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Zinedine zidane soccer images

2009-12-07T08:41:00.000-08:00

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Full name:Zinedine Yazid Zidane
Date of birth: 23.06.1972
Place of birth: Marseille, France
Nationality: Frenchman of Algerian origin /
Religion: Muslim.
Football idols: Michel Platini and Enzo Francheskoni.
Favorite team: "My heart belongs to Marcel" - he says.
Marital status: wife Veronica (Spaniard).
Three sons: Enzo, Luca and Theo.
Best friend: Christophe Dugard.
Position: Central midfielder
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Club: Real Madrid (Spain) (5 room) From July 9, 2001.
Previous clubs:

"Cannes" (1986-1992) (8 issues) (61 game, 6 goals)
Bordeaux (1992-1996) (7 rooms)
Juventus (1996-2001) (21 rooms)

France squad:
Last team played from August 17, 1994 (France - Czech Republic - 2:2, went on 63 minutes when the score was 0:2 and scored 2 goals) before June 25, 2004 (France - Greece - 0:1). He played for the national team 93 caps, scored 26 goals.

Member of the European Championships
1996 (5 games, 412 minutes)
2000 (5 games, 450 minutes, 2 goals)
2004 (4 games, 360 minutes, 3 goals, 1 LCD)

Member of World Championships
1998 (5 games, 430 minutes, 2 goals, 1ZHK and 1 Page)
2002 (1 game, 90 minutes)

Bronze medalist European Championship-1996.
World Champion 1998 (2 goals in the final).
Best player World Cup 1998.
Cup of King Hassan AI (1998).
European Champion 2000.
Best player of Euro 2000.
Confederations Cup 2001.

Bordeaux:
UEFA Cup finalist in 1996.

Juventus:
Champion of Italy 1997 and 1998.
Vice-Champion of Italy in 2000.
Italian Super Cup 1997.
Champions League finalist 1997 and 1998.
European Super Cup in 1996.
Intercontinental Cup 1996.
The best player and legionnaire Italian Championship season in 2000/01.

Real:
Champion of Spain in 2001 and 2003.
Vice-Champion of Spain 2005.
Spanish Super Cup in 2001 and 2003.
The winner of the Champions League in 2002.
Most valuable player of the Champions League 2002. In the final, scored the winning goal.
European Super Cup 2002.
Intercontinental Cup 2002.
Best player of Real Madrid in 2003.
Best Legionary Championship of Spain in the 2002/03 season.

Individual titles:
The best young footballer of France 1994.
Prize for the best goal in France in 1995.
"Footballer of the Year" in France in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002. (Prize magazine Onze Mondial)
Best player of France 1998, 2000, 2002. (Prize of "Franz football")
Sportsman of the Year "in France 1998 and 2000.
The best footballer the world 1998, 2000 (Prize of the journal Ozne)
The best footballer the world 1998 (Prize of the journal Schorld Sotstser)
European Footballer of 1998. (Prize of "Franz football")
The best footballer the world 1998, 2000 and 2003. (FIFA)
Sports personality of the year (2002) (Prize of the magazine "L'Equipe")
The best player in Europe for the past 50 years (50 years, UEFA, 2004)
Winner of the Legion of Honor (awarded to Jacques Chirac, September 1, 1998).

Professional career:

1988-1989 "Cannes"
Championship France - 2 matches.
Debut of the first division: Nantes - CANNES 1:1 (20 May 1989).

1989-1990 "Cannes".

1990-1991 "Cannes"
French Championship - 28 matches, 1 goal (8 February 1991).

1991-1992 "Cannes"
Championship France - 31 matches, 5 goals.

1992-1993 Bordeaux
French Championship - 35 games, 10 goals.

1993-1994 Bordeaux
France 34 Championship game, 6 goals, 7 LCD - 1 spacecraft.

1994-1995 Bordeaux 45 (44) matches, 8 goals, 6 Yellow.
Ligue 1 Division - 37 games, 6 goals.
Coupe de France - 3 matches, 1 goal.
French League Cup - 1 match.
UEFA Cup - 4 games, 1 goal.

1995-1996 Bordeaux 47 (46) matches, 7 goals, 6 Yellow - 2 spacecraft.
French Championship - 34 games, 6 goals.
Coupe de France - 2 matches.
French League Cup - 1 match.
UEFA Cup - 10 matches, 1 goal.

1996-1997 Juventus
(?) Serie A - 29 matches, 5 goals.

1997-1998 Juventus
(?)

1998-1999 Juventus
Serie A - 25 matches, 2 goals, 4 Yellow - 1KK.

1999-2000 Juventus 36 games, 4 goals, 6 Yellow - 1KK.
Serie A - 32 matches, 4 goals.
UEFA Cup - 4 games.

2000-2001 Juventus 37 games, 6 goals, 2ZHK - 2KK.
Serie A - 33 matches, 6 goals.
Champions League - 4 games.

2001-2002 "Real" 42 matches, 10 goals, 4 LCD.
Championship Spain - 31 matches, 7 goals.
UEFA Cup - 2 matches.
Champions League - 9 games, 3 goals.

2002-2003 Real
Championship Spain - 33 matches, 9 goals.

2003-2004 Real
Championship Spain - 33 matches, 7 goals, 7 LCD (1 double)
Spanish Cup --
Champions League --

2004-2005 Real
Championship Spain --
Spanish Cup --
Champions League --

2005-2006 Real

He was one of the players who took part in the recording of the song, fees from which went to fund UNICEF - UN Children's Fund - to assist children affected by war. And the summer of 2003 organized the match Marseille - Friends of Zidane, all the money from which the Frenchman went to his home in Algiers, to help the affected children as a result of a major earthquake. Held for two with Ronaldo's play "Friends Zidane" and "Friends of Ronaldo" to help poor people. Participated in the game hosted by his partner in the French team - Biksantom Lizarazu played "France squad - 98 - Bordeaux, all the money raised went to the coasts of Spain from the cleaning of fuel oil. Repeated party games "against poverty."

