plays in La Liga for FC Barcelona and is the captain of the Argentina national team, mainly as a forward.
By the age of 21, Messi had received Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations. The following year in 2009 he won both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, and won the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2010 and 2011. He also won the 2010–11 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. Messi is the fourth football player to win three Ballons d'Or, after Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten and the second player to win three consecutive Ballons d'Or, after Michel Platini. His playing style and small stature have drawn comparisons to Diego Maradona, who himself declared Messi as his "successor".
Messi has won five La Liga titles and three Champions League titles. In 2012, Messi made UEFA Champions League history by becoming the first player to score five goals in one match, in a 7–1 win against Bayer Leverkusen. With two goals in the next round against A.C. Milan, he matched José Altafini's record of 14 goals in a single UEFA Champions League/European Cup season. He also became the first player to top-score in four successive European Champion Clubs' Cup campaigns. He set the world record for most goals scored in a season during the 2011–12 season, with 73 goals.
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Lothar Matthäus
Lothar Herbert Matthäus German pronunciation: [ˈloːtaɐ̯ maˈtɛːʊs], (born 21 March 1961 in Erlangen, West Germany) is a German football manager and former player.
In 1990, he was named European Footballer of the Year and World Soccer Player of the Year after captaining West Germany to victory in the 1990 World Cup. One year later, he was also named the first ever FIFA World Player of the Year.
He has played in five World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998) more than any other outfield player, and holds the record for the most World Cup matches played (25 games). He also won Euro 80, and played in Euro 84, Euro 88, and Euro 2000. In 1999, he was again voted German Footballer of the Year despite being 38 years old. He is the most capped German player of all time, retiring with a total of 150 appearances (83 of them when the team was called West Germany) and 23 goals for the German national team. Matthäus is a member of the FIFA 100 – a list of 125 of the greatest living football players chosen by Pelé. Maradona said about Matthäus "he is the best rival I've ever had. I guess that's enough to define him" in his book Yo soy el Diego (I am Diego).
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Luc Nilis
Luc Nilis (born 25 May 1967 in Hasselt, Belgium) is a former Belgian football striker. He ended his career early in the 2000–01 season after he broke his leg in a match with his club Aston Villa following a clash with Ipswich Town goalkeeper Richard Wright.
His former clubs include K.F.C. Winterslag, R.S.C. Anderlecht, PSV Eindhoven. During his time with PSV, Nilis formed one of the deadliest partnerships in Europe with team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy. In the 1998–1999 season, Nilis and van Nistelrooy scored 55 league goals between them. van Nistelrooy finished as top-scorer, Nilis came second. In the following season, Nilis' last for PSV, they scored 48 league goals between them. Ronaldo occasionally names him as one of the best strike partner he had played with despite sharing only a brief time with him at PSV.Ruud van Nistelrooy has also stated on several occasions that Nilis was one of the best players, if not the best, he had ever played with.
Nilis played 56 times for the Belgian national team, scoring 10 times. A prolific goalscorer with his clubs, he scored his first goal for Belgium only on his 24th cap (a 9–0 win against Zambia). Nilis played in the 1994 World Cup, the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, the latter was co-hosted by his birth-country Belgium and the Netherlands. After his career, he was assigned as a trainer with PSV. In this job he was responsible for training the attackers of the club. His son, Arne, played for the PSV reserve team but currently plays with Belgians fourth division team KSK Hasselt. In January 2011, Nilis became assistant manager at Kasimpasaspor
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Luca Toni
Luca Toni, Ufficiale OMRI (born 26 May 1977) is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who currently plays for UAE Pro-League club Al Nasr. He had successful spells at top clubs such as Palermo, Fiorentina, Bayern Munich, and Roma, as well as a short stint at Juventus. Toni is highly regarded for his goal scoring ability as can be seen by his prolific goals to games ratio at many of his clubs.
His style is at times seen as being unorthodox. His strength, however, and power have seen him become one of Serie A's most lethal finishers of the past decade. As well as the medals he has collected, he has also won several individual honours, including the Capocannonieri for the 2005–06 season in which he scored 31 goals, as well as finishing topscorer with 24 goals in the 2007–08 Fußball-Bundesliga.
Toni started his professional career at Modena. This was followed by a number of seasons spent around Serie B and Serie C1 with teams such as Empoli, Fiorenzuola, and Lodigiani. After a Serie B season with Treviso in 1999, he moved to Vicenza, playing in Serie A for the first time. He then moved to Brescia, playing for two seasons alongside Roberto Baggio.
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Luis Aragonés
José Luis Aragonés Suárez (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse ˈlwis aɾaɣoˈnes ˈswaɾeθ]; born July 28, 1938), usually referred to as Luis Aragonés and sometimes simply as Luis, is a former Spanish footballer and national coach.
Aragonés has spent the majority of his career as a player and coach at Atlético Madrid. He was a prominent player and then coach of the successful Atlético team of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The team won La Liga four times, reached the final of the European Cup and won the Intercontinental Cup. Between 1964 and 1974 he played 265 La Liga games for Atlético and scored 123 goals. Aragonés has coached the club on four separate occasions. He has also played with several other clubs, most notably Real Betis, and played 11 times for Spain, scoring three goals. Apart from Atlético he has also coached seven other La Liga clubs as well as the Spanish national football team whom he led to their second European Championship title in 2008. He became the head coach of the Turkish football team Fenerbahçe after Euro 2008, and this is the first time that Aragonés has coached outside of his native Spain.
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Luisão
Ânderson Luís da Silva (born 13 February 1981), aka Luisão (literally "Big Luís"), is a Brazilian footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a central defender and he is also club Captain.
Most of his professional career was spent with Benfica, for which he appeared in more than 300 official games, winning seven major titles.
A Brazilian international on more than 40 occasions, Luisão appeared for the country in two World Cups and three Copa América tournaments.
Born in Amparo, São Paulo, Luisão represented Clube Atlético Juventus and Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in his country, scoring a career-best six goals in 24 matches in his third season with the latter.
In the 2003 summer, Luisão's moved to Europe, signing with S.L. Benfica of Portugal for £890,000. He faced a tough period of adaptation, during which he performed somewhat below his capabilities and even considered traveling back to his home country. He did manage, however, to score in his league debut, a thrilling 3–3 home draw against C.F. Os Belenenses on 14 September. He ended his first season with the Portuguese Cup conquest, helping defeat F.C. Porto 2–1.
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Luiz Felipe Scolari
Luiz Felipe Scolari (Portuguese pronunciation: [luˈiz fiˈlipi iskoˈlaɾi]), ComIH (born 9 November 1948 in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul), also known as Felipão in Brazil and Phil Scolari in the United Kingdom, is a World Cup-winning Brazilian football manager. He is currently the manager of Palmeiras. He served as the manager of the Portuguese national team from July 12, 2003 to June 30, 2008. As Portugal's manager he led them to the Euro 2004 final which they lost 1-0 to Greece as well as leading them to 4th place in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Scolari led Portugal in Euro 2008, but resigned after Portugal lost 3-2 to Germany in the 2nd Round. He was succeeded by Carlos Queiroz on July 5, 2008.
A defender regarded as more uncompromising than skilful, he was known among his contemporaries as "perna-de-pau" (literally translated as "wooden leg", a Brazilian-Portuguese term for a bad player), Scolari followed in the footsteps of his father Benjamin, who was also a Brazilian professional footballer. His playing career encompassed spells with Caxias, Juventude, Novo Hamburgo, and CSA, and often captained his sides. It was with CSA that he won his only major title as a player - the Alagoano state championship.
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Luís Figo
Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, OIH, (born 4 November 1972) is a former Portuguese international footballer. He played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Internazionale, during a career which spanned over a period of 20 years. He retired from football on 31 May 2009. He won 127 caps for the Portuguese national football team, a number that makes him the most capped Portuguese player in history.
Figo was the 2000 European Footballer of the Year, the 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year, and was named amongst the FIFA 100.
Figo is one of the few football players to have played for both the Spanish rival clubs FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. He had a successful career highlighted by several trophy wins, such as one Portuguese Cup, four La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, three Spanish Super Cups, one UEFA Champions League title, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, two UEFA Super Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, four Serie A titles, one Italian Cup and three Italian Super Cups.
Figo started his career at Sporting CP. He won his first senior international cap in 1991. Prior to that, he won the Under-21 World Championships and Under-16 European Championships with Portugal junior sides, alongside Rui Costa, João Pinto and he was also a significant part of Portugal's "Golden Generation".
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Lúcio
Lucimar Ferreira da Silva (born 8 May 1978), commonly known as Lúcio, is a World Cup-winning Brazilian footballer who plays for Italian Serie A club Internazionale and the Brazil national team. He is a strong defender with good aerial play, who adds presence in the attack.
Lúcio began his professional career in 1997, in one of Brazil's larger clubs, Sport Club Internacional. After three years in the club, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen, with whom he reached the 2002 Champions League final against Real Madrid of Spain. He scored a header in the final, which Real Madrid won with the score of 2–1. In 2004, he arrived at Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesligas and one German Cup title. Since coach Louis van Gaal did not have a place for him at Bayern, he decided to search for a new team. He moved to Inter in the summer of 2009, and helped Inter win the 2010 Champions League against his former club Bayern Munich.
With Brazil, Lúcio has accumulated a number of significant accomplishments, winning 2002 World Cup, and the 2009 Confederations Cup.
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Manuel Badenes
Manuel Badenes Calduch (30 November 1928 – 26 November 2007) was a Spanish footballer, who played as a forward for clubs such as FC Barcelona and Valencia CF.
Badenes started his career at CD Castellón. His first season at the club saw him score four goals in ten games which resulted in a move to Barcelona. He spent two season at the club, winning two La Liga titles before moving to Valencia. He scored 90 goals in 97 games at Valencia before moving to Real Valladolid, where he won the Pichichi trophy awarded to the top scorer in La Liga in 1958.
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Manuel Olivares
Manuel Olivares Lapeña (2 April 1909 – 16 February 1976) was a Spanish football striker and manager.
In only 82 La Liga games he scored 55 goals, mostly for Real Madrid, with which he won three major titles.
Born in Son Servera, Balearic Islands, Olivares joined Deportivo Alavés in 1928, making his debut in La Liga in 1930–31, scoring ten goals in 14 games as the Basque finished in eighth position (out of ten clubs). In the following off-season, he signed for country giants Real Madrid.
In his first two seasons with the Merengues, Olivares netted at an impressive rate, winning two consecutive national championships, and the 1934 Copa del Rey. In the 1932–33 campaign, he scored 16 goals in only 14 matches to conquer the Pichichi Trophy.
Olivares spent a further three seasons in the top division, with Donostia CF, Real Zaragoza and Hércules CF. In 1935, he started his coaching career with the second club, goingt to act as player-coach for several teams until 1943, definitely retiring as a player with Algeciras CF in the regional leagues.
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Marcel Desailly
Marcel Desailly (French pronunciation: [maʁsɛl dəsaji]; born Odenke Abbey 7 September 1968 in Accra, Ghana) is a retired Ghanaian born French footballer and star of the France national football team squad, with whom he won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. He also enjoyed a distinguished career at club level with several major European clubs.
Born as Odenke Abbey to Ghanaian parents, Marcel had his name changed when his mother married the head of the French Consulate in Accra who adopted all the children (the former professional footballer Seth Adonkor, seven years his elder, was a half-brother of his). He arrived in France as a four-year-old and, following Adonkor's lead, began his career at FC Nantes. There, as part of the famed FC Nantes youth programme, he played alongside a young Didier Deschamps, who became his closest friend. Desailly turned professional in 1986, two years after his half-brother had died in a car accident. In 1992, he moved to Olympique de Marseille, where he reunited with Deschamps, and won the UEFA Champions League the following year. In 1994, while playing for AC Milan, he again won the Cup (scoring in the final himself), being the first player to win the Cup in consecutive seasons with different clubs. During his time in Milan he won two Italian league titles, in 1994 and 1996. Although he prefers to be a central defender, he also played as a defensive midfield for some time while being at A.C. Milan.
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Marcelinho Paulista
Marcelo José de Souza, nicknamed Marcelinho Paulista (born 13 September 1973 in Cotia) is a Brazilian football midfielder.
He made his debut for the Brazilian national team in 1994, and played four additional matches in the run-up to the 1996 Olympic Games. At the Olympics he only played against Portugal in what would be his final international match.
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Marco van Basten
Marcel "Marco" van Basten (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɑr.koʊ̯ vɑm.ˈbɑs.tə(n)]; 31 October 1964) is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who played for Ajax and Milan, as well as the Dutch national team, in the 1980s and early 1990s. He is regarded as one of the greatest forwards of all time and has scored 277 goals in a high-profile career, which ended in 1995 as a result of an injury suffered two years earlier. He was later the head coach of Ajax and the Dutch national team.
Known for his strength on the ball, his tactical awareness and spectacular strikes and volleys, van Basten was named European Footballer of the Year three times (1988, '89 and '92) and FIFA World Player of the Year in 1992. Van Basten was voted eighth in a poll organised by the French weekly magazine France Football consulting their former Ballon d'Or winners to elect the Football Player of the Century. In 2004, a nationwide poll was held for the 100 greatest Dutch people (De Grootste Nederlander) and van Basten was number 25, the second highest for a football player[citation needed]. In March 2007, Sky Sports ranked van Basten first on its list of great athletes who had their careers cut short.
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Marcos Paulo Alves
Marcos Paulo Alves (born 11 May 1977) is a Brazilian footballer. He had represented Brazil national football team.
He played on the national team and had great potential, after spells with Udinese, Sporting Lisbon, and Maccabi Haifa, he found himself back in Brazil playing in the second division. He has played 18 times for the Brazilian national team and scored two goals (this figure includes under-23 games such as the Olympics). On 27 July 2007, he joined J. League division 1 side Yokohama FC on loan, and following Yokohama's relegation from J1, on 28 December of the same year he moved to Shimizu S-Pulse.
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Mariano Martín
Mariano Martín Alonso (born 20 October 1919 in Dueñas, Palencia - died 9 September 1998 in Cabrils, Barcelona) was a Spanish footballer who played as a forward.
After his beginnings with Peña Font, already in Barcelona, Martín joined FC Barcelona in 1939, proceeding to become one of the club's most prolific scorers; during his nine seasons at the Camp Nou, he netted 128 times in only 150 matches, including 30 in 23 contests in his fourth season, although Barça finished in third place.
In early 1944, whilst appearing in a friendly match for Catalonia, Martín suffered a severe knee ligaments injury, from which he never full recovered; however, as he played in only 29 La Liga games in his last three seasons combined, he still managed to score on 14 occasions.
Martín closed out his career in 1951, after two years with Gimnàstic de Tarragona and one final with his second club, UE Sant Andreu. He died at almost 79, still living in Catalonia (Cabrils).
Martín gained three caps for Spain during four years. His debut came on 12 April 1942 in Milan, during a 1–1 friendly draw with Germany.
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Marianín
Mariano "Marianin" Arias Chamorro (born 18 May 1946) is a Spanish former footballer who played as a forward in La Liga in the 1970s. He was born in Fabero, León.
After starting his career with local team CA Bembibre he moved to Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa in 1967, before a further transfer to Real Oviedo in 1972. In the 1972–73 La Liga season he was the league's top goalscorer and thus won the Pichichi Trophy, becoming the second player from Oviedo to win this award. The following season Oviedo were relegated, but he remained with them and they were promoted back to La Liga as champions in 1974-75. He left Oviedo in 1977. In total he scored 34 goals for Oviedo in La Liga in 70 appearances, and he scored 65 goals for them in all competitions.
He made a single appearance for the Spain national football team, coming on as a substitute against Turkey on 17 October 1973.
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Mario Kempes
Mario Alberto Kempes Chiodi (born 15 July 1954 in Bell Ville, Córdoba) is a retired Argentine footballer. His father, Mario, also a footballer, inspired him to play from a young age. At the age of 7, he began playing with a junior team and at 14, he joined the Talleres reserves. He is most notable for playing for Valencia and being the focal point of Argentina's 1978 World Cup win.
Kempes was nicknamed El Toro and El Matador. During his first stint with Valencia, he won two consecutive Pichichis, scoring 24 and 28 goals in 1976–77 and 1977–78. His career started at local club Instituto, where he played alongside Osvaldo Ardiles before quickly moving on to Rosario Central, where he scored 85 goals in 105 matches and established himself as a notorious goalscorer, which prompted a move to Valencia, where he would go on to win the Copa del Rey, the European Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. Famous as a hard-working forward, he used to strike from outside the penalty area with his surging runs goalwards and was not the traditional center-forward operating solely inside the box. Many defenders found difficulty handling his attacking style.
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Marius Trésor
Marius Trésor (born January 15, 1950 in Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe) is a retired football defender from France, who was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers.
Trésor's career began with the French club Ajaccio. He also played for Olympique de Marseille and Girondins de Bordeaux. With Marseille, he won the French Cup in 1976. He also won the Ligue 1 title in 1984 with Girondins de Bordeaux. For the French national team, Trésor played in the World Cup in 1978 and 1982. He obtained 65 international caps, scoring four goals.
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Martín Herrera
Martín Horacio Herrera (born 13 September 1970 in Río Cuarto, Córdoba) is an Argentine retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Herrera started his career with Argentine giants Club Atlético Boca Juniors in 1991 but things didn't work out for him there, and he moved to Club Atlético Atlanta of the third division three seasons after. There, he helped to the 1995 championship, as the club achieved promotion.
In 1998, Herrera moved to Mexico to play for Club Toluca but he soon returned to Argentina, representing Ferro Carril Oeste during two seasons. The following year, he signed with Spain's Deportivo Alavés, being an undisputed starter in two of his three campaigns at the Basque club, only missing two La Liga games out of 76; in his first year he was awarded the Ricardo Zamora Trophy, with only 37 goals conceded (all 38 matches played).
On 16 May 2001, Herrera was in goal during the 4–5 extra time loss against Liverpool in the season's UEFA Cup final. In 2002, no longer an automatic first-choice with Alavés, he was signed by Premier League team Fulham on a three-year contract, but he only made two appearances for the club before being loaned to Estudiantes de La Plata and eventually released.
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Massimo Bonini
Massimo Bonini (born 13 October 1959 in San Marino) is a retired Sanmarinese footballer and coach, who played as a midfielder for Italian sides Bellaria Igea Marina, Forlì, Cesena, Juventus and Bologna.
Bonini played for Juventus between 1981 and 1988, in which he played 296 matches and scored 6 goals. He won 3 Scudetti, 1 Italian Cup, 1 European Champion Clubs' Cup, 1 Cup Winners' Cup, 1 European Super Cup and 1 Intercontinental Cup. He is the only Sanmarinese footballer to have won a European Cup.
Since the San Marino Football Federation was not officially recognised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) until 1990, players from San Marino were assimilated to Italian players. For this reason, Bonini was entitled to play for the Italian Football Federation and actually played for the Italian Under-21 football team. Since he always refused to give up the citizenship of San Marino, he had to wait until 1990 in order to play for San Marino’s first team, winning 19 full caps since then. He was also briefly the national coach of the San Marino national team after retirement.
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Mateja Kežman
Mateja Kežman (Serbian Cyrillic: Матеја Кежман, pronounced [mǎtɛja kɛ̂ʒman]; born 12 April 1979 in Belgrade) is a retired Serbian football striker.
Kežman has played top-flight football in Yugoslavia, the Netherlands, England, Spain, Turkey, France, Russia, Hong Kong and Belarus and has won league championships in five of these countries.
At the age of 19, Kežman signed for FK Partizan. For two seasons at the club, Kežman made a name for himself as a prolific goalscorer and became a favourite among the fans of the club. He scored a total of 33 league goals in 54 appearances and has also been the top goalscorer of the national championship in the 1999–00 season. His father Zlatko Kežman was a goalkeeper for FK Zemun.
In the summer of 2000, Kežman completed his move to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. In his debut season, he was the league's top scorer, achieving 24 goals in 33 games as PSV won the title. He also picked up the nickname 'Batman', because the famous theme song was played at Philips Stadion every time he scored. He formed a successful partnership with Arjen Robben, and they gained the epithet 'Batman and Robben', a pun on Batman and Robin.
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Matthias Sammer
Matthias Sammer (born September 5, 1967 in Dresden) is a retired German football player and coach who is now working as technical director of the DFB (German Football Association). He played as a midfielder, and later in his career as a sweeper.
With Borussia Dortmund, he was named European Footballer of the Year in 1996, the year he led Germany to victory in the European Championship. Sammer retired with 74 total caps, 23 for East Germany and 51 for the unified side.
Sammer played for his hometown club Dynamo Dresden from 1987 to 1990, the club his father, Klaus had played for and managed. He was one of the first notable East German players to join a Western club after the German re-unification when he signed with VfB Stuttgart in 1990 (the first being Andreas Thom, who joined Bayer Leverkusen from BFC Dynamo). He then went on to play with Italian club Internazionale (1992–1993), and Borussia Dortmund (1993–1998). He won two East German championships with Dynamo Dresden (1989, 1990), and three German championships, (1992 with VfB Stuttgart, 1995 and 1996 with Borussia Dortmund). During his time in Dortmund he also won the UEFA Champions League in 1997. Sammer also scored the last ever goal for the East Germany football team before re-unification.
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Mauro Silva
Mauro da Silva Gomes (born 12 January 1968 in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo), simply Silva, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
A workhorse with incredible stamina, as well as tackling and leadership skills, he was best known for his 13-year spell with Deportivo de La Coruña, also being part of Brazil's World Cup-winning squad in 1994.
After started playing with Guarani Futebol Clube, Silva moved to Clube Atlético Bragantino in 1990, where he spent the following two seasons. Subsequently, he was snapped by Spain's Deportivo de La Coruña, for 250 million pesetas (approximately €1.6 million), arriving at the same time as countryman Bebeto.
With the Galicians, Silva was an everpresent fixture, only suspensions and injuries preventing him from being cast into the starting XI (in 1994–95 he only appeared in six league matches and, already 36, was limited to 20 in his final year), as he helped the club to one league, two cups and three supercups, adding to this the club's five participations in the UEFA Champions League, reaching the semifinals in 2003–04: after a 0–0 draw at F.C. Porto, he missed the second leg due to suspension, and Depor lost 0–1.
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Mazinho
Iomar do Nascimento, known as Mazinho (born 8 April 1966) is a Brazilian football manager and former player, and the former head coach of Greek club Aris Thessaloniki.
Mazinho played with Vasco da Gama, Palmeiras and Vitória in his homeland, with Lecce and Fiorentina in Italy, and with Valencia, Celta Vigo and Elche in Spain. Starting his career as left back, he moved to the midfield in the early nineties.
He was a three-time winner of the Campeonato Brasileiro (Brazilian championship) with Vasco da Gama and Palmeiras. He received the "Brazilian Silver Ball" award in 1987 and 1988.
He had 35 caps with the Brazilian national team with the first one coming in May 1989 in a friendly against Peru and the last one during the 1994 World Cup. His main achievement was winning the 1994 World Cup where he was the third member of the three men and baby celebration with Bebeto and Romário in the quarter-final win against the Netherlands. Mazinho was also a Copa América winner in 1989 at which point he was playing as a full-back for Brazil.
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Mia Hamm
Mariel Margaret "Mia" Hamm (born on March 17, 1972, in Selma, Alabama) is a retired American soccer player. Hamm played many years as a forward for the United States women's national soccer team and was a founding member of the Washington Freedom. Hamm has scored more international goals in her career than any other player, male or female, in the history of U.S. soccer (158). She is the second most capped female player in soccer history behind Kristine Lilly, appearing in 275 international matches throughout her career.
Hamm was named the women's FIFA World Player of the Year the first two times that award was given (in 2001 and 2002), and is listed as one of FIFA's 125 best living players (as chosen by Pelé). Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon called Hamm, "Perhaps the most important athlete of the last 15 years."
She retired from the sport in 2004, when she played her last game in the 2004 Fan Celebration Tour to commemorate the U.S. women's national team's victory in the 2004 Olympics. In 2007, her first year of eligibility, she was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame by having 137 votes of the 141 ballots cast. Women's Professional Soccer, a professional soccer league that launched in 2009, features Hamm's silhouette in its logo.
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Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack (born 26 September 1976) is a German professional footballer, who is currently playing for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. He is among the top goal scorers in the history of his international team. Ballack has worn the number 13 shirt for every team he has played for except for Kaiserslautern. He was selected by Pelé as one of FIFA's 100 Greatest Living Players, and as the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2002. He has won the German Footballer of the Year award three times – in 2002, 2003 and 2005. In his prime, Ballack was known for his passing range, scoring ability, ball skills and commanding presence in the midfield.
Ballack began his career as a youth at Chemnitz, his local team, and made his professional debut in 1995. Although the team were relegated in his first season, his performances in the Regionalliga the following season led to a transfer to Kaiserslautern in 1997. He won the Bundesliga in his first season at the club; his first major honour. He became a first team regular in 1998–99 season and also earned his first senior national cap for Germany. He moved to Bayer Leverkusen for €4.1 million in 1999. The 2002 season saw him win a slew of runners-up medals: Bayer Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga, German Cup, UEFA Champions League and Germany lost to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup Final.
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Michael Laudrup
Michael Laudrup (born 15 June 1964 in Frederiksberg) is a retired Danish footballer, who works as a manager and last coached La Liga side RCD Mallorca. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of football. His most prominent run of football came with Spanish club Barcelona, with whom he won four straight La Liga championships. He famously moved to arch rivals Real Madrid in 1994, with whom he won his fifth La Liga title in a row. He made his debut for the Denmark national football team on his 18th birthday in 1982, and scored 37 goals in a total of 104 appearances for his country. From November 1994, he captained Denmark for a total of 28 matches, including the victorious 1995 Confederations Cup tournament. He retired as an active player in June 1998.
In 1999, he was voted the Best Foreign Player in Spanish Football over the preceding 25-year period and in April 2000 he was knighted, receiving the Order of the Dannebrog. In November 2003, to celebrate UEFA's Jubilee, he was selected as the Golden Player of Denmark by the Danish Football Association; their most outstanding player of the past 50 years. He was officially named the best Danish footballer of all time by the Danish Football Association (DBU) in November 2006.
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Michael Owen
Michael James Owen (born 14 December 1979 in Chester) is an English professional footballer who is currently a free agent after being released by Manchester United in June 2012.
The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997. In his first full season in the Premier League he finished as joint top scorer with 18 goals. He repeated this the following year and was Liverpool's top goal scorer from 1997–2004, despite a recurring hamstring injury. In 2001, Liverpool won a cup treble of the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and Football League Cup, and Owen was the recipient of the Ballon d'Or. He went on to score 118 goals in 216 appearances in the Premier League for Liverpool.
Owen moved to Real Madrid for £8 million in mid-2004; he was frequently used as a substitute. He scored 13 goals in La Liga and had the season's highest ratio of goals scored to number of minutes played. He returned to England the following season, joining Newcastle United for £16 million. After a promising start to the 2005–06 season, injuries largely ruled him out over the next 18 months. After his return he became team captain and was the team's top scorer for the 2007–08 season. After the final season of his four-year contract, Newcastle were relegated, and Owen moved to Manchester United as a free agent.
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Michel Platini
Michel François Platini (born 21 June 1955) is a former French football player and manager, and the president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) since 2007.
During his professional footballing career, Platini played for the clubs Nancy, Saint-Étienne, and Juventus, and was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He also participated in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups, reaching the semi-finals in the latter two. Platini, Alain Giresse, Luis Fernández and Jean Tigana together made up the "carré magique" (French for "magic square"), the group of midfield players that formed the heart of the French national team throughout the 1980s.
Considered one of the best passers in football history as well as one the best free kick specialists and finishers, he holds the record for most goals (9) scored in European Championship final tournaments despite only appearing in the 1984 edition. Despite being a midfielder, he held the national team top scorer record until striker Thierry Henry surpassed the 41 goals mark in 2007.
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Michelle Akers
Michelle Akers (born February 1, 1966 in Santa Clara, California) is a former leading American association football player, who starred in the historic 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup victory by the U.S.. She won the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the 1991 tournament. She is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Michelle Akers was born on February 1, 1966 to Robert and Anne Akers in Santa Clara, California. She grew up in a suburb of Seattle, Washington. She went to and played soccer at Shorecrest High School. She was named an All-American three times while attending that school.
Akers attended the University of Central Florida on a scholarship where she was selected as four-time NCAA All-American. She was Central Florida's Athlete of the Year in 1988-89, the all-time leading scorer in UCF history, won the Hermann Trophy in 1988, and had her #10 jersey retired by the school.
She played for the first-ever U.S. Women's National team in August 1985 on the first international trip for the US Women. Due to an ankle injury, she did not play in the first game. However, she played in the second ever international game and scored the second goal in the history of the program against Denmark, in a 2-2 tie.
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Milene Domingues
Milene Domingues Aganzo (born 18 June 1979 in São Paulo) is a Brazilian model and former footballer.
She was signed by Rayo Vallecano but plays football for Fiamma Monza. The ex-model also holds the record for ball juggling, keeping a football off the ground with 55,198 touches. She was also the most expensive woman's player in Spain, costing over £200,000.
She is the first ex-wife of football star Ronaldo (married in April 1999, divorced in September 2003). Domingues is currently married to the Spanish footballer David Aganzo.
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Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Josef Klose (German pronunciation: [ˈmɪʁoslaf ˈkloːzə] ( listen)) (Mirosław Marian Kloze IPA: [miˈrɔswaf ˈklɔzɛ]) (born 9 June 1978) is a German footballer who plays as a striker for Lazio in the Serie A. Since bursting onto the international stage at the 2002 World Cup, he has become well known for his knack of scoring headers, front-flip goal celebrations, and decisive short passing.
Klose holds German nationality and has played 113 times and scored 63 goals for Germany. With five goals, he was the top scorer and Golden Boot winner at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the first German player to win the award since reunification. Klose also scored five goals in his debut World Cup, the 2002 World Cup, all of which were headers. He scored four times in 2010 World Cup, giving him a total of 14 World Cup goals and putting him joint second along with Gerd Müller on the list of FIFA World Cup goalscorers.
Klose is also the only player to have scored five or more goals in consecutive World Cups, as well as the only player to have scored at least four in three different tournaments.
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Miroslav Đukić
Miroslav Đukić (Serbian: Мирослав Ђукић; born 19 February 1966) is a retired Serbian footballer who played as a sweeper, and the current coach of Real Valladolid.
He spent 14 years of his professional career in Spain, notably at the service of Deportivo de La Coruña and Valencia, amassing La Liga totals of 368 games and 11 goals, and winning six major titles for the two clubs combined.
Đukić represented Serbia in one World Cup and one European Championship. After retiring, he embarked in a managerial career, at both club and international level.
Born in Šabac, Serbia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Đukić began his playing career with hometown club FK Mačva Šabac, moving in 1988 to Belgrade with FK Rad, after reported interest from both national giants, FK Partizan and Red Star Belgrade.
In the 1990 summer, Đukić signed for Deportivo de La Coruña in Spain, who purchased him for 40 million pesetas in 1990. He only appeared in five league games for the Galicians in his first season, which ended in La Liga promotion, but, from there onwards, became an undisputed starter, never totalling less than 35 games and 3,000 minutes of action in five consecutive campaigns, as Super Depor was coming to fruition.
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Mounir El Hamdaoui
Mounir El Hamdaoui (Arabic: منير الحمداوي) (born 14 July 1984 in Rotterdam, Netherlands) is a Dutch-Moroccan footballer. He currently plays as a forward for Ajax in the Netherlands. He previously played for Excelsior, Tottenham Hotspur, Derby County, Willem II and AZ,before joining Ajax in 2010.
Although being born in the Netherlands and having played for their Under-21 side El Hamdaoui decided to represent Morocco, for whom he made his debut in February 2009 in a match against the Czech Republic.
In the 2008–09 Eredivisie, El Hamdaoui was named Dutch Footballer of the Year and became the Eredivisie Top Scorer as AZ won their second league title in their history. He is also known by the nickname De Tovenaar van Kralingen (The Wizard of Kralingen)
El Hamdaoui went through the youth academy of SBV Excelsior, where he played together with his youth friends Robin van Persie and Saïd Boutahar. In the 2001–02 season the player made his debut for the Rotterdam side under manager Adrie Koster, scoring two goals in six appearances. El Hamdaoui played a total of 74 league matches for Excelsior, scoring 32 goals. Excelsior big brother Feyenoord was also interested in signing the player, and El Hamdaoui trained a number of times with Feyenoord's first squad, but a transfer was never realised.
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Márcio Amoroso
Márcio Amoroso dos Santos (born 5 July 1974 in Brasília) is a retired Brazilian footballer. He has played his football for several teams in Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain and Greece while representing Brazil at international level.
Amoroso started his career at homeland club Guarani FC at 1992. In July 1992, he was loaned to a Japanese outfit Verdy Kawasaki (J. League Division 1), and returned to Guarani FC two years later. In 1996, he transferred to Flamengo, but he came to prominence playing in the Italian Serie A for unfashionable Udinese in the late-1990s. There he starred alongside Oliver Bierhoff in a side which played an adventurous 3–4–3 formation. When Oliver Bierhoff left the club for AC Milan, many thought Udinese Calcio would struggle to repeat their success, but that very next season Amoroso himself became the focus of the team, and was the top scorer in Serie A. A big-money move to Parma followed. The AC Parma side never quite fulfilled their potential to win the league title, and Amoroso was soon on the move again, this time to Borussia Dortmund in Germany where he won the Bundesliga title in 2001–02 and was the top scorer in the season. He helped them to the 2002 UEFA Cup Final where his goal (a penalty) could not prevent them from losing 3–2 to Feyenoord. Amoroso played for Malaga during the 2004–05 season.
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Mário Jardel
Mário Jardel de Almeida Ribeiro (born 18 September 1973) is a former Brazilian/Portuguese professional footballer.
Jardel was most noted for his positioning on the field and "being at the right place, at the right time".[citation needed] With this exceptional positioning ability, Jardel was able to become one of Europe's most prolific strikers during his time at FC Porto, Galatasaray, and Sporting CP.
Jardel played first for Vasco da Gama, but moved in 1995 to Grêmio, where he won the 1995 Copa Libertadores.
In 1996, he was linked to several teams, and after failing to transfer to Benfica and Rangers (due to the strict British rules involving non-EU players), he signed with Portuguese side FC Porto, where with help from players such as Zlatko Zahovič, Sérgio Conceição, and Ljubinko Drulović, he was the top goalscorer in Europe for three years (1998–99, 1999–00, 2001–02), with a goal average of slightly over one goal per match (130 goals in 125 games, avg: 1.04). Although he was top scorer three times, due to the use of coefficients based on each European league's standards, he only won twice, the 1998–99 and 2001–02 European Golden Boots. He lost out to Kevin Phillips in 1999–2000 despite Phillips having scored six fewer goals than Jardel.
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Mário Zagallo
Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo (born August 9, 1931 in Maceió) is a Brazilian former football player and manager.
Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo was born in Maceió, Alagoas, to a family of Lebanese heritage.
Zagallo started his football career with América in 1948, and he later played for Flamengo and Botafogo.
He won the World Cup as a player with Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
He also won the World Cup as a manager (1970), and as assistant coach (World Cup 1994), both with the Brazilian national team. He also coached his country to a fourth-place finish in the 1974 World Cup and to a second-place finish in the 1998 World Cup
Zagallo is one of only two footballers, along with West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer, to have won the World Cup both as a player and as a coach. .
Zagallo guided the United Arab Emirates to their first World Cup in 1990, but was dismissed from his post before the tournament. Zagallo was assistant coach (as in 1994, the main coach was Carlos Alberto Parreira) of the Brazilian team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, which was eliminated by France.
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Narciso dos Santos
Narciso dos Santos, or just Narciso (born 23 December 1973 in Neópolis, Sergipe) is a former Brazilian football midfielder.
He made his debut for the Brazilian national team between 1995 and played his last match in 1998. He appeared in one game at the 1996 Summer Olympics; versus Portugal.
In 2000, Narciso was diagnosed with leukemia, and all evidences pointed towards his retirement from football. However, he managed to recover and returned to his footballing activities soon thereafter, the only sportsman in the world to ever do so. [1]
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Nihat Kahveci
Nihat Kahveci (born 23 November 1979 in Istanbul, Turkey) is a former Turkish footballer. Nihat played as a Forward.
Nihat's family name, Kahveci, means "coffee maker." Many people in Turkey adopted the name of their profession as their family name in the early 20th century, suggesting that Nihat's ancestors were in the coffee business. Like most Turkish players, his shirt carries his first name, Nihat, rather than his family name, Kahveci. He married Pınar Kaşgören on 5 July 2003. Their daughter Selin was born in May 2008.
Nihat is a product of Beşiktaş's youth system and was discovered by Hürser Mustafa Cindir when Nihat played in Beşiktaş in the 1996–97 season. He joined the first team at Beşiktaş in the 1997–98 season when he was just 17, at the time John Toshack was the coach.
In January 2002, he was transferred to Real Sociedad in Spain by former Beşiktaş coach Toshack. While at Real Sociedad, Nihat scored 57 goals in 115 appearances. In the 2002–03 season, Nihat scored 23 goals making him the league's joint-second highest scorer for the season behind Roy Makaay (29 goals) and tied with Ronaldo. Real Sociedad finished 2nd in the league that season, just 2 points behind Real Madrid. He had a very fruitful strike partnership with Serbian forward Darko Kovačević, such that sports journalist Phil Ball nicknamed the pair "Little and large", in reference to the height difference between them (Nihat's height is 1.75 m and Kovačević's is 1.87 m).
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Nikos Machlas
Nikolaos Machlas (Greek: Νίκος Μαχλάς) (born 16 June 1973) is a Greek retired footballer and now chairman of OFI Crete. He finished his career as a striker for Cypriot team APOEL.
He began his career with OFI Crete, where he made his debut in February 1991 against Panionios. He stayed at the club for six seasons before moving to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem in 1996.
Machlas scored a disappointing 8 goals in 29 games in his first season in the Eredivisie, but in his second season he scored 34 goals in just 32 games, a feat which earned him the European Golden Boot for the 1997-1998 season. After having scored 60 goals in 92 matches for Vitesse, Machas joined Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam in June 1999 for a then-club record $7.6 million.
Despite netting 38 goals in 74 Eredivisie league games spread over three seasons, Machlas' goalscoring record was not deemed prolific enough for the demanding Ajax fans and coaching staff. The team went through a transition as poor results meant Machlas had to endure three different coaches in as many years.
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Nílton Santos
Nílton Reis dos Santos (born 16 May 1925) is a Brazilian former association footballer who played defender. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was a pioneering left back, being one of first full backs to participate in the offensive game.
