Comedy soccer

Today is the boxing day and there are the big matches. Hope you enjoy the games and I want to present you the comedy soccer video to celebrate the Christmas & coming New Year. Have Fun and happy holiday!

Robinho with transfer fee of about £32.5m

Full name: Robson (Robinho) de Souza
Date of birth: January 25, 1984

Robinho was born in Parque Bitaru, a poor neighborhood of São Vicente in Santos, where he began playing football at an early age.

In 1993, at the age of just eight, Robinho played for the Portuários futsal team. He later joined Santos's youth program, which at the time was overseen by Brazilian football legend Pelé.

In 2002, at the age of seventeen, Robinho signed his first professional contract with Santos. His form had brought him to the attention of many European clubs in the summer of 2004, but Robinho remained with Santos after the Brazilian club rejected all offers. Finally in July 2005 Real Madrid signed Robinho by agreeing to pay a fee equal to 60 percent of the buyout clause in his contract belonging to Santos (€24 million)

At the start of the 2006-07 campaign at Real Madrid, Robinho initially found it difficult to adapt to the European style of play and the Brazilian maestro struggled to impress showing only flashes of his outstanding capability. Things didn’t get any better as Robinho fell out of favour with Real Madrid’s then Coach, Fabio Capello. However, Robinho fought back concentrating on the football and had soon pushed his way back into the first team. He spent much of the first few months of the season on the bench.

Only after the winter break did Robinho find himself in the first team. Robinho has become a key member of the squad and was influential in Real Madrid lifting the League title at the end of the 2006-07 season.

September 1: Manchester City beat Chelsea to the signing of Robinho from Real Madrid for a British record transfer fee of about £32.5m. Sports daily Marca said on its Web site that Robinho had signed a five-year contract worth $8.8 million per season

UEFA Champion 2nd Round Draw

In the last week, there was the result of UEFA Champion 2nd Round Draw. I think most of you should know already :

	Agg.		First leg	Second leg
Atlético	-	Porto	24/02 »	11/03 »
Lyon	-	Barcelona	24/02 »	11/03 »
Arsenal	-	Roma	24/02 »	11/03 »
Internazionale	-	Man. United	24/02 »	11/03 »
Real Madrid	-	Liverpool	25/02 »	10/03 »
Chelsea	-	Juventus	25/02 »	10/03 »
Villarreal	-	Panathinaikos	25/02 »	10/03 »
Sporting	-	Bayern	25/02 »	10/03 »

Friday morning's Champions League draw did the English clubs no favours with four intriguing Round of 16 ties.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will face a familiar foe in Jose Mourinho after being drawn to face his Inter Milan side, while Arsenal will also meet Italian opponents after drawing Roma.

Chelsea will be reunited with Claudio Ranieri at Juventus and Rafael Benitez will return to Spain again as Liverpool drew beleaguered Real Madrid.

Tournament favourites Barcelona will take on Ligue 1 leaders Lyon. The remaining fixtrues will see Villarreal v Panathinaikos, Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid v FC Porto.

Mourinho will return to England for the first time since leaving Stamford Bridge at the start of last season and will renew his battle with the Manchester United manager.

While manager of Porto, Mourinho famously ran down the Old Trafford touchline to celebrate after a late goal sent the Red Devils tumbling out of the competition in 2004. He then spent two years tussling with Sir Alex for the Premier League title and in typical Jose style he wanted to draw United.

Manchester United's communications director Phil Townsend said the draw was a good one for the Old Trafford club and offered the chance to gain revenge on Mourinho, five years on from their loss against his Porto side at the same stage of the competition.

"It's a very exciting draw. We've only met Inter once before in the Champions League and we got through then, and maybe it's a good omen because it was in 1999 and we ended up winning the tournament,'' he said.

Inter director Ernesto Paolillo revealed he hoped Mourinho's previous encounters against Ferguson's side will give the Italian outfit the edge across the two legs.

"Mourinho is experienced in English football, and he knows United very well. I think that he can teach something to the players - the right way to fight - and we need that because his experience is very important for us.''

Another former Chelsea manager, Ranieri, will look to show the Blues what they are missing when he crosses swords with Luiz Felipe Scolari. Juve, trailing four points behind Inter in the Serie A table, are in their first season back among Europe's elite after being demoted for match fixing two years ago.