Dream soccer

The most cherished goal in life has been overcome. Beloved wife, beloved child of ... It seems that seek to nothing. However, not Zidane.
"The dream should always be, otherwise life is meaningless and becomes a mere existence. I am confident that any player can improve by the end of his career. Of course, every game is impossible to play all 100, but ... I have one dream, and if it will ever be fulfilled, I am the same day leave from football.
Imagine we are playing at the world championships, and 90 th minute when the score was 0:0 ball is in front of me. I fall, but still beat on it, and he enters the gate ... It's wonderful! But it is hardly feasible ... "

Biography

... In 1953, the father of future star Ismail left his native Algerian village and moved to France. He was lucky - he found work in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. Then he moved to Marseilles, in the very poor district of La Castellane. There was born Zinedine, Yazid born.
The first lessons of football gave him a street, but the first ball served ... plastic bottle. Popular with the kids enjoyed the game "Las Bal" - "touch and run with the ball. The rules were severe: the game for a while, and the man who turned out "osalennym, other beat.
First, football talent is not revealed in Yaza, and his older brother Noureddine. But on a visit Noureddine section of money from the parents was not.
Zidane first started playing in early childhood for the club of Saint-Henri. It was a club of the district where he lived. Coaching staff consists of volunteers who were real football fans.
The club invited him Septemes Olympic coach Robert Centenera, who advised the Director write Zinedine. He played in this club for 4 years, from 10 to 14 years. In 1986 he began playing in the first child of the French league championship, his coach was Allen Lipa.
He earned it and live a little teenager was hard, so together with friends inventive Zizou has organized an unusual race - eating sausages. Coming to the beach, the guys offered to vacationers posostyazatsya for money. When someone disagreed, in all its glory manifested itself Zinedine. Appetite for him was brutal: in the speed and amount eaten sausages he had no equal. He explains the unprecedented gluttony: "With parents, three brothers and sister and we lived in a small apartment ordinary high-rises. At his modest salary a warehouse supermarket father was hard to feed a big family."
At the end of the year Zidane was called in for three days at the Regional Sports Center in Provence. It was there and noticed it. This was done by the breeder club Cannes, Jean Warri. Initially Zidane went to Cannes to watch for one week, but stayed there for six. And at this time, every day, playing with the pros, he realized that he could become one of them.
Zidane: "I could achieve this only if you have very many and serious work and play with the pros. And Jean Fernandez, coach of Cannes, left 16-year-old Zidane in the team.
In 1989, Zidane played his first game in the French first division. Cannes played against Nantes in a huge stadium, against a team of Marcel Desailly and Didier Deschamps. Zinedine was seventeen, and from that moment, he said, football was his "only true passion."
"I was fired on the field only 15 minutes, but with such masters that ... It was Zlatko Vujovic, and Rudi Krol. Then I touched the ball 3 times, but never after did not feel happier. And not only because I played with these stars and with their idols. The fact that a quarter of an hour, I earned six times more than what they received earlier in the month. "
And Zinedine received quite a bit - 800 francs. Live your teenager with the money is virtually impossible. Save what has been a sports school, where he studied Zidane, who provided him with all necessary, and the parents of a son is not forgotten. In general, the parade in youth soccer player did not have to, but he was not particularly in poverty.
His first official goal Zidane scored on Feb. 8, 1991 and ... received for this car. As previously president of the club Cannes, Alain Pedretti, promised to give him a car that day when he will score his first goal.
And at a party, attended by all the players, Zizou got his first car, it was a red Renault Clio. Season was generally successful, Cannes took 4th place in the championship, and ended up in the UEFA Cup.
But the next season was not so remarkable, because of the UEFA Cup team dropped out at a fairly early stage and more than that flew in the second division.
After a season of average 91/92 Cannes flew in the second division. At this time, Zidane decided to make a step forward, moving to Bordeaux. Rolland Kurbis asked to sign a 4-year contract. Bernard Tapie from Olympique Marseille also wanted to see Zinedine in his team, but not strongly insisted.
Zidane, when he moved to Bordeaux, was 20 years old. There, his friend makes with it an excellent pair on the field, was Christophe Dugarry. In his first season for the new team in the Championship of France Zinedine managed to score 10 goals, while the next three seasons, he scored only 6 per year.
In April 1994, Zinedine Zidane for the first time in his life had been invited to the national team. April 17 hosted its first match, it was held in Bordeaux. Zidane fired in a substitute in the 63rd minute, this time the French lost 0-2. And Zidane scored the goals that will bring the match a draw. Zizou later admitted that he could never forget that game.
Before hitting the super clubs of Turin, Zidane passed all the necessary stages in order to become a very good football player. In Cannes, he spent 7 years before began to play with professional football players, Zinedine talked with them, learned from them.
Then came the more serious club and objectives, especially since the Cannes departed in the second division. At 24 years Zidane already had experience of games in the UEFA Cup with Bordeaux, and for the national team and wanted something new. Juventus was a huge step forward for him. Italian style of play - a special and even Zidane initially found it difficult to adapt to it, but after 3 months he was fully joined the team and became one of its leading players, along with Del Piero.
Football wins Zizou began at Juventus, where he was in transit through the Bordeaux moved in 1996 for $ 5 million with the "old signora" Frenchman won two Scudetto and the Intercontinental Cup.
What else gave Zidane Italy? "He was completely bald - jokes Didier Deschamps. - But seriously, it is added to the tactical plan. Yes, and psychologically - overcame shyness, became bolder.
Zinedine We have the most pleasant memories of the club, in which the 2 times he won the Italian championship, twice a finalist in the Champions League and, most importantly, twice, in 1998 and 2000, was the best player in the world.
But that, after such success, have an incentive to play more, he had a change of scenery, to feel something new.
This new club was the best of Europe and the World - Real Madrid. Transition Zidane to Real at the end of the season 2000/2001 marked a new record bar in the amount of transfer. Turning to the royal club in the summer of 2001, he broke the record transfers Figo (70 million) and holds it until now. The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez said: "This football player born to play in Real Madrid.
To Zinedine there was only one unconquered tops - UEFA Champions League. But it managed to climb in 2002, a fantastic goal Zizou brought the Madrid victory over leverkuzenskim Bayer.
Some believe that the story of Zidane's transfer from Juventus in the Royal Club began at a dinner organized by FIFA. The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez gave the Frenchman a napkin with the words "Want to play for Real?" The answer was brief - "biec. These three letters worth of Madrid most expensive contract in the history of football - 64 million 400 thousand dollars.

