Ronaldo has officially retired from football

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6120565/lack-fitness-led-retirement-18-seasons

Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima has officially retired from professional football after a tremendous that lasted 18 years. Ronaldo started his senior career with Cruzeiro in 1993 and would play for PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan and would finish his career in his native Brasil, playing for Corinthians. Ronaldo did everything in his career any player would dream about. Winning two FIFA World Cups with Brasil, three FIFA Player of the Year awards, numerous league titles, scoring titles and countless individual awards, Ronaldo is on everyones list of all-time greats and is arguably the greatest striker to play the game. Ronaldo not only did wonderful things for his club teams, (352 goals in 515 appearances), but he also was a masterful with Brasil. Along with his two World Cup titles, Ronaldo has the record for most all-time World Cup goals with 15 to his tally and has scored 62 goals in 97 caps for the squad.

Ultimately Ronaldo will be remembered for multiple reasons. Not only will he be rememebered for all the great goals he scored, the water like fluidness of his “silks”, but also he’ll be rememebered with the “What if?” factor. Hard to believe with a guy with so much on his resume. Ronaldo suffered three severe knee injuries during the course of his career and still came back every time and competed at a high level. Ronaldo’s mental toughness along with his physically was seemingly unmatched by anyone before, during, or after his prime. Ronaldo was always one of the biggest and fastest players in the world which resulted in countless mismatches. Teams would often send multiple defenders after him and many times he either shook em off and kept going, or he found a teammate in open space to get another goal for his team. It will be strange not seeing El Fenomeno no longer on the pitch, but the memories he’s left us are amazing.

To Ronaldo, Thank you for everything you’ve done for the sport, and personally I thank you for being a great person to look up to. I’m glad I have a hero like you who played the game with passion, respect, honor and integrity.

Darren

Ronaldo

Ronaldo is,was,and always will be my favorite football (Soccer for my fellow Americans) player of all-time. An idol of mine for more than a decade, I admire “R9″ like no other and respect him to the fullest. I’ve worn his #9 and even mimicked some of his “silks” on the pitch. So as I found this video of all of his World Cup record 15 goals, I decided to share it with everyone. Enjoy!

Darren

Champions League knockout rounds opening draw

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/851008?cc=5901

Some intriguing matchups were made yesterday when the Champions League draw was announced. After Robin Van Persie stated he’d like to take on one of the Spanish League giants Real Madrid or Barcelona, Arsenal’s fate was put into question and sure enough they were drawn Barcelona in the round of 16. Barcelona is a heavy favorite to win that game and I believe they do so. Real Madrid, group plays top points getter, drew Lyon for the second straight year. This round has always been a thorn in the Spanish clubs’ side but Madrid should be able to pick up the win, especially since they’ll have one of the world’s best players in Kaka back in form by then. Reigning champ Inter Milan will face Bayern Munich in a rematch of last years final. Inter won the FIFA Club World Cup today but have looked lackluster at times this season and our 7th in Serie A. Munich has been playin very well and will look to take down the Italian club this go around. Another matchup that catches my eye is Marseille vs Manchester United. As Man U center back Rio Ferdinand tweeted ( www.twitter.com/rioferdy5 ), “So we got Marseille in the CL, decent draw. Will be a tough game out there, never many goals between us + french teams.” He is right but I believe they ave enough firepower and are in form and should make it past a game Marseille. The remaining matchups are as follows: AC Milan vs Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma vs Shaktar Donetsk, FC Schalke vs Valencia, and Copenhagen vs Chelsea. The first leg of games will be played on February 15/16 and 22/23 while the second legs will be played March 8/9 and 15/16. Get ready for some great games and we’ll see who’s still standing into the round of 8.

Darren

AC Milan looking strong

Through 15 games, AC Milan is once again raising terror on Italy’s Serie A. At 10-3-2, Milan holds a three point lead over Lazio and whopping ten point lead over their arch rival Inter Milan. Led by world class striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and former 2-time FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldinho, Milan is firing on all cylinders. Zlatan has netted 8 goals and has 6 assists, while Alexandre Pato has knocked home 6 goals. Milan has also moved onto the knockout rounds of the Champions League after locking up 2nd place (Behind La Liga’s Real Madrid) in the group stage with one game remaining. With Robinho, Ibrahimovic and Pato mathed up with Ronaldinho, the Milan attack is vicious and can hit opposing keepers from any angle and along with stellar keeper play from Christian Abbiati, Milan looks solid and set to win their first Serie A title since the 2003-04 season.

Darren

Milan wants compensation from team USA

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=685813&sec=us&cc=5901

Once again another player is hurt while playing for his country. Earlier this month C. Ronaldo was hurt while playing for his native Portugal and will miss a months worth of games for Real Madrid. Now Onyewu torn his patellar tendon in his left knee and will miss 6 months of playing time after signing a 3 year contract with AC Milan. The argument of National team vs club team comes into play here. Onyewu is part of the US’ attempt to reach the top level in soccer while with Milan he’s still trying to find his role. In my opinion the players will do what they want unless theres something in the contract preventing them from doing so. I think teams should do that if they are worried about a player getting hurt while playing for his country. Ronaldo and Onyewu arent the first victims and wont be the last…

 

Darren

C. Ronaldo to miss Milan meetings

http://en.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=902721.html

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the Milan meetings and will miss a month after aggravating an ankle injury while playing for his native Portugal. Losing Ronaldo for a month is a big blow to the Galacticos but Madrid should be able to continue to play at  a high level and will need Kaka,Benzema and Raul to carry the load.

Darren

Landon Donovan rips David Beckham?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=658604&sec=mls&cc=5739&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_4301727

This is a joke. Landon Donovan ripping David Beckham? PLEASE!!! Since when has Landon Donovan even been able to hold a candle to Becks w/ his skillset? If I remember correctly Beckham has been a superstar for years while playing for European powerhouses (Man. U & Mardid), while Donovan couldnt even get off the bench. Sure he’s had success in the MLS, but the MLS is the biggest joke of a league. You wanna know the reason for Becks lack of enthusiasm for playing in LA? He’s BORED! I said it before he ever came here. When you go from playing with/against guys like Roberto Carlos,Ronaldo,Rooney,Henry, & Campbell to playing with guys like Donovan,Gonzalez,Kovalenko, and Patterson? I’d be bored too.

A guy like Beckham needs to be pushed and challenged. The MLS does not have the talent pool to do either for Becks and it shows by his play on the pitch. If someone relevant criticised Beckham then maybe I would listen. But Landon Donovan is pretty irrelevant outside the U.S. to where Beckham carries weight all over the world. Those who dont follow soccer would say things like “Landons scored more goals in international play and in league.” Ok, your point is? Landon is a striker and Beckham is a midfielder. He SHOULD have more goals than Beckham. Plus Beckham is a better all around player and he sets hit guys up to score and usually takes his team deeper in tourneys than Donovan. Has Landon ever won a La Liga title? A FA Cup? A Premier league title? A UEFA Champions league title? I DONT THINK SO!!!

In closing I must say that Landon does have guts to go out and call out a superstar like Beckham but in reality nobody of relevance is paying attention. In my opinion I thinks its jealousy, bitterness, and inmaturity on Donovans part. Someone that hasnt done anything worth mentioning in the sport should definately call out one of the best players of all-time. Lets hope Beckham goes back to AC Milan and plays the way we all know he can.

Darren