He was called "The Encyclopedia" because of his knowledge of the sport of football. He was world class both at defending and attacking and possessed very good technique. Nílton was a key player in defence during the 1954, 1958 and 1962 World Cup finals (he was also in the Brazilian squad for the 1950 finals, but made no appearances) and became famous for scoring a magnificent goal in the 1958 tournament when Brazil played Austria. Dribbling his way through the whole field, he finished with a superb shot, driving his coach Vicente Feola crazy (he kept on insisting for Nílton to retreat to the defensive field, but was ignored until the goal was scored).
Pelé named him in his "top 125 greatest living footballers" in March 2004.
Nílton Santos played for only 2 teams in his professional career; Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas and the Brazilian national team collecting 75 caps and scoring 3 goals; he is regarded as the best left wingback in the history of the game.
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Odvan
Odvan Gomes Silva (born 26 March 1974 in Campos dos Goytacazes) is a Brazilian football player who plays for EC São João da Barra. He formerly played for Americano,Mineiros,Mimosense,Vasco da Gama,Santos,Botafogo,Coritiba,Fluminense,D.C. United,Náutico,Estrela da Amadora,Madureira,Bangu,Rio Bananal,Ituano,Cabofriense,União Rondonópolis and Armando Zanata, as well as for the Brazilian national side.
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Oldřich Nejedlý
Oldřich Nejedlý (26 December 1909 — 11 June 1990) was a Czech footballer, who spent his entire career at Sparta Prague as an inside-forward. He is also a former member of the Czechoslovakian national team.
Nejedlý played for Sparta Prague in his entire career. He scored 162 league goals in 187 games, winning four Czechoslovak First League championships in 1932, 1936, 1938 and 1939, adding a Mitropa Cup in 1935. He also scored 18 goals in 38 games for SK Rakovník (1943, 1944 and 1946), giving him a total of 180 league goals in 225 games.
For Czechoslovakia, Nejedlý scored 29 goals in 44 games. He was awarded the Bronze Ball in the 1934 as the third most outstanding player of the tournament and was voted into the All Star Team of the tournament. He was also top goalscorer. He would have gone on to play more games and score more goals for the Czechoslovakia had he not broken his leg in the 1938 which effectively ended his International career.
He was a participant in two World Cups, in 1934 in Italy and 1938 in France. Nejedlý was the outright top scorer in the 1934 World Cup with five goals. This has been officially recognized by FIFA since November 2006, as he was initially credited with only four, making him joint top scorer with Angelo Schiavio and Edmund Conen. He also scored two goals in 1938.
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Oleg Salenko
Oleg Anatolyevich Salenko (Russian: Олег Анатольевич Саленко; Ukrainian: Олег Анатолійович Саленко; Oleh Anatoliyovich Salenko born 25 October 1969 in Leningrad, Russia) is a retired Russian and Ukrainian footballer, who played as a striker. He scored a record of five goals in a group stage match in the 1994 World Cup, helping him earn the Golden Shoe as joint-top tournament goalscorer.
Salenko played at Zenit Leningrad, Dynamo Kyiv, Logroñés, Córdoba, Valencia, Rangers and İstanbulspor in a club career that lasted from 1986 to 2000.
Eventually, he faded from the international soccer scene and finally had to end his career prematurely for health reasons stemming from injuries. Salenko returned to playing professional football in the 2000–01 season and signed for Pogoń Szczecin. He retired after playing a single game however due to his physical conditioning.
Salenko set a World Cup record by scoring five goals in one game, for Russia against Cameroon on 28 June 1994. Salenko finished the 1994 World Cup with six goals (scoring his sixth goal from the penalty spot against Sweden), sharing the Golden Boot with Hristo Stoichkov, a remarkable feat since Russia was knocked out in the first round, and Stoichkov's Bulgaria played another four games in the tournament. This mirrored Salenko's achievement in the 1989 U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, where he was top scorer when he scored 6 goals in the tournament. He is the only player to win the Golden Boot at both the U-20 World Cup and FIFA World Cup.
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Oliver Kahn
Oliver Rolf Kahn (German pronunciation: [ˈɔ.lɪ.vɐ ˈkʰaːn], byname Der Titan [deɐ̯ ti.ˈtʰaːn] (the Titan); born 15 June 1969) is a former German football goalkeeper. He started his career in the Karlsruher SC Junior team. He had his debut game in the professional squad in 1987. In 1994, he was transferred to Bayern Munich for the fee of 4,600,000 DM, where he played until the end of his career in 2008.
He is one of the most successful German players in recent history, having won eight German championships, six German cups, the UEFA Cup (1996), the UEFA Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup (both 2001). His individual contributions have earned him four consecutive UEFA Best European Goalkeeper awards, three IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper awards, and two German Footballer of the Year trophies. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he became the first and only goalkeeper in the tournament's history to win the Golden Ball.
From 1994 to 2006, Kahn was part of the German national team, in which he played as a starter after the retirement of Andreas Köpke. In the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the team reached the Finals. While the team was several times derided for their poor performance, Kahn's prowess proved to be the deciding factor in several games up until the final, where Germany lost to Brazil 0–2 and Kahn received criticism for two blunders. Nonetheless, he was named the tournament's best player and received the Golden Ball award.
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Omar Sívori
Enrique Omar Sívori (2 October 1935 – 17 February 2005) was an Italian Argentine football striker and manager. He is known for his time with the successful Juventus side during the late 1950s and early 1960s. At club level he also played for River Plate and Napoli.
On the international level, he first appeared for the Argentine national team, winning the Copa América. Later in his career, he played for the Italian national team and took part in some of the 1962 World Cup. After his retirement as player, he coached several teams in Argentina, including the national side.
Sívori's footballing talent was acclaimed and he won the coveted European Footballer of the Year in 1961.
Encyclopædia Britannica describe his playing style as "audacious and brilliant". Sívori utilized his dribbling skills and favourite move of the nutmeg (playing the ball between an opposition players legs) to defeat defenders. Primarily a left footed player, Sívori had the ability to score with his left, his right and despite his relatively short stature his head; this would sometimes see him receiving kicks to the face.
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Oscar Ruggeri
Oscar Alfredo Ruggeri (born 26 January 1962 in Corral de Bustos, Córdoba) is a former footballer. Nicknamed "El Cabezón" ("The Big-Headed One"), Ruggeri is one of the most successful defenders ever to come out of Argentina.
Ruggeri started his career at Boca Juniors, playing with Diego Maradona, with whom he won a league title in 1981. In 1985 he moved to rivals River Plate, where he won the Copa Libertadores, the Intercontinental Cup and another league title in 1986. In 1988 he left for Europe where he played for Spanish clubs Logroñes and Real Madrid, where he won yet another league championship. He also played for Vélez Sársfield, Ancona in Italy, América in Mexico, San Lorenzo and Lanús, where he ended his career.
During his career he represented his country in three World Cups, captaining Argentina in the final two games of the 1994 competition, after Diego Maradona was expelled from the tournament. Ruggeri was also a key piece in the Argentina teams that won the trophy in 1986 and lost the final to West-Germany in 1990. After losing to Romania in the 1994 tournament, Ruggeri retired from international football having played 97 international games, an Argentine record until it was surpassed by Diego Simeone.
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Ove Kindvall
Ove Kindvall (born May 16, 1943 in Norrköping, Sweden) is a former Swedish footballer (forward).
He started his career at IFK Norrköping, where he played until he joined Feyenoord in 1966 and became professional. The same year, he won the Guldbollen, as the best Swedish footballer of the year.
With Feyenoord he won two national championships as well as the 1970 European Cup. In the final against Celtic he scored the winning goal in extra time. In his five seasons with the club, Kindvall scored 129 league goals in 144 games. He returned to Sweden and Norrköping 1971, where he played for three years, until ending his career in IFK Göteborg.
He played 43 games with the national team and scored 16 goals. He participated in the 1970 and 1974 World Cup, playing a major role in the team's qualification for the former.
He is the father of former footballer Niclas Kindvall, and brother of Kaj Kindvall, a radio host.
Kindvall earned the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal in 1969
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Owen Hargreaves
Owen Lee Hargreaves (born 20 January 1981) is a Canadian-born English professional footballer. Hargreaves is known as a hard-working and "solid defensive midfielder who works tirelessly to win the ball" and provide his teammates with possession. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Hargreaves played with Calgary Foothills as a youth before beginning his professional football career in Germany with Bayern Munich. After seven years with the Munich side – during which time he won four German league titles and the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League – Hargreaves signed for Manchester United in 2007, winning the Premier League and UEFA Champions League in his first season.
However, his time at Manchester United was plagued with injuries and he was allowed to leave the club at the end of his contract in June 2011. Hargreaves posted YouTube videos in a bid to convince potential suitors of his fitness, and in August 2011, Manchester City offered a one-year contract to Hargreaves, which he accepted. As a Canadian with a Welsh mother and an English father, Hargreaves was eligible to represent Canada, Wales or England. He opted to play for the England U-21 team in 2000 and was capped by the senior squad the following year. He is the only player to have played for England without having previously lived in the United Kingdom, and only the second after Joe Baker, to have done so without having previously played in the English football league system.
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Pablo Aimar
Pablo César Aimar Giordano (born 3 November 1979) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Portuguese first division. An attacking midfielder with a vast array of skills, he also holds a Spanish passport.
He amassed La Liga totals of 215 games and 32 goals over the course of eight seasons, mainly with Valencia. He also played several years in Portugal with Benfica.
Aimar gained more than 50 caps for Argentina during one full decade, representing the nation in two World Cups and as many Copa América tournaments.
Born in Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Aimar began his ascent to stardom with Club Atlético River Plate, whose first team he joined for the 1997–98 season, after rejecting a place at medical school, and with whom he quickly established himself as one of the best young players in Argentina.
Valencia CF of Spain signed Aimar in January 2001, at a price of €24 million. The purchase proved justified, as Aimar helped lead the team to a first-place finish in La Liga in 2001–02 (with 33 matches and four goals), as well as to a runners-up finish in the previous seasons's UEFA Champions League, being defeated by FC Bayern Munich. Aimar also won the 2004 UEFA Cup, appearing in eight (scoreless) matches during the campaign; this included the final against Olympique de Marseille, where he replaced Francisco Rufete with 30 minutes to go.
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Paco Bienzobas
Francisco 'Paco' Bienzobas Ocáriz (born 26 March 1909 – died 30 April 1981) was a Spanish footballer who played as a forward.
Having spent most of his 16-year career with Real Sociedad - 196 official games and 109 goals- he was the first player to win the Pichichi Trophy award, given to the top scorer in La Liga.
Born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Bienzobas arrived at local Real Sociedad at the age of 17, from amateurs Unión Deportiva de San Sebastián, helping the Basque win the Regional Championship in his first year. He reached his first Copa del Rey final with the club in 1928, facing FC Barcelona in three matches (two 1–1 draws and a 1–3 loss).
In 1929, a national league was created, and Real Sociedad participated in La Liga's first edition, finishing fourth out of the ten clubs competing. Bienzobas scored 14 goals during the season, being the first player to be crowned Pichichi; he spent a further four years with the club, netting 39 goals in 65 league games.
In 1934, Bienzobas joined CA Osasuna, at the time in the Segunda División, helping the Navarrese immediately achieve promotion, but being immediately relegated back. The Spanish Civil War put a stop to his career for several years and, subsequently, he returned to Real Sociedad, retiring from football at the end of 1941–42 (aged 33) after playing in only five matches during the season, and amassing Spanish top division totals of 92 games and 50 goals.
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Pahiño
Manuel Fernández Fernández (born 21 January 1923, Navia, Vigo), commonly referred to as Pahiño, is a former Spanish footballer who played for Celta de Vigo, Real Madrid, Deportivo de La Coruña and Spain during the 1940s and 1950s. A prolific goalscorer, he twice won the Pichichi.
In 1947–48 Pahiño’s goals helped Celta de Vigo finish fourth in La Liga and reach the Copa del Generalísimo final. The same season he won the Pichichi for the first time. He also scored on his debut for Spain in a 3–3 with Switzerland. Among his team mates at Celta were Miguel Muñoz and the 1948–49 season saw them both join Real Madrid. Pahiño continued to score regularly at Real in 1952 he won a second Pichichi. However the arrival of Alfredo Di Stéfano saw him lose his place and he subsequently joined Deportivo de La Coruña where he played in the same team as Luis Suárez and Arsenio Iglesias. Despite his goalscoring achievements, Pahiño only played three times for Spain. He scored both goals as he made his final appearance for them in a 2–2 draw with the Republic of Ireland in 1955. He finished his playing career at Granada CF.
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Paolo Maldini
Paolo Cesare Maldini (born 26 June 1968) is an Italian former footballer who played as a left or central defender, being adept with either foot although naturally right footed. He spent all 25 seasons of his career at Serie A club Milan, before retiring at the age of 41 in 2009, becoming a symbol and a legend of the club. During that period, he won the Champions League five times, as well as seven Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, five Supercoppa Italiana, five European Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups. He played for 14 years for the Italian national team, making his debut in 1988 before retiring in 2002 with 126 caps and four World Cup participations.
Maldini played at a world class level for his entire career spanning 2 and a half decades, and won the Best Defender trophy at the UEFA Club Football Awards at the age of 39. He came second to George Weah for the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 1995, the closest a defender had ever reached to winning the award at the time. He was also the Milan and Italy captain for many years and was considered a leader amongst leaders by fellow footballers, leading to the nickname "Il Capitano" (the Captain). Paolo's father Cesare formerly played for and captained Milan, and is a successful national U-21 manager.
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Paolo Rossi
Paolo Rossi (born 23 September 1956 in Prato) is an Italian former football striker. In 1982, he led Italy to the 1982 FIFA World Cup title, scoring six goals to win the Golden Boot/top scorer honors, and the Golden Ball. After his performance at the 1982 FIFA World Cup he became a hero in the hearts of all Italians. Rossi is one of only two players to have won all three honours at a single tournament (the other is the Argentinian Mario Kempes, in 1978). Javier Saviola, Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero and Dominic Adiyiah accomplished this in junior teams, in the 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cups respectively. He is listed among Pelé's 125 all-time greatest footballers.
Since retiring, Rossi has gone into sports journalism and punditry. He currently works as a pundit for Juventus Channel.
Rossi was born at Santa Lucia, in the province of Prato (Tuscany).
He made his debut in professional Italian football with Como, to which Juventus had sent him to gain experience after three operations on his knees, as a right wing, where his small build would not be a hindrance.
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Patrick Kluivert
Patrick Stephan Kluivert ([ˈpɛtrɪk ˈklœy̆vərt] ( listen); born 1 July 1976) is a Dutch former footballer, currently head coach of the youth side of FC Twente. He played as a striker for AFC Ajax, A.C. Milan, FC Barcelona, Newcastle United, Valencia CF, PSV Eindhoven, and Lille OSC. Kluivert played for the Dutch national team from 1994 to 2004. He is their all-time leading goalscorer with 40 goals. In 2004, he was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers chosen by Pelé as part of FIFA's centenary observances.
Patrick Stephan Kluivert was born on 1 July 1976 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. His father, a professional football player, was born in Calcutta, Suriname and his mother in Curaçao. Kluivert learned to play football on the street. After he played for football club Schellingwoude one year, he joined the AFC Ajax youth academy at the age of seven.
During his younger years, he played several different positions, even as a defender. He was strong in technique, football intelligence, and speed, but his personality was considered too impulsive. Kluivert played for the Dutch national teams under-15, under-16 and under-17.
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Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira (born 23 June 1976 in Dakar, Senegal) is a retired French footballer of Senegalese descent who is the Football Development Executive at Manchester City in the English Premier League.
He rose to prominence during his time at Arsenal from 1996 to 2005, where he won three Premier League titles – one unbeaten – and four FA Cups, eventually becoming club captain. After leaving Arsenal in 2005, he spent one season at Juventus before joining Internazionale in 2006, following Juventus' relegation for their part in a match-fixing scandal. He has 107 caps for France, and was part of their 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000-winning sides.
In May 2010, Vieira was nominated Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. He announced his retirement from professional football on 14 July 2011. Vieira is currently Football Development Executive at Manchester City with a role to oversee aspects such as youth development, commercial partners and the club's social responsibility programme, "City in the Community".
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Paul Breitner
Paul Breitner (born 5 September 1951 in Kolbermoor, Bavaria) is a former German football player. One of Germany's most controversial players, he was capped 48 times for his country.
His football career lasted from 1970 until 1983, mainly playing for Bayern Munich (1970–74 and 1978–83) and Real Madrid (1974–78), with one season playing for Eintracht Braunschweig. His early success was as a free roaming left back, as likely to score from the right midfield as to stop an attacker in his own penalty area. Later in his career he moved to midfield and became one of the top midfielders through the early 1980s.
The early peak of Breitner's long and successful career was at age 21 in 1972 as part of the winning German European Championship team. This was followed two years later with victory as a member of the German World Cup squad. The final was played in Munich against the Netherlands, and Breitner scored the first German goal on a penalty kick. In the final, he, Franz Beckenbauer and Berti Vogts formed a slick unit at the back and their water-tight defense prevented the Dutch from winning the World Cup. He moved to Real Madrid following the World Cup and quit the West German squad, remaining off the side until enticed to return by Jupp Derwall in 1981. Breitner is one of only four footballers to have achieved the feat of scoring in two different World Cup final matches, sharing that honour with Pelé, Vavá, and Zinédine Zidane. He achieved this in 1974 against the Netherlands and in 1982 against Italy.
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Paulo Nunes
Arílson de Paula Nunes, better known as Paulo Nunes (born October 30, 1971 in Pontalina, Goiás), is a former Brazilian football player.
A product of Flamengo's youth system, Paulo Nunes was part of a remarkable generation of players revealed by the Gávea team, such as Djalminha, Júnior Baiano, Marquinhos, Nélio, Marcelinho Carioca and Sávio. However, Paulo Nunes did not achieve stardom in Flamengo, and only went to achieve success in other clubs, as it was the case with his former youth team teammates. Paulo Nunes, however, won the Copa do Brasil with the Rio club, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and also the Campeonato Carioca.
Paulo Nunes left Flamengo in 1995, moving on to Grêmio, where he joined another player who had left a Rio de Janeiro club, Jardel. Alongside him, Paulo Nunes formed one of the most effective attacking duos in Grêmio history.
At Grêmio, Paulo Nunes lived the most glorious time in career, winning two Campeonato Gaúcho titles, the Copa Libertadores cup, the Campeonato Brasileiro, the Recopa Sul-Americana and the Copa do Brasil for the Porto Alegre team and being the lead scorer in the 1996 Campeonato Brasileiro and the 1997 Copa do Brasil. His good form also earned him the Bola de Prata from Placar magazine, also earning him a place in the national team squad for the 1997 Copa América.
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Paulo Roberto Falcão
Paulo Roberto Falcão (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpawlu ʁoˈbɛʁtu fawˈkɐ̃w̃]; born October 16, 1953) is a Brazilian head coach and former footballer, currently managing Bahia. He is widely considered one of the best players in Internacional and Roma history, and one of the most talented midfielders of all time, especially at his peak in the mid 1980s. At one stage, he was the world's highest paid footballer, earning £10,000 a week.
For the Brazil national team, he was capped 34 times between February 1976 and June 1986. He was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers to mark FIFA’s centennial in March 2004.
Falcão began his professional career at Sport Club Internacional of Porto Alegre, in Rio Grande do Sul, where he played from 1973 to 1980, winning three Brazilian National Championships(1975, 1976, 1979) and reaching the finals of the 1980 Copa Libertadores, losing to Nacional. During his time at Sport Club Internacional, he was surprisingly left out of the Brazil squad for the World Cup in Argentina in 1978, though he made the shortlisted pre-tournament 40.
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Pavel Nedvěd
Pavel Nedvěd (Czech pronunciation: [ˈpavɛl ˈnɛdvjɛt] ( listen); born 30 August 1972 in Cheb) is a retired Czech football midfielder. He is one of the most successful Czech players to emerge from the newly formed Czech Republic, winning numerous accolades with Lazio and Juventus, including the last ever Cup Winners' Cup. Widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of the modern era, he was the recipient of the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 2003, only the second Czech player to receive this honour, and the first since the breakup of Czechoslovakia. He was also the recipient of the 2nd Golden Foot award in 2004. Nedved was a key member of the Czech Republic team, which reached the final of Euro '96, during which he garnered much international attention. He was later given the international captaincy. Well known for his energy and tireless runs, as well as his goal scoring ability, Nedved was nicknamed Furia Ceca ("The Czech Fury", an Italian wordplay on the phrase Furia Cieca, meaning "Blind Fury") by Juventus fans.
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Pelé
Edson Arantes do Nascimento (name given as Edison on birth certificate, born 21 October 1940 (however, Pelé himself claims that he was born on 23 October) ), known by his nickname Pelé (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [peˈlɛ]), is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as the best football player of all time. In 1999, he was voted Football Player of the Century by the IFFHS International Federation of Football History and Statistics. In the same year French weekly magazine France-Football consulted their former "Ballon D'Or" winners to elect the Football Player of the Century. Pelé came in first place. In 1999 the International Olympic Committee named Pelé the "Athlete of the Century". In his career he scored 760 official goals. He is also the most successful Top Division goal scorer of all time with 541 League goals. In total Pelé scored 1281 goals in 1363 games.
In his native Brazil, Pelé is hailed as a national hero. He is known for his accomplishments and contributions to the game of football. He is also acknowledged for his vocal support of policies to improve the social conditions of the poor (when he scored his 1,000th goal he dedicated it to the poor children of Brazil). During his career, he became known as "The King of Football" (O Rei do Futebol), "The King Pelé" (O Rei Pelé) or simply "The King" (O Rei).
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Pep Guardiola
Josep "Pep" Guardiola i Sala (Catalan pronunciation: [ʒuˈzɛb ɡwəɾðiˈɔɫə]; born 18 January 1971) is a Spanish football manager and former player. As a player, Guardiola played as a defensive midfielder and spent the majority of his playing career with FC Barcelona. He was part of Johan Cruyff's "dream team" that won Barcelona's first European Cup. He also played for Brescia and Roma in Italy; Al-Ahli in Qatar; and for Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico while attending managing school. While playing in Italy, he served a four-month ban for a positive drug test although he was cleared of wrongdoing twice on appeal in 2009 before the Courts of Justice of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Federal Anti-Doping Courts of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI). As an international, he played for Spain, and in friendly matches for Catalonia.
After retiring as a player, Guardiola became coach of FC Barcelona B. On 8 May 2008, Barcelona President Joan Laporta announced that Guardiola would succeed Frank Rijkaard as the first team manager. He signed his contract on 5 June 2008. In his first season as manager, Barcelona won the treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. In doing so, Guardiola became the youngest UEFA Champions League-winning manager ever. The following season, Guardiola and Barcelona won the Supercopa de España, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup, bringing the manager's tally to the maximum of six trophies in six competitions in one year, thus completing the first ever sextuple.
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Petar Zhekov
Petar Petrov Zhekov (Bulgarian: Петър Петров Жеков, born October 10, 1944) is a former Bulgarian football player, who won the silver medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Zhekov was born in Knizhovnik, Haskovo Province, and began his career in F.C. Dimitrovgrad. Later he moved to Beroe Stara Zagora, where he twice became Bulgaria's top goalscorer. Between 1968 and 1975 Zhekov played for CSKA Sofia and scored 144 goals for the team. This makes him the club's best goalscorer of all time. He also won the European Golden Boot in 1969 and two European Bronze Boots.He has 333 appearances and a record of 253 goals in TBI A Football Group.
1968–69, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1974–75
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Peter Houtman
Peter Houtman (born June 4, 1957 in Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland) is a retired football striker from the Netherlands, who obtained eight caps for the Dutch national team in the 1980s, scoring seven goals.
Houtman played for Feyenoord Rotterdam and FC Groningen. He also had spells with Club Brugge, Sporting Lisboa, Sparta Rotterdam, ADO Den Haag and Excelsior Rotterdam. For Feyenoord he scored 90 goals in 153 official matches.
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Peter Schmeichel
Peter Bolesław Schmeichel MBE (Danish pronunciation: [ped̥ɐ ˈsmɑɪ̯ˀɡ̊l̩]; born 18 November 1963) is a retired Danish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993. He is best remembered for his most successful years at English club Manchester United, whom he captained to the 1999 UEFA Champions League to complete the Treble, and for winning UEFA Euro 1992 with Denmark.
Born in Gladsaxe, Copenhagen, Schmeichel was famous for his intimidating physique (he is 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) tall and weighed about 105 kg (16 st 7 lb) during his playing days. He wore specially made size XXXL football shirts. Unusual for a goalkeeper, Schmeichel scored 11 goals during his career, including one for the national team. He is also the most capped player for the Denmark national team, with 129 games between 1987 and 2001. In addition to Euro 92, he played for his country at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and three additional European Championship tournaments. He captained the national team in 30 matches.
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Pierre Kerkhoffs
Pierre Kerkhoffs (born 26 March 1936) is a Dutch former footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a striker. Kerkhoffs played club football for SC Enschede and PSV, and was the Eredivisie top scorer in the 1962-63 season. He later played in Switzerland for Lausanne Sports.
Kekhoffs also earned five caps for the Netherlands between 1960 and 1965.
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Pierre van Hooijdonk
Petrus Ferdinandus Johannes "Pierre" van Hooijdonk (Dutch pronunciation: [pi.ˈjɛr vɑn ˈɦoːɪ̯.dɔŋk], born 29 November 1969) is a retired Dutch football player who played as a striker. His last spell was at Feyenoord Rotterdam. Van Hooijdonk was capped 46 times for the Dutch national team, scoring 21 goals, and played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2000 and Euro 2004. He was noted for his spectacular free kicks.
As a child, Van Hooijdonk who was born in Steenbergen lived in a small village nearby named Welberg. While playing in one of SC Welberg's youth squads he became familiar with the sport. His favourite team was NAC Breda and he was already watching their games at a young age. When he was 11 years old he took part in a talent pool on the open day of the team and he impressed the NAC scouts. He was asked to join NAC, which he did and played mainly as a right midfielder. When he was 14 he was told he was not good enough for NAC and he switched to amateur side V.V. "Steenbergen". Here he switched to the striker position and he would play five years for the team, of which the last two seasons in their first team. His performances at V.V. "Steenbergen" were noticed by RBC Roosendaal scout Tiny van Dijk and he was brought into the team at amateur level.
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Piet Kruiver
Piet Kruiver (5 January 1938, Koog aan de Zaan, North Holland - 18 March 1989, Amsterdam) is a former Dutch footballer who was active as a striker. Kruiver made his professional debut at PSV Eindhoven and also played for Lanerossi Vicenza, Feijenoord and DWS.
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Predrag Mijatović
Predrag "Peđa" Mijatović (Serbian: Предраг Мијатовић Пеђа) (born 19 January 1969) is a Montenegrin football player and former sports director of Real Madrid. He is considered[by whom?] one of Yugoslavia's best players of the 1990s. He was acclaimed as the best athlete of Yugoslavia in 1997. During his career his position on the pitch was striker but was very often deployed, especially later in his career, as a midfield creator.
On the club level, Mijatović played for 6 different clubs: Budućnost Podgorica, FK Partizan, Valencia, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, and Levante. Internationally, Mijatović has been capped 73 times, scoring 28 goals (the appearances are split between the SFR Yugoslavia and the FR Yugoslavia national teams). He played in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
A very technically gifted player known for his outstanding skill and vision, as well as his prolific goalscoring ability, Mijatović is well remembered for scoring impressive 28 goals in the 1995/1996 Primera División season for Valencia, which in turn led him to controversially move to Real Madrid, where he scored a goal for Real Madrid in the 1998 UEFA Champions League Final that brought the biggest European title back to Madrid after 32 years. He also had many memorable moments on the big stage, at both club and international levels.
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Pruden
Pruden (1 September 1916-25 February 1998) was a Spanish association football player who played for Atlético Madrid. He won the Pichichi trophy awarded to the top scorer in La Liga during the 1940–41 season, when he scored 30 goals.
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Quini
Enrique Castro González (born 23 September 1949), aka Quini, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a striker.
In a career totally connected with Sporting de Gijón and FC Barcelona, he was widely regarded as one of the country's best strikers, having won a total of seven Pichichi Trophy awards, five of those in La Liga.
A Spanish international for 12 years, Quini represented the nation in two World Cups and one European Championship.
Born in Oviedo, Asturias, Quini joined local Real Oviedo's neighbours Sporting de Gijón in 1968, from amateurs Ensidesa. In his first season in La Liga, 1970–71, he netted 13 goals in 30 matches and, during the following nine years, only netted once in single digits (nine) and won three Pichichi, one in division two - ironically, in the year in which he won his second, Sporting was relegated, the player's 21 goals being insufficient to avoid the last place.
In the 1980 summer, Quini signed with FC Barcelona, which had already tried to sign the player after Sporting's relegation. In his first two years combined, he scored 47 league goals, good enough for two more scoring accolades. He also helped the Catalans to the 1981 Spanish Cup, scoring twice to put away his beloved Sporting, in a 3–1 win in the final; additionally, in the 1981–82 European Cup Winners' Cup, he helped Barça come from behind to beat Belgium's Standard Liège 2–1, as the final was held at the Camp Nou.
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Raymond Kopa
Raymond Kopa (born Kopaszewski, on October 13, 1931 in Nœux-les-Mines, Pas-de-Calais), is a former French football offensive midfielder, integral to the French national team of the 1950s.
Often considered one of leading players of his generation, Kopa was a free-role playmaker who was quick, agile and known for his love of dribbling. He was also a renowned playmaker, as well as a prolific scorer.
Born into a family of Polish immigrants, Kopa began his professional career at the age of 17 with SCO Angers in France's second level, and was transferred two years later to Stade de Reims, with whom he won French championships in 1953 and 1955. He helped Reims reach the first European Cup final in 1956, which the team lost to Alfredo Di Stéfano's Real Madrid, 4-3.
Kopa was transferred to Real Madrid the subsequent season, where he was soon joined by Ferenc Puskás. At Real Madrid, Kopa won the Spanish league in 1957 and 1958. Kopa also became the first French player to win the European Cup when Madrid defeated Fiorentina 2-0 in the 1957 final. He would go on to be European champion again in 1958 and 1959, the last against former side Stade de Reims, where Just Fontaine played.
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Raí
Raí Souza Vieira de Oliveira (born 15 May 1965), known as simply Raí (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁaˈi]), is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.
He spent the better part of his 15-year career with São Paulo and Paris Saint-Germain, winning 15 major titles with the two teams combined, and nearing the 100-goal mark.He also was the first to do the famous Raí Flick (Rainbow flick)
Raí played with Brazil for more than one decade, helping the country win the 1994 World Cup.
Born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo Raí started his career with local Botafogo Futebol Clube (SP), signing in 1986 with Associação Atlética Ponte Preta, with which he made his Série A debuts.
Raí joined São Paulo FC for the 1987 season, only making his league debut on 18 October due to injury. He only scored once in his first year but, following the arrival of Telê Santana as coach, blossomed into a prolific scorer, scoring 28 overall in the 1991 campaign (20 in the São Paulo League); he was also instrumental in the defeat of FC Barcelona in the 1992 Intercontinental Cup, netting both goals in a 2–1 win in Tokyo.
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René van de Kerkhof
Reinier "René" Lambertus van de Kerkhof (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈrɛi̯.nir rəˈneː lɑm.ˈbɛr.tʏs vɐn də ˈkɛrk.ɦɔf]) (born 16 September 1951) is a former Dutch football player, who played for FC Twente and PSV Eindhoven.
van de Kerkhof and his twin brother Willy were squad members of the Dutch national team that made the World Cup final in 1974 and became key players in the team that made the 1978 final. Overall, van de Kerkhof appeared 47 times for his country, scoring five goals.
He is well remembered due to the incident before the 1978 World Cup final, when the opponent Argentinians objected to the cast he wore on his injured forearm since it could have injured an Argentinian player. Despite the bandage having been passed by FIFA and worn in previous matches, the referee, Italian Sergio Gonella vacillated, while the Dutch players threatened to walk off the field. Finally an extra layer of padding was applied to the bandage as a solution, and the match could start.
1978 was his most successful year anyway, besides becoming runners-up at the FIFA 1978 World Cup tournament, he also won the UEFA Cup, the Dutch championship and the Dutch Cup with PSV that year: "we had won everything possible – the title, the Dutch Cup and the UEFA Cup, and we had five or six players who had been runners-up at the FIFA World Cup in Argentina with the Netherlands. It was a beautiful period under coach Kees Rijvers", Van de Kerkhof later would tell to Berend Scholten.
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Ricardinho
Ricardinho, real name Ricardo Luis Pozzi Rodrigues (born May 23, 1976 in São Paulo, Brazil) is a Brazilian manager and former football player. He was usually a deep-lying playmaker. He was best known for his accurate passing and technique.
Ricardinho has earned 23 caps for the Brazilian national team, the first on March 28, 2000 in a match against Colombia. He was called up by Luiz Felipe Scolari for the 2002 FIFA World Cup as a late replacement for Emerson who was injured before the tournament began. He appeared three matches as a substitute during the tournament as Brazil won the World Cup for the record fifth time.
On August 17, 2005, he scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Croatia, an equalizer in the 41st minute as Brazil drew 1–1 with Croatia.
He was selected by Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira among the 23 footballers to participate in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He appeared in two matches as a substitute, against Japan and Ghana. In the latter, he made an assist to a late goal scored by midfielder Zé Roberto.
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Rinat Dasayev
Rinat Fayzrakhmanovich Dasayev (Russian: Ринат Файзрахманович Дасаев, Tatar: Rinat Faizrahman uly Dasaev; born June 13, 1957 in Astrakhan, Russian SFSR) is a Russian former football goalkeeper of Tatar ethnicity, who played in three World Cups with the Soviet national team. He is considered the second best Russian goalkeeper ever behind Lev Yashin, and one of the best in the world in the 1980s. He was awarded the title of the World’s Best Goalkeeper of the Year award in 1988 by the IFFHS. In 2004, he was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers.
Dasayev, nicknamed “The Iron Curtain” and "The Cat", was a goalkeeper for the Russian football club Spartak Moscow during most of the 1980s. He won the Soviet championship in 1979 and 1987 and was named Best Soviet Goalkeeper by Ogonyok (Огонëк) magazine in 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988. In 1982 he was named Soviet Footballer of the Year. Dasayev played for the Soviet national team at the 1980 Summer Olympics, winning the bronze medal. He appeared in the 1982, 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cups, as well as the Euro 88 (where the Soviet Union lost the final and Dasayev was powerless to stop Marco van Basten's legendary volley). In total, he was capped 91 times from 1979 to 1990, being the second-most capped player ever for the Soviet Union.
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Rivaldo
Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira (born 19 April 1972), commonly known as Rivaldo (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁiˈvawdu]), is a Brazilian professional footballer for Kabuscorp. He plays as an attacking midfielder and sometimes as a supporting striker.
He most notably played five years with Spanish club FC Barcelona, with whom he won the 1998 and 1999 Spanish La Liga championship and the 1998 Copa del Rey. Between 1993 and 2003, Rivaldo played 74 matches and scored 34 goals for the Brazil national football team and was an integral part of the 2002 FIFA World Cup winning Brazilian team.
In 1999, Rivaldo was honoured as FIFA World Player of the Year, Ballon d'Or winner and European Footballer of the Year. He was named by Pelé as one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers at a FIFA Awards Ceremony in 2004. He is also the president of Mogi Mirim Esporte Clube in his native Brazil.
Born in Paulista, Pernambuco, Brazil, Rivaldo had an extremely poor upbringing in the favelas of the port town of Recife. His physical appearance still marks the poverty he experienced in his childhood: malnourishment-caused bowleggedness and the loss of several teeth. Rivaldo began his professional career at the age of 16, when he signed with Paulistano, from Pernambuco, in 1989, despite the Paulistano coaches believing him too physically weak to succeed. Rivaldo's father Romildo was killed in a road accident in 1989, but Rivaldo went on to his first professional contract later that year.
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Rob Rensenbrink
Pieter Robert ("Rob") Rensenbrink (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈpi.tər ˈroʊ̯.bərt (ˈrɔp) ˈrɛn.sə(m).ˌbrɪŋk], born July 3, 1947 in Amsterdam) is a former Dutch football player and member of the Dutch national football team that reached two World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978. A creative left winger of considerable talent, he became a legend in Belgium whilst playing in the great Anderlecht side of the 1970s. A talented dribbler as well as a cool finisher, he only ever missed two penalties in his entire career, and often enjoyed telling the keeper beforehand where he was going to place the ball, and then still beating him there. He was also the first winner of the Onze d'Or
Born in Amsterdam, Rensenbrink started his career at DWS, an Amsterdam amateur club, before moving to Belgian side Club Brugge in 1969. Between 1971 and 1980 he played for Anderlecht where he enjoyed his greatest club successes. In total when in Belgium he twice won the Belgian Championships, the Belgian Cup five times and at European club level the European Cup Winners' Cup twice (in 1976 and 1978 as well as being runner-up in 1977). Among his team mates was Dutch internationalist compatriot, Arie Haan.
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Robert Pirès
Robert Emmanuel Pirès (born 29 October 1973 in Reims) is a French international footballer who is currently a free agent. He is perhaps best known for his time with Arsenal, with whom he won three FA Cups and two FA Premier League titles including the club's famous unbeaten season of 2003–04. A former France international, Pirès earned 79 caps between 1996 and 2004 for his country, including winning both the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000.
Pirès has played the majority of his career as a left winger, but can also play all across the midfield or in a position to support the striker(s).
Pirès was born in Reims to a Portuguese father and Spanish mother. Pirès, the elder of two boys, spent most of his childhood dressed in two football shirts that reflected his divided loyalty. One was a Portugal shirt (his father was a Benfica fan) and the other was a Real Madrid shirt. Pirès confessed he had difficulty in school because his French was not good due to the fact his parents only spoke Spanish and Portuguese. His passion for football was inherited from his father, António, who played with Les Corpo, a local team, and every Saturday night Pirès would watch him play. At the age of 15, Pirès left school and began his dream of a career in football with a two-year sports degree course in Reims. At the insistence of his mother, Pirès continued with Reims and eventually was called up four years later.
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Robert Prosinečki
Robert Prosinečki (pronounced [robert prosinetʃki], born 12 January 1969) is a Croatian football manager and former football midfielder. Prosinečki is regarded by many as the player with best technique that ever played in and for Croatia. Former national squad teammate Zvonimir Boban, humbly, also agreed with this. His dribbling is considered excellent, and his ability to keep possession of the ball is very highly regarded. He is one of the few footballers to have played for both the Spanish rival clubs Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
After retiring from active football he worked as assistant manager of the Croatia national football team between 2006 and 2010, before being appointed manager of Red Star Belgrade in December 2010.
Prosinečki was born in Schwenningen, West Germany, into a family of Yugoslav gastarbeiters of mixed ethnicity. His father Đuro was Croatian, hailing from Gornji Čemehovec village near Kraljevec na Sutli, and his mother Emilija Đoković is Serbian, originally from Ježevica village near Čačak.