"For him (Ranieri) it means something different than for the rest of us," said Juventus sporting director Alessio Secco, who said he was confident of progress.

"When we were drawn with Real Madrid and Zenit in August we thought it was almost impossible but we won the group.

"We have a feeling of respect for Chelsea but we are not afraid to play against them.

"Since Claudio Ranieri left Chelsea many players have changed but many of them are still playing for Chelsea, so he knows them better than everybody else. I think that for him it will be a special game for sure.''

Chelsea secretary David Barnard was pleased with the draw as the Blues look to go one better than last year's runners-up finish.

Barnard told Sky Sports News: "Any team at this stage of the competition is obviously quality but it could have been a lot worse, maybe Barcelona.

"It obviously brings back Claudio Ranieri to the Bridge and I am sure Claudio will get a good reception from the Chelsea supporters.

"In Claudio's last season we actually reached the semi-finals and the Champions League means a lot to him and Chelsea.''

And Benitez will also be on familiar ground by drawing Real, where he was once a player. Though right now a draw against Real does not look too tricky it could be a completely different prospect in two months time.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will face a familiar foe in Jose Mourinho after being drawn to face his Inter Milan side, while Arsenal will also meet Italian opponents after drawing Roma.

Chelsea will be reunited with Claudio Ranieri at Juventus and Rafael Benitez will return to Spain again as Liverpool drew beleaguered Real Madrid.

Tournament favourites Barcelona will take on Ligue 1 leaders Lyon. The remaining fixtrues will see Villarreal v Panathinaikos, Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid v FC Porto.

Mourinho will return to England for the first time since leaving Stamford Bridge at the start of last season and will renew his battle with the Manchester United manager.

While manager of Porto, Mourinho famously ran down the Old Trafford touchline to celebrate after a late goal sent the Red Devils tumbling out of the competition in 2004. He then spent two years tussling with Sir Alex for the Premier League title and in typical Jose style he wanted to draw United.

Manchester United's communications director Phil Townsend said the draw was a good one for the Old Trafford club and offered the chance to gain revenge on Mourinho, five years on from their loss against his Porto side at the same stage of the competition.

"It's a very exciting draw. We've only met Inter once before in the Champions League and we got through then, and maybe it's a good omen because it was in 1999 and we ended up winning the tournament,'' he said.

"We'll be trying to put one over on Jose this time and get the result the fans want and the club wants.''

Inter director Ernesto Paolillo revealed he hoped Mourinho's previous encounters against Ferguson's side will give the Italian outfit the edge across the two legs.

"Mourinho told me yesterday that he wanted Manchester United, and I think he's right,'' Paolillo told Sky Sports News. "Against Manchester United we can find the right motivation and the right concentration to play a very good game.

"Mourinho is experienced in English football, and he knows United very well. I think that he can teach something to the players - the right way to fight - and we need that because his experience is very important for us.''

Another former Chelsea manager, Ranieri, will look to show the Blues what they are missing when he crosses swords with Luiz Felipe Scolari. Juve, trailing four points behind Inter in the Serie A table, are in their first season back among Europe's elite after being demoted for match fixing two years ago.

"For him (Ranieri) it means something different than for the rest of us," said Juventus sporting director Alessio Secco, who said he was confident of progress.

"When we were drawn with Real Madrid and Zenit in August we thought it was almost impossible but we won the group.

"Since Claudio Ranieri left Chelsea many players have changed but many of them are still playing for Chelsea, so he knows them better than everybody else. I think that for him it will be a special game for sure.''

Chelsea secretary David Barnard was pleased with the draw as the Blues look to go one better than last year's runners-up finish.

Barnard told Sky Sports News: "Any team at this stage of the competition is obviously quality but it could have been a lot worse, maybe Barcelona.

"It obviously brings back Claudio Ranieri to the Bridge and I am sure Claudio will get a good reception from the Chelsea supporters.

"In Claudio's last season we actually reached the semi-finals and the Champions League means a lot to him and Chelsea.''

And Benitez will also be on familiar ground by drawing Real, where he was once a player. Though right now a draw against Real does not look too tricky it could be a completely different prospect in two months time.

Arsenal will be against mid-table Roma who have struggled to impress this season. However, the performance of Arsenal in the recently games was not good.