Michel Platini: "I am proud that T-shirt with the number ten in the national team is passed to you."

Once in 1995 he heard from Michel Platini: "I am proud that T-shirt with the number ten in the national team is passed to you." - You feel heir Platini? - Well, it something to me far. Platini made a brilliant career, three times been named the best footballer in Europe. His respect and in France and in Italy and throughout the world. I'm just trying as best as possible to do their job. Because now a half years playing for the "Bianconeri", I suppose that I have met there. When I arrived in Italy, it had not a single championship or cup title. Last year he won three of the four major tournaments, in which participated. We just lost in the finals of the Champions League - well: left to aspire to. And why not eliminate the gap this year? - In Italy exhausting championship. Are not you afraid that will come to a world championship tired? Maybe it is to save power? - And how do you see it? Save energy - to deceive the club that pays you money. But I am sure that we, the French team players, will be ready for the world championship by three hundred percent. The other championship at home we will not. Some people accuse us, that, say, we do not care team. Nonsense! Squad - the main peak. All the time I think about it. And sometimes clearly fancied himself with World Cup over his head.
After a remarkable final World Cup 1998 Zinedine Zidane has become a real national hero in France. From the podium every now and then shouted: "Zidane - for President!", Completely forgetting that a few months ago a football player nicknamed "black cat" and accused him that he brings the team nothing but misery.
In Italy, the champion immediately come up with a new nickname: "Zizou", which means "white cat". Of course, silly to say that after a fantastic win game Zinedine looked like a graceful catlike movements - no. But the contrast of black and white once said about many ... By the way, the player himself did not doubt the victory of France and repeatedly told the press that the French wrested victory from the Brazilians. Zidane was not wrong and, in the final match after scoring two goals, proved that he only brings the team good luck.
In France, Zidane simply adore. And not only for his excellent game. The thing is that originally it - Algerian. Footballer as it represents the unity of the multinational French team, comprising players from Armenia, Guadeloupe, Ghana, Senegal, the Antilles and France.
In 1996, when the French suffered a resounding defeat at the European Championships, the political party of Le Pen's National Front said that it happened due to the fact that "in the team too many foreigners".
Zinedine believes that the current composition of his team - the most effective campaign against Le Pen and nationalist prejudices.
"It's all nonsense. We have a wonderful team, co-ordinated game. Who cares what nationality we are?" The most important thing is that we all strive for one common cause and spread out on the field, not thinking about the country playing for someone. Our country -- France, and we fight for it with full vigor.
Everything in life is connected with Zizou France. He was born in Marseilles, in the poorest quarter - Castellane. Footballer is still visited by there, remember that, about this ... His wife, Veronica, and three children. Zinedine, by the way not once showed his behavior, that the family in his life in the first place. After the great quarter-finals, while all the football team preparing for a huge celebration, he was putting the Enzo. At the party, however, appeared, but very briefly. A few days later, with his wife went to Ibiza, as well as in France from the fans was not hanging up. Unfortunately Zidane, Spain greeted him cordially and no less unfortunate paparazzi do not leave him alone, even during vacation time, all footballers have to wear dark glasses.

"MY DESTINY - serve other"

About Zidane in his homeland say it - no name, and position on the field. Most modern football star playmaker, a great singer and dribler standard provisions in the game sometimes get up the unthinkable. But the humble Zizou does not consider himself an ideal: "I do not have enough stability. I shall always be in good shape, but not always successful.
As every football player, it has its drawbacks. "I have often advised to take more than the game itself, and I would often clog. But it seems that my destiny - to serve others," - Zinedine said. Always restrained and brought to life on the field he is completely different. Sometimes I can play very rough and even hit the opponent. For example, mundiale-98 for some reason he stepped on a Saudi player in the Champions League, after dirty rolled back Johan Kintsa from Hamburg also butted heads. Who knows, maybe exercise in childhood Judo calls for self-defense when the opponent relentlessly beats on his legs?

ON IDOL OF MILLIONS

Even at the dawn of his career, Zinedine Zidane uttered: "If someone said that he wanted to be like Zidane, I would be happy." Years passed, and now Zizou can consider himself the happiest man in the world - he was the idol of millions.

TRAUMA TO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2002

The news of Zidane's injury on the eve of World Cup - 2002 excited the whole of France. Verdict medical luminaries - the gap thigh muscle - was for him a sentence of two opening match of the championship and a terrible blow for the "tricolor". Some players, however, hastened to assure that they can do without Zizou. But after the first game with Senegal was clear: the team without Zidane, like a bird without wings.
What ended the championship for the French, known. "Now we need to start from scratch, create a new history," - summed up the sad result Zinedine. Who knows, maybe it was him the same fate with a new team to carry out further his desire - to win Euro 2004. Just as he once embodied in the life of his first dream - to become a footballer, but as time has shown, the Euro 2004 was not successful for the French, they easily came out of the team to first place, and entered the quarterfinals of the Greeks.