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Roberto Acuña
Roberto Miguel Acuña Cabello (born 25 March 1972 in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, Argentina) is a Paraguayan footballer who plays for Club Rubio Ñú.
Nicknamed El Toro (bull) due to his strength and dominating presence, he operated as a central midfielder. He spent several years as a professional in Spain, at Zaragoza and Deportivo de La Coruña, being very unlucky at the latter.
At a young age, Acuña migrated to Paraguay, where he started playing for Club Nacional in 1989. After five years, he decided to acquire the country's citizenship to play for the national team, eventually becoming the second most capped player in Paraguay's history, second only to central defender Carlos Gamarra.
Afterwards, Acuña played four seasons back in Argentina, with Argentinos Juniors, Club Atlético Independiente and Boca Juniors, before moving to Europe in 1997, where he signed with Spain's Real Zaragoza. With the Aragonese, he was an everpresent midfield fixture, helping the side to the 2001 domestic cup, and scoring 20 goals in five seasons, alone in La Liga.
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Roberto Baggio
Roberto Baggio (Italian pronunciation: [roˈbɛrto ˈbaddʒo]; born 18 February 1967) is a retired Italian footballer. Widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of all time (4th in the Fifa internet poll; member of the Fifa World Cup Dream Team), Baggio won both the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1993. He is the only Italian player ever to score in three World Cups. He is also one of the top 5 all-time goalscorers for Italy. Baggio is known as Il Divin Codino (The Divine Ponytail), for the hairstyle he wore for most of his career and his Buddhist background.
Baggio was born in Caldogno, Veneto, son of Matilde and Fiorindo Baggio. He has 7 brothers and sisters. As a youngster, he always had a keen interest in the sport of football and played for a local youth club over a period of nine years. After scoring 6 goals in one game, Baggio was persuaded by scout Antonio Mora to join Vicenza. Roberto Baggio is the 6th of 8 siblings. His younger brother, Eddy Baggio, was also a footballer who played 86 games in Serie B. After his serious career threatening injury in 1985, Baggio, formerly a Roman Catholic, converted to Buddhism. He married his girlfriend Andreina Fabbi in 1989, in a traditional Roman Catholic ceremony however. They have a daughter, Valentina, and two sons, Mattia and Leonardo.
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Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini (Italian pronunciation: [roˈbɛrto manˈtʃini]; born 27 November 1964) is an Italian former football player and manager of Premier League club Manchester City. As a player Mancini was best known for his time at Sampdoria, where he played more than 550 matches, and helped them win the Serie A league title, four Coppa Italias and the Cup Winners Cup, whilst being capped 36 times by Italy. As a player, he gained a penchant for becoming a future manager and would often give team talks at half-time and ultimately became an assistant to Sven-Göran Eriksson at Lazio near the end of his playing career. After his retirement, Mancini embarked on a successful managerial career.
A cup specialist, Mancini has never failed to reach a semi-final of a major national cup competition in every season he has been a manager, from 2002 to 2012. He also guided the Italian clubs he managed to a record 5 consecutive Coppa Italia finals from 2004 to 2008, with Lazio once in 2004 and with Inter in the following four seasons. Mancini's first managerial role was at a cash stricken Fiorentina at only 35 years old and managed to win a Coppa Italia, but left with Fiorentina facing bankruptcy. Months later, he took over as manager at Lazio, where again he inherited financial constraints and was forced to lose a number of key players. With limited resources during his two season tenure, he still managed to win another Coppa Italia, reach a UEFA Cup semi-final, and secure a lucrative Champions League place.
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Roberto Rivelino
Roberto Rivellino (born 1 January 1946 in São Paulo) is a former Brazilian footballer.
The son of Italian immigrants from Macchiagodena (Isernia), he was famous for his large moustache, thunderous long-range free kicks, excellent long passes, quick thinking and distinct way of controlling the ball. He also invented a football move called the "flip flap", famously copied by Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent years. He is widely regarded as one of the most graceful football players ever, and among the very best midfielders of his generation.
Rivellino started as a futsal player at Clube Atletico Barcelona. After that, he tried his luck with Barcelona's biggest rival in futsal, Corinthians, where he moved on to professional football and quickly became a favourite of the fans—and was therefore nicknamed "O Rei do Parque" (King of the Park) (after the club's home ground, Parque São Jorge). However, the late 60s and early 70s were one of the most troubled periods in the history of the club, which did not win a single São Paulo state league title from 1954 to 1977.
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Robinho
Robson de Souza (born 25 January 1984), more commonly known as Robinho, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as second striker and winger for Serie A club Milan and the Brazil national team. Robinho is known for his ball control, attacking instinct and speed.
In 1999, at only 15 years of age, Robinho was personally picked by Brazil legend Pelé as his heir apparent and went on to lead Santos FC to their first Campeonato Brasileiro title since Pelé himself played for the club. Since then, he has won another title with Santos and two more with Spanish club Real Madrid. He won the Italian Serie A title in his first season at Milan. Robinho has won one Copa América title and two Confederations Cups with the Brazilian national team.
Born in São Vicente, São Paulo State, Robinho signed his first professional contract with Santos FC in 2002 at the age of 18. He made 24 appearances in his debut season and scored one goal as Santos won the 2002 Campeonato Brasileiro. He reached the final of the 2003 Copa Libertadores with Santos, but lost in the final to Boca Juniors. In 2004, Robinho finished with 21 goals in 37 games and led Santos to win another Campeonato Brasileiro.
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Rodion Cămătaru
Rodion Gorun Cămătaru (born 22 June 1958) is a retired Romanian footballer, who played as a striker.
He was born in Strehaia and debuted in Divizia A with Universitatea Craiova in 1974. He spent twelve seasons with Universitatea, winning the league titles in 1980 and 1981. In 1986, he was transferred to Dinamo Bucureşti, where he became the Divizia A top goalscorer the first season with 44 goals in 33 games. He retired in 1993, having played in Belgium and the Netherlands since 1989. Cămătaru scored his last ever goal as a professional in the Dutch cup final, playing for Heerenveen, on 20 May 1993. The match was won by Ajax.
He controversially won the European Golden Boot as Europe's best goal scorer in 1987, after scoring 20 of his 44 goals in the last 6 games of the season. It is widely believed that this was due to manipulation, and so 20 years later, the second placed Toni Polster was also granted a Golden Boot.
Cămătaru got 75 caps and scored 22 goals for the Romanian national team, and represented his country at Euro 1984 and the 1990 World Cup.
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Rodrigo Fabri
Rodrigo Fabri (born 15 January 1976 in Santo André) is a retired football player from Brazil.
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Roger Milla
Roger Milla (born Albert Roger Mooh Miller, 20 May 1952) is a retired Cameroonian footballer who played as a striker. He was one of the first African players to be a major star on the international stage. He played in three World Cups for the Cameroon national team.
He achieved international stardom at 38 years old, an age at which most forward-playing footballers have retired, by scoring four goals at the 1990 World Cup, the most memorable of which came in the match against Colombia when he dispossessed the showboating Colombian goalkeeper René Higuita 35 yards from goal, going on to score in the empty net with Higuita stranded. He helped the Cameroon team reach the quarter-finals.
He is also remembered for his trademark goal celebration of running to the corner flag and performing a dance. In the years that have followed, he has been recognised as a pioneer of the many unconventional and imaginative goal celebrations seen since then. He was named one of the 125 greatest living football players in 2004 by the legendary Brazilian football player Pelé.
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Rogério Ceni
Rogério Mücke Ceni (born 22 January 1973) is a Brazilian footballer who plays for São Paulo FC as a goalkeeper.
Most of his professional career, which spanned more than two decades, was associated with São Paulo FC, with which he won 14 major titles, including three Brazilian Leagues and two Copa Libertadores. He also scored more than 100 goals during his career, from penalties and free kicks, becoming the first and only player in his position to reach that milestone.
Recognized by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics as the goalkeeper to have scored the most goals in the history of football, surpassing José Luis Chilavert in 2006, Ceni represented Brazil at two World Cups.
Born in Pato Branco, Paraná, Ceni made his senior debuts with Sinop Futebol Clube, still a junior. In 1990, the 17-year old joined São Paulo FC, spending his first six seasons in Série A as a backup or third-choice.
In the 1997 season, one year after legendary Zetti moved to Santos FC, Ceni was chosen as his replacement. From 2005–07, he scored an astonishing 47 goals in all competitions combined, as the club won two national championships and the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup; in the latter competition, he netted in the semifinals against Ittihad FC (3–2, through a penalty kick), and was voted Man of the match in the final against Liverpool, as well as the tournament's MVP.
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Rommel Fernández
Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez (15 January 1966 – 6 May 1993) was a Panamanian footballer who played as a striker.
The second Panamanian footballer to play in Europe, he played almost his entire professional career in Spain, amassing La Liga totals of 104 games and 32 goals - 162/56 both major levels combined - in representation of four different teams. In 1993, he died in a car accident, at the age of just 27.
Fernández was born in the small town of El Chorrillo. In 1987, the 21-year old signed for CD Tenerife in Spain from Alianza FC, scoring a career-best 18 goals in his second season as the Canary Islands side promoted to La Liga for the first time in its history; in the following years, he also netted in double digits as the club retained its top division status - in the 1989–90 campaign, he was named Best South American Player in the Spanish League and, the following year, was voted best Ibero-American player in the competition by news agency EFE, receiving the Trofeo EFE.
Nicknamed The Panzer, Fernández signed for Valencia CF in 1991, but was used mostly as a backup in his only season, scoring just two goals. Subsequently, he moved to Albacete Balompié on loan, helping the Castile-La Mancha side retain its first division status in its second season ever, and scoring his 50th league goal in the process, against former club Tenerife.
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Romário
Romário de Souza Faria (born January 29, 1966 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), better known simply as Romário (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁoˈmaɾiu]), is a former footballer who played striker, manager and current politician. He helped the Brazil national team win the 1994 FIFA World Cup and was one of the most prolific strikers in the world.
He was selected the FIFA World Player of the Year and won the World Cup Golden Ball in 1994, chosen as forward on FIFA Dream Team and named as one of the Top 125 greatest living footballers as part of FIFA's 100th anniversary celebration. He is also known as one of very few strikers to surpass the mark of 1,000 goals.
From very humble origins, Romário was spotted in childhood when playing for Olaria, a small club from the Rio de Janeiro suburb. He was taken to the junior team of Vasco da Gama where he won two state leagues (1987/88) and earned his first call-ups to the national team. Romário came to international attention when he became the top scorer at the 1988 Olympic football tournament.
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Ronaldinho
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (born 21 March 1980 in Porto Alegre), commonly known as Ronaldinho (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁonawˈdʒĩɲu]) or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer who is currently a free agent and plays for the Brazilian national team as an attacking midfielder or forward. 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.
"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.
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.
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Ronaldo
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima (Portuguese pronunciation: [χoˈnawdu luˈiz naˈzaɾiu dʒi ˈlimɐ]; born 18 September 1976), commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last played for Corinthians. He is considered by experts and fans as one of the greatest football players of all time. In 2012, he was voted Goal.com's "Player of the Decades" in an online poll gathering 29.55% of all votes. He won his first Ballon d'Or as the European Footballer of the Year in 1997 (aged only 21) and again won the award in 2002 (26 years old). Additionally, he is one of only three men to have won the FIFA Player of the Year award three times, along with French footballer Zinedine Zidane and Argentine striker Lionel Messi.
Considered by many as the most complete striker in the past 30 years, in 2007, he was named as one of the best starting eleven of all-time by France Football and was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest footballers compiled by fellow countryman Pelé. In 2010, he was voted Goal.com's "Player of the Decade" in an online poll, gathering 43.63 percent of all votes and was also included as centre forward in the "Team of the Decade". On 23 February 2010, Ronaldo announced that he would retire after the 2011 season, signing a two-year contract extension with the Corinthians at the same time. Ronaldo has played for Brazil in 98 international matches, scoring 62 goals. He was a part of the Brazilian squad that won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups. During the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo became the highest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup with his fifteenth goal, surpassing Gerd Müller's previous record of 14. He is also the only player to have won the World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot in separate tournaments. Having suffered a string of serious injuries throughout his career, Ronaldo retired on 14 February 2011, citing pain and hypothyroidism as the reasons for his premature retirement.
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Ronaldo Guiaro
Ronaldo Guiaro (born 18 February 1974 in Piracicaba, São Paulo), known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a central defender.
Ronaldo started playing with Guarani Futebol Clube, moving to Clube Atlético Mineiro shortly after. In 1996, aged 22, he joined S.L. Benfica in Portugal, backing up Jorge Bermúdez and Hélder Cristóvão in his first season, but being first-choice afterwards, as the Lisbon and top division powerhouse failed to win any silverware.
After five seasons with Benfica, Ronaldo signed for Beşiktaş J.K. in Turkey, also being an undisputed starter for the majority of his spell. In 2002–03 season, he only missed one league match as the Istanbul outfit was crowned national champions after an eight-year wait.
Aged 31, Ronaldo returned to his country but, two years later, moved abroad again, going on to be a defensive mainstay with Aris Thessaloniki FC in the Greek first division for several seasons, helping it qualify three times to the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League.
Ronaldo represented Brazil at the 1996 Summer Olympics, playing in all the games for the bronze medal-winning squad.
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Roque Júnior
José Vítor Roque Jr. (born 31 August 1976 in Santa Rita do Sapucaí) more commonly known as Roque Júnior, is a former association footballer who played defender, who last played for Ituano Futebol Clube. He has won 48 caps for Brazil and was part of the winning squad at the 2002 World Cup.
During his career, Roque Júnior has played for Santarritense, São José, Palmeiras, A.C. Milan, Leeds United F.C., A.C. Siena, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, MSV Duisburg and Qatari side Al-Rayyan. He is an iconic footballer for Palmeiras, as he played more than 200 competitive games for them. His greatest success in club football came with playing for Palmeiras, with whom he won the 1999 Copa Libertadores.
There was excitement at Elland Road when Peter Reid brought Roque to Leeds on loan, but it was short lived as the team conceded 24 times in his 7 appearances and Roque was sent off on his début against Birmingham City. However, he did score two goals in a Worthington Cup game against Manchester United (Leeds lost 3–2) but his spell at Leeds was not considered a success.
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Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane (born 10 August 1971) is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic. Keane was a dominating central-midfielder, noted for his aggressive and highly competitive style of play, an attitude which helped him excel as captain of Manchester United from 1997 until his departure in 2005, having joined the club in 1993. Keane helped United achieve a sustained period of success in more than 12 years at the club. He then signed for Celtic but retired as a player less than a year later.
He played at international level for much of his career, representing the Republic of Ireland over a period of 14 years, most of which he spent as captain. He played in every Republic of Ireland game at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, although he was sent home from the 2002 World Cup after an incident with national coach Mick McCarthy.
He was appointed manager of Sunderland shortly after his retirement as a player, and took the club from 23rd position in the Football League Championship in late August to win the division title and gain promotion to the Premier League. Keane's arrival was cited as the catalyst for Sunderland's recovery. He managed to keep Sunderland from relegation in the 2007–08 season, but in his second season as a top-flight manager he left his position with Sunderland in the relegation zone. In April 2009, he was appointed as manager of Ipswich Town, but was sacked by the club in January 2011 with them 19th in the Championship.
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Roy Makaay
Rudolphus "Roy" Antonius Makaay (born 9 March 1975 in Wijchen, Gelderland) is a retired Dutch footballer. While playing for Bayern Munich he picked up the nickname Das Phantom (the Phantom), for his ability to score out of nowhere. A centre-forward, Makaay is known for his goal scoring ability which is a result of his "aerial prowess and quick drives to the net where he can put the ball away with either foot."
Makaay was the European Golden Boot winner for the 2002–03 season for being the top scorer in Europe. He was first recognized as a talented striker while playing for Vitesse in the mid 1990s and honed his skills at the Spanish First Division with Tenerife and later with Deportivo La Coruña where he scored 22 goals in 36 appearances in 1999–00, his most prolific season. His international caps for the Dutch national team have been limited due to players such as Patrick Kluivert, Dennis Bergkamp and Ruud van Nistelrooy. Makaay did, however, play for his country at Euro 2000 and Euro 2004. In the latter tournament, he scored against Latvia in the first round. He played 31 times for the Dutch U-21 national team which equals a record with Arnold Bruggink.
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Rui Costa
Rui Manuel César Costa, OIH (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʁuj ˈkɔʃtɐ]; born 29 March 1972) is a former Portuguese football player and current Director of Football for Sport Lisboa e Benfica. An attacking midfielder also capable of playing as a deep-seated defensive midfielder. Renowned for his fine technique and his excellent passing, he's now considered as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. In 2004, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100, as one of the 125 greatest living football players.
At the age of five, Costa joined the infant indoor football team of Damaia Ginásio Clube. Rui tried his luck at Benfica. Within ten minutes of training, Portugal legend Eusébio, who was supervising the youngsters, was impressed at Rui's skills. Up until 1990, Rui played for Benfica's youth squads. That season he was loaned to Fafe on a season long deal.
In 1991, after the Under-21 World Cup, which Portugal won after a victorious penalty kick scored by Costa, he returned to Benfica. There, he won the Cup of Portugal in 1993 and the Portuguese First Division title in 1993–94. This would be Benfica's last league title for 11 years.
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Ruud Geels
Geertruida ("Ruud") Maria Geels (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣeːr.ˌtrœy̯.daː (ˈryt) mɑ.ˈrijaː ˈɣeːls]) (born July 28, 1948 in Haarlem, Noord-Holland) is a retired football striker from the Netherlands, who obtained 20 caps for the Dutch national team, scoring eleven goals, in the 1970s.
Geels was a prolific goal scorer, scoring 388 goals in seventeen years of professional football. He served several clubs. Geels is one of very few players alongside Ronald Koeman, who played for all three big clubs in the Netherlands: Ajax Amsterdam, Feyenoord Rotterdam and PSV Eindhoven. Geels was a member of the national team that ended up in second place at the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
With Feyenoord
Eredivisie: 1965, 1969
KNVB Cup: 1965, 1969
Uefa Champions League: 1970
With Club Brugge KV
Belgian League: 1973
With AFC Ajax
Eredivisie: 1977
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Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit (help·info) (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈryt ˈɣʏɫɪt], born as Ruud Dil [ˈryt ˈdɪɫ], September 1, 1962 in Amsterdam) OON is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. He was the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 World Cup. He was named the European Footballer of the Year in 1987 and the World Soccer Player of the Year in 1987 and 1989. He was a versatile player, playing in numerous positions during his career. Gullit was working to promote the Belgian-Dutch 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bid.
Gullit was born Ruud Dil in Amsterdam to George Gullit, a Suriname migrant, and Ria Dil, his buitenvrouw, from the Amsterdam Jordaan inner city district. The family lived in one split level room on the top floor of a small apartment building. Gullit's father worked as an economics teacher at a local school, his mother as a custodian at the Rijksmuseum.
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Ruud van Nistelrooy
Rutgerus Johannes Martinus "Ruud" van Nistelrooij (Dutch pronunciation: [ryt vɑn ˈnɪstəlroːi̯] ( listen); born 1 July 1976) is a retired Dutch footballer. He is the second-highest goalscorer in Champions League history with 60 goals. He is a three-time Champions League top scorer, as well as a top scorer in three different European domestic leagues. He was a pure goal scorer known for his shooting ability, calmness in front of goal and positioning.
Van Nistelrooy began his career with Den Bosch, before moving onto Heerenveen, eventually making a name for himself at PSV Eindhoven where he won two Dutch leagues. His goalscoring record at PSV attracted attention from Manchester United; a deal was in place in the summer of 2000, but because of injury problems his move was secured a year later for a then British record fee of £19 million. His time at United was successful, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and FA Community Shield, along with winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year twice. Van Nistelrooy hit 150 goals in just 219 games for United, as well as being their all time European record goalscorer, but fell out of favour towards the end of his tenure. Real Madrid then secured his services in 2006. Although an injury blighted the end of his days with Madrid, he did win La Liga twice and the Supercopa de España before signing for Hamburg during the January transfer window in 2010. After a season-and-a-half with Hamburg, he moved back to Spain with Málaga in the summer of 2011. His retirement from football was announced on 14 May 2012.
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Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE (born Ryan Joseph Wilson on 29 November 1973) is a Welsh footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season. He established himself as a left winger during the 1990s, and continuing in this position well into the 2000s, though he has been increasingly used in a deeper playmaking role in his latter years. Giggs is known for his tireless running, ball possession and ability to create goalscoring opportunities for those around him.
Giggs is the most decorated player in English football history. He also holds the club record for competitive appearances. During his time at United, he has won 12 Premier League winner's medals, four FA Cup winner's medals, three League Cup winner's medals and two Champions League winner's medals. He has two runner-up medals from the Champions League, three FA Cup finals and two League Cup finals, as well as being part of the team five times when it finished second in the Premier League. In recent years, Giggs has captained the team on numerous occasions, particularly in the 2007–08 season when regular captain Gary Neville was ruled out with various injuries.
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Rüştü Reçber
Rüştü Reçber (pronounced [ˈɾyʃty ˈɾetʃbeɾ]; born 10 May 1973, Korkuteli) is a Turkish international footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Beşiktaş J.K. in the Turkish Süper Lig, having previously played for Antalyaspor, Fenerbahçe and Barcelona.
He has played a key role in the success of the Turkish national squad, and it was at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where Turkey finished third, that his performances saw him selected for the tournament's all-star team. He is Turkey's record appearance holder, having earned 119 caps. He made his debut against Iceland in 1994 and his final appearance came against Armenia in 2009.
Rüştü was named the best goalkeeper in European competitions in 2002, selected for the 2002 UEFA Team Of The Year by public vote. In 2004, he was selected to FIFA 100 by Pelé as one of the 125 best living footballers in the world. Rüştü retired from international level after UEFA Euro 2008 with 120 international caps to his name but was called to play against Spain on 28 March 2009 and 1 April.
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Salva Ballesta
Salvador Ballesta Vialcho, aka Salva (born 22 May 1975), is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a striker.
A goal-poacher noted for his flair and workrate, he played for seven different top division clubs, most notably Atlético Madrid, Valencia - with whom he won his sole team trophy - and Málaga.
Over the course of 11 La Liga seasons, Salva amassed totals of 235 games and 87 goals, adding 126/52 in Segunda División.
Salva was born in Zaragoza, Aragon. After making his professional debuts with Sevilla FC, he won the Pichichi Trophy in the 1999–2000 season, scoring 27 goals to lead La Liga's scoring charts for Racing de Santander. He then moved to Segunda División with Atlético de Madrid (freshly relegated) and proceeded to lead the side with 21 league goals, although the Colchoneros did not return to the top level.
In the 2001 summer, Salva joined Valencia CF, netting five goals to help the side become league champion after a 31-year drought. He was rarely used in the following season, and was subsequently briefly part of the Bolton Wanderers side which avoided Premier League relegation in 2003. He had another two loan stints from 2003–05, with Málaga CF (18 league goals) and Atlético Madrid, being subsequently released and signing with the former.
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Salvatore Schillaci
Salvatore Schillaci (Italian pronunciation: [salvaˈtɔre skilˈlatʃi]; born December 1, 1964), commonly referred to by his nickname Totò is a former Italian football player. During his career, he played for Messina (1982–1989), Juventus (1989–1992), Internazionale (1992–1994) and Júbilo Iwata (1994–1997). He was the Golden Boot winner for the 1990 FIFA World Cup after leading the tournament with six goals.
He made an appearance in a television advert for the Irish beer Smithwick's. The ad was originally created in the mid-90's when his goal that had eliminated Ireland from Italy 90 as well as the Irish win over Italy in 1994 FIFA World Cup were still vivid memories in the beer's home country.
A champion Australian thoroughbred racehorse (see Schillaci) was named after him following his performances at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Born in Palermo, Italy, from a poor family, Schillaci, nicknamed Totò, started to play for an amateur team of his native city, Amat Palermo. He then signed in 1982 for the Sicilian club Messina, where he played till 1989 and showed his goal-scoring abilities. He then joined Juventus of Turin, and debuted in Serie A on August 27, 1989. Juventus, the "Old Lady" of Italian football was at the time suffering from the breakup of the wonder team which dominated Italian football in the 1980s and Schillaci's arrival coincided with a return to form under the direction of former goalkeeper Dino Zoff. He featured prominently, scoring 15 goals, in a very positive year for the Turinese club which ended the season winning both the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup. Due to his inventive, aggressive attack style he was then selected by head coach of Italy, Azeglio Vicini, to play in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by Italy itself, despite being a novice in the arena of national team competitions.
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Sepp Maier
Josef Dieter "Sepp" Maier (born 28 February 1944) is a German former professional football goalkeeper. His nickname was "Die Katze von Anzing" ("the cat from Anzing") for his fast reflexes.
Born in Metten, Bavaria, Maier has spent his entire professional career at Bayern Munich. He began playing for Bayern's youth sides in 1958. During the 1970s, he was part of the legendary Bayern team which included the likes of Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller and won three European Cups in a row, a German record. Between 1966 and 1979 he played in 442 consecutive Bundesliga matches, still a German national record.
Maier was selected in the West Germany squad for four consecutive World Cups. In 1966 in England, he was a non-playing deputy to Hans Tilkowski. At the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, he was the undisputed starter and played all games (including the legendary 3–4 semifinal loss to Italy after extra time) except the third-place match.
In the 1974 FIFA World Cup on home soil, at the top of his footballing abilities, he reached the peak of his international career as the Germans went all the way to the final with a legendary team that included the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Berti Vogts, Gerd Müller and Paul Breitner. The greatest triumph came when the hosts defeated a Johan Cruyff-inspired Netherlands team 2–1 in the final in Maier's own hometown Munich.
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Sergio Agüero
Sergio Leonel "Kun" Agüero del Castillo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈseɾxjo aˈɣweɾo]; born 2 June 1988) is an Argentine professional association football player who plays as a striker for Manchester City in England's Premier League and the Argentine national team. On 5 July 2003, he became the youngest player to debut in the Argentine First Division at 15 years and 35 days, breaking the record previously established by Diego Maradona in 1976. He plays with the shirt name Kun Aguero.
At international level, Agüero represented the Argentina under-20 team at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005 and in 2007, winning both tournaments. Agüero played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he scored two goals in the 3–0 semi-final win against Brazil as Argentina went on to win the gold medal. Agüero was selected to represent Argentina in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 Copa América.
In 2006, Agüero moved to Europe to play for La Liga side Atlético Madrid for a fee of €23 million from Independiente. He made a name for himself, attracting attention from Europe's top clubs by scoring 101 goals in 234 appearances while winning the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup in 2010. Agüero moved to Premier League club Manchester City in July 2011 for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £35 million. On the last day of his début season with the club, Agüero scored a 94th-minute winner against Queen's Park Rangers that earned Manchester City their first league title in 44 years.
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Sergio Busquets
Sergio Busquets Burgos (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈserxjo βusˈkets], Catalan: [βusˈkɛts]; born 16 July 1988) is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, as a defensive midfielder.
He was a relatively obscure player when he arrived in FC Barcelona's first team in July 2008, but eventually made a name for himself in a relatively short period of time, reaching the Spanish national team in less than one year after making his professional club debut.
Busquets was born in Sabadell, Barcelona, Catalonia. In 2005, he joined local FC Barcelona's youth ranks, scoring seven goals in 26 matches for the Juvenil A team in his second season. Two years later, he was promoted to the B team under Josep Guardiola, and helped it achieve promotion to the third division. In that same season he would make his first-team debut, coming on as a substitute in a Catalonia Cup match.
On 13 September 2008, Busquets played his first La Liga match, 90 minutes in a 1–1 home draw against Racing de Santander. During Barcelona's UEFA Champions League match against FC Basel at St. Jakob-Park on 22 October 2008, he scored the second goal in the 15th minute in a 5–0 group stage win. In early December, in another start, he scored his second goal with Barça in the competition, netting in the 83rd minute of a 2–3 home loss against FC Shakhtar Donetsk. On 22 December, Busquets signed a contract extension until 2013, with a buy-out clause of €80 million.
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Sotiris Kaiafas
Sotiris Kaiafas (born December 17, 1949 in Mia Milia, Nicosia) is a retired Cypriot footballer, who played for Omonia and Cyprus. During his career at Omonia, he won the European Golden Boot. He is considered the best footballer that Cyprus has ever produced and also one of the two best Cypriot sportpeople in 20th century.
Kaiafas played for local club mia milia, called Proodos. In 1965, he joined Omonia and in 1967, he debuted for Omonia senior team joining the youth team at the age of 16 because he was clearly a class above the rest in his age group. Soon he established himself as one of the most prolific strikers Omonia had ever employed. But it was not until the early 1970s that he served notice of his talent. In the 1971–72 season, Kaiafas became for first time leading scorer in Cyprus with 12 goals, a tally that helped Omonia to their third domestic title. It was the start of a successful partnership.
Kaiafas, like other Cypriot stars such as Andreas Stylianou, Panicos Efthymiades and Leonidas Leonidou, became a cult hero to the fans. It was a period where there was a close connection between players and watchers, at a time when football was played on gravel, not grass, and its practitioners paid only a pittance by clubs.
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Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE (1 February 1915 – 23 February 2000) was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year awards. Matthews' nicknames included "The Wizard of the Dribble" and "The Magician".
A near-vegetarian teetotaller, he kept fit enough to play at the top level until he was 50 years old. He was also the oldest player ever to play in England's top football division and the oldest player ever to represent the country. He played his final competitive game in 1985, at the age of 70. Matthews was also an inaugural inductee to the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 to honour his contribution to the English game.
He spent nineteen years with Stoke City, playing for the "Potters" from 1932 to 1947, and again from 1961 to 1965. He helped Stoke to the Second Division title in 1932–33 and 1962–63. In between his two spells at Stoke he spent fourteen years with Blackpool; where he became an FA Cup winner in 1953 (known as the Matthews Final), after he was on the losing side in the 1948 and 1951 finals. Between 1937 and 1957 he won 54 caps for England, playing in the FIFA World Cup in 1950 and 1954, and winning nine British Home Championship titles.
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Stefan Effenberg
Stefan Effenberg (born 2 August 1968) is a retired German footballer. A central midfielder, he possessed leadership skills, powerful shooting ability, physical strength, but also a fearsome and controversial character.
In the Bundesliga alone – where he represented most notably Bayern Munich, in six seasons in two different spells – Effenberg collected 109 yellow cards, an all-time worst at the time of his retirement.
He played for Germany on more than 30 occasions – in a career which was cut short after a run-in with the management – representing the nation in one World Cup and one European Championship. His nickname is Der Tiger.
Born and raised in Niendorf, Hamburg, Effenberg started his professional career with Borussia Mönchengladbach, being an undisputed first-choice by age 20. This prompted the interest from Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich, and he proceeded to score 19 goals in his first two seasons combined, but the club did not win any silverware whatsoever.
After legendary Lothar Matthäus (who also represented M'gladbach) returned to Bayern in 1992, Effenberg moved to ACF Fiorentina, being relegated from Serie A in his first season, on a side that also included Dane Brian Laudrup and Argentine Gabriel Batistuta.
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Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE ( /ˈdʒɛrɑrd/; born 30 May 1980) is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 91 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfield role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger.
Gerrard, who has spent his entire career at Anfield, made his début in 1998 and cemented his place in the first team in 2000, succeeding Sami Hyypiä as team captain in 2003. His honours include two FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Cup, and two Super Cups. In 2005, Gerrard came third in voting for the Ballon d'Or.
Gerrard made his international debut in 2000 and has represented England at the Euro 2000 and Euro 2004, as well as the 2006 World Cup where he was the team's top goalscorer with two goals. Gerrard first captained his country at the 2010 World Cup in the absence of regular captain Rio Ferdinand, who missed the tournament through injury. He was named again as England captain for the Euro 2012.
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Susana Werner
Susana Werner (born July 20, 1977, Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian model and actress.
From 1997 to 1999, Susana Werner had a relationship with Brazilian footballer Ronaldo. Later, she married the Brazilian goalkeeper Júlio César. The couple have two children, Cauet (born in 2002) and Giulia (born in 2005).
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Sándor Kocsis
Sándor Kocsis Péter (21 September 1929 – 22 July 1979) was a Hungarian footballer who played for Ferencváros TC, Budapest Honvéd, Young Fellows Zürich, FC Barcelona and Hungary. During the 1950s, along with Ferenc Puskás, Zoltán Czibor, József Bozsik and Nándor Hidegkuti, he was a member of the Mighty Magyars. After the 1956 Hungarian Revolution he moved to Spain where he became a member of the FC Barcelona team of the late 1950s.
Kocsis was a prolific goalscorer for both Budapest Honvéd and Hungary. While playing for Honvéd, he was the top goal scorer in any European league in both 1952 and 1954. He also scored 75 goals in 68 appearances for Hungary - a 1.10 goal/game average at the game's highest level. Kocsis was the top goal scorer in the 1954 World Cup with 11 goals, being the first player to score two hat tricks in a World Cup. His record 2.2 goal/game average in a single World Cup finals competition is still unbeaten as of 2010, and only Just Fontaine has scored more goals in a single World Cup.
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Sávio
Sávio Bortolini Pimentel (born 9 January 1974), simply Sávio (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈsavi̯u]), is a Brazilian retired footballer. Known as "Anjo Loiro" ("Blonde Angel") and "Diabo Loiro" ("Blonde Devil"), he played most of his professional career in Spain – being a part of Real Madrid's setup during four and a half seasons and appearing in more than 300 official games with four different teams.
A Brazilian international in the mid/late 1990s, Sávio represented the nation in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Born in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Sávio started his footballing career at the Desportiva Capixaba youth team. Still as a junior, Sávio was transferred to Rio de Janeiro's Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, where he made his professional debut. He was hailed as the new Zico by the fans and the press due to his footballing ability, but also due to his frail physique. In 1995, as part of Flamengo's centennial celebrations, he teamed up with the volatile Romário and Edmundo. After clashing against Romário, Sávio was transferred to Real Madrid in 1998, helping the La Liga powerhouse to three UEFA Champions League titles and the 2001 national championship; in 2002–03, he served a loan stint in France, at FC Girondins de Bordeaux.
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Sócrates
Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, MD (19 February 1954 – 4 December 2011), simply Sócrates, was a Brazilian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He was also a qualified doctor.
He played for Botafogo-SP before joining Corinthians in 1978. He then moved to Italy to play for Fiorentina, returning to Brazil in 1985 to end his career.
Sócrates was a technical playmaker, known for great through passes and his vision on the field, as well as his physical strength. He was also a two-footed player and a prolific goal scorer. His ability to read the game was highly valued, and his signature move was the blind heel pass. He was considered to be one of the greatest midfielders ever to play the game. Easily recognizable for his beard and headband, he became the "symbol of cool for a whole generation of football supporters".
Sócrates played for Brazil during seven years, scoring more than 20 goals and representing the nation in two World Cups, captaining the team in the 1982 edition; he also appeared in the 1979 and 1983 Copa América tournaments, and was named South American Footballer of the Year in 1983, being selected to Pelé's FIFA 100 list in 2004.
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Tanju Çolak
Tanju Çolak (born 10 November 1963 in Samsun) is a retired Turkish footballer, who played as a striker.
He made his debut for Samsun Yolspor. From there he was transferred to Samsunspor in 1981 where he was the top scorer in both the 1985–86 and 1986–87 seasons. Çolak then moved to Galatasaray in the end of 1986–87 season. He was the top scorer in Europe with 39 goals in the 1987–88 season. At the same time, he was awarded the European Golden Boot given by France Football. He is the only Turkish footballer to date to win this award. Çolak became the top scorer again in the 1991–92 season, and transferred to rivals Fenerbahçe at the end of the season.
He had a lifetime total of 240 goals and took over the title of top goal scorer in the Turkish Super League by breaking the legendary record of Metin Oktay. He had scored the most goal with 240 goals at only 9 seasons, which were 1982–83 and between the 1985–93 seasons. His record was broken by Hakan Şükür in 2007–08 season at 17 seasons. Çolak, dubbed "Bay Gol" (Mr. Goal), finished his career at İstanbulspor with a legacy as a good striker who had his career damaged by criminal scandals.
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Telmo Zarra
Telmo Zarraonandia Montoya (20 January 1921 – 23 February 2006), popularly known as Zarra, was a Spanish Basque football player for Athletic Bilbao from 1940 to 1955.
Signing with Athletic after playing one season for Erandio, he became a prolific goalscorer for Athletic in his 15 seasons at the club, winning The Pichichi Trophy (which is awarded to the top goal scorer of the season in the Spanish league) six times. He scored more league goals (252) than any other player in Spanish football history, and an additional 81 cup goals. He previously shared the record for most goals scored in a season: 38 times in 1950–51, which was usurped by Cristiano Ronaldo's 40 goals during the 2010–11 La Liga season.
Despite this excellent record, he only played for Spain twenty times. Even so, he still managed to score 20 goals, including four in one historic match when Spain beat Switzerland 6–3 on 18 February 1951. He also scored his country's winning goal against England in the 1950 World Cup finals as Spain reached the final four – their best performance in the competition until winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup 60 years later.
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Teófilo Cubillas
Teófilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga (born 8 March 1949) is a Peruvian former footballer. He was selected as Peru's greatest ever player in an IFFHS poll, in which he was also included in the world's Top 50. He is one of only two players to have scored five goals in two different FIFA World Cups.
Nicknamed El Nene (The Kid), he was part of the Peru national team that won the 1975 Copa América. He helped Peru reach the quarter finals at the 1970 FIFA World Cup and again at the 1978 World Cup and was elected the South American Footballer of the Year in 1972.
He is the all-time leading scorer for his country, with 26 goals in 81 matches.In 2004 Pelé selected Cubillas as one of the FIFA 100, a list of 125 footballing greats. In February 2008, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Brazilian World Cup victory, he was selected in the All-Star First Team of South America of the past 50 years.
Nicknamed "Nene" (the babe) for his boyish looks, Cubillas began his career with Alianza Lima at the age of 16 in 1966. Whilst at Alianza he was top scorer in the Peruvian Primera División in 1966 and 1970.
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Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry (French pronunciation: [tjɛʁi ɑ̃ʁi]; born 17 August 1977) is a French footballer who plays as a striker for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.
Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne (a suburb of Paris) where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and signed instantly, making his professional debut in 1994. Good form led to an international call-up in 1998, after which he signed for the Serie A defending champions Juventus. He had a disappointing season playing on the wing, before joining Arsenal for £11 million in 1999.
It was at Arsenal that Henry made his name as a world-class footballer. Despite initially struggling in the Premier League, he emerged as Arsenal's top goal-scorer for almost every season of his tenure there. Under long-time mentor and coach Arsène Wenger, Henry became a prolific striker and Arsenal's all-time leading scorer with 228 goals in all competitions. The Frenchman won two league titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners; he was nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year twice, was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year twice, and the FWA Footballer of the Year three times. Henry spent his final two seasons with Arsenal as club captain, leading them to the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final.