The ties take place on February 24/25 and March 10/11 with the final on May 27 in Rome.

Source: www.soccernet.com and www.uefa.com

Zinedine Zidane

Born Zinédine Yazid Zidane on June 23, 1972 in Marseille, France. Zidane learned to play football in the streets of Marseilles and was discovered at age 14 by a talent scout. He signed as a schoolboy for Cannes FC.

Zidane transferred to FC Girondins de Bordeaux for the 1992–93 season, winning the 1995 Intertoto Cup and finishing runner-up in the 1995–96 UEFA Cup in four years with the club. In 1996, Zidane moved to Champions League winners Juventus F.C. for a fee of £3 million.

In 2001, Zidane joined Real Madrid for €76 million, the most expensive transfer fee in football history, and signed a four-year contract. The next season, Zidane was named the FIFA World Player of the Year for the third time. In 2004, fans voted him atop UEFA's fiftieth-anniversary Golden Jubilee Poll, and he was included in the FIFA 100.

He earned his first cap with France as a substitute in a friendly against the Czech Republic on 17 August 1994. Then he won the 1998 World Cup with France, scoring twice in the final.

Zidane finished with two goals as France won Euro 2000, becoming the first team to hold both the World Cup and the European Championship. On 12 June 2004, after France were eliminated in the Euro 2004 quarterfinals, Zidane retired from international football. However, at the urging of coach Raymond Domenech and seeing France struggle to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Zidane came out of retirement and was immediately reinstated as team captain.

At the 2006 World Cup, he wore special Adidas Golden Predator football boots, made as a tribute as this World Cup contained his last matches as a football player.

After scoring a seventh-minute penalty in the final, Zidane became only the fourth player in World Cup history to score in two different finals, along with Pelé, Paul Breitner, and Vavá, in addition to being tied for first place with Vavá, Pelé and Geoff Hurst with three WC final goals apiece. However, he was sent off in the 110th minute with the match tied 1-1, and did not participate in the penalty shootout, which Italy won 5-3. Despite his red card and the controversy that followed, Zidane was nonetheless awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the competition.

As Zidane and Italy defender Marco Materazzi were jogging up the pitch in close proximity of each other, they briefly exchanged words after Materazzi was seen tugging at Zidane's jersey before Zidane began to walk away from him. Moments later, Zidane suddenly stopped, turned around and rammed his head into Materazzi's chest, knocking him to the ground. Although play was halted, referee Horacio Elizondo did not appear to have seen the confrontation. According to match officials' reports, fourth official Luis Medina Cantalejo informed Elizondo of the incident through his headset.

After consulting his assistants, Elizondo issued Zidane a red card in the 110th minute. He also became the fourth player red-carded in a WC final, in addition to being the first sent off in extra time.

After video evidence suggested that Materazzi had verbally provoked Zidane, three British media newspapers claimed to have hired lip readers to determine what Materazzi had said, with The Times, The Sun and Daily Star claiming that Materazzi called Zidane "the son of a terrorist whore." In 2008, The Sun and Daily Star made public apologies to Materazzi. The Times has yet to do so.

Zidane only partly explained that repeated harsh insults about his mother and sister had caused him to react. Materazzi admitted insulting Zidane, but argued that Zidane's behaviour had been very arrogant and that the remarks were trivial. Materazzi also insisted that he did not insult Zidane's mother (who was ill at the time).

Funny Soccer

Here is the funny soccer clip video. Good for everyone who is in the tough business crisis. Kill me if you see this video and don't laugh.

Benitez - Keane going nowhere

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists he is not set to sell under-fire striker Robbie Keane in the January transfer window.

Former Tottenham star Keane has struggled since a £20million summer switch to Anfield and has scored just four goals this season.

But ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League outing at PSV Eindhoven, Benitez has moved to reject conjecture linking Keane with a Merseyside exit.

Benitez said on Monday: "Robbie's future is to be ready, to score goals and to work for the team.

"In football we know we have signed a good player, you cannot guarantee anyone's position. In some games he has to work hard.

"The challenge is there for him. When you sign a player for a lot of money, that is it. He becomes another player in the squad and he has to fight for his position.

"I do not know whether his confidence has been affected, we will see tomorrow.

Benitez added: "I have a lot of patience, with everybody. He will be here after the January window, it is not my idea to sell him.