TEAM orphaned

So passed the first season, lived through the French team without Zidane. Boast a former world champion and Europe in particular have nothing. Nobody lost, but won only in the Faeroes, Iceland and Hungary. And the match against Hungary was the friendlies. The succession of draws in

World Cup qualifying games-2006 with main competitors - Ireland, Switzerland and Israel twice - calls into question the journey "Tri" in Germany. Although at the start it seemed that they booked Stay there.

Do not add a team whist and three draws in the control meetings - from Bosnia, Poland and Sweden. Few missed goals, but few, and hammered. Only a victorious matches managed to hit the gate rivals twice. Do not care whether the result Zizou, who has decided after the Euro-2004 to limit appearances for the club? Many in France, and beyond answering the question in the affirmative.

Zidane Returns you to the French team

Midfielder Real Madrid Zinedine Zidane is set to return to the French team. The decision to resume play in the national team, Zidane was taken a year after its stated intention to stop playing at international level. Footballer claims that it has revised its categorical last decision and found it necessary to return to the French team that would help her get to the World Championship in Germany.

This decision was confirmed by Zidane in the French Football Federation. Zidane also said that perform in a friendly against Cote d'Ivoire, which will be held August 17, 2005 in Montpellier in southern France.

Who knew that you come back? - "On this I knew only one person" (This Emile Henry, a former coach of France).

GOLDEN Lysin

After the World Championship-98 press is often attributed to football star romances with world celebrities. But Veronica did not pay any attention to this, defended her husband: "I trust him sometimes more than itself. But his love for his wife does not interfere Zinedine be a passionate fan of Laetitia Casta. Here are just a bald spot Zidane is much more expensive sweet little face supermodel. Salaries in Zizou huge - 7.2 million "clean" (taxes to pay for it club). It turns out nearly 20 thousand a day. Approximately the same amount brings advertising: a famous soccer player happy to promoting mineral water, cars, cable TV. Zidane himself once admitted: "It's terrible, I'm so not worthy." He added: "For me it would be a tragedy if my childhood friends or relatives thought that fame and money I was somewhat changed. It is easy to remain the same, as in the days when nobody knew me."

In support actively involved in charity work. He is honorary president of the amateur club from La Castellana. And not "wedding general": the affairs of the team belongs to the amazing responsibility to give financial assistance, call and inquired about the results.

It is clear that the unthinkable fees allow Zizou in anything does not deny. In Turin, he lived on the street lined with old buildings, the apartment, which once occupied Christian Vieri. Zidane adorned her abstract painting, the taste for which he instilled Croat Alen Boksic. A black Porsche Carrera "- this, according to him, the dream of childhood. Zizou likes to relax by the sea, go sailing off the coast of Greece and Turkey. Carefully watching each other - goes to bed early, do not eat anything that came to drink every day up to 4 liters of water, rest. But lying in bed does not like - football should not be lazy. Of the other sports he like most about tennis and Formula 1 career after football Zidane wants to become tenesistom. Can not bear to cook: "At most, what I am capable, it is boil an egg."

By the way, he does not like the nickname Zizou: "Actually, and mother and wife call me Yazom, and old friends - Yazid. I even strange when Veronica in a telephone conversation with someone utters the name of the friends of Zizou. So I called in Cannes. "Later, in Bordeaux, then coach Roland Kurbis made it the nickname the public domain.

Once the fans were asked Zidane to assess themselves on a ten-point scale. Here's what happened: soccer - 7 points, son - 9 points, the husband - 7 points, the father - 10 points.

How to write a French international footballer Zinedine Zidane?

We Zidane is the official site, where football regularly communicate with their fans http: / / schschsch.zidane.fr. There you will find a sea of information in French, English and Spanish. You can leave directly on the site or send an e-mail: tseubert@tsplus.fr.

And, you can visit the site of "Real Madrid", advocated by Zidane. Address: schschsch.realmadrid.tsom. Or call 8-10-34-1-902-28-17-09. This is a "hot line" club. Every day from nine in the morning until nine at night to your questions (in English or Spanish) of responses to staff the club.

CONCLUSION

Any artist who ultimately invests in works of his work. Only a genius like talking about lofty: create. What makes the football field, Zinedine Zidane, is not just a job, and creativity.

In journalistic executions footballer now allows a particularly incredible revelation. For example, bluntly declared that he was ready to become a captain, when it withdraws from Marcel Desailly, and even joked that this post is particularly suited playing with number ten. "The role of the captain more and more I'm interested in - explained Zidane. - The older you get, the greater the desire to communicate knowledge to others. Although this does not mean that I burn with impatience to start the new obligations for themselves."

As a public figure, Zidane participated in charitable events. For example, recently sold at auction for 39 800 euro its Jeep brand Ford Ehpedition. The money was sent to the association, which is struggling with leukodystrophy in children.