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Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller (German pronunciation: [ˈtʰoː.mas ˈmʏ.lɐ]; born 13 September 1989) is a German footballer who plays for Bayern Munich and the German national team. Müller plays as a midfielder or forward, and has been deployed in a variety of attacking roles—as an attacking midfielder, second striker, and on either wing. He has been praised for his pace, technique and composure, and has shown consistency in scoring and creating goals. A product of Bayern's youth system, he made his first-team breakthrough in the 2009–10 season after Louis van Gaal was appointed as the main coach; he played almost every game as the club won the league and cup double and reached the Champions League final. This accomplishment earned him an international call-up, and at the end of the season he was named in Germany's squad for the 2010 World Cup, where he scored five goals in six appearances as the team finished in third place. He was named as the Best Young Player of the tournament and won the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer, with five goals and three assists.
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Toni Polster
Anton "Toni" Polster (born 10 March 1964 in Vienna) is a retired Austrian footballer. He is the all-time leading goalscorer for Austria and the singer of the Austrian band Achtung Liebe.
Polster came through the Austria Wien youth system to make his professional league debut in August 1982, at 18 years of age. He scored his first Bundesliga goal three weeks later and went on to win three league titles and a domestic cup before moving abroad to play a season for Serie A mid-table side Torino. He then spent the five following years at Spanish teams Sevilla, Logroñés and Rayo Vallecano, ending up with these teams in mid-table as well. In 1990, he finished runner-up in the Spanish goalscoring chart. In 1993, he moved to Germany to spend 5 years at Köln, again ending up in mid-table every season except for the last one in which he experienced relegation. That made him join Borussia Mönchengladbach next year but they got also relegated at the end of the season and Polster returned to Austria to play a final season at Austria Salzburg.
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Tostão
Eduardo Gonçalves de Andrade (born 25 January 1947), aka Tostão, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a forward.
In his prime, he was considered one of the best offensive players in the world, while also contributing with many assists thanks to his passing abilities. He played most of his 11-year career with Cruzeiro.
Tostão represented Brazil in two World Cups, winning the tournament in 1970.
Born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Eduardo Andrade received, like the vast majority of Brazilian footballers, a nickname early into his football career, being dubbed 'Tostão' (little coin). Legend has it that as a six-year old school boy he netted 47 goals in one game for his primary school football team.
Tostão made his professional debuts aged only 15, for local América Futebol Clube (MG), returning after two years to Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, where he had started his youth career. Not a pure striker, he was crowned the Campeonato Mineiro's topscorer on three consecutive occasions, the first in 1966, and left the club as its all-time scorer, with a total of 242 league goals.
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Túlio Maravilha
Túlio Humberto Pereira Costa (born June 2, 1969), sometimes simply referred as Túlio or Túlio Maravilha ("Wonder Túlio") for his great creativity on the field and for his charisma, is a Brazilian international football (soccer) forward. He has scored more than 900 goals (in his own account) and intends to score the 1000th with Botafogo. He was also elected a member of his hometown municipal assembly. He was born in Goiânia and is a member of PMDB.
Túlio Costa stands at 1.78 meters tall, played for Brazilian club teams such as Goiás, Botafogo, Corinthians, Vitória, Fluminense, Cruzeiro and Vila Nova. In Europe, he played for Sion and Újpest. He played for several lower-division teams in Brazil, hoping to juggle his goal of scoring 1000 goals while fulfilling his political aspirations.
While at Botafogo, he won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 1995, the Teresa Herrera Trophy in 1996, and Torneio Rio-São Paulo in 1998 having Bebeto as a partner in the attack. Tulio's best years were while he was at Botafogo, where he was twice the Brazilian top scorer and the Brazilian champion in 1995. His image will be forever associated with Botafogo, where he plans to return to score goal number 1000 and become one of only three players in history to score a thousand goals or more. In 2006, a special edition of Placar magazine, "Meu Time dos Sonhos" ("My Dream Team"), Tulio was elected for the Botafogo's best line-up of all time by some famous supporters along with idols like Garrincha and Nilton Santos.
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Ubaldo Righetti
Ubaldo Righetti (born March 1, 1963 in Sermoneta) is a retired Italian professional football player.
He played 10 seasons in the Serie A for A.S. Roma, U.S. Lecce and Delfino Pescara 1936.
He scored in a penalty shootout that Roma eventually lost to Liverpool F.C. in the 1984 European Cup Final.
He currently works as a commentator for RAI.
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Uli Stielike
Ulrich "Uli" Stielike (born 15 November 1954 in Ketsch, West Germany) is a German football manager and former player.
Stielike was a West Germany youth international for hometown club SpVgg Ketsch when he got signed by UEFA Cup runner-up Borussia Mönchengladbach in 1973, first coming to action as a full back for the then two times German Bundesliga champion. Playing in defending midfield for his club, afterwards, he was part of the Mönchengladbach team that won the Bundesliga titles in 1975, 1976 and 1977, the UEFA Cup in 1975 and gained a runner-up medal in the European Cup in 1977 following a 1–3 against Liverpool F.C. in Rome.
Ahead of the 1977–78 season, Stielike moved on to join Real Madrid to become a reliable fan-favourite in his eight years with Los merengues. His first three seasons at Santiago Bernabéu all ended in Real winning La Liga. In 1980 and 1982, he was part of the side winning Copa del Rey, in 1985 he added the Copa de la Liga, and finished off his Madrid years with the UEFA Cup triumph of the same summer.
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Uwe Seeler
Uwe Seeler (born 5 November 1936 in Hamburg) is a former German football official and retired football player. He played for Hamburger SV and also made 72 appearances for the West German national team.
Seeler followed in his father's footsteps as a player for Hamburger SV, making his first team debut in 1954 in a German Cup match, aged just under 18, scoring four goals (8–2 vs. Holstein Kiel). In later years, despite tempting offers from Italian and Spanish clubs he remained loyal to Hamburg, working on a second career as a merchant besides playing football, as in those days football stars in Germany did not earn the huge salaries seen now.
Seeler was a gifted striker who, among other things, was renowned for his overhead kick. He scored 137 times in 239 Bundesliga games, 43 times in 72 international games for the German national team, and 21 times in 29 European club tournament games. He was captain of both his club team and the national team for many years. He and his club won the German championship in 1960 and the DFB-Pokal (German FA Cup) in 1963. He was top scorer of the first Bundesliga season 1963–64 and German Footballer of the Year in 1960, 1964 and 1970.
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Vampeta
"Vampeta", born Marcos André Batista dos Santos, (born 13 March 1974, in Nazaré) is a former Brazilian professional football player and current coach of Grêmio Osasco. He has played in midfield. He represented Brazil from 1998 until 2002, winning the 1999 Copa América and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Vampeta, his nickname, is a fusion of the words "vampiro" (Portuguese for vampire) and "capeta" (Portuguese for devil).
Vampeta started his career in Salvador, with team Vitória, and later went to Europe with Dutch team PSV Eindhoven, who signed him alongside Ronaldo in the summer of 1994. After a difficult first season, PSV released him on loan to Fluminense, before he returned to the Netherlands as regular of the team that won the first Dutch title in 5 years in 1997.
His good performance in Eindhoven led him back to Brazil were at Corinthians he grew out to become a member of the Brazilian national team. Vampeta then joined Internazionale in summer 2000, being reunited with Ronaldo. After failing to hold down a first-team place however, he stated that he wanted to leave and went to Rio de Janeiro in December for a vacation. In January 2001, Vampeta went to PSG as part exchange for Stéphane Dalmat.
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Vanderlei Luxemburgo
Vanderlei Luxemburgo da Silva (born May 10, 1952, in Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro state), better known as Vanderlei Luxemburgo, is a Brazilian football manager and former football player. He holds the distinction of being the most successful manager in the history of Brazil's Série A, with 5 league titles. He currently manages Grêmio.
Luxemburgo started to be noticed as a top tier coach when he led Bragantino, a modest team from the countryside, to the title of the 1990 Campeonato Paulista (São Paulo State Championship). This gave him enough visibility to be hired by one of the top teams in the country, Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras. In 1994 and 1995 he led Palmeiras to win both the São Paulo State and Brazilian championships. When he left in 1995, Palmeiras' performance was visibly affected and when he came back in 1996 the team won the São Paulo State championship again.
After a brief passage through Santos, in 1998 he went to Corinthians and won the Brazilian National League that year. He left Corinthians the next year to join the Brazilian National Team. Different from when he left Palmeiras in 1995, Corinthians still performed at a high level and the team he built won the Campeonato Paulista and the Brazilian National League in 1999 and the Fifa Club World Championship the following year.
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Vavá
Vavá, real name Edvaldo Izídio Neto, (born 12 November 1934 in Recife, Brazil; died 19 January 2002 in Rio de Janeiro) was an association footballer who is widely considered one of the best strikers of his generation. His nickname was "Peito de Aço" (Steel Chest). He played as a full striker (center forward) whose only role was to score goals, which he did for Sport Club do Recife, C.R. Vasco da Gama, S.E. Palmeiras and the Brazilian national team.
Vava earned 20 caps with the Brazilian national team, scoring a total of 15 goals. He was on the side that won both the 1958 and 1962 World Cup, in which he scored 5 and 4 goals, respectively. Furthermore, he was a joint recipient of the 1962 World Cup Golden Shoe award.
Vavá scored in the final of both 1958 (twice) and 1962 (once), thus becoming the first player to score in the final of two different world cups. To this day, only four players achieved this feat, the other three being Pelé, Paul Breitner and Zinedine Zidane.
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Víctor Unamuno
Víctor Unamuno Ibarzabal (born May 25, 1909, date of death unknown) was a Spanish footballer who played for Real Betis. In the 1930s, Unamuno played for both Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis. He is noted for being the top goalscorer for Real Betis in their one and only championship winning season with 13 goals in the 1934-1935 season.
In the 1939/1940 Primera Division season, he earned the honor of top goalscorer, winning the Pichichi Trophy. He retired as a footballer in 1942.
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Waldo Machado
Waldo Machado da Silva, Valdo (born September 9, 1934), was a Brazilian footballer who achieved notoriety playing for Fluminense and Valencia. He was arguably the top scorer for Fluminense in the club's history, reaching 314 goals in 401 matches.
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Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney (born 24 October 1985) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team.
Rooney made his senior international debut in 2003 becoming the youngest player to represent England (a record later broken by Theo Walcott). He is England's youngest ever goalscorer. He played at UEFA Euro 2004 and scored four goals, briefly becoming the competition's youngest goalscorer. Rooney featured at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and is widely regarded as his country's best player. He has won the England Player of the Year award twice, in 2008 and 2009. As of September 2011, he has won 73 international caps and scored 28 goals. Along with David Beckham, Rooney is the most red carded player for England, having been sent off twice.
Aged nine, Rooney joined the youth team of Everton, for whom he made his professional debut in 2002. He spent two seasons at the Merseyside club, before moving to Manchester United for £25.6 million in the 2004 summer transfer window. The same year, Rooney acquired the nickname "Wazza". Since then, with Rooney in the team, United have won the Premier League four times, the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League and two League Cups. He also holds two runner-up medals from both the Premier League and the Champions League. In April of the 2011–12 season Rooney scored his 180th goal, making him United's fourth highest goal-scorer of all time.
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Wikipedia Persondata
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Willy Brokamp
Willy Brokamp (Kerkrade, 25 February 1946) is a former footballplayer For MVV Maastricht in the 1960s and 1970s who recruited him from RKVV Chèvremont (in the community of Kerkrade) . His nickname was “The blond arrow”.
He ranked high in the Footballplayer of the year-classification for several times. In 1973 he shared the first place on the list of top scorers with 18 goals together with Cas Janssens.
In 1974 he made a transfer to Ajax Amsterdam, where he himself had 2 very good seasons (1974/1975, 1975/1976) (without him Ajax would have sunk deeper that period). He also played 6 games for the Dutch national team and scored 6 goals.
Brokamp was not only a footballplayer. Already during his football career he started his own bar. For many years he was manager of the bar “Aux Pays-Bas” next to the Vrijthof and several other establishments in Maastricht.
He currently lives in Kanne, Belgium near Maastricht. Since 1999, he also owns a bar there, named In Kanne en Kruike.
RKVV Chèvremont
MVV Maastricht
AFC Ajax Amsterdam
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Willy van de Kerkhof
Wilhelmus "Willy" Antonius van de Kerkhof (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈʋɪl.ɦɛl.mʏs ˈwɪli ɑn.ˈtoː.niʏs vɐn də ˈkɛrk.ɦɔf]) (born 16 September 1951) is a former Dutch footballer.
van de Kerkhof and his twin brother René were squad members of the Dutch national team that made the World Cup final in 1974 and became key players in the team that made the 1978 final. He also played for the Netherlands at the Euro 1980. Overall, van de Kerkhof appeared 63 times for his country, scoring five goals.
He was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.
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Wim Kieft
Willem "Wim" Cornelis Nicolaas Kieft (born 12 November 1962) is a retired Dutch footballer who played as a centre forward.
A prolific goal-scorer whose main asset resided in his heading ability, he played in his country for two of the most important clubs, Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven, with equal team and individual success. He also played abroad in Italy and France.
For the Dutch national team, Kieft scored in double digits in more than one decade of play, being a very valuable member of the squad that won Euro 1988. He also represented the nation at the 1990 World Cup.
Born in Amsterdam, Kieft started his professional career with local giants AFC Ajax, making his first team debuts on 4 May 1980, at not yet 18. Amongst his youth teammates were Frank Rijkaard, John van 't Schip, Marco van Basten and Gerald Vanenburg, as in his first two full seasons he scored at an astonishing rate, especially in 1981–82, when he netted 32 goals in as many games, being crucial as the side lifted the Eredivisie title, and receiving the European Golden Boot award.
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Xavi
Xavier Hernández i Creus (born 25 January 1980), commonly known as Xavi Hernández or simply Xavi (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈʃaβi]), is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, where he has spent his entire 15-year career.
Xavi came through La Masia, the Barcelona youth academy, at the age of 11. He made his first-team debut in 18 August 1998. Since then he has played 680 matches, scored 77 goals and made more than 160 assists for above 50 players. He was an integral part of the sextuple-winning Barcelona side in 2009, the only time which a club has achieved six titles in a year.
Since making his international debut in 2000, he has been capped 108 times for the Spanish national team, with whom he won UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. He was named Player of the Tournament by UEFA at UEFA Euro 2008.
Xavi has received five Ballon d'Or nominations, and finished on third place in 2009, 2010 and 2011. He won the World Soccer Player of the Year in 2010.
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Zbigniew Boniek
Zbigniew "Zibì" Kazimierz Boniek (Polish pronunciation: [ˈzbiɡɲɛv ˈbɔɲɛk]; born 3 March 1956 in Bydgoszcz) is a former Polish footballer and coach. He first played at Zawisza Bydgoszcz and later at Widzew Łódź. Boniek was named by Pelé as one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers and by FIFA as one of the 100 best-ever players. On 12 October 2009 he received a Golden Foot career award.
Boniek was transferred to Italian football giants Juventus in 1982. That same year he won a bronze medal (third place) as part of the Polish team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. With Juventus he won the Cup Winners' Cup and the European Super Cup in 1984 (scoring in the final of the former) and the European Cup in 1985.
Boniek represented Poland in 80 internationals and scored 24 goals. After finishing his professional career at A.S. Roma in 1988 he had a successful business career.
As a player, Boniek was known for his blistering pace and acceleration. He was one of the best dribblers of his time and also displayed superb technique.
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Zetti
Armelino Donizetti Quagliato, best known as Zetti (born in Porto Feliz, January 10, 1965) is a former association football goalkeeper and coach manager.
Zetti played with São Paulo from 1990 to 1996. Arguably one of the most successful goalkeepers in the clubs history he won 1 Brazilian championship, 2 Copas Libertadores and 2 Intercontinental Cups during this period. Other clubs played for include Guarani, Toledo, Londrina, Palmeiras, Santos, Fluminense and Sport.
For the Brazilian national squad he was selected for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He made 17 appearances for his country during the early 1990s.
Zetti was the manager of Esporte Clube Juventude in the Brazilian league second division. On May 7, 2009, he was hired as the manager of Paraná Clube, replacing previous coach Velloso.
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Zico
Arthur Antunes Coimbra (Portuguese pronunciation: [aʁˈtuʁ ɐ̃ˈtũnis koˈĩbɾɐ], born 3 March 1953 in Rio de Janeiro), better known as Zico ([ˈziku]), is a Brazilian coach and former footballer. He is the current head coach of the Iraq national football team. Often called the "White Pelé", he is commonly considered one of the most skilled finishers and one of the best passers ever and possibly the world's best player of the early 80's. He was also known as one of history's greatest free kick specialists, able to bend the ball with pace. The gifted midfielder was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004. Also according to Pelé, generally considered the best footballer ever, "throughout the years, the one player that came closest to me was Zico".
Zico scored 52 goals in 72 international matches for Brazil, and represented them in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups. They did not win any of those tournaments, even though the 1982 squad is considered one of the greatest Brazilian national squads ever. Zico is often considered one of the best players in football history not to have been on a World Cup winning squad. He was chosen 1981 and 1983 Player of the Year.
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Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane (French pronunciation: [zinedin zidan]) (born 23 June 1972) is a retired French footballer. Zidane was the leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. After a brief international retirement, he returned to the national team in 2005 and captained France to the 2006 World Cup Final where he won the Golden Ball as the tournament's most outstanding player.
In club level Zidane won the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, two Serie A league championships with Juventus and an Intercontinental Cup and a UEFA Super Cup each with both aforementioned sides. He is one of only four players to have been FIFA World Player of the Year three or more times (Brazilian forward Marta is a five time winner (female award), while Brazilian striker Ronaldo (male award) and German striker Birgit Prinz (female award) have won three each). He also won the Ballon d'Or in 1998. He retired from professional football after the 2006 World Cup.
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Zizinho
Thomaz Soares da Silva, also known as Zizinho (Portuguese pronunciation: [ziˈzĩɲu]; born October 14, 1921 – died February 8, 2002), was a Brazilian football player, who played as an attacking midfielder or winger for Brazil's national team. He came to international prominence at the 1950 World Cup, where scored two goals. He was lauded as a complete player, renowned for his incredible array of offensive skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting with both feet as well as dead ball ability and extraordinary vision.[by whom?]
Born at Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, he played for Flamengo, Bangu, São Paulo FC, Audax Italiano of Chile among others teams. In Flamengo, he won state championships in 1942, 1943 and 1944.
In the 1950 World Cup he helped Brazil to progress to the final, but their surprise 2-1 defeat to Uruguay tarnished his reputation. Zizinho played a total of 53 times for his national team, scoring 30 goals.He twice turned down last minute invitation's by the cbd to join up with the 1954 & 1958 world cup squads citing the reason that it would be unfair on the player being dropped at the last second to make way for him.
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Zlatan Ibrahimović
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Bosnian pronunciation: [ˈzlatan ibraˈxiːmɔʋitɕ]; born 3 October 1981) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Milan and the Swedish national team for which he is captain.
Ibrahimović started his career at Malmö FF in the late 1990s under Roland Andersson. He was signed by Ajax, and made a name for himself under Ronald Koeman. Years later, he signed with Juventus for €16 million. Ibrahimović gained fame in Serie A, benefiting from his strike partnership with David Trezeguet. In 2006, he signed with league rival Internazionale, where he won individual awards such as the Italian Oscar del Calcio and the Swedish Guldbollen, and was named in the 2007 and 2009 UEFA Team of the Year, in addition to finishing as the league's highest scorer in 2008–09 while winning three straight Scudetti. In the summer of 2009, he transferred to Barcelona for €69 million, the second highest transfer fee in football history. His time at Barcelona was short lived however; moving back to Serie A football with Milan the following season, in a deal which made him one of the highest paid footballers in the world and cost the Italian club a confirmed €24 million.
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Zviad Endeladze
Zviad Endeladze Vitalovich (born 7 April 1966 in Adigeni) is a retired Georgian footballer. He has played for clubs such as Guria Lanchkhuti and Margveti, scoring 40 goals during the 1995–96 season, which made him the top scorer in European domestic competitions and would have won the European Golden Boot had it not been suspended in 1991. The award was reinstated a season after Endeladze's feat under new rules that would count goals scored in the Georgian Top League as one point while goals scored in Europe's top leagues are counted double. He retired from football in 2006.
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Zé Elias
José Elias Moedim Júnior, (born 25 September 1976), commonly known as Zé Elias, is a retired Brazilian footballer. A defensive midfielder, he played for 12 different teams, in seven different countries.
Born in São Paulo, Elias was one of the youngest players to ever appear for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, already gaining strong interest from PSV Eindhoven during 1993–94. Upon his debut for his hometown team, he had not yet reached his seventeenth birthday.
After becoming an undisputed starter at Corinthians and first appearing for the Brazilian national team at 19, Elias went overseas, representing, with moderate individual success, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, F.C. Internazionale Milano, Bologna F.C. 1909, Olympiacos FC (winning three Greek championships in a row but playing sparingly, a maximum of 18 league appearances) and Genoa CFC.
After a return to Brazil with Santos FC, Elias had short-lived stints with FC Metalurh Donetsk, Guarani Futebol Clube, Omonia Nicosia and Londrina Esporte Clube. He retired as a player in March 2008 and assumed a scouting role in Brazil for Inter Milan. However, in June, Elias signed a contract with SC Rheindorf Altach for the 2008–09 season, before announcing his retirement again.
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Zé Roberto
José Roberto da Silva Jr. (born 6 July 1974 in Ipiranga), commonly known as Zé Roberto, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for the Brazilian Série A club Grêmio as midfielder.
Zé Roberto started the youth ranks of the Lecture of São Bernardo, however, was playing in Portuguesa in São Paulo, Brazil, where he became known throughout Brazil because of the conquest of vice in the Brasileirão 1996.
He then joined Real Madrid for a brief spell where he helped them win La Liga, before moving back to Brazil to play for Flamengo.
Zé passed by Flamengo in 1998 and served in Gávea alongside big names in football like Romário and Palhinha. He played in twenty-four league games, but failed to score. His spell at Flamengo was very short, considering that in that same year 1998, he was eventually negotiated with Bayer Leverkusen, Germany.
He joined Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 1998. It was at Leverkusen that he made a real name for himself, fast becoming a popular figure at the club. During his four year stay at the club, Bayer enjoyed its most successful period, being German Bundesliga runners-up on three occasions and reaching the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final. In four years at the club Zé Roberto appeared in 113 league matches scoring 16 goals.
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Ânderson Polga
Ânderson Corrêa Polga (born 9 February 1979 in Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul) is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a central defender.
He spent most of his professional career with Sporting in Portugal, appearing in 327 official games (four goals) and winning four major titles. He started playing for Grêmio.
Polga represented Brazil at the 2002 World Cup, winning the competition.
Groomed at Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, Polga was an important defensive unit from early on, and helped the side to two trophies in 2001: the Rio Grande do Sul State Championship and the Brazilian Cup.
In 2003, he moved to Sporting Clube de Portugal, becoming the first World Cup champion ever to play in the country. He quickly became a defensive stalwart for the Lisbon-based side, helping it to the UEFA Cup final in his third year – after a run-in with then coach José Peseiro, he was an unused substitute in the decisive match, a 1–3 defeat against PFC CSKA Moscow – as well as to four consecutive league runner-up finishes.
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Ronaldo Filmography
- A menina da flor (2011)
- Copa do Brasil 2011 - O Resumo (2011)
- Paulistão 2011 - O Resumo (2011)
- Teleton 2011 (2011)
- Roberto Justus Mais (2011)
- Football's Greatest (2010)
- MTV Video Music Brasil 2009 (2009)
- Madrid: Déjame sambar (2008)
- American Drug War: The Last White Hope (2007)
- Goal II: Living the Dream (2007)
- The Art of Football from A to Z (2006)
- La fama y su séquito (2006)
- Real, la película (2005)
- Os Melhores do Samba (2004)
- Les 40 ans de la 2 (2004)
- Os Melhores do Samba (2004)
- 2002 FIFA World Cup (2002)
- Zico (2002)
- Gala FIFA (2002)
- Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001)
- MTV Europe Music Awards 1998 (1998)
- Los goles del año (1997)
- La peau du foot (1997)
- Fotbolls-VM krönikan 1994 (1994)
Ronaldo Filmography
Famous quotes by Ronaldo:
"I am very ambitious. I want to enjoy this and then really go for it."
"I've never timed myself over 100m, but I have done a test over shorter distances, 20m or 30m, with and without the ball. What's strange is that I'm faster with the ball than without it. Some people are born for distance running and others for sprint"
"There is room for individuality, but without the strength of this Brazil group it is nothing."
"I will celebrate, but I know new goals and objectives will come and I am ready to take them."
"My life has always been a series of challenges and I'm psychologically-prepared but this is the biggest challenge of my life."
"Of course I'm flattered to be compared to Pele, but Pele only left the playing fields after scoring 1,000 goals and I'm just getting started."
"Goals are always in demand. There will always be a market for a striker who is fast, scores goals regularly and is strong. I've scored more than 100 goals and people know what they are buying."
"It will take time for us all to understand what has happened to us, but it is a joy to be surrounded by such happiness."
"I don't consider myself as the best player in the world. I'm not obsessed with individual titles. I'm much more interested in being part of a team which wins trophies."
"I love to score goals after passing all the defenders as well as the keeper. This is not my speciality, but my habit."
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Ronaldo
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:39
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
nutmeggersoccer.blogspot.com A compilation of the real Ronaldo. Disscuss socer, boxing, dirtbikes and more with me!!! Twitter: twitter.com Find World Cup jerseys and all your soccer gear here: jxliu.com
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nutmeggersoccer.blogspot.com A compilation of the real Ronaldo. Disscuss socer, boxing, dirtbikes and more with me!!! Twitter: twitter.com Find World Cup jerseys and all your soccer gear here: jxliu.com
Cristiano Ronaldo Top 10 Goals Ever HD
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:45
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
cristiano ronaldo top 10 goals in his career with manchester & madrid www.facebook.com subscribe this channel
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cristiano ronaldo top 10 goals in his career with manchester & madrid www.facebook.com subscribe this channel
- published: 07 Jan 2013
- views: 150249
- author: rom7oooHD
Cristiano Ronaldo - Tested To The Limit
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 45:53
- Updated: 16 Jan 2013
» HD • Castrol Edge presents Cristiano Ronaldo Tested To The Limit. Starring Cristiano Ronaldo featuring Jerzy Dudek and Andy Ansah. Powerade by: Fluid Strength Technology READ: I DON'T OWN THE RIGHTS AND I HAVE NOT MADE THIS VIDEO/FILM ALL CREDITS GO TO CASTROL EDGE AND THE OTHER ONES WHO MADE THE VIDEO I JUST FILMED THE VIDEO ON MY TV AND UPLOADED HERE TO YOUTUBE SO YOU WHO MISSED IT CAN WATCH IT AND EVEN TO THEY WHO WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN AND SHOW IT THE OTHER. CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE OF CASTROL EDGE: www.castrol.com THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT! ''This is me, this is Cristiano Ronaldo. It's for my fans. Enjoy it and see what I'm about.'' -Cristiano Ronaldo
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» HD • Castrol Edge presents Cristiano Ronaldo Tested To The Limit. Starring Cristiano Ronaldo featuring Jerzy Dudek and Andy Ansah. Powerade by: Fluid Strength Technology READ: I DON'T OWN THE RIGHTS AND I HAVE NOT MADE THIS VIDEO/FILM ALL CREDITS GO TO CASTROL EDGE AND THE OTHER ONES WHO MADE THE VIDEO I JUST FILMED THE VIDEO ON MY TV AND UPLOADED HERE TO YOUTUBE SO YOU WHO MISSED IT CAN WATCH IT AND EVEN TO THEY WHO WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN AND SHOW IT THE OTHER. CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE OF CASTROL EDGE: www.castrol.com THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT! ''This is me, this is Cristiano Ronaldo. It's for my fans. Enjoy it and see what I'm about.'' -Cristiano Ronaldo
- published: 15 Apr 2012
- views: 1762975
- author: Andin Ahmeti
Cristiano Ronaldo - All Access - CNN Interview [FULL] [HQ]
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 23:00
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
Instagram: instagram.com HD 720p [High Definition] - www.youtube.com CNN exclusive interview with Cristiano Ronaldo, revealing some things about his life we've rarely heard. Full show. Credit to mgeftumblr2 for the original cap.
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_All_Access_CNN_Interview_FULL_HQ_
Instagram: instagram.com HD 720p [High Definition] - www.youtube.com CNN exclusive interview with Cristiano Ronaldo, revealing some things about his life we've rarely heard. Full show. Credit to mgeftumblr2 for the original cap.
- published: 19 Nov 2012
- views: 515601
- author: CrixRonnieOfficial
cristiano ronaldo
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:38
- Updated: 16 Jan 2013
ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Manchester City Away (21/11/2012)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 7:49
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Vs_Manchester_City_Away_21_11_2012
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use
- published: 22 Nov 2012
- views: 1230668
- author: Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo Brazil Impossible Technique And Dribbling Ever
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 15:00
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
Join this Page For More Ronaldo Videos . www.facebook.com By Hosam Ronaldo Il Fenomeno perefect Goals,skills ,moves and tricks Tags Ronaldo Corinthians Barcelona Manchester RealMadrid Cristiano Messi tricks skills moves dribbles Gol goal hot Timão Red Devils paulista serie calcio liga...
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Join this Page For More Ronaldo Videos . www.facebook.com By Hosam Ronaldo Il Fenomeno perefect Goals,skills ,moves and tricks Tags Ronaldo Corinthians Barcelona Manchester RealMadrid Cristiano Messi tricks skills moves dribbles Gol goal hot Timão Red Devils paulista serie calcio liga...
- published: 21 Jun 2012
- views: 1399730
- author: hosam ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo ● The Most Complete Player Ever ● HD
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 14:41
- Updated: 16 Jan 2013
Big Thanx To Islam Rom7oooo Greatest Video Maker ;);) Thanx Solom
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Big Thanx To Islam Rom7oooo Greatest Video Maker ;);) Thanx Solom
- published: 11 Jun 2012
- views: 205480
- author: ILARSSONI
Cristiano Ronaldo ► Somebody I Used To Know | 2012 HD ◆ CO-OP
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:37
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
- Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com - CR7 FANS LIKE: www.facebook.com ✓ Follow me at Instagram: instagram.com - TRUE CR7 FANS LIKE: www.facebook.com - SUB 4 THE BEST SONGS: www.youtube.com Editors: ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com SUBSCRIBE US ALL IF YOU ENJOYED :) MP3 File song download: ♫ Hotfile: hotfile.com ♫ Uploaded.net: uploaded.net Download for Ringtone: ♫ audiko.net: audiko.net This video is fair use under US copyright law because it is noncommercial and transformative in nature, uses no more of the original than necessary, and has no negative effect on the market for the original work.
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- Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com - CR7 FANS LIKE: www.facebook.com ✓ Follow me at Instagram: instagram.com - TRUE CR7 FANS LIKE: www.facebook.com - SUB 4 THE BEST SONGS: www.youtube.com Editors: ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com SUBSCRIBE US ALL IF YOU ENJOYED :) MP3 File song download: ♫ Hotfile: hotfile.com ♫ Uploaded.net: uploaded.net Download for Ringtone: ♫ audiko.net: audiko.net This video is fair use under US copyright law because it is noncommercial and transformative in nature, uses no more of the original than necessary, and has no negative effect on the market for the original work.
- published: 11 Jun 2012
- views: 9725334
- author: CR7Lasselsson1
Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Celta Vigo Home (9.01.2013) - Copa del Rey !
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:54
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Celta Vigo Home (9.01.2013) - Copa del Rey ! cr7 vs celta de vigo all invidual highlights hatrick Real Madrid Vs Celta De Vigo 4-0 All Goals & Highlights Copa Del Ray 1/9/2013 HD please like & subscribe :) Tags::real madrid vs barcelona 1-1 16.04.2011 xavi hernandez la pelopina skill dribble andres iniesta victor valdes david villa lionel messi sergio busquets dani alves gerard pique fontas dos santos thiago alcantara la masia ballon dor tiki taka rooney 5-0 1-0 2-0 3-0 4-0 6-0 1-1 2-1 3-1 4-1 5-2 4-2 3-3 barcelona barca real madrid camp nou pedro goal passing leo blaugrana santander sevilla passing game panathinaikos zaragoza ceuta beautiful sevilla kazan camp nou free kick penalty complication new world cup holland germany chile paraguay eric abidal puyol keita yaya toure fc barcelona video HD how to make goal blaugrana 551 rihanna T-pain lil wayne justin bieber F50 la más ligera jugador rápido tv tox Oliver smith-Nimbus(Original mix) crush Schiller mit Mila Mar - Liebe (ATB Dub Remix) FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol 18.12.10 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club 21.12.10 All goals and FC Barcelona vs Levante UD 02.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club 05.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Deportivo 09.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Málaga CF 16.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Racing 23.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Hercules 30.01.11 All goals and ...
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Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Celta Vigo Home (9.01.2013) - Copa del Rey ! cr7 vs celta de vigo all invidual highlights hatrick Real Madrid Vs Celta De Vigo 4-0 All Goals & Highlights Copa Del Ray 1/9/2013 HD please like & subscribe :) Tags::real madrid vs barcelona 1-1 16.04.2011 xavi hernandez la pelopina skill dribble andres iniesta victor valdes david villa lionel messi sergio busquets dani alves gerard pique fontas dos santos thiago alcantara la masia ballon dor tiki taka rooney 5-0 1-0 2-0 3-0 4-0 6-0 1-1 2-1 3-1 4-1 5-2 4-2 3-3 barcelona barca real madrid camp nou pedro goal passing leo blaugrana santander sevilla passing game panathinaikos zaragoza ceuta beautiful sevilla kazan camp nou free kick penalty complication new world cup holland germany chile paraguay eric abidal puyol keita yaya toure fc barcelona video HD how to make goal blaugrana 551 rihanna T-pain lil wayne justin bieber F50 la más ligera jugador rápido tv tox Oliver smith-Nimbus(Original mix) crush Schiller mit Mila Mar - Liebe (ATB Dub Remix) FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol 18.12.10 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club 21.12.10 All goals and FC Barcelona vs Levante UD 02.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club 05.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Deportivo 09.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Málaga CF 16.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Racing 23.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Hercules 30.01.11 All goals and ...
- published: 10 Jan 2013
- views: 126662
- author: AllGoalss
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Celta Vigo (09/01/2013)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 10:19
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com Also LIKE THE NEXT BIG THING (SOCCER PLAYER) He is AMAZING!!! : www.facebook.com SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE COMPS, SERIA A AND FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS :) Cristiano Ronaldo vs Celta Vigo (09/01/2013) Other Facebook Pages: www.facebook.com www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
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Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com Also LIKE THE NEXT BIG THING (SOCCER PLAYER) He is AMAZING!!! : www.facebook.com SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE COMPS, SERIA A AND FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS :) Cristiano Ronaldo vs Celta Vigo (09/01/2013) Other Facebook Pages: www.facebook.com www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
- published: 10 Jan 2013
- views: 91549
- author: iiElNinoStudio
Cristiano Ronaldo offers Iker Casillas the Captain's armband but he REFUSES it - 6/1/2013 (HQ)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:46
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
Iker Casillas refuses to take the captains armband from Cristiano Ronaldo... Cristiano Ronaldo gave the armband but Iker Casillas refused captaincy in the mid-game vs. Real Sociedad 6.1.2013... Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad 4-3 6/1/2013 Casillas Cristiano Ronaldo Barcelona Real Madrid Benzema Khedira Ozil Messi Pedro Xavi Iniesta Chelsea Juventus Inter Milan Roma Arsenal Mancheste United Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo Amazing Goal Iker Casillas Real Madrid 4-3 Benzema Khedira Ramos Mourinho Modric Callejon Higuain Kaka Essien Ozil
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Iker Casillas refuses to take the captains armband from Cristiano Ronaldo... Cristiano Ronaldo gave the armband but Iker Casillas refused captaincy in the mid-game vs. Real Sociedad 6.1.2013... Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad 4-3 6/1/2013 Casillas Cristiano Ronaldo Barcelona Real Madrid Benzema Khedira Ozil Messi Pedro Xavi Iniesta Chelsea Juventus Inter Milan Roma Arsenal Mancheste United Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo Amazing Goal Iker Casillas Real Madrid 4-3 Benzema Khedira Ramos Mourinho Modric Callejon Higuain Kaka Essien Ozil
- published: 06 Jan 2013
- views: 317956
- author: TCProduce
Cristiano Ronaldo Hairstyle 2012 side cut with razored partning
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:52
- Updated: 16 Jan 2013
Product world premier ByVilain.com Get your products online Slikhaar.dk Go to the Cristiano fan page www.facebook.com Slikhaar TV facebook page: www.facebook.com Slikhaar Studio record a behind the scenes video, made on iphone 5 in FinalCut pro X5. It shows the next video with Türker getting his new Cristiano Ronaldo look, styled by André with the new prototype wax, By Vilain. Blog about this Cristiano ronaldo haircut and styling video: www.youtube.com
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Product world premier ByVilain.com Get your products online Slikhaar.dk Go to the Cristiano fan page www.facebook.com Slikhaar TV facebook page: www.facebook.com Slikhaar Studio record a behind the scenes video, made on iphone 5 in FinalCut pro X5. It shows the next video with Türker getting his new Cristiano Ronaldo look, styled by André with the new prototype wax, By Vilain. Blog about this Cristiano ronaldo haircut and styling video: www.youtube.com
- published: 23 Oct 2012
- views: 625320
- author: mhrrasmus
Nike Football: Mercurial Vapor VIII: Cristiano Ronaldo vs Rafa Nadal (subtitles available)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:37
- Updated: 15 Jan 2013
Two of the world's biggest athletes go head-to-head in a battle of explosive speed. On-court, Rafael Nadal's supremacy is almost unrivalled. But against Cristiano Ronaldo and the new Mercurial Vapor VIII, he faces a challenge like never before. Subtitles available by clicking on the 'cc' button under the playbar.
http://wn.com/Nike_Football_Mercurial_Vapor_VIII_Cristiano_Ronaldo_vs_Rafa_Nadal_subtitles_available
Two of the world's biggest athletes go head-to-head in a battle of explosive speed. On-court, Rafael Nadal's supremacy is almost unrivalled. But against Cristiano Ronaldo and the new Mercurial Vapor VIII, he faces a challenge like never before. Subtitles available by clicking on the 'cc' button under the playbar.