"We are always working with the players, explaining and clarifying what they need to do for the team. Robbie is no different."

From www.sky sports.com

Green is ready for England - Zola

West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green has been tipped to win an England recall by his club manager Gianfranco Zola.

The 28-year-old Green has one England cap and has not been in any of manager Fabio Capello's squads since March.

But after a fine display against Liverpool, Zola said: "I have told Robert that if he continues to perform, he will be back in the England squad.

"Capello knows what is the right thing to do, and Green knows he must continue to perform every week like he is now."

Green was outstanding in Monday's 0-0 draw at Liverpool, which lifted the Hammers to 13th in the Premier League table. It was also his third consecutive clean sheet.

Zola added: "I am delighted with Robert. He is looking very comfortable now. He was getting some stick but now he is getting the rewards he deserves.

The Italian, who was appointed in September, also revealed he feels his ideas are starting to bring success at the club.

"When I first arrived I wanted to improve the way we played, to be more offensive," Zola said. "But we discovered that we needed to improve in defence, and that is what we are trying to do.

"Our objective is to keep clean sheets and to score more goals. We will be working on that.

"The team is responding to what my staff and I are saying. They are keen to react and follow what we want, and that gives us hope for the future.

"My players are going through a good spell, we must not lose this momentum. Things had not been going well but things are now improving on our side of things, we must keep it going."

From : bbc.co.uk

Real Madrid agree deal for striker Huntelaar

Spanish champions Real Madrid have confirmed Ajax forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar will join the club in January.

The 25-year-old, who has long been linked with a move to Madrid, will sign a deal with the capital club until June 2013 subject to passing a medical.

According to the Ajax website, Huntelaar will join Madrid on January 2 for an initial 20million euros (£17m), rising to a potential 27million euros (£23m).

Madrid confirmed the deal in a statement posted on their own official website: ''Huntelaar is the new Real Madrid player. Real Madrid and Ajax Amsterdam have reached an agreement for the forward.

''As usual, the deal is dependent on the player passing a medical and the signing of his contract with Real Madrid. 'Klaas Jan Huntelaar will be tied to Real Madrid until June 30, 2013.''

The deal, which will provide Real with cover for long-term injury victim Ruud van Nistelrooy, will earn Dutch club Heerenveen around €2.5million as part of the agreement Ajax signed when they signed the player in 2005.

The prolific frontman was a target for a number of clubs at that time with the Dutch giants reported to have turned down a big-money bid from Manchester City, while Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal were also apparently keen admirers.

But Ajax technical director Danny Blind decided now was the right moment to let the player go.

''After being at Ajax for three years it's a nice step in his career. He absolutely deserves this transfer.''

Ajax coach Marco van Basten was less impressed with the timing of the transfer.

''I don't begrudge him this transfer, but from a sporting perspective we would rather have seen him end the season here,'' he said.

''Obviously when a club like Real Madrid comes in, it's going to be very difficult to keep him. And as a club we must think of more than one player - it's all about having a future-proof policy.''

Madrid defender Michel Salgado said he would welcome Huntelaar to the Bernabeu especially as UEFA rules state that the player can be eligible for Madrid's Champions League, having only competed with Ajax in this season's UEFA Cup.

He said: ''What we know is that he is a born goalscorer due to the amount of goals he has scored in the Dutch league, he is young and he could play in the Champions League. Anyone who comes here will be welcomed.''

The deal brings to an end a frustrating time for Madrid in the transfer market after missing out on top target Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.

Yesterday, Madrid president Ramon Calderon revealed the club were ''very close to signing a winger and a striker in January''.

He added: ''I've been told they are young and quick and they will come to reinforce the team.''

Madrid fans have been calling for reinforcements in the midst of a poor start to the Primera Liga season.

The Bernabeu club are currently fourth in the table, six points behind leaders and fierce rivals Barcelona.

Calderon was forced to come out in support of coach Bernd Schuster yesterday for the second time in a fortnight following Saturday's dismal 3-1 defeat to neighbours Getafe.

After joining Ajax in January 2005 Huntelaar has gone on to become one of the most potent strikers in Europe, scoring 76 goals in 92 league matches for the Amsterdam team and netting 10 goals in 18 appearances for the Netherlands.