Thierry Henry

2009-11-14T04:55:00.000-08:00

Full name Thierry Daniel Henry
Date of birth 17 August 1977 (1977-08-17) (age 32)
Place of birth Les Ulis, Essonne, France
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Striker/Winger
Current club Barcelona
Number 14
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1999 Monaco 105 (20)
1999 Juventus 18 (3)
1999–2007 Arsenal 254 (174)
2007– Barcelona 63 (32)
National team
1997– France 115 (51)
Biography
1977
Born August 17 in Paris.
1990
Joins French first division Monaco as a 13-year-old.
1994
August: Makes French first division debut for Monaco against Nice, Monaco lose 2-0. Monaco coach was Arsene Wenger.
1995
April: Scores first goals in first division, two in 6-0 victory over RC Lens.
1996
May: Voted French Young Player of the Year.
1997
January: Signs first professional contract with Monaco.
May: Monaco win French league championship. Henry scores nine goals in 36 matches.
June: Helps France reach quarter-finals of World Youth championship in Malaysia.
October: Wins first French cap in World Cup warm-up match against South Africa in Lens.
1998
June: Plays in six of seven games in World Cup finals for winners France, staying on the bench for the 3-0 final victory over Brazil but scoring three first round goals -- one against South Africa and two against Saudi Arabia.
1999
January: Joins Juventus on after Italians outbid Arsenal.
April: Scores first goals for Juventus, two in 3-1 defeat of league leaders Lazio.
1999
August: Joins Arsenal for 10.5 million pounds.
September: Fails to score in first eight appearances, eventually getting off the mark in 1-0 win over Southampton.
2000
June: Scores three goals as France win Euro 2000.
2001
May: Ends season with 22 goals.
2002
May: Scores 31 goals for Arsenal as they clinch the Double.
June: Sent off for France against Uruguay in the World Cup finals as his country fail to progress from group stage.
2003
May: With three games remaining, Henry has scored 22 league goals as Arsenal chase second consecutive league title. He has also helped them reach second straight FA Cup final in a row.
June: Voted PFA player of the year and Football Writers' Association player of the year.
December: Runner-up in European Footballer of the Year poll, same position in FIFA world player of the year poll.
2004
May: Top scorer in Premier League with 30 goals as Arsenal win title without losing a match, a feat last achieved 115 years previously. Voted PFA player of the year. Becomes first player since award began more than 50 years ago to be named FWA player of the year in successive seasons.
December: Runner-up in FIFA world player of the year poll.
2005
May: Helps Arsenal win FA Cup although injury keeps him out of final against Manchester United.
October: Becomes top-scorer in Arsenal's history, netting twice in Champions League win over Sparta Prague to take his tally to 186, one more than set by Ian Wright in 1990s
2006
February: Scores 200th goal for Arsenal in win over Birmingham.
April: Voted Footballer of the Year for the third time in four years by the Football Writers' Association, becomes the first player in 59 years of the award to receive the accolade three times.
May: Captains Arsenal in their first Champions League final. Arsenal beaten 2-1 by Barcelona after goalkeeper Jens Lehmann sent off... Agrees to a new four-year contract with the Gunners, ending months of speculation about his future.
2007– Barcelona

Fernando Torres

2009-11-12T18:16:00.001-08:00

Full name Fernando José Torres Sanz
Date of birth 20 March 1984 (1984-03-20) (age 25)
Place of birth Madrid, Spain
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Striker
Current club Liverpool
Number 9
1995–2001 Atlético Madrid
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2007 Atlético Madrid 214 (82)
2007– Liverpool 67 (48)
National team
2000 Spain U15 1 (0)
2001 Spain U16 9 (11)
2001 Spain U17 4 (1)
2001 Spain U18 1 (1)
2002 Spain U19 5 (6)
2002–2003 Spain U21 10 (3)
2003– Spain 70 (23)

Fernando José Torres Sanz (born March 20, 1984) is a Spanish football player. He was born in the Fuenlabrada neighbourhood of Madrid and was the youngest player to play for Atlético Madrid and the youngest to become captain (at age 19). Nicknamed 'El Niño' (The Kid) for his youthful face, Torres is a striker for Spain and Liverpool. Torres scored 55 goals over 5 seasons in the Spanish top flight, with only Samuel Eto'o and David Villa scoring more in the same period. Torres also played two seasons in the second division where he scored 7 goals in 40 games.

In 1999, Torres signed his first contract with the club and at the end of the 1999–2000 season he was part of the first team. His next success was at the European Under-16 Championship in England in 2001, where he finished as the Player of the Tournament en route to Spain's victory.

Fernando Torres joined Liverpool in 2007, after the club paid their record transfer fee to sign him and marked his first season with the club by being their first player to score more than 20 league goals for the club in a season since Robbie Fowler in 1995–96.

Fernando Torres football star

Fernando Torres Spain

Steven Gerrard

2009-11-12T17:22:00.001-08:00

Full name Steven George Gerrard
Date of birth 30 May 1980 (1980-05-30) (age 29)
Place of birth Whiston,Merseyside, England
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Merseyside
Current club Liverpool F.C

Steven Gerrard was born on 30th May, 1980 in Whiston, Merseyside. The town is about 8 kms to the east of the city of Liverpool. He was brought up in neighbouring Huyton and spent his childhood there.

Gerrard or Stevie G as he is called, is a natural central midfielder who can play in other positions with equal aplomb. He loves to make darting runs from the centre of the park into the striking area and his long range passing and shooting, coupled with his tackling ability makes him a player every manager would love to have in their side.

Gerrard attended the Cardinal Heenan Catholic high school in West Derby, Liverpool. Unlike Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher and other famous Liverpool players who were childhood Everton fans, Gerrard was a Kopite from the beginning and joined his beloved club as a trainee when he was a school boy. He rose through the ranks quickly and made his debut as a substitute for Norwegian Vegard Heggem against Blackburn on 30th November 1998. His first full debut came against Celta Vigo in the UEFA Cup and his performance that night was a definite indicator that the lad was destined for stardom.

He made his first appearance in England colours against Ukraine at Wembley in May 2000 and has been an integral part of the English squad ever since. His first goal for England was a rasping 25 yard shot which gave Oliver Kahn no chance, in the famous 5-1 demolition of Germany in September 2001. His career was plagued by injuries in that period though, and he missed the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan with a groin injury.