- published: 30 Mar 2012
- views: 10343077
- author: NikeFootball
Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Atletico Madrid Home (1/12/2012)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 9:53
- Updated: 15 Jan 2013
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use
- published: 02 Dec 2012
- views: 207436
- author: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo ► Signifier | 2012-2013 ● CO-OP
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:18
- Updated: 15 Jan 2013
◇ Like me on FaceBook: www.facebook.com Editors: ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com Subscribe us, if you like it =) Songs: 1) One Republic - All The Right Moves (Receptor Remix) 2) Dillion Francis & Chuckie - Niggas Jump in Paris (3LAU Boot) 3) Bodybangers feat. Victoria Kern - Gimme More Credits: CriRo7i, MemeT, Andre7, Ronnie7M and others... This video is fair use under US copyright law because it is noncommercial and transformative in nature, uses no more of the original than necessary, and has no negative effect on the market for the original work.
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_►_Signifier_|_2012-2013_●_CO-OP
◇ Like me on FaceBook: www.facebook.com Editors: ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com ◆ www.youtube.com Subscribe us, if you like it =) Songs: 1) One Republic - All The Right Moves (Receptor Remix) 2) Dillion Francis & Chuckie - Niggas Jump in Paris (3LAU Boot) 3) Bodybangers feat. Victoria Kern - Gimme More Credits: CriRo7i, MemeT, Andre7, Ronnie7M and others... This video is fair use under US copyright law because it is noncommercial and transformative in nature, uses no more of the original than necessary, and has no negative effect on the market for the original work.
- published: 29 Oct 2012
- views: 302251
- author: AlimVideoHD
Cristiano Ronaldo - I'm Coming Home 2013 | HD
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:39
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
'Cirstiano Ronaldo - "I'm Coming Home" 2013 | HD' is my last video of the year and it's something special (as always :P). It's about the next Champions League match "Real Madrid vs Manchester United", but it talks also about the possible return of Cristiano in the Theatre of Dreams for next summer. Then I've decided to sum up some of best Cristiano Ronaldo memories as a Red Devil. Facebook page: www.facebook.com Soundtrack: 1) Skylar Grey - I'm Coming Home (Arion Dubstep Remix); 2) Brand X Music - Dogs Of War; 3) Killzone 3 Soundtrack - Theme Please SUBSCRIBE/LIKE/COMMENT & SHARE :) DoSantos © 2012
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_I'm_Coming_Home_2013_|_HD
'Cirstiano Ronaldo - "I'm Coming Home" 2013 | HD' is my last video of the year and it's something special (as always :P). It's about the next Champions League match "Real Madrid vs Manchester United", but it talks also about the possible return of Cristiano in the Theatre of Dreams for next summer. Then I've decided to sum up some of best Cristiano Ronaldo memories as a Red Devil. Facebook page: www.facebook.com Soundtrack: 1) Skylar Grey - I'm Coming Home (Arion Dubstep Remix); 2) Brand X Music - Dogs Of War; 3) Killzone 3 Soundtrack - Theme Please SUBSCRIBE/LIKE/COMMENT & SHARE :) DoSantos © 2012
- published: 28 Dec 2012
- views: 89156
- author: DoSantoStudios
Cristiano Ronaldo Freestyle Football Skills
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:28
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
Check Out more #Silks form the Players Lounge here app.5mag.co We've got an audience with the Queen of hip-hop Nicki Minaj, gone up close and personal with Drake, doffed our caps to the legendary Evel Knievel and met a group of Parkour lunatics who made our hair curl. Of course there's also gadgets, games, fashion, film and music, and you can even win a car... SUBSCRIBE at RioFerdinand.com and get it for FREE here first!
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Freestyle_Football_Skills
Check Out more #Silks form the Players Lounge here app.5mag.co We've got an audience with the Queen of hip-hop Nicki Minaj, gone up close and personal with Drake, doffed our caps to the legendary Evel Knievel and met a group of Parkour lunatics who made our hair curl. Of course there's also gadgets, games, fashion, film and music, and you can even win a car... SUBSCRIBE at RioFerdinand.com and get it for FREE here first!
- published: 11 May 2009
- views: 11021441
- author: 5magazine
15.0 MILLION COIN TOTY Squad Builder - RONALDO - FIFA 13 - Ultimate Team
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:07
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
A like is appreciated. www.twitter.com Thanks to Itani for lending the Ronaldo! www.youtube.com
http://wn.com/150_MILLION_COIN_TOTY_Squad_Builder_RONALDO_FIFA_13_Ultimate_Team
A like is appreciated. www.twitter.com Thanks to Itani for lending the Ronaldo! www.youtube.com
- published: 12 Jan 2013
- views: 150882
- author: NepentheZ
Ronaldo Interview after Messi winning FIFA Ballon d'Or 2013 Ronaldo Interview
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:17
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
Messi winner of FIFA Ballon d'Or 2013 Messi winner of FIFA Ballon d'Or 2013 Ronaldo talks about Racism and the Boateng scandal Tags::real madrid vs barcelona 1-1 16.04.2011 xavi hernandez la pelopina skill dribble andres iniesta victor valdes david villa lionel messi sergio busquets dani alves gerard pique fontas dos santos thiago alcantara la masia ballon dor tiki taka rooney 5-0 1-0 2-0 3-0 4-0 6-0 1-1 2-1 3-1 4-1 5-2 4-2 3-3 barcelona barca real madrid camp nou pedro goal passing leo blaugrana santander sevilla passing game panathinaikos zaragoza ceuta beautiful sevilla kazan camp nou free kick penalty complication new world cup holland germany chile paraguay eric abidal puyol keita yaya toure fc barcelona video HD how to make goal blaugrana 551 rihanna T-pain lil wayne justin bieber F50 la más ligera jugador rápido tv tox Oliver smith-Nimbus(Original mix) crush Schiller mit Mila Mar - Liebe (ATB Dub Remix) FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol 18.12.10 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club 21.12.10 All goals and FC Barcelona vs Levante UD 02.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club 05.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Deportivo 09.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Málaga CF 16.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Racing 23.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Hercules 30.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Athletico Madrid 06.02.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Sporting ...
http://wn.com/Ronaldo_Interview_after_Messi_winning_FIFA_Ballon_d'Or_2013_Ronaldo_Interview
Messi winner of FIFA Ballon d'Or 2013 Messi winner of FIFA Ballon d'Or 2013 Ronaldo talks about Racism and the Boateng scandal Tags::real madrid vs barcelona 1-1 16.04.2011 xavi hernandez la pelopina skill dribble andres iniesta victor valdes david villa lionel messi sergio busquets dani alves gerard pique fontas dos santos thiago alcantara la masia ballon dor tiki taka rooney 5-0 1-0 2-0 3-0 4-0 6-0 1-1 2-1 3-1 4-1 5-2 4-2 3-3 barcelona barca real madrid camp nou pedro goal passing leo blaugrana santander sevilla passing game panathinaikos zaragoza ceuta beautiful sevilla kazan camp nou free kick penalty complication new world cup holland germany chile paraguay eric abidal puyol keita yaya toure fc barcelona video HD how to make goal blaugrana 551 rihanna T-pain lil wayne justin bieber F50 la más ligera jugador rápido tv tox Oliver smith-Nimbus(Original mix) crush Schiller mit Mila Mar - Liebe (ATB Dub Remix) FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol 18.12.10 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club 21.12.10 All goals and FC Barcelona vs Levante UD 02.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club 05.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Deportivo 09.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Málaga CF 16.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Racing 23.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Hercules 30.01.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Athletico Madrid 06.02.11 All goals and highlights FC Barcelona vs Sporting ...
- published: 07 Jan 2013
- views: 307512
- author: Telecorter
SPEAK! - RONALDO (PROD. BY SYD THA KYD)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:48
- Updated: 17 Jan 2013
Got a call from the homey Speak saying that he had an exclusive performance for the folks over at Knocksville. Songs called Ronaldo and its produced by none other than Syd from the OFWGKTA collective. Shouts to Young Corey for the dope spot. Follow us on Twitter @speakz @intanetz @YoungCorey @knocksteady ------------------------------------------------------ speak!, speak, westside ty, vince staples, applebird, westside art goon craigslist killer, odd future, ofwgkta, syd tha kid, the internet, knocksteady, knocksteady live, dj zo, dfd, dumbfoundead, intuition, grady shon
http://wn.com/SPEAK!_RONALDO_PROD_BY_SYD_THA_KYD
Got a call from the homey Speak saying that he had an exclusive performance for the folks over at Knocksville. Songs called Ronaldo and its produced by none other than Syd from the OFWGKTA collective. Shouts to Young Corey for the dope spot. Follow us on Twitter @speakz @intanetz @YoungCorey @knocksteady ------------------------------------------------------ speak!, speak, westside ty, vince staples, applebird, westside art goon craigslist killer, odd future, ofwgkta, syd tha kid, the internet, knocksteady, knocksteady live, dj zo, dfd, dumbfoundead, intuition, grady shon
- published: 20 Dec 2012
- views: 21087
- author: knocksteadyTV
Cristiano Ronaldo - Saison 2012-2013 HD
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:32
- Updated: 15 Jan 2013
● www.facebook.com Like please ● www.youtube.com Subscrire My Channel And Like my vidéo ● Production : Andreleguesh Cristiano Ronaldo vs Barcelona 2012 - 2013 Away Cristiano ronaldo vs la corogne 1 goal 2 goal 3 goal Cristiano Ronaldo vs Barcelona 2012 - 2013 Home Super coupe D'espagne Cristiano ronaldo Vs Manchester city 2012 - 2013 Champions League Cristiano Ronaldo vs Ajax 2012 - 2013 champions league Cristiano ronaldo vs Sevilla 2012 - 2013 home Cristiano Ronaldo vs Getafe 2012 - 2013 Cristiano Ronaldo ballon d'or 2012 Cristiano ronaldo Estoy Triste Cristiano ronaldo vs Betis Sevilla 2012 - 2013 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Borussia Dortumunt 2012 - 2013 Champions League Ligue des champions Cristiano ronaldo vs russie Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal vs RUSSIE Cristiano ronaldo Coupe du MONDE 2014 vs besil Cristiano vs manchester united 2012 - 2013 Cristiano ronaldo vs barcelona champions league 2012 - 2013 Cristiano ronaldo vs bayern de munich Cristiano Ronaldo vs Arsenal 2012 - 2013 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Porto 2012 - 2013 champions league Cristiano Ronaldo vs PSG 2012 - 2013 champions LeAGUE Cristiano Ronaldo, cr7, real madrid, lionel messi, barcelona, rooney, manchester united, ac milan, ronaldinho, robinho, zlatan ibrahimovic, dovgyi, quaresma, chelsea, drogba, champions league, premier league 2010/2011, CR7 2011, barca, madrid, cr all skills and goals, oleg season 2010 2011, goal, ability, power, freestyle, kaka, la liga Cristiano Ronaldo vs Osasuna, Ronaldo vs Real Sociedad ...
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Saison_2012-2013_HD
● www.facebook.com Like please ● www.youtube.com Subscrire My Channel And Like my vidéo ● Production : Andreleguesh Cristiano Ronaldo vs Barcelona 2012 - 2013 Away Cristiano ronaldo vs la corogne 1 goal 2 goal 3 goal Cristiano Ronaldo vs Barcelona 2012 - 2013 Home Super coupe D'espagne Cristiano ronaldo Vs Manchester city 2012 - 2013 Champions League Cristiano Ronaldo vs Ajax 2012 - 2013 champions league Cristiano ronaldo vs Sevilla 2012 - 2013 home Cristiano Ronaldo vs Getafe 2012 - 2013 Cristiano Ronaldo ballon d'or 2012 Cristiano ronaldo Estoy Triste Cristiano ronaldo vs Betis Sevilla 2012 - 2013 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Borussia Dortumunt 2012 - 2013 Champions League Ligue des champions Cristiano ronaldo vs russie Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal vs RUSSIE Cristiano ronaldo Coupe du MONDE 2014 vs besil Cristiano vs manchester united 2012 - 2013 Cristiano ronaldo vs barcelona champions league 2012 - 2013 Cristiano ronaldo vs bayern de munich Cristiano Ronaldo vs Arsenal 2012 - 2013 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Porto 2012 - 2013 champions league Cristiano Ronaldo vs PSG 2012 - 2013 champions LeAGUE Cristiano Ronaldo, cr7, real madrid, lionel messi, barcelona, rooney, manchester united, ac milan, ronaldinho, robinho, zlatan ibrahimovic, dovgyi, quaresma, chelsea, drogba, champions league, premier league 2010/2011, CR7 2011, barca, madrid, cr all skills and goals, oleg season 2010 2011, goal, ability, power, freestyle, kaka, la liga Cristiano Ronaldo vs Osasuna, Ronaldo vs Real Sociedad ...
- published: 22 Sep 2012
- views: 412313
- author: Andreleguesh
Cristiano Ronaldo The Story So Far-full episode
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 46:25
- Updated: 16 Jan 2013
Name: Cristiano Ronaldo: The Story So far Cristiano Ronaldo: The Story So Far Genre: Documentary Quality: TVRip - good Format: AVI Resolution: 352 × six hundred and twenty-four Running time: 46 minutes Language: English Persian Subtitle: No Plot: A 46-minute video about Cristiano Ronaldo Biography large. This video is about the years he Ndvryna player, Zymtsh the National Dypvrtyv club CD Nacional, Sporting and Manchester United speaks. In this video Mrbyansh family members to speak, and a lot of clips from the show is spent in Manchester. Subscribe me for more updates
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_The_Story_So_Far-full_episode
Name: Cristiano Ronaldo: The Story So far Cristiano Ronaldo: The Story So Far Genre: Documentary Quality: TVRip - good Format: AVI Resolution: 352 × six hundred and twenty-four Running time: 46 minutes Language: English Persian Subtitle: No Plot: A 46-minute video about Cristiano Ronaldo Biography large. This video is about the years he Ndvryna player, Zymtsh the National Dypvrtyv club CD Nacional, Sporting and Manchester United speaks. In this video Mrbyansh family members to speak, and a lot of clips from the show is spent in Manchester. Subscribe me for more updates
- published: 04 Sep 2012
- views: 215906
- author: lulzlulz003
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Cristiano Ronaldo - All Access - CNN Interview [FULL] [HQ]
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 23:00
- Updated: 14 Jan 2013
Instagram: instagram.com HD 720p [High Definition] - www.youtube.com CNN exclusive interview with Cristiano Ronaldo, revealing some things about his life we've rarely heard. Full show. Credit to mgeftumblr2 for the original cap.
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_All_Access_CNN_Interview_FULL_HQ_
Instagram: instagram.com HD 720p [High Definition] - www.youtube.com CNN exclusive interview with Cristiano Ronaldo, revealing some things about his life we've rarely heard. Full show. Credit to mgeftumblr2 for the original cap.
- published: 19 Nov 2012
- views: 503954
- author: Cristiano Ronaldo
*CRISTIANO RONALDO FUNNY INTERVIEWS AND LAUGHS*
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:58
- Updated: 11 Jan 2013
I do not own the footage videos or the song. This video is for promotional use only. Software used - VIDEOPAD VIDEO EDITOR
http://wn.com/*CRISTIANO_RONALDO_FUNNY_INTERVIEWS_AND_LAUGHS*
I do not own the footage videos or the song. This video is for promotional use only. Software used - VIDEOPAD VIDEO EDITOR
- published: 05 Apr 2012
- views: 33942
- author: dishan d shah
Cristiano Ronaldo Interviews himself, FUNNY
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:02
- Updated: 10 Jan 2013
Just watch and comment :D!!!!
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Interviews_himself,_FUNNY
Ronaldo Documentary + Interviews 99 *RARE*
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 7:59
- Updated: 13 Jan 2013
A rare video i had, Ronaldo Doc/report includes interviews with Ronaldo while he was injured in 1999 (before he came back to get injured again) THANK YOU RONALDO!!!!!! Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima (otherwise known as Ronaldo) has picked up more personal awards than many could ever dream of. A World Cup winner, twice, the Brazilian striker elevated himself to the very top of world football almost immediately and picked up two FIFA World Player of the Year awards before he was 20 years of age. In 1999, the striker suffered the first in a series of serious knee injuries and went under the surgeon's knife. It was nearly two years before he played again with regularity, but when he did return he revealed why the Italian press had labelled him O Fenomeno as he led his side to glory at the 2002 World Cup. After completing a gruelling recuperation process, Korea/Japan proved to be a stunning revival for the brilliant Brazilian as he finished as the tournament's top scorer on eight goals. The misery of 1998 was laid to rest as he smashed both goals in typical style in a 2-0 win over Germany in the final and confounded the critics who had been quick to hint at his possible early retirement. 'It aint about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward'' THERE IS ONLY ONE RONALDO DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE SONGS USED INANY WAY. I AM NOT MAKING A PROFIT FROM THIS. End music from ROCKITPRO beats..Rockitpro.com Thankz :) The Legend Ronaldo Luiz Nazario ...
http://wn.com/Ronaldo_Documentary_+_Interviews_99_*RARE*
A rare video i had, Ronaldo Doc/report includes interviews with Ronaldo while he was injured in 1999 (before he came back to get injured again) THANK YOU RONALDO!!!!!! Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima (otherwise known as Ronaldo) has picked up more personal awards than many could ever dream of. A World Cup winner, twice, the Brazilian striker elevated himself to the very top of world football almost immediately and picked up two FIFA World Player of the Year awards before he was 20 years of age. In 1999, the striker suffered the first in a series of serious knee injuries and went under the surgeon's knife. It was nearly two years before he played again with regularity, but when he did return he revealed why the Italian press had labelled him O Fenomeno as he led his side to glory at the 2002 World Cup. After completing a gruelling recuperation process, Korea/Japan proved to be a stunning revival for the brilliant Brazilian as he finished as the tournament's top scorer on eight goals. The misery of 1998 was laid to rest as he smashed both goals in typical style in a 2-0 win over Germany in the final and confounded the critics who had been quick to hint at his possible early retirement. 'It aint about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward'' THERE IS ONLY ONE RONALDO DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE SONGS USED INANY WAY. I AM NOT MAKING A PROFIT FROM THIS. End music from ROCKITPRO beats..Rockitpro.com Thankz :) The Legend Ronaldo Luiz Nazario ...
- published: 04 Mar 2011
- views: 48589
- author: RonaldinhoBarca10
Cristiano Ronaldo exclusive interview
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 9:28
- Updated: 13 Jan 2013
In conversation with Frank Leboeuf, Cristiano Ronaldo discusses Real Madrid's priorities for the new season, the European Championships, his Ballon D'Or ambition and much more.
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_exclusive_interview
In conversation with Frank Leboeuf, Cristiano Ronaldo discusses Real Madrid's priorities for the new season, the European Championships, his Ballon D'Or ambition and much more.
- published: 05 Aug 2012
- views: 139860
- author: ESPN
RealCristiano: An Exclusive Interview with Cristiano Ronaldo
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 8:01
- Updated: 14 Jan 2013
This week's Real... had Cristiano Ronaldo as its guest. The Portuguese player talks about the hardest experience he had in his career when he was 12 years old and the people he cares for the most.
http://wn.com/RealCristiano_An_Exclusive_Interview_with_Cristiano_Ronaldo
This week's Real... had Cristiano Ronaldo as its guest. The Portuguese player talks about the hardest experience he had in his career when he was 12 years old and the people he cares for the most.
- published: 16 Apr 2011
- views: 650359
- author: realmadridcf
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview with CNN (I'm better than Messi)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:21
- Updated: 13 Jan 2013
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview with CNN (I'm better than Messi)
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Interview_with_CNN_I'm_better_than_Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview with CNN (I'm better than Messi)
- published: 18 May 2012
- views: 30967
- author: cristianoronaldo7593
090511 Cristiano Ronaldo interview from Skysports!
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 10:13
- Updated: 14 Jan 2013
http://wn.com/090511_Cristiano_Ronaldo_interview_from_Skysports!
Cristiano Ronaldo - All Access - CNN PART 1/3 Interview
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 10:15
- Updated: 11 Jan 2013
CRISTIANO RONALDO PART 1/3 CNN INTERVIEW with Pedro Pinto ! ENJOY, SUBSCRIBE & LIKE :) SUBSCRIBE ME: www.youtube.com INSTAGRAM: @ronaldodane
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_All_Access_CNN_PART_1_3_Interview
CRISTIANO RONALDO PART 1/3 CNN INTERVIEW with Pedro Pinto ! ENJOY, SUBSCRIBE & LIKE :) SUBSCRIBE ME: www.youtube.com INSTAGRAM: @ronaldodane
- published: 16 Nov 2012
- views: 25159
- author: DaneDosSantosStudios
Cristiano Ronaldo interview at Castrol EDGE Presents Ronaldo Tested to the Limit Premiere
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:34
- Updated: 23 Dec 2012
Cristiano Ronaldo gives us an insight into what gives him the strength to perform on the football pitch whilst at the global Premiere of Castrol EDGE Presents Ronaldo Tested to the Limit. For more interviews, photos and behind the scenes action from filming go to castroledge.com
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_interview_at_Castrol_EDGE_Presents_Ronaldo_Tested_to_the_Limit_Premiere
Cristiano Ronaldo gives us an insight into what gives him the strength to perform on the football pitch whilst at the global Premiere of Castrol EDGE Presents Ronaldo Tested to the Limit. For more interviews, photos and behind the scenes action from filming go to castroledge.com
- published: 15 Sep 2011
- views: 133758
- author: castroledge
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:28
- Updated: 09 Jan 2013
An interview in English with Cristiano Ronaldo
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Interview
An interview in English with Cristiano Ronaldo
- published: 05 Feb 2006
- views: 754584
- author: ronaldoonline
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview 7/12/08
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 9:54
- Updated: 26 Dec 2012
Cristiano Ronaldo speaks with a Croatian journalist in English about winning the Ballon D'or and also talks about his private life. The interviewer says at the begining of the video: "Last Saturday in Pariz Ronaldo will remember for the rest of his life. He was awarded by the France Football with a baloo'n. Paparrazi and all the reporters were trying to interview him, but Cristiano Ronaldo opened his heart to us. He invited us to his luxury flat and here is what he said." Thanks to Goalgetter2893's translation. UPDATE 2011: There has been a lot of debate regarding the what language the interviewer is speaking, just to clarify this whole thing... she IS speaking Croatian. :)
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Interview_7_12_08
Cristiano Ronaldo speaks with a Croatian journalist in English about winning the Ballon D'or and also talks about his private life. The interviewer says at the begining of the video: "Last Saturday in Pariz Ronaldo will remember for the rest of his life. He was awarded by the France Football with a baloo'n. Paparrazi and all the reporters were trying to interview him, but Cristiano Ronaldo opened his heart to us. He invited us to his luxury flat and here is what he said." Thanks to Goalgetter2893's translation. UPDATE 2011: There has been a lot of debate regarding the what language the interviewer is speaking, just to clarify this whole thing... she IS speaking Croatian. :)
- published: 17 Dec 2008
- views: 288517
- author: ronaldointerview
Cristiano Ronaldo interview on Morning TV on July 2012
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:53
- Updated: 08 Jan 2013
For the most part, it all looks quite awkward
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_interview_on_Morning_TV_on_July_2012
For the most part, it all looks quite awkward
- published: 17 Jul 2012
- views: 44141
- author: Mohsin Kamali
Cristiano Ronaldo Interviews Lionel Messi - Funny Interview
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:13
- Updated: 13 Jan 2013
Cristiano Ronaldo ● Lionel Messi Facebook ● www.facebook.com
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Interviews_Lionel_Messi_Funny_Interview
Cristiano Ronaldo ● Lionel Messi Facebook ● www.facebook.com
- published: 11 Sep 2012
- views: 22762
- author: DEFFSOUNDStudio
Cristiano Ronaldo ~ Interviews ~ Exclusive 16/05/09 ~ Manchester United Campeones 2009 ~ *HD*
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:42
- Updated: 09 Jan 2013
Cristiano Ronaldo ~ Interviews 16.05.09 ~ Exclusive 2009 ~ Watch in *HD* Credits Special for: SkySports ~ MUTV and zUtd .Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Chelsea), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United) Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Paolo Maldini (AC Milan), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea) Philip Lahm (Bayern Munich), Roberto Carlos (Fenerbache), Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan) credits for caiomanutdcr7 Cesc Fabragas (Arsenal), Steven credits for caiomanutdcr7 Gerrard (Liverpool), Juninho credits for caiomanutdcr7 Pernambucano (Lyon), Kaka (AC Milan), credits for caiomanutdcr7 Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Juan Roman Riquelme credits for caiomanutdcr7 (Boca Juniors), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), credits for caiomanutdcr7 Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid), Francesco Totti (AS Roma), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV) David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), credits for caiomanutdcr7 Alexander Hleb (Arsenal), Joaquin (Valencia), Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich), Robinho (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid) Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan), Wayne Rooney (Machester United), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Ruud van ...
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_~_Interviews_~_Exclusive_16_05_09_~_Manchester_United_Campeones_2009_~_*HD*
Cristiano Ronaldo ~ Interviews 16.05.09 ~ Exclusive 2009 ~ Watch in *HD* Credits Special for: SkySports ~ MUTV and zUtd .Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Chelsea), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United) Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Paolo Maldini (AC Milan), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea) Philip Lahm (Bayern Munich), Roberto Carlos (Fenerbache), Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan) credits for caiomanutdcr7 Cesc Fabragas (Arsenal), Steven credits for caiomanutdcr7 Gerrard (Liverpool), Juninho credits for caiomanutdcr7 Pernambucano (Lyon), Kaka (AC Milan), credits for caiomanutdcr7 Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Juan Roman Riquelme credits for caiomanutdcr7 (Boca Juniors), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), credits for caiomanutdcr7 Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid), Francesco Totti (AS Roma), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV) David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), credits for caiomanutdcr7 Alexander Hleb (Arsenal), Joaquin (Valencia), Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich), Robinho (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid) Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan), Wayne Rooney (Machester United), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Ruud van ...
- published: 16 May 2009
- views: 197524
- author: CaioManutdCR7
Cristiano Ronaldo's Interview (2) - Real Madrid Vs Manchester City (3-2) 18/9/2012
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:30
- Updated: 14 Jan 2013
PLEASE READ: I don't own anything in this video. The credits go to the respective owners. This video will not be used for profit or illegal sharing. Thanks =) Fair Use: "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo's_Interview_2_Real_Madrid_Vs_Manchester_City_3-2_18_9_2012
PLEASE READ: I don't own anything in this video. The credits go to the respective owners. This video will not be used for profit or illegal sharing. Thanks =) Fair Use: "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."
- published: 19 Sep 2012
- views: 13957
- author: Baderjr11
![Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Interview after El Clasico [English]](http://web.archive.org./web/20130117080414im_/http://i.ytimg.com/vi/L_s8wGPSeoY/default.jpg "Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Interview after El Clasico [English]")
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Interview after El Clasico [English]
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:43
- Updated: 08 Jan 2013
PUT UR HEADPHONE AND WATCH IN HD TO HAVE THE BEST EFFECTS.. Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso talked about El Clasico on a press conference today, organized by Bwin. The best quotation from the La liga top scorer on the conference was, " The winner is the best, and the best is Real Madrid." Cristiano, who has expecting a victory for his team, explained that both Madrid and Barcelona have a difference on the football style. While Barca identical with short passing and tikitaka, Real Madrid prefers the long pass, and grabs a goal chance as quickly as possible. "We are two very different and also very similar. They are very good, also fighting for the league, and very close to each other, but with a very different football," said Ronaldo. CR also mentioned that El Barca is an important game for them, and explained, "We are one point ahead, and although it will be a difficult game because we play in away match, but I hope we're going to get a good result Cristiano Ronaldo 2010 ★ Cristiano Ronaldo Zero 2010 2011 HD new video skills goals CR7 freestyle real madrid cristiano ronaldo vs racing poker 4 goals review C Ronaldo skills vs barcelona away 2011 new video cristiano ronaldo vs ronaldinho 2010 2011 HDTV 720p Feeling a Moment 2010 2011 Santiago Bernabeu CR7 Cmahpions league Real Madrid vs Malaga Full Highlights and Goals 17.10.2010 Real Madrid vs Racing Santander Goals and Highlights 24.10.2010 Real Madrid vs Hercules All Goals and Hihglights 31.10.2010 Real Madrid vs ...
http://wn.com/Lionel_Messi_and_Cristiano_Ronaldo_Interview_after_El_Clasico_English_
PUT UR HEADPHONE AND WATCH IN HD TO HAVE THE BEST EFFECTS.. Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso talked about El Clasico on a press conference today, organized by Bwin. The best quotation from the La liga top scorer on the conference was, " The winner is the best, and the best is Real Madrid." Cristiano, who has expecting a victory for his team, explained that both Madrid and Barcelona have a difference on the football style. While Barca identical with short passing and tikitaka, Real Madrid prefers the long pass, and grabs a goal chance as quickly as possible. "We are two very different and also very similar. They are very good, also fighting for the league, and very close to each other, but with a very different football," said Ronaldo. CR also mentioned that El Barca is an important game for them, and explained, "We are one point ahead, and although it will be a difficult game because we play in away match, but I hope we're going to get a good result Cristiano Ronaldo 2010 ★ Cristiano Ronaldo Zero 2010 2011 HD new video skills goals CR7 freestyle real madrid cristiano ronaldo vs racing poker 4 goals review C Ronaldo skills vs barcelona away 2011 new video cristiano ronaldo vs ronaldinho 2010 2011 HDTV 720p Feeling a Moment 2010 2011 Santiago Bernabeu CR7 Cmahpions league Real Madrid vs Malaga Full Highlights and Goals 17.10.2010 Real Madrid vs Racing Santander Goals and Highlights 24.10.2010 Real Madrid vs Hercules All Goals and Hihglights 31.10.2010 Real Madrid vs ...
- published: 01 May 2011
- views: 63817
- author: JVproductions7
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview 11/1/09 HD
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:12
- Updated: 31 Dec 2012
Sky Sports Interview before Manchester United v Chelsea 11/1/09 Ronaldo speaks about his current form for Manchester United and also speaks about Manchester United's chances of winning the 08-09 Premier League. Subscribe if you want all the latest Cristiano Ronaldo Interviews! Credit: zUTD
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Interview_11_1_09_HD
Sky Sports Interview before Manchester United v Chelsea 11/1/09 Ronaldo speaks about his current form for Manchester United and also speaks about Manchester United's chances of winning the 08-09 Premier League. Subscribe if you want all the latest Cristiano Ronaldo Interviews! Credit: zUTD
- published: 12 Jan 2009
- views: 28170
- author: ronaldointerview
UEFA CL Magazine Show Kaka & Ronaldo Interview Clip
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:14
- Updated: 06 Jan 2013
A short feature on Kaka and Cristiano on the show including a Q&A; portion where the two players asked each other questions.
http://wn.com/UEFA_CL_Magazine_Show_Kaka_Ronaldo_Interview_Clip
A short feature on Kaka and Cristiano on the show including a Q&A; portion where the two players asked each other questions.
- published: 23 Aug 2009
- views: 99966
- author: iphridian
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:32
- Updated: 02 Jan 2013
Interview with Cristiano Ronaldo :)
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Interview
Cristiano Ronaldo Wants to Top Last Season, Play in MLS One Day
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:52
- Updated: 13 Jan 2013
Real Madrid Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo talks with Jackie Montgomery about pre-season training in the US, his expectations for the new La Liga campaign and possible future playing in Major League Soccer. Real Madrid face Mexican side Santos Laguna, Sunday August 5th in Las Vegas. SUBSCRIBE to KICKTV for full coverage of the Herbalife World Football Challenge, including match highlights, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access: bit.ly Visit the KICKTV Homepage: bit.ly Follow us on Twitter: bit.ly Like us on Facebook: on.fb.me Follow us on Tumblr: bit.ly ABOUT KICKTV: KICKTV is YouTube's global headquarters for the beautiful game. Football, soccer, futbol, calcio -- whatever you call it, this is your place for video, analysis, commentary and comedy around the world's most popular sport. KICKTV brings you the latest on the best players in the world, like: Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar. And the world's top leagues: the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Eredivisie & the Brazilian league. Plus, coverage of all the biggest football events: UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, the Euros, Copa Libertadores and more.www.youtube.com
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Wants_to_Top_Last_Season,_Play_in_MLS_One_Day
Real Madrid Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo talks with Jackie Montgomery about pre-season training in the US, his expectations for the new La Liga campaign and possible future playing in Major League Soccer. Real Madrid face Mexican side Santos Laguna, Sunday August 5th in Las Vegas. SUBSCRIBE to KICKTV for full coverage of the Herbalife World Football Challenge, including match highlights, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access: bit.ly Visit the KICKTV Homepage: bit.ly Follow us on Twitter: bit.ly Like us on Facebook: on.fb.me Follow us on Tumblr: bit.ly ABOUT KICKTV: KICKTV is YouTube's global headquarters for the beautiful game. Football, soccer, futbol, calcio -- whatever you call it, this is your place for video, analysis, commentary and comedy around the world's most popular sport. KICKTV brings you the latest on the best players in the world, like: Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar. And the world's top leagues: the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, the Eredivisie & the Brazilian league. Plus, coverage of all the biggest football events: UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, the Euros, Copa Libertadores and more.www.youtube.com
- published: 03 Aug 2012
- views: 43237
- author: kick
Cristiano Ronaldo interview Golden Shoe Part2 (Eng sub)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 7:12
- Updated: 25 Aug 2012
Download: 7cristiano-ronaldo7.co.cc Cristiano Ronaldo receives the GoldenShoe and gives interviews.
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_interview_Golden_Shoe_Part2_Eng_sub
Download: 7cristiano-ronaldo7.co.cc Cristiano Ronaldo receives the GoldenShoe and gives interviews.
- published: 16 Sep 2008
- views: 8668
- author: Maria Rebelo
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview after Match vs Lyon Away - 100 goals
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:21
- Updated: 26 Dec 2012
100 goals in 104 matches INCREIBLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo_Interview_after_Match_vs_Lyon_Away_100_goals
100 goals in 104 matches INCREIBLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- published: 03 Nov 2011
- views: 5739
- author: olyaurban
23:00
Cristiano Ronaldo - All Access - CNN Interview [FULL] [HQ]
Instagram: instagram.com HD 720p [High Definition] - www.youtube.com CNN exclusive intervi...
published: 19 Nov 2012
author: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo - All Access - CNN Interview [FULL] [HQ]
Instagram: instagram.com HD 720p [High Definition] - www.youtube.com CNN exclusive interview with Cristiano Ronaldo, revealing some things about his life we've rarely heard. Full show. Credit to mgeftumblr2 for the original cap.
- published: 19 Nov 2012
- views: 503954
- author: Cristiano Ronaldo
4:58
*CRISTIANO RONALDO FUNNY INTERVIEWS AND LAUGHS*
I do not own the footage videos or the song. This video is for promotional use only. Softw...
published: 05 Apr 2012
author: dishan d shah
*CRISTIANO RONALDO FUNNY INTERVIEWS AND LAUGHS*
I do not own the footage videos or the song. This video is for promotional use only. Software used - VIDEOPAD VIDEO EDITOR
- published: 05 Apr 2012
- views: 33942
- author: dishan d shah
1:02
Cristiano Ronaldo Interviews himself, FUNNY
Just watch and comment :D!!!!...
published: 31 May 2009
author: TanjaVanja
Cristiano Ronaldo Interviews himself, FUNNY
Just watch and comment :D!!!!
- published: 31 May 2009
- views: 62206
- author: TanjaVanja
7:59
Ronaldo Documentary + Interviews 99 *RARE*
A rare video i had, Ronaldo Doc/report includes interviews with Ronaldo while he was injur...
published: 04 Mar 2011
author: RonaldinhoBarca10
Ronaldo Documentary + Interviews 99 *RARE*
A rare video i had, Ronaldo Doc/report includes interviews with Ronaldo while he was injured in 1999 (before he came back to get injured again) THANK YOU RONALDO!!!!!! Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima (otherwise known as Ronaldo) has picked up more personal awards than many could ever dream of. A World Cup winner, twice, the Brazilian striker elevated himself to the very top of world football almost immediately and picked up two FIFA World Player of the Year awards before he was 20 years of age. In 1999, the striker suffered the first in a series of serious knee injuries and went under the surgeon's knife. It was nearly two years before he played again with regularity, but when he did return he revealed why the Italian press had labelled him O Fenomeno as he led his side to glory at the 2002 World Cup. After completing a gruelling recuperation process, Korea/Japan proved to be a stunning revival for the brilliant Brazilian as he finished as the tournament's top scorer on eight goals. The misery of 1998 was laid to rest as he smashed both goals in typical style in a 2-0 win over Germany in the final and confounded the critics who had been quick to hint at his possible early retirement. 'It aint about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward'' THERE IS ONLY ONE RONALDO DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE SONGS USED INANY WAY. I AM NOT MAKING A PROFIT FROM THIS. End music from ROCKITPRO beats..Rockitpro.com Thankz :) The Legend Ronaldo Luiz Nazario ...
- published: 04 Mar 2011
- views: 48589
- author: RonaldinhoBarca10
9:28
Cristiano Ronaldo exclusive interview
In conversation with Frank Leboeuf, Cristiano Ronaldo discusses Real Madrid's priorities f...
published: 05 Aug 2012
author: ESPN
Cristiano Ronaldo exclusive interview
In conversation with Frank Leboeuf, Cristiano Ronaldo discusses Real Madrid's priorities for the new season, the European Championships, his Ballon D'Or ambition and much more.
- published: 05 Aug 2012
- views: 139860
- author: ESPN
8:01
RealCristiano: An Exclusive Interview with Cristiano Ronaldo
This week's Real... had Cristiano Ronaldo as its guest. The Portuguese player talks about ...
published: 16 Apr 2011
author: realmadridcf
RealCristiano: An Exclusive Interview with Cristiano Ronaldo
This week's Real... had Cristiano Ronaldo as its guest. The Portuguese player talks about the hardest experience he had in his career when he was 12 years old and the people he cares for the most.
