Thursday, April 28, 2011

Gerard Pique

  • Currently playing for Spain and Barcelona with Iniesta
  • One of only three players to win Champions League back to back representing two different teams
  • After failing to make Manchester United landed on Barcelona’s defense
  • Started in the defense along with goalie Iker Casillos all seven matches in World Cup 2010 to help Spain win.
  • Began playing for Spain's national team when 18 yrs old
  • Dating pop singer Shakira

 

Iker Casillas

  • Currently plays for Spain and Real Madrid, like fellow captain Ramos
  • Captain for both teams
  • Won Fifa’s Golden Glove award 2010 after helping Spain win their first world cup
  • Was the youngest first choice goalie (2002) World Cup
  • Bravo Trophy awarded to him (best European football under 21) in 2000, which Messi won more recently in 2007
  • 2009 UEFA Team of the Year, was 3rd consecutive time

Sergio Ramos García

  • Currently playing for Spain and Real Madrid along with goal keeper Casillas
  • Youngest to start with Spain in the past 55 years (age 19)
  • Older brother was first to play but now is his manager
  • Proved he can play any defense position; center, right, or left
  • Tied for record of most red cards for Real Madrid after getting kicked off the field from kicking Messi from behind
  • One of the captains of Real Madrid

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite “Kaká”

  • Currently playing for Brazil and Real Madrid
  • Got the nickname ‘kaka’ from when his younger brother could not pronounce Ricardo
  • Top scorer in 2007 UEFA Champions League which he helped to win
  • 2nd most expensive transfer right after Ronaldo, for 65 million from AC Milan to Real Madrid
  • 2009 Time Magazine named as one of the top 100 influential people in the world
  • Joined Real Madrid four years after Ramos

Christiano Ronaldo

  • Currently plays for Portugal and Real Madrid
  • Refused to be number 7 due to too much pressure to live up to by players that wore the number such as Beckham
  • 2nd Highest scorer in 2006 World cup
  • Known for his dramatic falls
  • 2008 Fifa’s World Player
  • One of only three players to recieve consecutive Barclay's Player of the Month
  • He finished as the runner-up to teammate Kaká for the 2007 Ballon d'Or.

David Beckham

·         Currently playing for England and MLS NY Red Bulls
·         Made 1st team for Manchester United when only seventeen years old
·         Captain of England team for total of six years
·         Most recognizable player, Ronaldo being second
·         When transferred to Real Madrid his #7 was already taken so he took #23 for his admiration for Michael Jordan. It is also Clint Dempsey’s number.
·         Holds the all time record for most appearances of an outfield player

Franck Ribéry

  •  Currently plays for Bayern Munich and French National Team
  • Gained his scared appearance after a car accident when two years old
  • Recognized as one of the best French players of his generation similar to Henry. Even labeled the “jewel of French football”
  • First player to hold both honors of French Player of the Year and German Football of the Year
  • Being sponsored by Nike, he wears their Mercurial Vapors one of the best cleats available today.
  • Despite being quoted "At the moment I think Lionel Messi is the world’s best player. I’d like to play with Xavi. He’s a very good player who directs and organizes his team, and his passing is superb. He’s in incredible form at the moment. Of course, there are teams you dream of playing for, like Real Madrid or Barcelona" its said he will not leave Bayern for less that 100 million.
  • Investigation on his involvement with a prostitute ring of minors started after World Cup 2010 and may affect his chances of playing.