He was given the captain's armband first in October 2003 by Gerard Houllier and has captained the Reds regularly ever since. He wears the No.8 jersey for the Reds and No.4 for England. He first captained England against Sweden in 2004, and led the side five times in 2007. When Steve McLaren took over from Sven Goran Eriksson in August 2006, he named Gerrard vice captain of the national team.A leader par excellence, the man gives nothing less than 100% when he is on the pitch. Fans voted him the " Nationwide Player of the Year '' in 2007.

Gerrard has scored in nearly every major final that he has appeared in for Liverpool, proving that he is somebody to be relied upon in big match occasions. Prominent among them is the headed goal against AC Milan in the Champions League final in 2005, which kickstarted Liverpool's amazing comeback and the last minute stunning 35 yard equaliser against West Ham in the FA Cup 2006 Final. He was also on the scoresheet in the 2001 UEFA Cup final against Alaves and the 2003 League Cup final against arch rivals Manchester United. He is also remembered for his crucial 25 yard strike against Olympiakos in the Champions League which assured the Reds of a place in the last 16 of Europe's most prestigious club competition. While Ian Rush still holds most of Liverpool's scoring records, Gerrard is the club's highest scorer in Europe.

Considered as Liverpool's prized asset by many, Gerrard is the pivot around which the Merseysiders revolve and his combination with Fernando Torres saw the latter score over 20 goals in his debut season . Given his versatility and consistency, it comes as no surprise that he is regarded as one of the best midfielders ever to grace the football pitch. Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has even stated his desire to keep Gerrard lifelong at Anfield. He is currently contracted to the Reds till 2011.

Gerrard has won several awards - the PFA young player of the year in 2001, the most valuable player in the Champions League in 2004-05 and PFA player of the year in 2006 (ahead of the likes of Frank Lampard and Thierry Henry). He came third behind Ronaldinho and Lampard in the poll for the prestigious Ballon D'Or (European Footballer of the Year) in 2005. In December 2006, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire ( MBE) in recognition of his services to the game. In the last five seasons, he has never failed to make it to the PFA Team of the Year.

He married Alex Curran on June 16, 2007, and the couple have two daughters, Lily-Ella and Lexie.
Steven Gerrard

Wayne Rooney

2009-11-12T05:57:00.000-08:00

Full name Wayne Mark Rooney
Date of birth 24 October 1985 (1985-10-24) (age 24)
Place of birth Croxteh,liverpool,England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position forward
Youth career 1996–2002 Everton

Years -Team -Apps†- (Gls)†
2002–2004 Everton 67 (15)
2004– Manchester u 168 (72)
2003– England 55 (25)
Wayne Rooney is trying to make the best of his stardom. While scoring for Manchester United and England, the teenager thought about releasing his first autobiography. The book is entitled "My Story So Far" - a pretty sophisticated one - and it's just the first out of a 5-volum series.
Basically, Wayne Rooney tells us the life he had until he started being on the public eye. What were his first impression after arriving to Manchester, how he's not angry with Cristiano Ronaldo after the World Cup incident, how he had a great relationship with Sven Goran Eriksson and how he is not at all disturbed with his most known nicknames: Potato Head and Ugly Arse. The book will most likely become one of the Millennium's best sellers, since the English supporters are just mad over the young striker. And that will sure contribute to his own welfare, since Rooney will get around 7 million euros for the first volume. Hunter Davies was the man who tried to squeeze almost every corner of Rooney's life just so that the fans could enjoy every minute of it. And the results are as expected. Nevertheless, the fans will be captivated to find out that Wayne is a simple man, just like them.
Well, maybe not just like them, since he affords to lose over one million euros on gambling just because "he was bored". Or earns about 80.000 euros per week, while most of his compatriots earn that amount in a few tens of years. But the fans don't mind it.

The book was released online 2 weeks ago and the amount of money obtained so far is more than encouraging. The book can be bought on libraries too from now on, for almost 15 euros. The next episode of his autobiography? Maybe in a couple of years.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

2009-11-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

Date of birth	3 October 1981 (1981-10-03) (age 28)
Place of birth	Malmö, Sweden
Height	1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)^[1]
Playing position	Striker

Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
1999–2001	Malmö F F	40	(16)
2001–2004	Ajax	74	(35)
2004–2006	Juventus	70	(23)
2006–2009	Internazionale	88	(57)
2009–	Barcelona	9	(7)

Zlatan was born in 1981 in Malmö, Sweden. He received his first pair of football boots at the age of five and it was obvious even at this early age that he had the potential to become an extraordinary footballer. He grew up in the infamous neighbourhood Rosengård known for being one of Sweden's roughest areas, but this did not hinder him. After playing for a local Swedish Club for a couple of years he transferred to Malmö FF in his teens, and it was here he started to pursue a career as a professional footballer.

Lionel Messi Biography

2009-11-10T07:58:00.002-08:00

Full name: Luis Lionel Andrés Messi
Birth day: June 24, 1987
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Nationality: Argentinian
Other nationality: Spanish
EU passport: Yes
Height: 169 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Club: FC Barcelona
Position: Forward
Debut: 17 November 2003

Lionel Messi Biography

Here you will find pictures of Messi, wallpaper, profile, biography, the latest news, posters,the best goals of Messi, awards and much more.
Lionel Messi was born born 24 June 1987 in Rosario in Argentian, he is an exciting Argentine soccer player, who currently plays as a second striker for FC Barcelona. He has shown remarkable ability for a player so young, and is often touted in the media as "the new Diego Maradona".

Play for the Spanish national football team was was offered to Lionel Messi, but he declined, preferring to wait for the opportunity to play for the country of his birth.He got his chance in June 2004 , playing in an under-20 friendly match agai

nst Paraguay..

In June 2005 in The Netherlands , the the Argentina U-20 team that won the Football World Youth Championship and Messi starred in this tournament, picking up the Golden Boot as top scorer with 6 goals, and the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament.