- published: 16 Apr 2011
- views: 650359
- author: realmadridcf
4:21
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview with CNN (I'm better than Messi)
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview with CNN (I'm better than Messi)...
published: 18 May 2012
author: cristianoronaldo7593
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview with CNN (I'm better than Messi)
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview with CNN (I'm better than Messi)
- published: 18 May 2012
- views: 30967
- author: cristianoronaldo7593
10:15
Cristiano Ronaldo - All Access - CNN PART 1/3 Interview
CRISTIANO RONALDO PART 1/3 CNN INTERVIEW with Pedro Pinto ! ENJOY, SUBSCRIBE & LIKE :) SUB...
published: 16 Nov 2012
author: DaneDosSantosStudios
Cristiano Ronaldo - All Access - CNN PART 1/3 Interview
CRISTIANO RONALDO PART 1/3 CNN INTERVIEW with Pedro Pinto ! ENJOY, SUBSCRIBE & LIKE :) SUBSCRIBE ME: www.youtube.com INSTAGRAM: @ronaldodane
- published: 16 Nov 2012
- views: 25159
- author: DaneDosSantosStudios
0:34
Cristiano Ronaldo interview at Castrol EDGE Presents Ronaldo Tested to the Limit Premiere
Cristiano Ronaldo gives us an insight into what gives him the strength to perform on the f...
published: 15 Sep 2011
author: castroledge
Cristiano Ronaldo interview at Castrol EDGE Presents Ronaldo Tested to the Limit Premiere
Cristiano Ronaldo gives us an insight into what gives him the strength to perform on the football pitch whilst at the global Premiere of Castrol EDGE Presents Ronaldo Tested to the Limit. For more interviews, photos and behind the scenes action from filming go to castroledge.com
- published: 15 Sep 2011
- views: 133758
- author: castroledge
0:28
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview
An interview in English with Cristiano Ronaldo...
published: 05 Feb 2006
author: ronaldoonline
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview
An interview in English with Cristiano Ronaldo
- published: 05 Feb 2006
- views: 754584
- author: ronaldoonline
9:54
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview 7/12/08
Cristiano Ronaldo speaks with a Croatian journalist in English about winning the Ballon D'...
published: 17 Dec 2008
author: ronaldointerview
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview 7/12/08
Cristiano Ronaldo speaks with a Croatian journalist in English about winning the Ballon D'or and also talks about his private life. The interviewer says at the begining of the video: "Last Saturday in Pariz Ronaldo will remember for the rest of his life. He was awarded by the France Football with a baloo'n. Paparrazi and all the reporters were trying to interview him, but Cristiano Ronaldo opened his heart to us. He invited us to his luxury flat and here is what he said." Thanks to Goalgetter2893's translation. UPDATE 2011: There has been a lot of debate regarding the what language the interviewer is speaking, just to clarify this whole thing... she IS speaking Croatian. :)
- published: 17 Dec 2008
- views: 288517
- author: ronaldointerview
3:53
Cristiano Ronaldo interview on Morning TV on July 2012
For the most part, it all looks quite awkward...
published: 17 Jul 2012
author: Mohsin Kamali
Cristiano Ronaldo interview on Morning TV on July 2012
For the most part, it all looks quite awkward
- published: 17 Jul 2012
- views: 44141
- author: Mohsin Kamali
1:13
Cristiano Ronaldo Interviews Lionel Messi - Funny Interview
Cristiano Ronaldo ● Lionel Messi Facebook ● www.facebook.com...
published: 11 Sep 2012
author: DEFFSOUNDStudio
Cristiano Ronaldo Interviews Lionel Messi - Funny Interview
Cristiano Ronaldo ● Lionel Messi Facebook ● www.facebook.com
- published: 11 Sep 2012
- views: 22762
- author: DEFFSOUNDStudio
Vimeo results:
1:18
Smart Data - Nokia
Nokia Creative Berlin:
Thomas Markert - CD
Ronaldo Ramirez - AD
Aina Ørebech - Producer
...
published: 17 Nov 2011
author: PUNGA
Smart Data - Nokia
Nokia Creative Berlin:
Thomas Markert - CD
Ronaldo Ramirez - AD
Aina Ørebech - Producer
PUNGA:
Director:Tomi Dieguez
Executive producer: Patricio Verdi Brusati
Line producer: Maud Beckers
Art Direction: Juan Casal
Design: Rodier Kidmann, Fran Vecchi
Animation: Juan Casal, Cesar Pelizer, Facundo Laboranti
Music: Daniele Carmosino
Sound Design: Daniele Carmosino
0:31
FIFA World Cup - Vimeo Staff Pick
Director/Animator: Christopher Guinness
Music: My Africa (Sound Dogs RF Library)
2010 An...
published: 17 May 2010
author: Christopher Guinness
FIFA World Cup - Vimeo Staff Pick
Director/Animator: Christopher Guinness
Music: My Africa (Sound Dogs RF Library)
2010 Animae Caribe Awards: Best Use of Animation in the Media
2011 CAF Gold Addy Award: Interactive Self Promotion
2011 CAF Gold Addy Award: Animation or Special Effects Video, Film
2011 CAF Gold Addy Award: Animation or Special Effects Internet
2011 CAF Addy Awards: The Judges Choice Award for Creative Excellence
2011 District 4 Gold Addy Award: Interactive Self Promotion
2011 District 4 Gold Addy Award: Animation or Special Effects Video, Film
2011 District 4 Gold Addy Award: Animation or Special Effects Internet
2011 District 4 Charlie Award: Best of Self Promotion
2011 AAF National Silver Addy Award: Animation or Special Effects Video, Film
2011 TIAF Best Advertisement Animation Award
2011 TTFF The Best of Animae Caribe 2010
2011 NYCIFF Official Selection
2011 AniFestROZAFA Official Selection
2011 ANIMPACT Max Official Selection
3rd “Golden Kuker" International Animation Film Festival Official Selection
Vimeo Staff Pick
2:01
Nike Football: 'Take It To The Next Level' ad
New awesome commercial from Nike Football.
Directed by Guy Ritchie (Snatch).
Cameo appeara...
published: 04 May 2008
author: Aske Pedersen
Nike Football: 'Take It To The Next Level' ad
New awesome commercial from Nike Football.
Directed by Guy Ritchie (Snatch).
Cameo appearances from Arsène Wenger, William Gallas, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas, Marco Materazzi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, Rafael Márquez, Bojan Krkić, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wesley Sneijder.
0:35
The physical transformation of Ronaldo Nazário de Lima
This exclusive iG production shows the physical transformation of Ronaldo Luis Nazário de ...
published: 09 Jun 2010
author: iG Internet Group
The physical transformation of Ronaldo Nazário de Lima
This exclusive iG production shows the physical transformation of Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima. The brazilian player also is known as "Fenômeno".
Watch more exclusive videos at http://tvig.ig.com.br
Youtube results:
3:42
Cristiano Ronaldo ~ Interviews ~ Exclusive 16/05/09 ~ Manchester United Campeones 2009 ~ *HD*
Cristiano Ronaldo ~ Interviews 16.05.09 ~ Exclusive 2009 ~ Watch in *HD* Credits Special f...
published: 16 May 2009
author: CaioManutdCR7
Cristiano Ronaldo ~ Interviews ~ Exclusive 16/05/09 ~ Manchester United Campeones 2009 ~ *HD*
Cristiano Ronaldo ~ Interviews 16.05.09 ~ Exclusive 2009 ~ Watch in *HD* Credits Special for: SkySports ~ MUTV and zUtd .Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Chelsea), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United) Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Paolo Maldini (AC Milan), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea) Philip Lahm (Bayern Munich), Roberto Carlos (Fenerbache), Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan) credits for caiomanutdcr7 Cesc Fabragas (Arsenal), Steven credits for caiomanutdcr7 Gerrard (Liverpool), Juninho credits for caiomanutdcr7 Pernambucano (Lyon), Kaka (AC Milan), credits for caiomanutdcr7 Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Juan Roman Riquelme credits for caiomanutdcr7 (Boca Juniors), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), credits for caiomanutdcr7 Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid), Francesco Totti (AS Roma), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV) David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), credits for caiomanutdcr7 Alexander Hleb (Arsenal), Joaquin (Valencia), Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich), Robinho (Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid) Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan), Wayne Rooney (Machester United), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Ruud van ...
- published: 16 May 2009
- views: 197524
- author: CaioManutdCR7
1:30
Cristiano Ronaldo's Interview (2) - Real Madrid Vs Manchester City (3-2) 18/9/2012
PLEASE READ: I don't own anything in this video. The credits go to the respective owners....
published: 19 Sep 2012
author: Baderjr11
Cristiano Ronaldo's Interview (2) - Real Madrid Vs Manchester City (3-2) 18/9/2012
PLEASE READ: I don't own anything in this video. The credits go to the respective owners. This video will not be used for profit or illegal sharing. Thanks =) Fair Use: "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."
- published: 19 Sep 2012
- views: 13957
- author: Baderjr11
0:43
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Interview after El Clasico [English]
PUT UR HEADPHONE AND WATCH IN HD TO HAVE THE BEST EFFECTS.. Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alo...
published: 01 May 2011
author: JVproductions7
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Interview after El Clasico [English]
PUT UR HEADPHONE AND WATCH IN HD TO HAVE THE BEST EFFECTS.. Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso talked about El Clasico on a press conference today, organized by Bwin. The best quotation from the La liga top scorer on the conference was, " The winner is the best, and the best is Real Madrid." Cristiano, who has expecting a victory for his team, explained that both Madrid and Barcelona have a difference on the football style. While Barca identical with short passing and tikitaka, Real Madrid prefers the long pass, and grabs a goal chance as quickly as possible. "We are two very different and also very similar. They are very good, also fighting for the league, and very close to each other, but with a very different football," said Ronaldo. CR also mentioned that El Barca is an important game for them, and explained, "We are one point ahead, and although it will be a difficult game because we play in away match, but I hope we're going to get a good result Cristiano Ronaldo 2010 ★ Cristiano Ronaldo Zero 2010 2011 HD new video skills goals CR7 freestyle real madrid cristiano ronaldo vs racing poker 4 goals review C Ronaldo skills vs barcelona away 2011 new video cristiano ronaldo vs ronaldinho 2010 2011 HDTV 720p Feeling a Moment 2010 2011 Santiago Bernabeu CR7 Cmahpions league Real Madrid vs Malaga Full Highlights and Goals 17.10.2010 Real Madrid vs Racing Santander Goals and Highlights 24.10.2010 Real Madrid vs Hercules All Goals and Hihglights 31.10.2010 Real Madrid vs ...
- published: 01 May 2011
- views: 63817
- author: JVproductions7
3:12
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview 11/1/09 HD
Sky Sports Interview before Manchester United v Chelsea 11/1/09 Ronaldo speaks about his c...
published: 12 Jan 2009
author: ronaldointerview
Cristiano Ronaldo Interview 11/1/09 HD
Sky Sports Interview before Manchester United v Chelsea 11/1/09 Ronaldo speaks about his current form for Manchester United and also speaks about Manchester United's chances of winning the 08-09 Premier League. Subscribe if you want all the latest Cristiano Ronaldo Interviews! Credit: zUTD
- published: 12 Jan 2009
- views: 28170
- author: ronaldointerview
photo: AP / Adj Nicolas-Nelson Richard, ECPAD
14 Jan 2013
Bamako/Paris - French fighter jets pounded Islamist rebel strongholds deep in northern Mali on Sunday as Paris poured more troops into the capital, Bamako, awaiting a West African force to dislodge al-Qaeda-linked insurgents from the country’s north ... Defence Minister Jean-Yves le Drian said France’s intervention on Friday prevented the advancing rebels from seizing Bamako and vowed air strikes would continue ... – ... Doubt....(size: 6.6Kb)
photo: Creative Commons / INABA Tomoaki
16 Jan 2013
YURI KAGEYAMA. AP Business Writers= TOKYO (AP) — Boeing Co.'s 787 planes were grounded for safety checks Wednesday by two major Japanese airlines after one was forced to make an emergency landing in the latest blow for the new jet ... The 787, known as the Dreamliner, is Boeing's newest and most technologically advanced jet, and the company is counting heavily on its success ... The grounding was done voluntarily by the airlines ... The U.S ... U.S....(size: 11.1Kb)
photo: AP / BP
16 Jan 2013
IN what could be the first spillover from France's intervention in Mali, Islamist militants attacked and occupied a natural gas complex partly operated by energy company BP in southern Algeria. Two foreigners were killed and dozens of others, including Americans, were taken hostage ... It said it was holding 41 foreigners, including seven Americans ... Recommended Coverage. Al-Qaeda seize hostages in Algeria. End of sidebar ... . ....(size: 7.4Kb)
photo: AP / Carolyn Kaster
16 Jan 2013
JULIE PACE. Associated Press= WASHINGTON (AP) — Braced for a fight, President Barack Obama on Wednesday unveiled the most sweeping proposals for curbing gun violence in two decades, pressing a reluctant Congress to pass universal background checks and bans on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones used in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting ... "And Congress must act soon." ... World news....(size: 9.2Kb)
photo: French MoD photo
16 Jan 2013
BAMAKO, Mali -- After a punishing bombing campaign failed to halt the advance of al-Qaida-linked fighters, France pledged Tuesday to triple the size of its force in Mali, sending in hundreds more troops as it prepared for a land assault to dislodge the militants occupying the country's northern half ... On Tuesday, France announced that it was increasing the number of troops from 800 to 2,500 ... "We have one objective ... On Tuesday, U.S ... ....(size: 3.6Kb)
New Straits/Business Times
17 Jan 2013
MILAN. AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani says the club is highly unlikely to sign either David Beckham or Kaka this month ... . ... ... . ... ... ... Kaka left Milan for Madrid in 2009 for (euro) 65 million (then $92 million), making him the second most expensive football signing ever after Cristiano Ronaldo ... ....(size: 1.6Kb)
noodls
17 Jan 2013
The Himalayan
17 Jan 2013
. Added At. 2013-01-17 9.48 AM. Last Updated At. 2013-01-17 9.48 AM. The Himalayan Times - Saved Articles(s). The headlines has been added to your saved article(s) ... Close. AP ... MILAN ... Kaka left Milan for Madrid in 2009 for (euro) 65 million (then $92 million), making him the second most expensive football signing ever after Cristiano Ronaldo. ....(size: 4.5Kb)
New Straits/Business Times
17 Jan 2013
MADRID. Holders Barcelona’s hopes of retaining the Spanish Cup hang in the balance after being held 2-2 at home by 10-man Malaga in their Spanish Cup quarter-final first leg clash on Wednesday ... ... Guardado put the ball into his own net from Fabio Coentrao’s centre and the damage could have been greater for the visitors had not Vicente Guaita made two point blank saves from Cristiano Ronaldo in a matter of minutes ... ....(size: 2.6Kb)
photo: AP / Sang Tan
17 Jan 2013
LONDON. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere is well on the way to becoming the complete midfielder after his goal knocked Swansea City out of the FA Cup on Wednesday ... "There was a better team balance ... "Maybe you can become it one day, but if we are talking about a 21-year-old and we are putting him up there already amongst the best, then where do we put (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi?" ... ....(size: 3.6Kb)
The Daily Telegraph
17 Jan 2013
Pep Guardiola is a romantic. And he was getting desperate to choose his next project. Those are two things that explain more than any other his decision to take charge of Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Happy with his decision. Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has been appointed to take over as Bayern Munich coach on a three-year contract from July Photo. GETTY IMAGES ... Comments ... I’m staying at Real, insists Ronaldo 14 Jan 2013 ... ....(size: 11.9Kb)
photo: AP / Manu Mielniezuk
16 Jan 2013
For the first time since arriving in 2009, a dissatisfied Cristiano Ronaldo no longer sees his long-term future at Real Madrid and has made it known to Manchester United that he favours an eventual return to Old Trafford ... The development, which has been revealed to ESPN by well-placed figures close to both clubs as well as the player, tallies with Ronaldo's recent public comments regarding his next move....(size: 4.0Kb)
ESPN
16 Jan 2013
PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has issued a statement denying that he criticised Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ... "I only have good things to say about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi....(size: 1.1Kb)
ESPN
16 Jan 2013
PA PhotosCristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ... Eight of the final line-up ply their trade in La Liga, with Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo spearheading the 4-4-2 formation....(size: 1.2Kb)
noodls
16 Jan 2013
The Whites, who have gone one year unbeaten in the Santiago Bernabeu, may have got an even better result if it had not been for Guaita, who made superb stops from two clear shots from Cristiano Ronaldo ... In fact, as soon as Valencia took the kick-off, the Whites stole the ball and it resulted in a free kick that Cristiano Ronaldo came close to giving his team the lead with....(size: 5.3Kb)
Indian Express
16 Jan 2013
Ronaldo also admitted winning the Champions League is a must for Madrid especially taking into account their poor La Liga form....(size: 0.7Kb)
photo: AP / Jacques Brinon
16 Jan 2013
More On . FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid CF, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi ......(size: 1.1Kb)
This article is about the Brazilian footballer. For the Portuguese footballer, see Cristiano Ronaldo. For other people named Ronaldo, see Ronaldo (name).
In this name, the family name is Nazário de Lima, not Lima.
 Ronaldo with Corinthians in 2009 |
|||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima | ||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1976-09-18) 18 September 1976 (age 35) | ||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 metres (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Striker | ||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||
| 1986–1989 | Tennis Club Valqueire | ||||||||||||||
| 1989–1990 | Social Ramos Club | ||||||||||||||
| 1990–1993 | São Cristóvão | ||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||
| 1993–1994 | Cruzeiro | 14 | (12) | ||||||||||||
| 1994–1996 | PSV | 46 | (42) | ||||||||||||
| 1996–1997 | Barcelona | 37 | (34) | ||||||||||||
| 1997–2002 | Inter Milan | 68 | (49) | ||||||||||||
| 2002–2007 | Real Madrid | 127 | (83) | ||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | A.C. Milan | 20 | (9) | ||||||||||||
| 2009–2011 | Corinthians | 69 | (31) | ||||||||||||
| Total | 343 | (247) | |||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||
| 1994–2011 | Brazil | 98 | (62) | ||||||||||||
|
Honours
|
|||||||||||||||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||||||||||||||
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima (Portuguese pronunciation: [χoˈnawdu luˈiz naˈzaɾiu dʒi ˈlimɐ]; born 18 September 1976[1]), commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last played for Corinthians. He is considered by experts and fans as one of the greatest football players of all time.[2] In 2012, he was voted Goal.com's "Player of the Decades" in an online poll gathering 29.55% of all votes.[3] He won his first Ballon d'Or as the European Footballer of the Year in 1997 (aged only 21) and again won the award in 2002 (26 years old). Additionally, he is one of only three men to have won the FIFA Player of the Year award three times, along with French footballer Zinedine Zidane and Argentine striker Lionel Messi.
Considered by many as the most complete striker in the past 30 years, in 2007, he was named as one of the best starting eleven of all-time by France Football and was named to the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest footballers compiled by fellow countryman Pelé. In 2010, he was voted Goal.com's "Player of the Decade" in an online poll, gathering 43.63 percent of all votes[4] and was also included as centre forward in the "Team of the Decade".[5] On 23 February 2010, Ronaldo announced that he would retire after the 2011 season, signing a two-year contract extension with the Corinthians at the same time.[6] Ronaldo has played for Brazil in 98 international matches, scoring 62 goals. He was a part of the Brazilian squad that won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups. During the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo became the highest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup with his fifteenth goal, surpassing Gerd Müller's previous record of 14. He is also the only player to have won the World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot in separate tournaments. Having suffered a string of serious injuries throughout his career, Ronaldo retired on 14 February 2011, citing pain and hypothyroidism as the reasons for his premature retirement.[7]
Contents |
Club career[link]
 |
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2009) |
1993: Cruzeiro[link]
In 1993, Ronaldo began his football career playing for Cruzeiro which was already going on to become a successful club. In his first and only year with Cruzeiro, he amassed 12 goals in 14 appearances and led them to their first Copa do Brasil championship. Prior to this, he was turned down by his boyhood favourite team Flamengo, but Brazilian World Cup legend Jairzinho saw Ronaldo's potential and helped get him the move to Cruzeiro.
1994–1996: PSV Eindhoven[link]
Ronaldo chose to join PSV after the 1994 World Cup, for he was selected despite being just 17, but did not play. It was Romário who advised Ronaldo to start his European career at PSV; Romário being a former striker of the team from 1988 to 1993. Ronaldo scored 30 league goals in his first season in the Netherlands. His second season was marred by a knee injury which kept him out of most of the campaign, but he still averaged nearly a goal a game in the league, with 12 in his 13 appearances. With PSV, Ronaldo won the Dutch Cup in 1996 and he was Eredivisie top scorer in 1995.
1996–1997: Barcelona[link]
During his spell at PSV, Ronaldo attracted the attention of both Inter Milan and FC Barcelona. It was Barcelona that was willing to pay the then record fee of $17 million. During the 1996–97 season, Ronaldo scored 47 goals in 49 games (in all competitions) for Barcelona, leading the Catalan side to UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph (where he capped the season with the winning goal in the cup final itself) and to Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España wins. He also won La Liga top scorer award in 1997 with 34 goals in 37 games. Until the 2008–09 season, Ronaldo remained the last player to score more than 30 goals in La Liga. At the age of 20, Ronaldo became the youngest player to win FIFA World Player of the Year in 1996. He also finished runner-up for the Ballon d'Or.
1997–2002: Inter Milan[link]
Ronaldo's time at Barça was brief, as there were problems with the renegotiation of Ronaldo's contract. Ronaldo's unhappiness became evident and at the end of the season, by paying the buy out clause fee in his contract, Inter Milan signed him in the summer of 1997 for a then world record fee of £19 million. He had spent just one year with Barcelona.
Ronaldo duly helped them repeat his former side's cup-winning run, this time in the UEFA Cup, in which he scored their third goal in the final itself.
Ronaldo adapted to the Italian style of the game in his first season, finishing second on the league's scoring charts. Ronaldo started to develop into a complete forward. He began racking up assists, became first-choice penalty taker, taking and scoring freekicks, and captaining the team at the end of the season. During his time with Inter, he scored several goals against city rivals A.C. Milan in the Derby della Madonnina. He won FIFA World Player of the Year for the second time in 1997, and collected the Ballon d'Or the same year. The following year, after the FIFA World Cup, he finished second for FIFA player of the year, and third for European Footballer of the Year. At this point in his career, he was clearly and widely regarded as the best player in the world.
On 21 November 1999, during a Serie A match against Lecce, Ronaldo felt his knee buckle and was forced to limp off the pitch. Medical exams after the match confirmed that the striker had ruptured a tendon in his knee and would require surgery.[8] During his first comeback on 12 April 2000, he played only seven minutes during the first leg of the Coppa Italia final against Lazio before injuring his knee for a second time.[9] Ronaldo's recurring injury problems forced him to miss the entire 2000-01 season and much of the two seasons either side of it. After two operations and months of rehabilitation, Ronaldo came back for the 2002 World Cup, helping Brazil win their fifth World Cup title. Later in 2002, he won the World Player of the Year award for the third time, and transferred from Inter to Real Madrid. Ronaldo was given his most recognizable nickname, Il Fenomeno, by the Italian press while playing there. He was named the 20th top footballer of all time for Inter, according to Times Online, and only his injuries prevented a higher ranking. He played 99 games and scored 59 goals for Nerazzurri.
2002–2006: Real Madrid[link]
Having signed for Real Madrid for €46 million, his jersey sales broke all records on the first day, such was the obsession and hype surrounding him. He was sidelined through injury until October 2002 but the fans kept on chanting his name. Ronaldo scored twice in his debut for Real Madrid. He received a standing ovation at the Stadium Bernabéu. That same reception was observed on the night of the final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao, where Ronaldo scored again to seal his first season with 23 league goals and the La Liga Championship title for 2003. With Madrid, he also won an Intercontinental Cup in 2002 and Spanish Super Cup in 2003.
In the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Manchester United at Old Trafford, knocking the English team out of the competition.[10] Ronaldo was substituted on 80 minutes and was given a standing ovation from both sets of fans.[10] Madrid was on track to win the treble, until Ronaldo was injured towards the end of the 2003–04 season; they subsequently lost the Copa del Rey final,[11] were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, and suffered a league form breakdown. That season, he finished as the league's top scorer with 24 goals and was awarded the Pichichi Trophy, despite Madrid losing the league title to Valencia CF. With the acquisition of Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2006, Ronaldo grew more and more out of favour with the manager Fabio Capello due to injuries and weight issues.
2007–2008: A.C. Milan[link]
On 18 January 2007, it was reported that Ronaldo agreed terms with A.C. Milan for a transfer of €8.05 million.[12] Ronaldo was forced to pay for the remaining period on his contract which tied him to Real Madrid, only because the latter did not agree to release him, while AC Milan were not ready to pay such a sum. On 25 January, Ronaldo flew from Madrid to Milan to watch the team play in a cup tie against Roma. Statements on the club's website said that Ronaldo was in Milan for a medical, and that a meeting had been arranged for Monday with Real Madrid officials to discuss and finalize his transfer to the Milanese club. On 26 January, Ronaldo successfully completed his medical tests at the Milanello training complex under the supervision of club doctors, and the transfer completed on 30 January[13] and got the squad number 99. He made his debut as a substitute on 11 February 2007, during the 2–1 victory over Livorno. The next game at Siena, on 17 February, Ronaldo scored twice and assisted on a third goal in his first start for AC Milan, as they won an exciting game 4–3. In his first season, Ronaldo scored seven goals in 14 appearances.[8]
After his move to AC Milan, Ronaldo joined the list of the few players to have played for both Inter Milan and AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina, and is one of two players to have scored for both sides in the derby game (for Inter in the 1998–99 season and for AC Milan in the 2006–07 season), the other player being Zlatan Ibrahimović. Ronaldo is also one of the few players to have started for Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, which also boasts a heated rivalry. Ronaldo, however, has never transferred directly between rival clubs. Ronaldo only played 300-plus minutes in his single season at AC Milan due to recurring injury problems and weight issues. Ronaldo's only goals in the 2007–08 season, besides his goal against Lecce in pre-season, came in a 5–2 victory against Napoli at the San Siro, where he scored an emotional brace. It was also the first time AC Milan's much hyped attacking trio of Kaká, Alexandre Pato and Ronaldo, known as Ka-Pa-Ro, played together. In total, he scored nine goals in 20 appearances for AC Milan.
Despite tremendous success over the past decade, Ronaldo has never won the UEFA Champions League in his club career. During the 2006–07 season, though AC Milan won the 2006–07 title, Ronaldo was cup-tied with Madrid and ineligible to take part. The closest that he has been was in 2003 when he helped Real Madrid to the semi-finals, in which they lost to Juventus.
On 13 February 2008, Ronaldo suffered a severe season-ending knee injury while jumping for a cross in AC Milan 1–1 draw with Livorno, and was stretchered off and taken to a hospital. The club confirmed after the match that Ronaldo had ruptured the kneecap ligament in his left knee. It marked the third such occurrence of this injury, which he suffered twice to his right knee in 1998 and 2000.[14] He was released by AC Milan at the end of the season, as his contract expired and was not renewed.
2009–2011: Corinthians[link]
Ronaldo trained with Flamengo during his recovery from knee surgery, and the club's board of directors said that the doors were open for him to join. On 9 December, however, Ronaldo signed a one-year deal with Flamengo's league rival Corinthians.[15] The announcement received high publicity in the Brazilian press about his favouring Corinthians over Flamengo, since Ronaldo publicly declared himself a Flamengo lover and had promised to defend the club.[16]
Ronaldo played his first match for Corinthians on 4 March 2009, a Copa do Brasil match against Itumbiara at Estádio Juscelino Kubitschek, in which he came as a substitute for Jorge Henrique.[17] Ronaldo scored his first goal for Corinthians on 8 March 2009 in a Campeonato Paulista match against Palmeiras.[18] He helped Corinthians win the Campeonato Paulista with 10 goals in 14 games.[19]
Ronaldo helped Corinthians defeat Internacional with an aggregate score of 4–2 to help the club win its third Brazil Cup (the second of his career), thus earning a spot in the Copa Libertadores 2010. He returned on 20 September in a match against Goiás. On 27 September 2009, he scored for Corinthians in the 1–1 draw against São Paulo FC. He finished the Brazilian Serie A 2009 with 12 goals in 20 matches. In February 2010, Ronaldo signed a contract extension with Corinthians that would keep him with the club until the end of 2011, and said he would then retire.[20]
In February 2011, after Corinthians were eliminated from the 2011 Copa Libertadores by the Colombian team Deportes Tolima, Ronaldo announced his retirement from football.[21][22][23] In an emotional press conference on 14 February 2011, he admitted his body had finally succumbed to the crippling litany of injuries that have blighted his career. "It's very hard to leave something that made me so happy. Mentally I wanted to continue but I have to acknowledge that I lost to my body," he stated.[24][25]
International career[link]
Ronaldo made his international debut for Brazil in 1994, in a friendly match in Recife against Argentina. He went to the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States as a 17-year-old, but did not play. He came to be known as Ronaldinho ("little Ronaldo" in Portuguese), because Ronaldo Rodrigues de Jesus, his older team-mate on the tournament, was also called Ronaldo and also nicknamed Ronaldão ("big Ronaldo") to further distinguish them.[26] Another Brazilian player, Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, who is widely known as Ronaldinho, would come to be called Ronaldinho Gaúcho when he joined the Brazilian main national team in 1999.
In the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ronaldo played with the name Ronaldinho on his shirt, since centreback Ronaldo Guiaro, two years his senior, was one of his teammates. Brazil went on to win the bronze medal in Atlanta.
1998 FIFA World Cup[link]
He entered the 1998 FIFA World Cup and was billed by reporters and experts as the world's greatest footballer. He scored four goals and made three assists. The night before the final, he suffered a convulsive fit. At first, Ronaldo was removed from the starting lineup 72 minutes before the match, but he requested to play and was later reinstated by coach Mario Zagallo. Ronaldo's performance was below par and he was injured in a collision with French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. Brazil lost the final to hosts France 3–0.[27] Adrian Williams, professor of clinical neurology at Birmingham University, said that Ronaldo should not have played, saying that he would have been feeling the after effects of the seizure and that "there is no way that he would have been able to perform to the best of his ability within 24 hours of his first fit – if it was his first fit."[28]
2002 FIFA World Cup[link]
During the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo again led the national team to their record fifth championship and won the Golden Shoe as top scorer with eight goals and was runner-up to the Golden Ball as most valuable player in the tournament. He also scored against every opponent in the tournament except in the quarter-finals against England. In the final match against Germany, Ronaldo scored his 11th and 12th goals to a round of applause and tied Pelé's Brazilian record of 12 career World Cup goals.[29]
2006 FIFA World Cup[link]
On 2 June 2004, Ronaldo scored an unusual hat-trick of penalties for Brazil against arch-rivals Argentina in a 2006 World Cup qualifying match.
At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, although Brazil won their first two group games against Croatia and Australia, respectively, Ronaldo was repeatedly jeered for being overweight and slow. Nonetheless, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira kept him in the starting lineup in face of calls to have Ronaldo replaced. With his two goals against Japan in the third match, he became the 20th player ever to score in three different FIFA World Cups and also equalled the all-time World Cup finals scoring record of 14, held by Gerd Müller (Ronaldo scored at France 98, Korea/Japan 2002 and Germany 2006). and then broke Müller's record in the Round of 16 match against Ghana by scoring his 15th World Cup goal. He also equalled a much less talked about mark: with his third goal of the 2006 World Cup, Ronaldo became only the second player ever, after Jürgen Klinsmann, to score at least three goals in each of three World Cups. Brazil, however, were knocked out by France 1–0 in the quarter-finals.
Ronaldo and Klinsmann's record of at least three goals in each of three World Cup finals has now been both equalled and bettered by the German Miroslav Klose, who now has a record of at least four goals in each of three tournaments, having netted five at both the 2002 and 2006 finals, and four at the 2010 tournament.
Farewell match[link]
In February 2011 it was announced that Ronaldo will be given one very last match for Brazil, five years after his last match with the national team, a friendly against Romania was held in São Paulo on 7 June 2011. Despite it being almost unheard of in international football for players to be given farewell matches for their national side, CBF officials have stated that given the extraordinary career of Ronaldo, it is only fitting that his last hurrah should take place in Brazil while representing his nation.[30] He played for 15 minutes in a match that ended with a Brazilian victory with a single goal from Fred at the 21st minute.[31][32] Goalscorer Fred celebrated his goal with Ronaldo's famous 'finger wag' celebration along with his Brazilian teammates who joined in as well. When Ronaldo was introduced to the pitch around the thirty minute mark, he had three shots on target which were saved by the Romanian keeper, Ciprian Tătăruşanu. As soon as the first half was over, Ronaldo made a speech to the crowd at the game.[33]
World Cup goals[link]
International goals[link]
Career statistics[link]
Club[link]
| Season | Club | League | League | State League |
Cups | Continental |
Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 1993 | Cruzeiro | Série A | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 20 |
| 1994 | - | - | 18 | 22 | - | - | 8 | 2 | - | - | 26 | 24 | ||
| Total | 14 | 12 | 20 | 22 | – | – | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 44 | ||
| 1994–95 | PSV | Eredivisie | 33 | 30 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | - | - | 36 | 35 |
| 1995–96 | 13 | 12 | - | - | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | - | - | 21 | 19 | ||
| Total | 46 | 42 | – | – | 4 | 3 | 7 | 9 | – | – | 57 | 54 | ||
| 1996–97 | Barcelona | La Liga | 37 | 34 | - | - | 4 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 49 | 47 |
| Total | 37 | 34 | – | – | 4 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 49 | 47 | ||
| 1997–98 | Inter Milan | Serie A | 32 | 25 | - | - | 4 | 3 | 11 | 6 | - | - | 47 | 34 |
| 1998–99 | 19 | 14 | - | - | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 15 | ||
| 1999–00 | 7 | 3 | - | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 8 | 3 | ||
| 2000–01 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 | 10 | 7 | - | - | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | - | 16 | 7 | ||
| Total | 68 | 49 | – | – | 8 | 3 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 99 | 59 | ||
| 2002–03 | Real Madrid | La Liga | 31 | 23 | - | - | 1 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 30 |
| 2003–04 | 32 | 24 | - | - | 5 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 48 | 31 | ||
| 2004–05 | 34 | 21 | - | - | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | - | - | 45 | 24 | ||
| 2005–06 | 23 | 14 | - | - | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 27 | 15 | ||
| 2006–07 | 7 | 1 | - | - | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | - | - | 13 | 4 | ||
| Total | 127 | 83 | – | – | 11 | 4 | 36 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 177 | 104 | ||
| 2006–07 | AC Milan | Serie A | 14 | 7 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 14 | 7 |
| 2007–08 | 6 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 2 | ||
| Total | 20 | 9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 20 | 9 | ||
| 2009 | Corinthians | Série A | 20 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 38 | 23 |
| 2010 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 3 | - | - | 7 | 3 | - | - | 27 | 12 | ||
| 2011 | - | - | 2 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | - | - | 4 | 0 | ||
| Total | 31 | 18 | 21 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 3 | – | – | 69 | 35 | ||
| Career totals | 343 | 247 | 41 | 44 | 35 | 34 | 93 | 89 | 6 | 8 | 518 | 352 | ||
- Other – Recopa Sudamericana, Supercopa de España, Intercontinental Cup, & UEFA Cup Play-Off (at Coppa Italia)
International[link]
| Brazil national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1994 | 4 | 1 |
| 1995 | 6 | 3 |
| 1996 | 4 | 5 |
| 1997 | 20 | 15 |
| 1998 | 10 | 5 |
| 1999 | 10 | 7 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 12 | 11 |
| 2003 | 8 | 3 |
| 2004 | 11 | 6 |
| 2005 | 5 | 1 |
| 2006 | 7 | 5 |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 98 | 62 |
Honours[link]
Club[link]
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
- Campeonato Mineiro (1): 1994
- Copa do Brasil (1): 1993
PSV Eindhoven
- KNVB Cup (1): 1996
- Johan Cruijff-schaal (1): 1996
FC Barcelona
- Copa del Rey (1): 1997
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1): 1997
- Supercopa de España (1): 1996
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Real Madrid C.F.
- La Liga (2): 2002–03, 2006–07
- Intercontinental Cup (1): 2002
- Supercopa de España (1): 2003
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista
- Campeonato Paulista (1): 2009
- Copa do Brasil (1): 2009
National team[link]
- FIFA World Cup (2): 1994, 2002
- Copa América (2): 1997, 1999
- FIFA Confederations Cup (1): 1997
Individual[link]
- Supercopa Libertadores Top Scorer (1): 1993–94
- Campeonato Mineiro Top Scorer (1): 1993–94
- Campeonato Mineiro Team of The Year (1): 1994
- Eredivisie Top Scorer (1): 1994–95
- La Liga Top Scorer (2): 1996–97,2003–2004
- European Golden Boot (1): 1996–97
- Don Balón Award La Liga Foreign Player of the Year (1): 1996–97
- Copa América Final Most Valuable Player (1): 1997
- Copa América Most Valuable Player (1): 1997
- Confederations Cup All-Star Team (1): 1997
- Cup Winners Cup Final Most Valuable Player (1): 1997
- Cup Winners Cup Top Goal Scorer (1): 1996–1997
- IFFHS World's Top Goal Scorer of the Year (1): 1997
- UEFA Most Valuable Player (1): 1997–98
- Serie A Footballer of the Year (1): 1997–98
- Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year (1): 1997–98
- UEFA Best Forward (1): 1997–98
- Bravo Award (3): 1995, 1997, 1998
- FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (1): 1998
- UEFA Cup Final Most Valuable Player (1): 1998
- Copa América Top Scorer (1): 1999
- Copa América All-Star Team (2): 1997, 1999
- FIFA World Player of the Year (3): 1996, 1997, 2002
- Ballon D'or (2): 1997, 2002
- World Soccer Magazine World Player of The Year (3): 1996, 1997, 2002
- Onze d'Or (2): 1997, 2002
- FIFA World Cup Silver Ball (1): 2002
- FIFA 100
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (2): 1998, 2002
- FIFA World Cup Final Most Valuable Player (1): 2002
- FIFA World Cup Top Scorer (1): 2002
- Intercontinental Cup Most Valuable Player (1): 2002
- UEFA Team of The Year (1): 2002
- Laureus Comeback of the Year (1): 2002
- Strogaldo De Legendary Award: 2002
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality (1): 2002
- La Liga South American Player of the Year (2): 1996–97, 2002–03
- Golden Foot award (1): 2006
- Brazilian National Hall of Fame: Class of 2006
- Serie A Player of the Decade: 1997–2007
- France Football Magazine: Starting eleven of all-time (2007)
- FIFA World Cup: All-Time Leading Scorer
- Campeonato Paulista Best Player (1): 2009
- Goal.com: Player of a decade: Winner 2000–2010[35]
Personal life[link]
Ronaldo is the third child of Nélio Nazário de Lima, Snr and Sônia dos Santos Barata, Ronaldo has a brother Nélio Jr.[36][37]
During 1997, Ronaldo met the Brazilian model and actress Susana Werner on the set of Brazilian telenovela Malhação when they acted together in three episodes.[38][39] Although never marrying, they began a long-term relationship and lived together in Milan until the beginning of 1999.[40] In April 1999, Ronaldo married female Brazilian footballer Milene Domingues, at the time pregnant with the couple's first son, Ronald. The marriage lasted four years. The couple had a son, Ronald (born in Milan, on April 6, 2000).[41] In 2005, Ronaldo became engaged to Brazilian model and MTV VJ Daniela Cicarelli, who became pregnant but suffered a miscarriage; the relationship lasted for only three months after their luxurious wedding at the Château de Chantilly. The ceremony reportedly cost £700,000 (€896,000).[42]
In April 2008, Ronaldo was involved in a scandal involving three transvestite prostitutes whom he met in a nightclub located in the city of Rio de Janeiro.[43] Upon discovering that they were men, Ronaldo offered them $600 to leave.[44] One of the three, however, André Luís Ribeiro Albertini (better known as Andréia Albertini), demanded $30,000 and exposed the case to the media.[45] According to the local police chief, "[Ronaldo] was very excited and wanted to go out and have fun, without the press knowing. Ronaldo said that he is not mentally stable and is having psychological problems because of his recent surgery. But he committed no crime at all, it was immoral at best."[46] Ronaldo's engagement to Maria Beatriz Antony was cancelled immediately after the prostitution scandal[47] but resumed a little later. Maria Beatriz Antony gave birth to their first daughter, named Maria Sophia, in Rio de Janeiro, on 24 December 2008. In April 2009, the whole family moved to a new penthouse in São Paulo.[48] On 6 April 2010, Maria Beatriz Antony gave birth to their second daughter. The girl, born in São Paulo, was named Maria Alice. Coincidently, Maria Alice was born exactly 10 years after her older brother Ronald.[49] In December 2010, Ronaldo and his family moved to a new mansion in São Paulo.[50] Also in December, Ronaldo performed a parental testing and confirmed to be the father of a boy named Alexander (born in April 2005). The boy was born after a brief relationship between Ronaldo and Michele Umezu, a Brazilian waitress whom Ronaldo first met in Tokyo, in 2002.[51][52] After the confirmation of his fourth child, the striker declared that four is enough, causing him to "close the factory". So, on 26 December 2010, he revealed his recent vasectomy.[53]
Since 2005, Ronaldo has been the co-owner of A1 Team Brazil, along with Brazilian motorsports legend Emerson Fittipaldi.[54] Ronaldo is set to become President of Brazil Soccer Federation 2014.[55]
Philanthropy[link]
On 13 December 2011 world football legends Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo played a charity match with their friends against former and current players of German Hamburg.[56][57][58][59]
References[link]
- ^ According to "Ronaldo : the journey of a genius" by James Mosley, Ronaldo born on 18 September but registered on 22 September
- ^ "Top 100 Greatest Ever Footballers". http://soccerlens.com/top-100-greatest-ever-footballers/3888.
- ^ "Debate: ¿Quién es el mejor jugador de la Historia?" (in (Spanish)). Goal.com. 2010-05-23. http://www.goal.com/es/news/2686/debates/2011/05/22/833309/debate-qui%C3%A9n-es-el-mejor-jugador-de-la-historia. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ Goal.com team (1 January 2010). "Ronaldo Is Goal.com's Player of the Decade". Goal.com. Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en/news/2804/goalcom-player-of-the-decade/2010/01/01/1719502/ronaldo-is-goalcoms-player-of-the-decade. Retrieved 11 January 2010.
- ^ Goal.com team (2009-12-28). "ESPN-soccernews". Goal.com. Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en/news/2804/goalcom-player-of-the-decade/2009/12/28/1713063/goalcom-player-of-the-decade-results-position-by-position. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- ^ "Ronaldo sets retirement date". http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=745706&sec=global&cc=5739. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
- ^ "Emocionado, Ronaldo atribui adeus às dores e ao hipotireoidismo". Globo.com. 14 February 2011. http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/noticia/2011/02/emocionado-ronaldo-revela-hipotiroidismo-e-da-adeus-ao-futebol.html. Retrieved 14 February, 20011.
- ^ a b "Ronaldo (Luíz (Ronaldo) Nazário de Lima) – Milan and Brazil". Footballdatabase.com. http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=1044&b=true&pn=Lu%C3%ADz_Naz%C3%A1rio_de_Lima. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
- ^ "F.C. Internazionale Milano". Inter.it. http://www.inter.it/en/societa/storia.html. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
- ^ a b "Ronaldo ends Man Utd dream". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 23 April 2003.
- ^ "Real Madrid 2–3 Real Zaragoza". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). 18 March 2004. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2004/mar/18/newsstory.sport3. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ^ "Ronaldo unveiled by Rossoneri". UEFA.com. 30 January 2007. http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=501832.html.
- ^ "Milan complete signing of Ronaldo". BBC News. 30 January 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6271487.stm. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "Milan fear for Ronaldo's career". BBC News. 14 February 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7244079.stm.
- ^ Independent.co.uk Ronaldo agrees to join Corinthians
- ^ Goal.com Ronaldo: No Milan? I'll Go To Flamengo
- ^ "Aos 22min do 2º tempo, Ronaldo estréia pelo Corinthians" (in Portuguese). Terra. 4 March 2009. http://esportes.terra.com.br/futebol/copadobrasil/interna/0,,OI3614269-EI1950,00-Aos+min+do+tempo+Ronaldo+estreia+pelo+Corinthians.html. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
- ^ "Com gol de Ronaldo no final, Corinthians arranca empate contra o Palmeiras" (in Portuguese). Folha Online. 8 March 2009. http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u531293.shtml. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
- ^ News.Xinhuanet.com, (English)
- ^ "Ronaldo Renews Corinthians Contract, Will Retire In 2011". Reuters. 22 February. http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/02/22/sports/sports-uk-soccer-latam-brazil-ronaldo.html. [dead link]
- ^ "Ronaldo confirma o fim da carreira (In Portuguese)" (in Portuguese). GloboEsporte. 13 February. http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/corinthians/noticia/2011/02/para-jornal-ronaldo-confirma-o-fim-da-carreira-esta-na-hora.html.
- ^ Gallas, Daniel (14 January 2011). "Ronaldo's troubled farewell". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9397354.stm. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ^ "Ronaldo confirms retirement". ESPN Soccernet. 14 January 2011. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/880463/emotional-ronaldo-confirms-retirement-from-football?cc=5739. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ^ "Ronaldo admits in emotional retirement address: 'I lost to my body'". Guardian (London). 14 January 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/14/ronaldo-retires-lost-to-my-body. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ^ "Tearful Ronaldo retires as Brazil legend concedes long battle against fitness". Daily Mail (London). 14 January 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356787/Ronaldo-retire-football-Brazil-legend-concedes-battle-fitness.html. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ^ Rob Bagchi and Rob Smyth (14 March 2012). "WAS RONALDO ORIGINALLY CALLED RONALDINHO?". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/mar/14/the-knowledge-most-games-played.
- ^ "Ronaldo's fit caused hotel panic". CNN/SI. 15 July 1998. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/15/ronaldo_hotel/.
- ^ "Neurologist questions Ronaldo decision". CNN/SI. 14 July 1998. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/world/events/1998/worldcup/news/1998/07/14/ronaldo_convulsions/.
- ^ Longman, Jere (1 July 2002). "Ronaldo's Sweetest Vindication". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/01/sports/soccer-ronaldo-s-sweetest-vindication.html. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ Ronaldo to receive Seleção swansong. FIFA.com (2011-03-02). Retrieved on 2011-12-03.
- ^ Gonzalez, Roger. "Brazil 1–0 Romania: Neymar shines as hosts secure win in Ronaldo's farewell match". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/59878/brazil-vs-romania/report. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
- ^ "Brazil win as Ronaldo bows out". ESPN Soccernet. 8 June 2011. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/926698/brazil-win-as-ronaldo-bows-out?cc=5739. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
- ^ "Ronaldo laughs off misses in his final match for Brazil". Yahoo Sports. http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Ronaldo-laughs-off-misses-in-his-final-match-for?urn=sow-wp2333. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ "Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima – Goals in International Matches". Rsssf.com. 23 July 2006. http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/ronaldo-intlg.html. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
- ^ "Ronaldo Is Goal.com's Player Of The Decade". Goal.com. 31 December 2009. http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/114/mexico/2010/01/01/1719522/ronaldo-is-goalcoms-player-of-the-decade. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
- ^ Mosley, James (2005). Ronaldo : the journey of a genius. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 1-84018-964-9.
- ^ Ronaldo: Manual de Vuelo (Brazil Documentary film) 1997
- ^ "Ronaldo's profile at IMDB". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1046596/. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
- ^ "Susana Werner's profile at IMDB". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0921482/. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
- ^ "Susana Werner, love in Milan (Portuguese)". Lance!. 29 January 2009. http://www.lancenet.com.br/noticias/09-01-29/477266.stm?susana-werner-amor-em-milao. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
- ^ "Fast facts on Ronaldo". CNN Sports Illustrated. 31 August 2002. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2002/08/31/ronaldo_facts_reuters.
- ^ "Ronaldo splits up with fiancee". China Daily. 12 May 2005. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-05/12/content_441435.htm.
- ^ "Ronaldo's in transvestite scandal". BBC. 29 April 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7374317.stm.
- ^ "Police probe Ronaldo-transvestite incident". Reuters. 29 April 2008. http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKN2820144020080429.
- ^ "Two of the transvestite prostitutes say that Ronaldo's allegations are false". Daily Mail (London). 7 May 2008. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-564540/Two-transvestite-prostitutes-admit-Ronaldo-allegations-false.html.
- ^ Andrew Downie & Tom Leonard (29 April 2008). "Ronaldo 'threatened transvestite prostitutes in Rio motel room'". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1908084/Ronaldo-threatened-transvestite-prostitutes-in-Rio-motel-room.html.
- ^ "Ronaldo's family confirms former fiancee's pregnancy". www.chinaview.cn. 14 May 2008. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/14/content_8165085.htm.
- ^ "Ronaldo and Maria Beatriz Antony's new penthouse in São Paulo (Portuguese)". Isto É Gente magazine. 11 May 2009. http://www.terra.com.br/istoegente/edicoes/504/artigo133118-1.htm.
- ^ "Ronaldo’s wife gives birth to another girl". Yahoo! Sports. 6 April 2010. http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-ronaldo-daughter.
- ^ "Ronaldo moves to a R$ 17 million mansion" (in Portuguese). Quem magazine. 17 December 2010. http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI196542-9531,00-RONALDO+SE+MUDA+PARA+MANSAO+DE+R+MILHOES+DIZ+JORNAL.html.
- ^ "In the newsstands: Everything about the first meeting between Ronaldo and Alex" (in Portuguese). Quem Magazine. 8 December 2010. http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI193960-9531,00-NAS+BANCAS+TUDO+SOBRE+O+PRIMEIRO+ENCONTRO+DE+RONALDO+COM+ALEX.html.
- ^ "Ronaldo: "Alex is my son"" (in Portuguese). Quem Magazine. 8 December 2010. http://revistaquem.globo.com/Revista/Quem/0,,EMI193942-9531,00-RONALDO+ALEX+E+MEU+FILHO.html.
- ^ Antara News : After fourth child, Ronaldo performes vasectomy. Beta.antaranews.com (2010-12-27). Retrieved on 2011-12-03.
- ^ "Ronaldo, Fittipaldi Launch A1 Team Brazil". 30 June 2005. http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/story/?id=129254&hubname=.
- ^ Soccerex Roundup – Ronaldo Set to Replace Teixeira as Brazil Soccer Federation President in 2014. Aroundtherings.com (2011-11-29). Retrieved on 2011-12-03.
- ^ "Hamburg to host 2011 Match Against Poverty –". Uefa.com. 2011-12-08. http://www.uefa.com/uefa/socialresponsibility/charity/news/newsid=1698567.html. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ "They've still got it! Legends Ronaldo and Zidane join Drogba and co for charity match". Daily Mail (London). 14 December 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2073838/Ronaldo-Zinedine-Zidane-join-Didier-Drogba-Match-Against-Poverty.html.
- ^ "Blic Sport | Ronalda ne napušta osećaj za gol /video/". Sport.blic.rs. http://sport.blic.rs/Fudbal/Svetski-fudbal/207247/Ronalda-ne-napusta-osecaj-za-gol-video. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ "Match Against Poverty | UNDP". Beta.undp.org. 2012-04-10. http://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home/ourwork/goodwillambassadors/match_against_poverty.html. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
External links[link]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ronaldo |
 |
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Ronaldo |
- Ronaldo at National-Football-Teams.com
- Ronaldo – FIFA competition record
- Top.10 players of Brasileiro 2009 Southamericanfutbol.com (English)
- ESPN Profile
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| Preceded by Danny Jordaan with Irvin Khoza |
FIFA World Cup Chief Organizer 2014 |
Succeeded by TBD |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nazário de Lima, Ronaldo Luís |
| Alternative names | Ronaldo |
| Short description | footballer |
| Date of birth | 1976-9-22 |
| Place of birth | Bento Ribeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Ronaldo
Related pages:
http://cs.wn.com/Ronaldo
http://id.wn.com/Ronaldo
http://es.wn.com/Ronaldo
http://ru.wn.com/Роналдо
http://nl.wn.com/Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima
http://it.wn.com/Ronaldo
http://pl.wn.com/Ronaldo
http://fr.wn.com/Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima
http://de.wn.com/Ronaldo
http://hi.wn.com/रोनाल्डो
http://pt.wn.com/Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronaldo
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is about the Portuguese footballer. For the Brazilian footballer, see Ronaldo. For other people named Ronaldo, see Ronaldo (name).
"CR7" redirects here. For other uses, see CR7 (disambiguation).
This name uses Portuguese naming customs. The first or maternal family name is dos Santos and the second or paternal family name is Aveiro.
 Ronaldo playing for Real Madrid |
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro | ||
| Date of birth | (1985-02-05) 5 February 1985 (age 27) | ||
| Place of birth | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Real Madrid | ||
| Number | 7 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1993–1995 | Andorinha | ||
| 1995–1997 | Nacional | ||
| 1997–2002 | Sporting CP | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2002–2003 | Sporting CP | 25 | (3) |
| 2003–2009 | Manchester United | 196 | (84) |
| 2009– | Real Madrid | 101 | (112) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2001–2002 | Portugal U17 | 9 | (6) |
| 2003 | Portugal U20 | 5 | (1) |
| 2002–2003 | Portugal U21 | 6 | (3) |
| 2004 | Portugal U23 | 3 | (1) |
| 2003– | Portugal | 89 | (32) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:00, 13 May 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro,[2] OIH, (born 5 February 1985),[3] commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team. Ronaldo became the most expensive footballer in history after moving from Manchester United to Real Madrid in a transfer worth £80 million (€93.9 million/$131.6 million). In addition, his contract with Real Madrid, in which he is paid €12 million per year, makes him one of the highest-paid footballers in the world,[4] and his buyout clause is valued at €1 billion as per his contract.[5]
Ronaldo began his career as a youth player for Andorinha, where he played for two years, before moving to C.D. Nacional. In 1997, he made a move to Portuguese giants Sporting Clube de Portugal. Ronaldo's precocious talent caught the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who signed him for £12.24 million (€15 million) in 2003. The following season, Ronaldo won his first club honour, the FA Cup. He also played at Euro 2004 with Portugal and scored his first international goal in the opening game of the tournament against Greece, in addition to helping Portugal reach the final. He was featured in the UEFA Euro All-Star Team of this competition.
Ronaldo was the first player to win all four main PFA and FWA awards, doing so in 2007. He was third in the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award and second in the 2007 Ballon d'Or award. In 2008, Ronaldo won the Champions League with United, was named best forward and player of the tournament and was the competition's top goalscorer as well as winning the European Golden Shoe, becoming the first winger to do so, and topping the Premier League Golden Boot award. He won three of the four main PFA and FWA trophies, only missing the PFA Young Player of the Year, and was named the FIFPro, World Soccer, Onze d'Or,[6][7][8] and the FIFA World Player of the Year, in addition to becoming Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or winner in 40 years.[9] Ronaldo holds the distinction of being the first player to win the FIFA Puskás Award, in 2009, an honour handed by FIFA to the best goal of the year. He scored that goal from 40 yards out against Porto in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final match, while playing for Manchester United.[10] Three-time Ballon d'Or winner Johan Cruyff said in an interview on 2 April 2008, "Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law, who were two brilliant and great players in the history of United."[11] He was second in the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year award and also second in the 2009 Ballon d'Or award.
After moving to Real Madrid in 2009, in his second season, Ronaldo became the highest goalscorer in a season in the history of Real Madrid with 53 goals, surpassing the club's previous high of 49 by Ferenc Puskás. During this season Ronaldo broke the record of most goals ever scored in a season in La Liga with 40, surpassing Telmo Zarra's and Hugo Sánchez's mark (38 goals) established in 1951 and 1990, respectively. Ronaldo also broke Zarra's record of most goals per minute, with a goal scored every 70.7 minutes. The newspaper Marca, the official deliverer of the Pichichi Trophy (the top La Liga goalscorer award), claimed that Ronaldo scored 41 goals (Marca assigned one more goal to Ronaldo than La Liga, which attributed it to Pepe). By doing so, he won the European Golden Shoe award once again, becoming the first player to win the trophy in two different championships. He was third in the 2010–11 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award and second in the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or. On 24 March 2012, with the first of two goals scored in the match against Real Sociedad, Ronaldo became the fastest La Liga player to score 100 goals in the league.[12] Ronaldo officially broke his previous record of 40 goals in a La Liga season in the 2011–12 season; by doing so, he became first player to reach 40 goals in a single season in two consecutive years in any of the top European leagues. On 13 May 2012, the last matchday, Ronaldo scored against Mallorca which made him the first player ever to score against every team in a single season in La Liga.[13] He finished the season with 60 goals in every competition, breaking the Real Madrid record he had set the previous season.
Ronaldo has been described as a skillful winger who will take on any defender with his dribbling and pace; he hits his free kicks with power and pace, and is able to beat defenders off the dribble and cross the ball. He is able to score with his head and feet.[14]
Contents |
Early life[link]
Ronaldo was born in Santo António, a neighbourhood of Funchal, Madeira, the youngest child of Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, a cook, and José Dinis Aveiro, a municipal gardener.[15] His second given name "Ronaldo" was chosen after then-U.S. president Ronald Reagan, who was his father's favourite actor. He has one older brother, Hugo, and two older sisters, Elma and Liliana Cátia.[3] His great-grandmother Isabel da Piedade was from Cape Verde.[16]
Club career[link]
Early career[link]
At the age of eight, Ronaldo played for amateur team Andorinha, where his father was the kit man. In 1995, Ronaldo signed with local club Nacional, and, after a title-winning campaign, he went on a three-day trial with Sporting CP, who subsequently signed him for an undisclosed sum.[17]
Sporting Clube de Portugal[link]
Ronaldo joined Sporting's other youth players who trained at the Academia Sporting, the club's football academy, in Alcochete. He became the only player ever to play for Sporting's under-16, under-17, under-18, B-team, and the first team, all within one season.[18] He scored two goals in his league debut on 7 October 2002, which Sporting CP won 3–0 against Moreirense, while featuring for Portugal in the 2002 European Under-17 Championship.[19]
At the age of 15 Ronaldo was diagnosed with a racing heart, a condition that might have forced him to give up playing football. The Sporting staff were made aware of the condition and Ronaldo's mother gave her authorisation for him to go into hospital. While there, he had an operation in which a laser was used to cauterise the area of his heart that was causing the problem. The surgery took place in the morning and Ronaldo was discharged from hospital by the end of the afternoon; he resumed training only a few days later.[20]
In November 2002, Ronaldo was invited to Arsenal's training ground, London Colney to meet manager Arsène Wenger and his coaching staff.[21] Wenger, who was interested in signing the midfielder had arranged to meet Ronaldo's representatives, Formation (who suggested the player originally to Gérard Houllier, then Liverpool's manager) in the subsequent months to discuss a transfer arrangement.[22] However he came to the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2003, when Sporting defeated United 3–1 in the inauguration of the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. Ronaldo's performance impressed the Manchester United players, who urged Ferguson to sign him.[23]
Manchester United[link]
2003–2006[link]
Ronaldo became Manchester United's first-ever Portuguese player when he signed for €15 million[24] (£12.24 million) after the 2002–03 season.[25] He requested the number 28 (his number at Sporting), as he did not want the pressure of living up to the expectation linked to the number 7 shirt, which had previously been worn by players such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, and David Beckham. "After I joined, the manager asked me what number I'd like. I said 28. But Ferguson said 'No, you're going to have No. 7,' and the famous shirt was an extra source of motivation. I was forced to live up to such an honour."[26]
Ronaldo made his team debut as a 60th-minute substitute in a 4–0 home victory over Bolton Wanderers. He scored his first goal for Manchester United with a free kick in a 3–0 win over Portsmouth on 1 November 2003. Ronaldo ended his first season in English football by scoring the opening goal in United's 3–0 FA Cup final victory over Millwall.[27]
He scored United's 1000th Premier League goal on 29 October 2005 in a 4–1 loss to Middlesbrough.[28] He scored ten goals in all competitions, and fans voted him to his first FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year award in 2005.
He was sent off in the Manchester derby at the City of Manchester Stadium on 14 January 2006 (a game which United lost 3–1) for kicking City's former United player Andrew Cole.[29]
Ronaldo won his second trophy in English football in the 2005–06 season, scoring the third goal in Manchester United's 4–0 Football League Cup final victory over Wigan Athletic.[30]
2006–2009[link]
The 2006–2007 season proved to be the breakout year for Ronaldo, as he broke the 20 goal barrier for the first time and picked up his first league title with Manchester United.
In November and December 2006, Ronaldo received consecutive Barclays Player of the Month honours, becoming only the third player in Premier League history to do so after Dennis Bergkamp in 1997 and Robbie Fowler in 1996.[31][32] He scored his 50th Manchester United goal against city rivals Manchester City on 5 May 2007 as United claimed their first Premier League title in four years, and he was voted into his second consecutive FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year award at the end of the year.
Despite rumours circulating in March 2007 that Real Madrid were willing to pay an unprecedented €80 million (£54 million) for Ronaldo,[33] he signed a five-year, £120,000-a-week (£31 million total) extension with United on 13 April, making him the highest-paid player in team history.[34][35]
Ronaldo amassed a host of personal awards for the season. He won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards, joining Andy Gray (in 1977) as the only players to receive this honour.[36] In April, he completed the treble by winning the PFA Fans' Player of the Year. Ronaldo was also one of eight Manchester United players named in the 2006–07 PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
Ronaldo's 2007–08 season began with a red card for a headbutt on Portsmouth player Richard Hughes during United's second match of the season, for which he was punished with a three-match ban.[37] Ronaldo said he had "learned a lot" from the experience and would not let players "provoke" him in the future.[38] After scoring the only goal in a Champions League away match against Sporting, Ronaldo also scored the injury-time winner in the return fixture as Manchester United topped their Champions League group.[39]
He finished as the runner-up to Kaká for the 2007 Ballon d'Or,[40] and was third in the running for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, behind Kaká and Lionel Messi.[41]
Ronaldo scored his first hat trick for Manchester United in a 6–0 win against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on 12 January 2008, bringing Manchester United up to the top of the Premier League table.[42] He scored his twenty-third league goal of the season in a 2–0 win against Reading, equalling his entire total for the 2006–07 season.[43] During a 1–1 Champions League first knockout round draw against Lyon on 20 February, an unidentified Lyon supporter continuously aimed a green laser at Ronaldo and United teammate Nani, prompting an investigation by UEFA.[44] One month later, Lyon were fined CHF5,000 (£2,427) for the incident.[45]
On 19 March 2008, Ronaldo captained United for the first time in his career in a home win over Bolton, scoring both goals in the 2–0 victory.[46] The second of the goals was his 33rd of the campaign, which set a new club single-season scoring record by a midfielder and thus topped George Best's forty-year-old total of 32 goals in the 1967–68 season.[47] Ronaldo scored another brace in a 4–0 win over Aston Villa on 29 March, which at the time gave him 35 goals in 37 domestic and European matches as both a starter and substitute. Ronaldo's scoring streak was rewarded with his becoming the first winger to win the 2007–08 European Golden Shoe, finishing eight points ahead of Mallorca's Dani Güiza.[48]
In the 2007–08 Champions League final on 21 May against league rivals Chelsea, Ronaldo scored the opening goal after 26 minutes, which was negated by a Chelsea equaliser in the 45th minute as the match ended 1–1 after extra time. His misfire in the penalty shoot-out put Chelsea in position to win the trophy, but John Terry shot wide right after slipping on the pitch surface, and Manchester United emerged victorious 6–5 on penalties. Ronaldo was named the UEFA Fans' Man of the Match,[49] and wrapped up the campaign with a career-high 42 goals in all competitions, falling four short of Denis Law's team-record mark of 46 in the 1963–64 season.
On 5 June 2008, Sky Sports reported that Ronaldo had expressed an interest in moving to Real Madrid if they offered him the same amount of money the team had allegedly promised him earlier in the year.[50] Manchester United filed a tampering complaint with FIFA on 9 June over Madrid's alleged pursuit of Ronaldo, but FIFA declined to take any action.[51][52] Speculation that a transfer would happen continued until 6 August, when Ronaldo confirmed that he would stay at United for at least another year.[53]
Ronaldo underwent ankle surgery at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam on 7 July.[54] He returned to action on 17 September in United's UEFA Champions League goalless group-stage draw with Villarreal as a substitute for Park Ji-Sung,[55] and scored his first overall goal of the season in a 3–1 League Cup third round win over Middlesbrough on 24 September.
In a 5–0 win over Stoke City on 15 November 2008, Ronaldo scored his 100th and 101st goals in all competitions for Manchester United, both from free kicks.[56] The goals also meant that Ronaldo had now scored against each of the other 19 teams in the Premier League at the time.[57] On 2 December, Ronaldo became Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or recipient since George Best in 1968. He finished with 446 points, 165 ahead of runner-up Lionel Messi.[58] He was awarded the Silver Ball after finishing with two goals as United won the Club World Cup on 19 December.[59]
On 8 January 2009, Ronaldo was uninjured in a single-car accident in which he wrote off his Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano in a tunnel along the A538 near Manchester Airport. A breathalyser test he gave to police officers at the scene was negative, and he attended training later that morning.[60] Four days later, he became the first Premier League player ever to be named the FIFA World Player of the Year, in addition to being the first Portuguese player to win the award since Luís Figo in 2001.[61]
Ronaldo scored his first Champions League goal of the season, and first since the final against Chelsea, in a 2–0 victory over Internazionale that sent United into the quarter-finals.[62] In the second leg against Porto, Ronaldo scored a 40-yard game-winning goal as United advanced to the semi-finals. He later called it the best goal he had ever scored.[63][64] Ronaldo participated in his second consecutive Champions League final, but made little impact in United's 2–0 loss to Barcelona. He finished with 53 appearances in all competitions, which was four higher than the previous year, but scored sixteen fewer goals (26) than his career-best total of 42 from the previous season.
On 11 June, Manchester United accepted an unconditional offer of £80 million from Real Madrid for Ronaldo after it was revealed that he again had expressed his desire to leave the club.[65] It was confirmed by a representative of the Glazer family that the sale was fully condoned by Ferguson.[66] When Ronaldo had eventually completed his transfer to Real, he expressed his gratitude towards Ferguson for helping him develop as a player, saying, "He's been my father in sport, one of the most important factors and most influential in my career."[67]
Real Madrid[link]
2009–10 season[link]
On 26 June 2009, Real Madrid confirmed that Ronaldo would join the club on 1 July 2009 from Manchester United for £80 million (€93.9 million/$131.6 million),[68] after agreeing terms and signing a six-year contract.[69] Ronaldo's contract is worth €11 million per year[4] and it has a €1 billion buy-out clause.[70] He was presented to the world media as a Real Madrid player on 6 July,[71] where he was handed the number 9 jersey.[72] The shirt was presented to him by Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stéfano.[73] Ronaldo was welcomed by 80,000 fans at his presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, surpassing Diego Maradona's record of 75,000 fans when he was presented in Italy, after he was transferred from Barcelona to Napoli in 1984.[74]
Ronaldo made his Madrid debut on 21 July in a 1–0 win over Shamrock Rovers. His first goal came one week later with a penalty in Madrid's 4–2 win over LDU Quito.[75] On 29 August, Ronaldo capped his La Liga debut with a goal, scoring Real's second from the penalty spot in a 3–2 home win against Deportivo La Coruña.[76] On 15 September, Ronaldo scored two free-kicks in a 5–2 away victory over Zürich, his first Champions League goals for Real.[77] He broke a Madrid club record when he scored in a league match against Villarreal and thus became the first ever player to score in his first four La Liga appearances.[78]
An ankle injury suffered on 10 October, while Ronaldo was on international duty with Portugal against Hungary,[79] kept him out until 25 November, which in turn caused him to miss both of Madrid's Champions League group stage matches against Milan. Ronaldo made his first post-injury start in a 1–0 El Clásico defeat to Barcelona on 29 November. On 6 December, he was sent off for the first time in his Madrid career in Madrid's 4–2 victory against Almería, a match which also saw him miss a penalty. He was carded first for removing his shirt during a goal celebration, then for kicking out at an opponent three minutes later.[80] On 5 May 2010 Ronaldo scored his first Real Madrid hat-trick in an away game against Mallorca. Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuaín scored 53 league goals during the course of the season and became Real's highest scoring league duo in their history.[81]
2010–11 season[link]
With the departure of Raúl during the summer of 2010, Ronaldo was handed the No. 7 jersey for Real Madrid.[82] On 23 October 2010, Ronaldo scored four goals against Racing de Santander,[83] the most goals he has ever scored in a single match.[84] This completed a goalscoring run of six consecutive matches (three in La Liga, one in the Champions League, and two for Portugal) in which Ronaldo scored in each match, totalling 11 goals, which is the most Ronaldo has scored in a single month. Before Real Madrid's 5–0 defeat by Barcelona at the Camp Nou, Ronaldo scored his second La Liga hat-trick of the season in a 5–1 win over Athletic Bilbao.[85] His final match of the calendar year saw him score a hat-trick in a 8–0 trashing of Levante in the Copa del Rey.[86]
Ronaldo began the 2011 with a very promising outlook, especially after Real Madrid acknowledged he had broken numerous goalscoring records, previously settled and held by classic players such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Hugo Sánchez, and Manuel Alday.[87][88] Ronaldo began his scoring spree by scoring two vital goals in a tight 3–2 victory away to Getafe.[89] He then consolidated his massive performances by scoring a hat-trick and assisting Kaká to score his first league goal after his return from injury, in a 4–2 victory over Villarreal on 9 January. One game away from the middle of the season, Ronaldo had a very clear chance of breaking Telmo Zarra's and Hugo Sánchez's record of 38 League goals in a single season, since he was the league's top scorer with 22 goals, above Lionel Messi.[90][91] However, shortly after, Ronaldo experienced the biggest goal drought in his entire career, scoring only 2 goals in more than a month. During this period, Real Madrid acknowledged to have hit the crossbar more than 12 times in the season, most of the shots belonging to Ronaldo and almost all having happened during crucial moments in drawn matches.[92] Ronaldo then made a massive comeback by scoring a hat-trick in a 7–0 trashing of Málaga on 3 March 2011, but was affected by a muscle injury at the end of the match, which forced him to spend 10 days on the sidelines.
In April he made another massive comeback from injury, sustaining a three-game scoring streak (including 2 goals in Champions League quarter-finals against Tottenham Hotspur), thus arriving to the first of a historical series of four El Clásico encounters two goals short of breaking his personal record of 42 goals in all competitions in a single season, achieved at Manchester United in the 2007–08 season.
During the second league edition of El Clásico, Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot and took his tally to 41 goals, also taking his scoring streak to four games. On 20 April, Ronaldo scored the winning goal against Barcelona in the 103rd minute of the Copa del Rey final.[93] This goal would later be chosen as both Ronaldo's and Real Madrid's best goal in the season by several fan polls, including those of Marca[94] and Real Madrid's website.[95] 7 May saw Real travel to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán to take on Sevilla, where Ronaldo led the thrashing of a woeful Andalusian side, scoring four goals in a 6–2 victory. These four goals took him to 46 for the season which surpassed his previous record of 42 in a season playing for Manchester United.[96] Three days later he reached 49 goals for the season, by scoring another hat-trick in a 4–0 home win against Getafe. On 15 May, after scoring two free-kick goals in a 3–1 win over Villarreal, he equalled the La Liga record with most goals in a season with 38, a record previously held by Telmo Zarra and Hugo Sánchez.
On 21 May, he scored two goals in the last league match of the season against Almería, taking his Pichichi total to 41, and La Liga total to 40, becoming the first and only player to score 40 goals in a La Liga season. By doing this, he won the European Golden Shoe award once again, becoming the first player to win the trophy in two different leagues. The sports newspaper Marca, who awards the Pichichi Trophy, included the goal scored on 18 September 2010 against Real Sociedad in Ronaldo's goal count, which had been officially attributed to Pepe.[97] Should this goal be granted to Ronaldo, his goal count in the Pichichi Trophy would tally 41 goals. However, regardless of this goal polemic, Ronaldo's record-breaking figures became a source of major attention from public media, such as being included in the Sports Illustrated World XI,[98] rating him as one of the world's best footballers. Accounting for all competitions, Ronaldo ended the season with a total of 53 goals (not granting him the controversial goal from Pepe), having scored 25 goals with his right foot (excluding free-kicks and penalty-kicks) and 9 with his left foot.[99]
2011–12 season[link]
Real Madrid's pre-season began with a 4–1 victory over MLS team Los Angeles Galaxy,[100] with goals from Callejón, Joselu, Ronaldo, and Benzema.[101] Four days later Ronaldo scored a second half hat-trick in a 3–0 win against Guadalajara. Ronaldo's preseason performance was highly praised as world media kept hailing Ronaldo's extreme competitiveness and motivation, even during friendly matches. On 17 August 2011, Ronaldo scored his 100th goal with Real Madrid with a first-half equalizer against Barcelona in the second leg of the 2011 Spanish Supercup in the Camp Nou. On August 27, 2011, he opened the 2011–12 La Liga season with a hat-trick in a 6–0 win at Real Zaragoza.
In the first weeks of September, Ronaldo's physical performance was subject to scrutiny by world media, after Castrol released a television film named Ronaldo: Tested to the Limit where he was put to test in several fields, including mental and physical. Conclusions from the movie and doctors in the weeks following claimed that Ronaldo was one of the best athletes in the world, excelling in football and outstanding in almost every other category.[citation needed] Several sources[weasel words] drew comparisons between him and other top athletes, including sprinter Usain Bolt.[citation needed] On 24 September, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick (including two penalties) in Real Madrid's 6–2 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu. This was his ninth La Liga hat-trick and tenth hat-trick for Real Madrid. On September 27, Ronaldo scored Real's opening goal in a 3–0 defeat of Ajax in the Champions League. On 22 October, after not scoring in his previous three games, Ronaldo scored his tenth La Liga hat-trick and eleventh in total for Real Madrid in a match away to Málaga, which Real Madrid won 4–0. His twelfth Real Madrid hat-trick followed on 6 November, in a 7–1 victory over Osasuna that ensured Madrid stayed top of the table heading into the international break.[102] On 19 November 2011, Ronaldo scored Real's second goal in a 2–3 defeat of Valencia. On 26 November 2011, Ronaldo scored two penalties in a 4–1 defeat of Atlético Madrid in the El Derbi madrileño. On 3 December 2011, Ronaldo scored Madrid's second goal in a 0–3 defeat of Sporting de Gijón in La Liga. He was one of the three finalists for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or. On 13 December 2011, Ronaldo scored the second goal against SD Ponferradina in the first leg of the Copa del Rey Round 4, the match ended in a 0–2 win. On 17 December 2011, Ronaldo scored his twelfth La Liga hat-trick and thirteenth overall in a 6–2 win away to Sevilla. Ronaldo was third in the 2010–11 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, behind Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernández, and second in the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or, behind Lionel Messi and ahead of Xavi Hernández. In Real Madrid's next game in La Liga at home to Granada Ronaldo scored the fifth goal in a 5–1 win. He was notably criticized in the public media[who?] for not celebrating the goal. On 22 January 2012, Ronaldo scored two penalties in a 4–1 win over Athletic Bilbao, and on 28 January scored Real Madrid's second and winning goal in a 3–1 win against Zaragoza. Ronaldo also scored two goals against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey Quarter-finals, which Real lost 4–3 on aggregrate. On 12 February 2012, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick, his thirteenth in La Liga and fourteenth for Real Madrid, in a 4–2 home win over Levante. This win stretched Real Madrid's lead over second-placed Barcelona to 10 points. On 24 March 2012, Ronaldo reached more than 100 goals in La Liga in just three season at Real Madrid. As of March 24, 2012, Ronaldo had averaged 1.01 goals per game in La Liga.
On 11 April, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Atletico Madrid in a 1–4 win, as well as assisting the last goal. His hat-trick, one goal from a free kick, one from 30 yards on the left wing and one penalty, gave him 40 league goals in the season, making him the only player in La Liga history to score 40 goals in two seasons, even doing so in consecutive seasons. Ronaldo officially broke his previous record of 40 goals in a La Liga season on 14 April, scoring in a 3–1 win against Sporting Gijón.
International career[link]
Ronaldo earned his first cap for Portugal in a 1–0 victory against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003.[103]
Euro 2004[link]
Ronaldo was called up for Euro 2004,[104] scoring in a 2–1 group stage loss to eventual champions Greece[105] and in a 2–1 semi-final win over the Netherlands.[106] He was named in the team of the tournament despite finishing with only two goals.[107] He also represented Portugal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.[108][109]
2006 World Cup[link]
Ronaldo was the second-highest scorer in FIFA World Cup qualification in the European zone with seven goals,[107] and scored his first World Cup goal against Iran with a penalty kick.[110]
During a quarter-final match against England on 1 July 2006, Ronaldo's United teammate Wayne Rooney was sent off for stamping on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho. The English media speculated that Ronaldo had influenced referee Horacio Elizondo's decision by aggressively complaining, after which he was seen in replays winking at the Portuguese bench following Rooney's dismissal. After the match, Ronaldo insisted that Rooney was a friend and that he was not pushing for Rooney to be sent off.[111] On 4 July, Elizondo clarified that the red card was due to Rooney's infraction and not the fracas between Rooney and Ronaldo that followed.[112]
The angry reaction from the English press caused Ronaldo to consider leaving United,[113] and he allegedly told Spanish sports daily Marca that he wished to move to Real Madrid.[114] In response to the speculation, Ferguson sent Portuguese assistant manager Carlos Queiroz to speak to Ronaldo in attempt to change his mind, a sentiment that was shared by Rooney.[115][116] Ronaldo stayed, and signed his new five-year extension in April 2007.[117]
Ronaldo was booed during Portugal's semi-final defeat to France,[118] and missed out on the competition's Best Young Player award due to a negative e-mail campaign from England fans.[119] Though the online vote only affected the nomination process, FIFA's Technical Study Group awarded the honour to Germany's Lukas Podolski, citing Ronaldo's behaviour as a factor in the decision.[120]
Post-World Cup[link]
One day after his 22nd birthday, Ronaldo captained Portugal for the first time in a friendly against Brazil on 6 February 2007.[121] This move was in honour of Portuguese Football Federation president Carlos Silva, who had died two days earlier. Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari explained, "Mr. Silva asked me to make [Ronaldo] captain as a gesture... [he] is too young to be captain, but Mr. Silva asked me, and now he is no longer with us."[122]
Euro 2008[link]
Ronaldo scored eight goals in Portugal's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign,[123] behind Poland's Ebi Smolarek, but finished with only one goal in the tournament as Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Germany.[124] When Carlos Queiroz was named Portugal's new coach in July 2008,[125] he appointed Ronaldo as team captain.[126]
2010 World Cup[link]
On 15 June 2010, in Portugal's opening World Cup match against Côte d'Ivoire, Ronaldo was tackled by right-back Guy Demel, which led to an argument and both being booked. The next day, Portugal contacted FIFA to suggest that Ronaldo's yellow card be rescinded since he was "pulled into" the confrontation after having already moved away from the spot where he was tackled, but the appeal was rejected.[127]
Ronaldo failed to make an impact in the World Cup; after going scoreless in the qualifiers, his only goal came in Portugal's 7–0 group stage thrashing of North Korea on 21 June,[128] which marked his first international goal in 16 months.[129] Portugal were ultimately eliminated by Spain in the Round of 16.