José Pekerman called him up to the senior Argentine national team on August 4. He made his debut against Hungary. However, he only played for three minutes of the game, being shown a red card and making him leave the field in his first attempt on goal.

The Italian newspaper Tuttosport awarded him the Golden Boy 2005 title for the best under-21 player in Europe, ahead of Wayne Rooney and Lukas Podolski ,on December of that year, Lionel Messi started playing football at a very early age for Newell's Old Boys. From the age of 11, he suffered from a hormone deficiency and as his parents were unable to pay for treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to Barcelona, Spain.He was 13 years of age, Lionel Messi tried his luck with a trial at FC Barcelona. He excelled at the trial and rapidly found himself starting for the Barcelona B team, averaging more than a goal per game.

Lionel Messi made his official debut for the first team a

gainst RCD Espanyol in October 2004, becoming the third-youngest player to ever play for FC Barcelona and he scored his first senior goal against Albacete on 2005-05-01

FC Barcelona renewed his contract until 2010 On 2005-06-27, establishing a selling clause of ;150 million.

On September 25 Lionel Messi obtained Spanish citizenship and was finally able to make his debut in this season, Spanish First Division. He had previously been unable to play because FC Barcelona had filled their quota of non-EU players. On

September 28, Lionel Messi’s first match in the UEFA Champions League at the Nou Camp was against the Italian club Udinese. He impressed with some great passing and a seemingly telepathic relationship with Ronaldinho that earned him a standing ovation from the 70,000-odd Nou Camp faithful

Lionel Andrés Messi (born June 24, 1987 in Rosario) is an Argentine football (soccer) player.

Lionel Messi started playing football at a very early age in his hometown's Newell's Old Boys. From the age of 11, he suffered from a hormone deficiency and as Lionel's parents were unable to pay for the treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to Barcelona, Spain.
In the 2003-2004 season, when he was still only 16, Messi made his first team debut in a friendly with Porto that marked the opening of the new Dragao stadium. The following championship-winning season, Messi made his first appearance in an official match on October 16, 2004, in Barcelona's derby win against Espanyol at the Olympic Stadium (0-1).

With several first team players seriously injured, the services of several reserve team players were called upon, and Messi became a regular feature of Barça squads. On May 1, 2005, he became the youngest player ever to score a league goal for FC Barcelona - against Albacete when Messi was only 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old.He was offered the chance to play for the Spain national football team, but declined, prefering to wait for the opportunity to play for the country of his birth. In June 2004 he got his chance, playing in a U-20 friendly match against Paraguay.
Lionel Messi wearing FC Barcelona's colorsIn June 2005 he starred for the Argentina U-20 team that won the Football World Youth Championship played in The Netherlands.
Messi picked up the Golden Boot as top scorer with 6 goals, and the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. Despite his youth, Lionel has already drawn comparisons with Diego Maradona, arguably the best football player of all time.

On September 25, 2005 Messi obtained a Spanish citizenship and was finally able to make his debut in this season's Spanish First Division. He had previously been unable to play because FC Barcelona had filled up all of their quota of non-EU players.

Messi's first outing in the UEFA Champions League at the Nou Camp was on Sept 28 against Italian club Udinese. He impressed with some great passing and a seemingly telepathic relationship with Ronaldinho that earned him a standing ovation from the 70,000-odd Nou Camp faithful. On December of that year, the Italian newspaper Tuttosport awarded him the Golden Boy 2005 title for the best under-21 player in Europe, over Wayne Rooney and Lukas Podolski

Read Ronaldinho's lifestory

2009-11-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

Ronaldinho
Soccer Player
Born: 21 March 1980

Birthplace: Porto Alegre, Brazil

Best known as: Curly-haired Brazilian midfielder for AC Milan

Name at birth: Ronaldo de Assis Moreira

1997 FIFA U-17 World Cup (Brazil U-17)

1998 -

1999 Confederations Cup Golden Ball (individual)
Confederations Cup Top Scorer (individual)
Copa América (Brazil)
State Champion Top Scorer (individual)

2000 -

2001 -

2002 World Cup (Brazil)
World Cup All-Star Team (individual)

2003 -

2004 EFE Trophy / Best Ibero-American Player in La Liga (individual)
UEFA Team of the Year (individual)
World Player of the Year (individual)

2005 Confederations Cup (Brazil)
European Footballer of the Year (individual)
FIFA World Player of the Year (individual)
FIFPro World Player of the Year (individual)
FIFPro World XI (individual)
La Liga (Barcelona)
UEFA Best Club Forward (individual)
UEFA Club Football of the Year (individual)
UEFA Team of the Year (individual)
Supercopa de España (Barcelona)

2006 Champions League (Barcelona)
FIFPro World Player of the Year (individual)
FIFPro World XI (individual)
La Liga (Barcelona)
Supercopa de España (Barcelona)
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (individual)
UEFA Team of the Year (individual)

2007 FIFPro World XI (individual)

2008 Bronze medal at the Summer Olympics (Brazil)

Kaka Leite's biography,news,

2009-11-06T12:17:00.001-08:00

Kaka
Personal Data
Name:	Ricardo
Surname:	Dos Santos Leite
Known As:	Kaka
Country:	Brazil
Date of Birth:	22 Apr 1982
Birthplace:	Brasilia
Height:	183 cm
Weight:	73.0 kg

Kaka is arguably one of the greatest footballers in this era. Kaka is a playmaker who can create chances aswell as score goals. In 2007, Kaka won the European footballer of the year aswell as FIFA world player of the year awards. Kaka has remarkable dribbling aswell as passing abilities.