International goals[link]
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 June 2004 | Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal |  Greece |
1–2 | 1–2 | Euro 2004 |
| 2 | 30 June 2004 | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal |  Netherlands |
2–0 | 2–1 | Euro 2004 |
| 3 | 4 September 2004 | Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia |  Latvia |
0–1 | 0–2 | 2006 World Cup Qualification |
| 4 | 8 September 2004 | Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal |  Estonia |
1–0 | 4–0 | 2006 World Cup Qualification |
| 5 | 13 October 2004 | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal |  Russia |
2–0 | 7–1 | 2006 World Cup Qualification |
| 6 | 13 October 2004 | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal | Russia |
4–0 | 7–1 | 2006 World Cup Qualification |
| 7 | 17 November 2004 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxemburg City, Luxembourg |  Luxembourg |
0–2 | 0–5 | 2006 World Cup Qualification |
| 8 | 4 June 2005 | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal |  Slovakia |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2006 World Cup Qualification |
| 9 | 8 June 2005 | A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia | Estonia |
0–1 | 0–1 | 2006 World Cup Qualification |
| 10 | 1 March 2006 | LTU Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany |  Saudi Arabia |
0–1 | 0–3 | Friendly |
| 11 | 1 March 2006 | LTU Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany | Saudi Arabia |
0–3 | 0–3 | Friendly |
| 12 | 17 June 2006 | Waldstadion, Frankfurt, Germany |  Iran |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2006 World Cup |
| 13 | 7 October 2006 | Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal |  Azerbaijan |
1–0 | 3–0 | Euro 2008 Qualification |
| 14 | 7 October 2006 | Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal | Azerbaijan |
3–0 | 3–0 | Euro 2008 Qualification |
| 15 | 15 November 2006 | Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal |  Kazakhstan |
2–0 | 3–0 | Euro 2008 Qualification |
| 16 | 24 March 2007 | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal |  Belgium |
2–0 | 4–0 | Euro 2008 Qualification |
| 17 | 24 March 2007 | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal | Belgium |
4–0 | 4–0 | Euro 2008 Qualification |
| 18 | 22 August 2007 | Hanrapetakan Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia |  Armenia |
1–1 | 1–1 | Euro 2008 Qualification |
| 19 | 8 September 2007 | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal |  Poland |
2–1 | 2–2 | Euro 2008 Qualification |
| 20 | 17 October 2007 | Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan |
0–2 | 1–2 | Euro 2008 Qualification |
| 21 | 11 June 2008 | Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland |  Czech Republic |
1–2 | 1–3 | Euro 2008 |
| 22 | 11 February 2009 | Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal |  Finland |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
| 23 | 21 June 2010 | Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa |  North Korea |
6–0 | 7–0 | 2010 World Cup |
| 24 | 8 October 2010 | Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal |  Denmark |
3–1 | 3–1 | Euro 2012 Qualification |
| 25 | 12 October 2010 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland |  Iceland |
0–1 | 1–3 | Euro 2012 Qualification |
| 26 | 9 February 2011 | Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland |  Argentina |
1–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 27 | 10 August 2011 | Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal | Luxembourg |
2–0 | 5–0 | Friendly |
| 28 | 2 September 2011 | GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus |  Cyprus |
0–1 | 0–4 | Euro 2012 Qualification |
| 29 | 2 September 2011 | GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus | Cyprus |
0–2 | 0–4 | Euro 2012 Qualification |
| 30 | 11 October 2011 | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark | Denmark |
2–1 | 2–1 | Euro 2012 Qualification |
| 31 | 15 November 2011 | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal |  Bosnia and Herzegovina |
1–0 | 6–2 | Euro 2012 Qualification |
| 32 | 15 November 2011 | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
3–1 | 6–2 | Euro 2012 Qualification |
Personal life[link]
File:Cristiano Ronaldo 1002665.jpg
Ronaldo during his spell at Real Madrid.
Ronaldo's father, José Dinis Aveiro, died of an alcoholism-related liver condition in September 2005[130] at age 52 when Ronaldo was 20. Ronaldo's mother and Manchester United coach have stated that he does not drink alcohol as a result and he has received libel damages over a Daily Mirror article that reported him drinking heavily in a nightclub while recovering from an injury in July 2008.[131]
Ronaldo's autobiography, titled Moments, was published in December 2007.[132] Along with one of his sisters, Ronaldo opened a fashion boutique under the name "CR7" (his initials and shirt number).[133] There are currently two CR7 shop locations, both of which are in Portugal; one in Lisbon and the other in Madeira.
On 9 June 2010, Madame Tussauds London unveiled Ronaldo's waxwork as part of the build-up to the World Cup. Ronaldo joined fellow footballers Steven Gerrard, Pelé and David Beckham at the event's venue.[134]
Ronaldo announced that he had become a father on 3 July 2010. His official Facebook and Twitter pages reference the birth of his son and request privacy.[135] The child, named Cristiano[136] is in full custody of Ronaldo.[135]
In August 2010, Ronaldo reached 10 million fans on Facebook and in doing so made history by becoming the first non-American personality ever to achieve that kind of success on the social networking site.[137]
Ronaldo has previously dated English models Alice Goodwin[138] and Gemma Atkinson, and since the start of 2010, he has been dating Russian model Irina Shayk.[139]
On December 5, 2011, Cristiano launched an iPhone game called Heads Up with Cristiano. The game is created by developer RockLive.[140].
In 17 May 2012, Ronaldo and Castrol EDGE launched a live-streamed football challenge against fans through Facebook. #RonaldoLIVE would be the world's first interactive football challenge streamed live through Facebook from a state-of-the-art testing facility in Madrid.[141]
Philanthropy[link]
Television footage of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami showed an eight-year-old boy wearing a No. 7 Portuguese football jersey who was stranded for 19 days after his family was killed. Following this, Ronaldo visited Aceh, Indonesia, to raise funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction.[142][143]
In support of the victims of the 2010 Madeira flood, Ronaldo played in a charity match in Madeira between the Primeira Liga club FC Porto and players from Madeiran based clubs Marítimo and Nacional.[144]
Career statistics[link]
Club[link]
Statistics accurate as of 13 May 2012.
| Club | Season | League1 | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other2 | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sporting CP | 2002–03 | 25 | 3 | 3 | 2 | – | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 5 | |
| Total | 25 | 3 | 3 | 2 | – | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 5 | ||
| Manchester United | 2003–04 | 29 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 6 |
| 2004–05 | 33 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 9 | |
| 2005–06 | 33 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 1 | – | 47 | 12 | ||
| 2006–07 | 34 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 3 | – | 53 | 23 | ||
| 2007–08 | 34 | 31 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 42 | |
| 2008–09 | 33 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 53 | 26 | |
| Total | 196 | 84 | 26 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 55 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 292 | 118 | |
| Real Madrid | 2009–10 | 29 | 26 | 0 | 0 | – | 6 | 7 | – | 35 | 33 | ||
| 2010–11 | 34 | 40 | 8 | 7 | – | 12 | 6 | – | 54 | 53 | |||
| 2011–12 | 38 | 46 | 5 | 3 | – | 10 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 55 | 60 | ||
| Total | 101 | 112 | 13 | 10 | – | 28 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 144 | 146 | ||
| Career total | 322 | 199 | 42 | 25 | 12 | 4 | 86 | 39 | 5 | 2 | 467 | 269 | |
12010–11 season notice: Does not include one goal scored on 18 September 2010 against Real Sociedad. Marca, which awards the Pichichi Trophy, attribute it to Ronaldo while La Liga and UEFA attribute it to Pepe.[97]
2Includes other competitive competitions, including the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Supercopa de España.
International[link]
- As of 26 May 2012.[145]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 2003 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004 | 16 | 7 | |
| 2005 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 14 | 6 | |
| 2007 | 10 | 5 | |
| 2008 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 11 | 3 | |
| 2011 | 9 | 7 | |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 89 | 32 | |
Career totals[link]
,_Lionel_Messi_(R)_%E2%80%93_Portugal_vs._Argentina,_9th_February_2011_(1).jpg)
| Professional career totals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | Appearances | Goals | Goals per game |
| Clubs | 467 | 269 | 0.58 |
| National team | 089 | 032 | 0.36 |
| Olympic final | 003 | 001 | 0.33 |
| Total | 559 | 302 | 0.54 |
Statistics accurate as of match played 26 May 2012.
Honours[link]
- Manchester United
- Premier League (3): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
- FA Cup (1): 2003–04
- Football League Cup (2): 2005–06, 2008–09
- FA Community Shield (1): 2007
- UEFA Champions League (1): 2007–08
- FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008
- Real Madrid
- La Liga (1): 2011–12
- Copa del Rey (1): 2010–11
Individual[link]
- UEFA Euro All-Star Team (1): 2004
- Bravo Award (1): 2004
- FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year (2): 2004, 2005
- Portuguese Footballer of the Year (6): 2006–07,2007–08,2008–09,2009–10,2010–11,2011–12
- UEFA Team of the Year (6): 2003–04, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
- Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year (3): 2003–04, 2006–07, 2007–08
- FIFA FIFPro World XI (5): 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- PFA Young Player of the Year (1): 2006–07
- PFA Players' Player of the Year (2): 2006–07, 2007–08
- PFA Fans' Player of the Year (2): 2006–07, 2007–08
- PFA Premier League Team of the Year (4): 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
- FWA Footballer of the Year (2): 2006–07, 2007–08
- Barclays Player of the Year (2): 2006–07, 2007–08
- Premier League Player of the Month (4): November 2006, December 2006, January 2008, March 2008
- Premier League Golden Boot (1): 2007–08
- Barclays Merit Award (1): 2007–08
- UEFA Champions League Topscorer (1): 2007–08
- European Golden Shoe (2): 2007–08, 2010–11
- UEFA Club Forward of the Year (1): 2007–08
- UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1): 2007–08
- FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball (1): 2008
- Ballon d'Or (1): 2008
- FIFA World Player of the Year (1): 2008
- FIFPro World Player of the Year (1): 2008
- Onze d'Or (1): 2008
- World Soccer Player of the Year (1): 2008
- FIFA Puskás Award (1): 2009
- La Liga top scorer (1): 2010–11
Orders[link]
- Officer of the Order of Infante Dom Henrique
- Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Bragança)[146]
References[link]
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- ^ "Ronaldo signs new deal at Man Utd". BBC Sport. 13 April 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/6551679.stm. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- ^ Chick, Alex (6 July 2006). "Scolari's fortunes take a dive". ESPN. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=373430&cc=5739. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- ^ "Supporters 'hijack' Ronaldo vote". BBC. 6 July 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5153870.stm. Retrieved 10 July 2006.
- ^ "Podolski beats Ronaldo to award". BBC Sport. 7 July 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5157434.stm. Retrieved 10 July 2006.
- ^ "Ronaldo: I could leave United". Metro.co.uk. http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/article.html?in_article_id=36364&in_page_id=43. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- ^ "Scolari delighted with Portugal victory over Brazil". Rediff. 7 February 2007. http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/feb/07scol.htm. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
- ^ "Top scorers for Euro 2008 European Qualifying campaign". soccernet.com. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/topscorers?league=uefa.euroq&cc=4716.
- ^ Winter, Henry (20 June 2008). "Euro 2008: German power leaves Portugal in despair". The Daily Telegraph (UK). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/2303651/Euro-2008-German-power-leaves-Portugal-in-despair.html. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- ^ "Queiroz appointed Portugal coach". Fifa.com. 11 July 2008. http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=824568.html. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- ^ Angela, Asante (15 October 2008). "Queiroz’s belief in Ronaldo as captain of Portugal". http://www.cristianoronaldofan.net/queiroz%E2%80%99s-belief-in-ronaldo-as-captain-of-portugal.
- ^ "FIFA rejects Ronaldo's yellow card appeal". Reuters. 19 June 2010. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65I13V20100619. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ "World Cup Match Results: Portugal vs North Korea – FIFA World Cup 2010". ESPN. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264070&cc=4716&ver=global. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- ^ Clegg, Jonathan (21 June 2010). "Portugal Beats North Korea in 7–0 Rout". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704895204575320582816388848.html?mod=googlewsj. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
- ^ "MANCHESTER UNITED BLOG: Death of his father helped Ronaldo shine". Dentough-manchesterunited.blogspot.com. 8 June 2007. http://dentough-manchesterunited.blogspot.com/2007/06/death-of-his-father-helped-ronaldo.html. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- ^ "Ronaldo receives libel damages over drink story". USA Today. 9 November 2009. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2009-11-09-873451543_x.htm. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
- ^ "Moments". Chapters. 27 March 2009. http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Moments-Cristiano-Ronaldo/9780230706699-item.html?pticket=2ri2tlravqzkwvqiidffbzeyKdCA56aJMrGpjmHIq%2b35HorovoI%3d.
- ^ Pink, Stuart (27 March 2009). "Winker's dodgy clobber on sale". London: The Sun. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article1778161.ece.
- ^ "Madame Tussauds London unveils Cristiano Ronaldo's waxwork". inside World Soccer. 10 June 2010. http://www.insideworldsoccer.com/2010/06/cristiano-ronaldo-joins-madame-tussauds.html. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Baby 'joy' for Cristiano Ronaldo". BBC Online. 4 July 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8786871.stm. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Cristiano Ronaldo Names Son Cristiano Jr". Popcrunch.com. 2010-07-09. http://www.popcrunch.com/cristiano-ronaldo-names-son-cristiano-jr/. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
- ^ "Cristiano Ronaldo gains 10m Facebook fans's waxwork". inside World Soccer. 12 August 2010. http://www.insideworldsoccer.com/2010/08/cristiano-ronaldo-gains-10m-facebook.html. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
- ^ Alice Goodwin da catedra sobre sexo on El Argentino (27 May 2010)
- ^ Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Irina Shayk allows cameras behind the scenes in a video of her recent raunchy GQ shoot, Jody Thompson, Daily Mail, 24 September 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
- ^ "How Mobile Games Are Sports Stars’ Newest Marketing Channel". Mashable. http://mashable.com/2011/12/28/rocklive-cristiano-ronaldo-athletes-mobile-game/.
- ^ "Castrol EDGE gives fans chance to challenge Cristiano Ronaldo on Facebook". inside World Soccer. 17 May 2012. http://www.insideworldsoccer.com/2012/05/castrol-edge-cristiano-ronaldo-facebook.html.
- ^ "Ronaldo raises funds for tsunami-hit Aceh". People's Daily. 13 June 2005. http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200506/13/eng20050613_189948.html. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- ^ "Tsunami Survivors: New Life For A Decimated Football Club". FIFA.com. 9 January 2008. http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/worldwideprograms/news/newsid=668801.html. Retrieved 2 April 2011. [dead link]
- ^ "Ronaldo to play in charity match for Madeira". Reuters. 22 February 2010. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5njSq0c4I. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Cristiano Ronaldo". National Football Teams. http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=5403. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
- ^ "Selecção distinguida pelo Duque de Bragança" (in Portuguese). Cristiano Ronaldo News. 30 August 2006. http://cristianosantosronaldo.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html. Retrieved 30 August 2006.
External links[link]
|
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Cristiano Ronaldo |
|
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cristiano Ronaldo |
- Official website
- Real Madrid official profile
- BDFutbol profile
- Cristiano Ronaldo at La Liga
- 2010 FIFA World Cup profile
- Cristiano Ronaldo at National-Football-Teams.com
- Cristiano Ronaldo – FIFA competition record
- Cristiano Ronaldo – UEFA competition record
- Transfermarkt profile
- Cristiano Ronaldo career stats at Soccerbase
- ESPN Profile
- Cristiano Ronaldo at the Internet Movie Database
- Profile at SoccerSurfer.com
- Cristiano Ronaldo on Playerhistory.com
| Sporting positions | ||
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| Preceded by Nuno Gomes |
Portugal national football team captain 2008–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Dos Santos Aveiro, Cristiano Ronaldo |
| Alternative names | Ronaldo, Cristiano |
| Short description | Portuguese footballer |
| Date of birth | 5 February 1985 |
| Place of birth | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Cristiano_Ronaldo
Related pages:
http://it.wn.com/Cristiano Ronaldo
http://cs.wn.com/Cristiano Ronaldo
http://id.wn.com/Cristiano Ronaldo
http://es.wn.com/Cristiano Ronaldo
http://ru.wn.com/Криштиану Роналду
http://pl.wn.com/Cristiano Ronaldo
http://fr.wn.com/Cristiano Ronaldo
http://de.wn.com/Cristiano Ronaldo
http://hi.wn.com/क्रिस्टियानो रोनाल्डो
http://pt.wn.com/Cristiano Ronaldo
http://nl.wn.com/Cristiano Ronaldo
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristiano_Ronaldo
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
 |
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Iker Casillas Fernández | ||
| Date of birth | (1981-05-20) 20 May 1981 (age 31) | ||
| Place of birth | Móstoles, Madrid, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Real Madrid | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1990–1998 | Real Madrid | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1998–1999 | Real Madrid C | 26 | (0) |
| 1999 | Real Madrid B | 4 | (0) |
| 1999– | Real Madrid | 457 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 1996 | Spain U15 | 1 | (0) |
| 1996–1998 | Spain U16 | 19 | (0) |
| 1997–1999 | Spain U17 | 10 | (0) |
| 1999 | Spain U18 | 4 | (0) |
| 1999 | Spain U20 | 2 | (0) |
| 1999–2000 | Spain U21 | 5 | (0) |
| 2000– | Spain | 130 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:02, 13 May 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Casillas and the second or maternal family name is Fernández.
Iker Casillas Fernández (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈikeɾ kaˈsiʎas feɾˈnandeθ]; born 20 May 1981) is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, being the captain of both. In 2008 he led the Spanish national team to their first European Championship in 44 years, and in 2010 to win the World Cup, Spain's first ever, being also named the tournament's best goalkeeper.
Casillas has been nominated for the European Footballer of the Year award twice, ranking fourth overall in 2008 and again receiving more votes than any other goalkeeper in 2009.[2] At the end of 2009 he was voted into the UEFA Team of the Year for the third consecutive time. As of 2011 Casillas is one of a very select group of players who have won all major club and national championship titles. In 2010, he was awarded with the Sports Prince of Asturias Award. On 19 October 2010, Casillas became the most capped goalkeeper of all time in the UEFA Champions League and in November 2011, he became the most capped player of all time for the Spanish national team.[3]
Contents |
Early life[link]
Casillas was born on 20 May 1981 in Móstoles, Community of Madrid to José Luis Casillas, a civil servant in the Ministry of Education, and María del Carmen Fernández González, a hairdresser.[4] Both his parents had emigrated from their home of Navalacruz, Ávila.[4] When Iker was a child, he lived for some years in the Basque Country, but he has always considered Madrid to be his hometown.[citation needed] Casillas has a brother, seven years younger, named Unai, who currently plays as a central midfielder for CD Móstoles.[5]
As a young child, one weekend Casillas forgot to post his father’s football predictions on the weekend his father had correctly predicted all 14 results. The family lost out on an estimated €1m.[6]
Real Madrid[link]
Casillas had started in the junior squad of Real Madrid's youth system during the 1990–91 season. On 27 November 1997 at age 16 he was first called up to the first team to face Rosenborg in Champions League, but it wasn't until the 1998–99 season that he debuted in the senior side, substituting Bodo Illgner. By the next season, he relegated Illgner to the bench and became first-choice.[7] In 2000, he became the youngest ever goalkeeper to play in a Champions League final when Real Madrid defeated Valencia 3–0, just four days after his nineteenth birthday.[8]
Casillas lost his place in the side to backup César Sánchez after a patch of bad form during the 2001–02 campaign, but redeemed himself when Sánchez suffered an injury in the last minutes of 2002 Champions League final match. Casillas came on and pulled off several brilliant saves to deny a rampant Bayer Leverkusen the Champions League crown. Real Madrid won 2–1 and Casillas has maintained the number 1 shirt ever since.
The 2007–08 season was a fruitful season for Casillas as he helped Real Madrid reclaim their 31st La Liga title and conceded only 32 goals in 36 matches to claim the Zamora Trophy. On 14 February 2008, he and then club captain Raúl González were awarded a contract for life. Casillas signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2017, with an automatic extension if he plays 30 competitive matches during the final season of the contract and a buy-out clause of £113 million.[9][10] His performances earned him a spot in the UEFA Team of the Year for the second time.
In February 2009, Casillas equalled Paco Buyo's record of 454 matches played (for a goalkeeper) and has since surpassed it to become Real Madrid's most-capped goalkeeper of all time at only twenty-seven years old.[11] During the 2009 summer transfer window, some Spanish media reported that Manchester City had launched a record £129 million bid for the goalkeeper. However the club denied the allegations saying that no such offer had been made. Manchester United had been rumoured to have enquired about him, but no price was announced.[12] He had been linked with other Premier League clubs before[13] but Casillas himself stated that he "had no intention of leaving" his boyhood club.
During the 2009–10 season on 4 October in a game against Sevilla, Casillas made an extraordinary save; he ran from one side of his goal to the other and denied Diego Perotti in a one-on-one close range encounter. After the match, he received praise from fellow Spanish goalkeepers and England goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who stated "Casillas' reflexes are incredible. If he continues to play this well he will become one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the game."[14] Europa Press reported that Casillas was the 2nd most popular Spanish sportsman on the internet throughout 2010. The study performed by company Vipnet360 examined the web presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.[15]
During the 2011–12 season, Casillas won IFFHS Best Goalkeeper award, making him the only and first goalkeeper to win it 4 times.
Casillas played his 600th match for Real Madrid on January 22, 2012 in a 4–1 win against Athletic Bilbao.
On 2nd May 2012, Casillas clinched his 5th La Liga title and his 1st as a Captain of Real Madrid, with 3-0 win at Bilbao.
International career[link]
Casillas debuted for the national team in the U–17 level. At age 16, he was the youngest player in the Spanish squad that placed third at the 1997 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Egypt. He was later made captain of the U-17's. Two years later, he went on to win the FIFA World Youth Championship and the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup that same year. Initially second-choice, he soon worked his way up to first-choice and eventually earned his first senior cap following some brilliant performances at club level.
Casillas is currently the most capped player in the history of the Spanish national team. Following his full international debut at the senior level on 3 June 2000 against Sweden (at 19 years and 14 days), Casillas was an unused substitute at Euro 2000. He was part of the roster for the 2002 World Cup, initially as the understudy to Santiago Cañizares. Coincidentally, Casillas became the first-choice goalkeeper when Cañizares had to withdraw from the tournament due to injury from a freak accident. At 21, he was one of the youngest first-choice goalkeepers in the tournament. He played an instrumental role in Spanish progression when he saved two penalties in the shoot-out during the round of 16 match against the Republic of Ireland, earning him the nickname "The Saint". One of his saves during the quarterfinals versus South Korea during the 2002 FIFA World Cup was rated by FIFA as one of the top 10 saves of all time.[16]
Casillas played in all eight Group six fixtures during Euro 2004 qualifying, conceding just four goals. He kept a clean sheet in the second leg victory of the playoff against Norway which ended 3–0 in Oslo, and started all of Spain's Euro 2004 matches. He was the first choice for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, captaining the team twice, but could not prevent La Roja from losing 3–1 to a Zidane-inspired France in the Round of 16.
With the exclusion of his Real Madrid teammate Raúl from the squad for Euro 2008, Casillas was given the captain's armband. He started the first two Group D games against Russia and Sweden before being rested in place of second-choice goalkeeper Pepe Reina for Spain's group stage elimination of Greece. Casillas saved two penalties from Antonio Di Natale and Daniele De Rossi as Spain eliminated Italy in the quarterfinals with a 4–2 shootout win following a goalless draw on 22 June.[17] Spain later went on to win the competition with a 1–0 win over Germany in the final on 29 June; Casillas kept clean sheets for the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final matches, with Sweden's first round goal by Zlatan Ibrahimović being the last one scored against him. On 29 June 2008 Casillas became the first goalkeeper-captain to lift the UEFA European Championship trophy when Spain beat Germany 1–0 in the final.[18]
In October 2008, Casillas and deputy in goal Pepe Reina broke the national record for the longest time spent without conceding a goal. The pair went unbeaten for 710 minutes, longer than Spain's longest-serving goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta and Paco Buyo.[19] Wesley Sonck of Belgium ended their goalless streak when he scored against them a 2010 World Cup qualifying match.
Casillas was the highest ranked goalkeeper (4th place) in the 2008 Ballon d'Or behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and national teammate Fernando Torres. Also in 2008 Casillas was named the world's best goalkeeper by the IFFHS.[20] He also came in third place in the best goalkeepers of all time ranking; beating Oliver Kahn.[20]
On 5 September 2009, after a 5–0 win over Belgium in a qualifying match for the World Cup, Casillas equalled Andoni Zubizarreta's national record of 56 clean sheets,[21] and during the Spanish team's next match against Estonia on 9 September 2009, he surpassed Zubizarreta as the record holder for the most Spanish international clean sheets (this being achieved in Casillas' 98th appearance for the national team, while Zubizarreta made 126 before his retirement).[21] Two months later, Casillas made his 100th appearance for the Spanish squad in the friendly win over Argentina, making him only the third player in history of Spanish football to ever reach this far internationally.[22]
On 11 July 2010, he captained Spain to their first ever World Cup title with a 1–0 win against the Netherlands.[23] In doing so he became the third ever goalkeeper to captain a World Cup winning side (along with Gianpiero Combi in 1934 and Dino Zoff in 1982). He was voted the tournament's best goalkeeper and awarded the Golden Glove.[24] In the course of the finals in South Africa he kept five clean sheets, conceded two goals, and saved a penalty in the quarter final against Paraguay. In the final, he made two crucial stops from Netherlands' Arjen Robben with the score at 0–0 after the Dutchman had passed all the defenders.
On 15 November 2011, Casillas became Spain's most capped player, breaking Andoni Zubizarreta's record after starting for Spain in their 2–2 draw against Costa Rica.
On 29 February 2012, in Spain's 5–0 win over Venezuela, Casillas equalled Edwin van der Sar's record of 72 international clean sheets.
Sponsorship[link]
In January 2012, Casillas agreed a sponsorship deal with adidas to wear their Response goalkeeping gloves and Predator football boots.[25] The move to adidas ended a long running association for Casillas with Reebok. In February 2005, Casillas was the football face of Reebok's I Am What I Am global integrated advertising campaign that linked all the brand's marketing efforts under one umbrella. [26]
Statistics[link]
- As of 13 May 2012
Club[link]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | GA | Apps | GA | Apps | GA | Apps | GA | Apps | GA | ||
| Real Madrid | |||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | 27 | 23 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 19 | 3 | 5 | 47 | 48 | |
| 2000–01 | 34 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 47 | 56 | |
| 2001–02 | 25 | 27 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 38 | |
| 2002–03 | 38 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 55 | 64 | |
| 2003–04 | 37 | 49 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 50 | 63 | |
| 2004–05 | 37 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 41 | |
| 2005–06 | 37 | 38 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 53 | |
| 2006–07 | 38 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 50 | |
| 2007–08 | 36 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 46 | 51 | |
| 2008–09 | 38 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 47 | 67 | |
| 2009–10 | 38 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 44 | |
| 2010–11 | 35 | 32 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 40 | |
| 2011–12 | 37 | 31 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 53 | 48 | |
| Career totals | 457 | 467 | 28 | 21 | 124 | 145 | 16 | 28 | 625 | 663 | |
International[link]
| National Team |
Year | Friendlies | World Cup | European Championships | Confederations Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | GA | Pld | GA | Pld | GA | Pld | GA | Pld | GA | ||
| Spain | 2000 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 |
| 2001 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 | |
| 2003 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | |
| 2004 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 | |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 12 | |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2008 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 9 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 12 | |
| 2011 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 7 | |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 51 | 27 | 40 | 24 | 35 | 21 | 4 | 4 | 130 | 76 | |
Honours[link]
Club[link]
- Real Madrid
- La Liga (5): 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12
- Copa del Rey (1): 2010–11
- Supercopa de España (3): 2001, 2003, 2008
- UEFA Champions League (2): 1999–2000, 2001–02
- UEFA Super Cup (1): 2002
- Intercontinental Cup (1): 2002
Country[link]
- Spain-20
- Spain
- FIFA World Cup: 2010
- UEFA European Championship: 2008
- FIFA Confederations Cup: Third-place 2009
Individual[link]
- Bravo Award: 2000
- La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year: 2000
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011[27]
- Zamora Trophy: 2007–08
- UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament: 2008[28]
- ESM Team of the Year: 2008
- FIFA/FIFPro World XI: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- FIFPro#FIFA FIFPro World's Best Goalkeeper: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- IFFHS Best Goalkeeper: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Best European Goalkeeper: 2008, 2010
- FIFA World Cup Golden Glove: 2010 [29]
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2010
- UEFA European Championship Winning Captain: 2008
- FIFA World Cup Winning Captain: 2010
Decorations[link]
- Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit: 2009[30]
- Favourite son of Navalacruz: 2010 [31]
- Favourite son of Móstoles: 2010 [32]
Outside football[link]
Personal life[link]
Since 2009, Casillas has been in a relationship with sports journalist Sara Carbonero.[33] Avenida Iker Casillas [Iker Casillas Avenue] is a street in Móstoles, Madrid, Spain. The street was renamed from Avenida de los Deportes [Sports Avenue] on 5 January 2012 in commemoration of Iker Casillas, who was born in Móstoles.
Charity[link]
In 2011, Casillas was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme's Millennium Development Goals.[34][35]
Notes[link]
- ^ "Iker Casillas Fernandez" (player profile). Real Madrid. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1193041476158/1193041476328/jugador/Jugador/Casillas.htm. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
- ^ lvi1529@SZ71-60674. "Results men for FIFA.com by Player.xls" (PDF). http://es.fifa.com/mm/document/classic/awards/99/15/28/resultsmenforfifa.combyplayer.pdf.
- ^ Bryan, Paul (18 October 2010). "Winning feeling all that counts for Casillas". UEFA.com. http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/matches/season=2011/round=2000118/match=2002862/prematch/focus/. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
- ^ a b "Iker Casillas, portero del Real Madrid [Iker Casillas, Real Madrid's goalkeeper]". El Mundo. http://www.elmundo.es/magazine/m29/textos/iker1.html.
- ^ "get to know… Unai Casillas". Una Madridista. 28 September 2010. http://unamadridista.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/get-to-know-unai-casillas/. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ "Iker Casillas". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/groups_and_teams/team/spain/iker_casillas. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ "Casillas' first squad list". realmadrid.com. 11 August 2009. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202777809603/noticia/Noticia/Casillas__first_squad_list.htm. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ "Iker Casillas Ferández Profile, Statis, News, Game Log". ESPN Soccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=11811&cc=4716. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ "Casillas and Raul commit to Real". Sky Sports. 14 February 2008. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_3146197,00.html. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ "Forever white – Raúl and Casillas sign lifelong contracts with Real Madrid". Realmadrid.com. 14 February 2008. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202728357392/noticia/Noticia/Forever_iwhite_i.htm. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
- ^ "Casillas secures place in Madrid folklore". uefa.com. 9 February 2009. http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=799092.html#casillas+secures+place+madrid+folklore. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ Robson, James (3 December 2008). "City deny Casillas bid". Manchester Evening News. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1083265_city_deny_casillas_bid. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
- ^ Wilson, Steve (15 November 2007). "Iker Casillas in the dark over Tottenham link". The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2325833/Iker-Casillas-in-the-dark-over-Tottenham-link.html. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
- ^ "Praise for Casillas". realmadrid.com. 7 October 2009. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1193040487651/1202798992869/noticia/Noticia/Praise_for_Casillas_2009-10-07.htm?w=2. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
- ^ "Iniesta, Torres, Nadal y Alonso, deportistas españoles más importantes en Internet" (in Spanish). Europa Press. 27 December 2010. http://www.europapress.es/deportes/futbol-00162/noticia-varios-iniesta-torres-nadal-alonso-nombrados-deportistas-espanoles-mas-importantes-internet-redes-sociales-20101227124812.html.
- ^ FIFA Fever Centennial Anniversary (1904–2004) DVD
- ^ McNulty, Phil (22 June 2008). "Spain 0–0 Italy (4–2 pens)". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7468465.stm. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
- ^ "Germany 0–1 Spain: Torres ends Spain's pain". Soccernet. 29 June 2008. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=232286&cc=4716&league=UEFA.EURO. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ O'Donnell, Michael J (12 October 2008). "Casillas: Scoreless streak". Real Madrid C.F. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202743931728/noticia/Noticia/Casillas:_Scoreless_streak.htm. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ a b Ingo Faulhaber. "IFFHS". Iffhs.de. http://www.iffhs.de/?388d85ff8b00388f05f68e05b85fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb8a212. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ a b RealMadrid.com (7 September 2009). "Another Record Established". RealMadrid.com. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202792233128/noticia/Noticia/Another_record_established.htm. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
- ^ "Alonso bags brace as Spain underline World Cup credentials". ESPN Soccernet. 14 November 2009. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=284407&cc=5739&league=FIFA.FRIENDLY. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- ^ "Iniesta sinks Dutch with late strike". ESPNsoccernet (ESPN). 11 July 2010. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=264123&cc=5739&ver=global. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
- ^ http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/11/1725927/spains-casillas-wins-golden-glove.html[dead link]
- ^ "adidas sign Iker Casillas from Reebok". FootballBoots.co.uk. http://www.footballboots.co.uk/4655-adidas-sign-iker-casillas-from-reebok.html. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ^ "Reebok Marketing". corporate.reebok.com. http://corporate.reebok.com/en/about_reebok/faq_section/marketing/default.asp. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ^ "Team of the Year 2011 announced". uefa.com. 18 January 2011. http://www.uefa.com/community/teamoftheyear/index.html. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
- ^ "Spain dominate Team of the Tournament". UEFA.com. 30 June 2008. http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=729372.html#spain+dominate+team+tournament. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
- ^ "Golden awards for top FIFA World Cup Trio". FIFA.com. 15 December 2010. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/news/newsid=1352110/index.html. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ "El CSD concede a Casillas la Medalla de Oro de la Real Orden del Mérito Deportivo" (in Spanish). As.com. 15 November 2009. http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/csd-concede-casillas-medalla-oro/dasftb/20091115dasdasftb_12/Tes. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ "Casillas se emociona tras ser nombrado Hijo Predilecto de Navalacruz" (in Spanish). marca.com. 30 August 2010. http://www.marca.com/2010/08/30/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1283169461.html?a=PROCT1ea85621d8b9a9620e22dd285d069ec3&t=1283179799. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ "Iker Casillas será nombrado Hijo Predilecto de Móstoles el próximo 16 de septiembre" (in Spanish). As.com. 30 August 2010. http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/iker-casillas-sera-nombrado-hijo/dasftb/20100830dasdasftb_18/Tes. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ "Iker Casillas in spotlight over girlfriend role". BBC News. 17 June 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/10340039.stm. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ Iker Casillas appointed new UNDP Goodwill Ambassador. Content.undp.org (2011-01-24). Retrieved on 2012-03-17.
- ^ Spain’s goalkeeper Casillas to score poverty reduction goals as UN Goodwill Ambassador. Un.org (2011-01-24). Retrieved on 2012-03-17.
References[link]
- HISTORIA DEL FÚTBOL ESPAÑOL, SELECCIONES ESPAÑOLAS (Spanish) ISBN 978-84-8229-123-9
External links[link]
|
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Iker Casillas |
- Official website
- Iker Casillas on Facebook
- Profile on Real Madrid official website
- Iker Casillas at La Liga
- 2010 FIFA World Cup profile
- National team data (Spanish)
- Iker Casillas at National-Football-Teams.com
- Iker Casillas – FIFA competition record
- Iker Casillas – UEFA competition record
- BDFutbol profile
- Iker Casillas Biography and Videos
- Transfermarkt profile
- ESPN Profile
| Sporting positions | ||
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| Preceded by Raúl González |
Spain National Football Team captain 2006– |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by Raúl González |
Real Madrid C.F. captain 2010– |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Casillas Fernández, Iker |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | Football goalkeeper |
| Date of birth | 20 May 1981 |
| Place of birth | Móstoles, Spain |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Iker_Casillas
Related pages:
http://it.wn.com/Iker Casillas
http://cs.wn.com/Iker Casillas Fernández
http://id.wn.com/Iker Casillas
http://es.wn.com/Iker Casillas
http://ru.wn.com/Касильяс, Икер
http://nl.wn.com/Iker Casillas
http://pl.wn.com/Iker Casillas
http://fr.wn.com/Iker Casillas
http://de.wn.com/Iker Casillas
http://pt.wn.com/Iker Casillas
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iker_Casillas
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
| Sydney Park | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sydney Park (1997-10-31) October 31, 1997 (age 14) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress/Comedian |
| Years active | 2006–present |
Sydney Park (born October 31, 1997) is an American actress and comedian.
Park got her start in 2003 when she was the "youngest comedian to ever perform at the famous Hollywood Improv".[1] She made her television debut on the teen sitcom That's So Raven in 2006. In 2010 Park was hired to play the adopted daughter of Detective Jo Danville on CSI: NY.[2] Also in 2010, she starred in the independent dark-comedy Spork.[3]
References[link]
- ^ "Rising Stars Raising Funds Performers–Sydney Park". (2007). EwingsSarcoma.org. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
- ^ Trongo, Rachel (October 12, 2010). "New York Casts Young Actress For Family Role". CSI Files. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
- ^ Hale, Mike (May 26, 2011). "Life on the Fringe". The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
External links[link]
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Park, Sydney |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | American actor |
| Date of birth | October 31, 1997 |
| Place of birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
 |
This article about an American television actor or actress born in the 1990s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This article about a United States film actor or actress born in the 1990s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
http://wn.com/Sydney_Park_(entertainer)
Related pages:
http://fr.wn.com/Sydney Park
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Park_(entertainer)
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