Kaka started his football journey with a Brazilian youth club, Alphaville. Sao Paulo found him and inducted him into their youth system in 1990.When he was 18, he survived a spine fracture, which could have left him in paralysis. Kaka helped Sao Paulo youth team to win Copa Sao Paulo de Juniores, in 2000.Kaka made it to the senior side of Sao Paulo in 2001.He helped Sao Paulo senior team to win Torneio Rio-Sao Paulo, in 2001. Kaka scored 30 goals in 75 appearances for Sao Paulo.

In 2003, Kaka moved to Italy and joined European giants AC Milan in a transfer deal worth 8.5 million Euros. He made his Serie A debut for AC Milan while playing against Ancona, in 2003.Kaka helped AC Milan to win the Italian Serie A in 2004.He played a role in the AC Milan’s dream run in UEFA Cup, which they won in same year. He helped them to lift Italian Super cup aswell as European super cup at the start of 2004/2005 season. Kaka was influential for Milan during 2004/2005 season. Milan finished as runner up in Italian Serie A aswell as UEFA Champions League. Kaka scored two hat tricks for Milan during 2005/2006 season, while playing against Chievo and Anderlecht respectively. Kaka was the driving force behind the AC Milan’s UEFA Champions league triumph, in 2007.He was the top scorer in that tournament, with 10 goals. He helped Milan to win UEFA Super cup aswell as FIFA Club World cup, in 2007.Kaka scored 19 and 16 goals in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 seasons respectively. Kaka turned down a 100 million pounds transfer bid from Manchester City in January 2009.Kaka was the Serie A footballer of the year in 2004 aswell as 2007.He made it to the UEFA team of the year in 2006 and 2007. He won the Toyota Award aswell as Onze d’ Or, in 2007. Kaka scored 95 goals for AC Milan in 270 appearances.

In June 2009, Kaka joined Real Madrid for a then World record transfer deal worth 56 million pounds to be a part of new Galacticos era. He played his first match for Real Madrid while playing against Canadian club Toronto Fiche scored from penalty spot against German club Borussia Dortmund to open his Real Madrid goal account.

Kaka played his first International match for Brazil against Bolivia in 2002.He scored his first goal for Brazil against Iceland. He was part of the Brazilian squad, which won the 2002 world cup. He helped Brazil to qualify for the 2006 world cup. Kaka played well in Brazil’s run at 2006 World cup, which ended in quarterfinal stage. Kaka helped Brazil to win FIFA Confederations cup in 2005 as well, as 2009.Kaka is the current playmaker of the Brazilian team. He won the FIFA Confederations cup golden ball ,in 2009.Kaka made it to the FIFA team of the year in 2008.kaka is the driving force behind the Brazil’s 2010 World cup qualification campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo profile and biography

2009-11-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

Cristiano Ronaldo profile

Name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
Birth date: February 5, 1985
Birthplace: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Height: 186.5 cm
Playing position: Left/right winger, striker
First club: Sporting Lisbon
Career debut: 1999 vs Moreirense
Current club: Real Madrid
International team: Portugal
Int’l debut: August 20, 2003 vs Kazakhstan

Cristiano Ronaldo biography

Ronaldo started playing competitive football at the age of eight for amateur club Andorinha, and then for local team CD Nacional when he was 10. He moved to Sporting CP, one of Portugal’s largest football clubs in 1996.

Ronaldo trained in the youth team before making his senior debut in 1999 against Moreirense in which he scored a brace. He made his European debut in a Champions League qualifier against Inter.

Ronaldo played for Portugal’s youth side in the UEFA U-17 Championships and drew attention internationally.

Liverpool under manager Gérard Houllier back then was reported to have interest in signing Ronaldo; and it was also revealed later that Arsenal was closed to signing him before his move to Manchester United in 2003.

Ronaldo’s signature came after Sporting defeated United 3–1; on the way back to England the United players spoke enthusiastically about the young winger and suggested manager Sir Alex Ferguson to secure his signature, which he did for a price of £12.24 million.

Ronaldo made a memorable debut for Manchester United as a substitute against Bolton; his 30 minutes performances created hype with United fans and the English media with his dazzling dribbles. He scored his first goal for the club with a free kick in a 3–0 win over Portsmouth in November.

Despite promising starts, his first two seasons at the club received mixed reviews; he’s being praised for his skills, but also often criticised for lack of consistency and poor decision making on the field.

Ronaldo made his senior debut for Portugal shortly after being signed by United in a match against Kazakhstan in August 2003.

A controversy broke out in World Cup 2006 where Ronaldo was alleged to influence the referee to send off his United team mate and England striker Wayne Rooney in their quarter finals clash.

Ronaldo was being used as the scapegoat for England’s defeat in the World Cup and the hatred towards him had prompted his intention to leave England and United. In the end United managed to keep him, and Ronaldo had a great season in the Premiership against all odds.

Ronaldo won both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year Award in 2007; the first player since 1977 to bag the double in the same season.

Ronaldo was also voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association; and was the top 3 finalists for both the FIFA World Player of the Year and European Player of the Year awards in 2007.

Ronaldo continued his fine form in the 2007/2008 season, netted in 42 goals in all competition (31 in Premier League), and was again voted as the PFA Player of The Year and Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year.

His performance contributed to United’s double for the season; winning the Premiership in succession as well as bringing home the UEFA Champions League trophy, in which he scored a goal in the final.

Ronaldo was crowned as both the FIFA World Player of the Year and European Player of the Year in 2008.

Ronaldo scored 26 goals in the 2008/09 season, helping United to another Premiership title, and again reached the final of the Champions League in which they lost to Barcelona.

Ronaldo became the world’s most expensive football player following his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid in July 2009 in a £80 million transfer. He was welcome by 80,000 fans in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium during his official presentation.

Ronaldo’s Real Madrid career started well and was untouchable form until his injury in October.