**Official Football (Soccer) Thread"

[Ziongate]

yep the EPL and Li Liga will be on espn

Good News then..
ESPN has realised there's money to be made on showing International football[Soccer]events and they dont want to miss out on that.
The more they show such games, the more the public's interest and the more we football lovers[in the US] stay happy unlike previously deprived.

 

[MCP]

This maybe good news for those outside the UK, but for football here, Skysports is at the top of the tree when it comes to showing live football games.

 

[DJCandle]

Fergie: No more player movement at Old Trafford

Sir Alex Ferguson handed Michael Owen Ronaldo's old shirt at Manchester United and then declared Old Trafford closed for transfer business.

After recieving £80m from the sale of the Portuguese winger to Real Madrid, it was thought Ferguson would add to the signings of Owen, Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan.

But, faced with a market over-inflated by Real Madrid and Manchester City, Ferguson has decided his current squad is good enough to challenge for an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title, even though Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have left.

He said: "It is the end of our business, so all these stories about who were are supposed to be getting - forget it.''

It means Owen will take over Ronaldo's shirt and his place in an attacking line-up containing Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, plus youngsters Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda, who will both be given a chance to prove they are worthy of the accolades that have been bestowed on them.

"They are both young players - but young players with ability always get a chance here.''

Owen maintained he was in good shape despite his injury-prone tag. "It does irritate me that so many people have doubts,'' he said. "But if there is one thing I am angered by, the injury thing would be it. There is no doubt I have had injuries in my career. But there is a long list of players that have had a broken metatarsal.

"I was foolish trying to rush back for the World Cup and my leg had just come out of plaster. "But I played 33 and 32 games in the last two years in a team that was not in Europe and did not go on a decent cup run. Still I was continually labelled injury-prone, which gets up my nose.

"I am 29 and have played over 500 games for club and country. That says it all.''

What Owen does accept the need to prove is the retention of ability that has made him only the fourth striker in England history to score 40 goals for his country.

"In certain parts, people do have a justification to have a go at me,'' he said. "I didn't set the world alight in the last year at Newcastle. That is no-one's fault but mine. We were not playing well as a team and I wasn't doing my bit either.''

Ferguson confirmed he made a bid for Karim Benzema, only to be rebuffed by the Lyon man, who instead became part of Real Madrid's extraordinary spending spree.

''There are some amazing numbers being talked about, not all of them realistic,'' he said. ''It is very difficult to get value now. ''In a way we benefited through the sale of Cristiano, although that figure was non-negotiable.

"But I feel we have a good squad, which meant there was no need for knee-jerk reactions. 'We asked about Benzema and we had a value for him. Lyon have done well because they got 42m Euros but I think we took a sensible view.''

"Michael gives us experience in the penalty box, which is vital,'' said Ferguson. "He has always had that little knack of losing defenders in the last third. "I know he will score a lot of goals for us. He has been great at that for years.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=660550&sec=england&cc=5901

 

[DJCandle]

Ronaldinho promises to fill Milan's Kaka gap

Ronaldinho has vowed to lessen the impact of Kaka's departure by having a "great season" for AC Milan.

The Brazilian playmaker was responding to quotes from owner Silvio Berlusconi over the weekend that called him a "great champion".

Many fans were dismayed at Kaka's high-profile departure but Ronaldinho is vowing to step up his efforts for the Rossoneri and help mount a serious challenge for the Scudetto.

After Milan's comfortable pre-season victory over local side Varese he said: "I want to have a great season and dedicate my efforts to the president.

"I also want to guarantee the fans that I have the right mentality to become a great champion once again."

Ronaldinho had an indifferent campaign last year, making just 16 starts and suffering a slump in form after the Christmas period.

As the club rebuild after coach Carlo Ancelotti's departure, Ronaldinho has also urged the club to sign Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano.

He said: "It would be a great addition, he is a great player and we could form a wonderful trio along with [Alexandre] Pato."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=660473&sec=europe&cc=5901

 

[DJCandle]

Kaka: Talent not enough for Real success

Kaka has sought to temper any expectations that the big-money signings of himself and Cristiano Ronaldo this summer will instantly result in Real Madrid becoming an unbeatable side.

Madrid have undergone a huge overhaul after ending last season empty-handed, and following the return of Florentino Perez to the presidency the club have invested almost £200m on four new players, with the prospect of more to come.

Much of that money has been spent on just two players, with Ronaldo costing a world-record £80 and Kaka's fee believed to be £56m, and Madrid will feel confident their new-look side can challenge the dominance of treble-winners Barcelona both in Spain and Europe next season.

However, Kaka has dismissed any suggestions that Madrid will now be invincible just because they can field some of the best and most expensive players in the world.

"From my experience in football I can assure that talent alone is not sufficient,'' he said. "The Brazil team in 2006 was magnificent and they were knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals because they lacked many things.

"We had a lot of talent, but we had some deficiencies which prevented us from progressing. Real Madrid have Cristiano and Kaka, which is very good because we are players with quality, but we have to form a team and work very hard.

"With only Cristiano and Kaka Madrid are not invincible. We need to work on many things over time and I hope we achieve them. We have a very ambitious and very long project.''

However, that does not mean the former AC Milan ace is not gunning for a successful first season in Spain.

With just two major trophies since 2003 and a poor recent record in the Champions League, everyone associated with Madrid will be desperate to see some silverware end up in the Bernabeu trophy room next season, and Kaka is hoping to ensure that becomes reality.

"The Madrid fans deserve that we try and win every title, because they have suffered a lot and are wanting to celebrate success with us,'' the Brazil international said in Marca. Between us all we have to ensure that the fans reach the end of the season with the same happiness that they will start it with.

"I don't know if we are going to achieve it, but we are going for the treble. League, Champions League and Copa del Rey. I've come to Real Madrid to win every title and I'm going to work very hard for this. But it's not only for my first year, but in all the years that I'm going to be here. I want to win everything.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=660564&sec=europe&cc=5901

 

[DJCandle]

Manchester City announce that Tevez will sign

Carlos Tevez is set to wear the blue of Manchester City after the club announced they have reached an agreement over a proposed move to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Tevez has agreed personal terms and is expected to pen a five-year deal at Eastlands. City have confirmed the deal has been ratified by the Premier League and the Football Association, and Tevez is expected to have a medical shortly before meeting up with his new team-mates on their pre-season tour to South Africa.

Manager Mark Hughes said "It is terrific news. Carlos is an international player of the highest class who possesses all the attributes that will help drive this club forward."

Tevez caught an overnight flight from South America on Monday to Manchester to put an end to a lengthy pursuit of a player who ended his association with Manchester United after finishing a two-year loan at Old Trafford amid much acrimony.

City have previously been reluctant to express too much confidence about the chances of Tevez joining them, knowing the complexities of the deal could scupper it at any time. Tevez's "economic rights" are owned by third-party group MSI, fronted by businessman Kia Joorabchian.

Despite something of a rapport with fans at Old Trafford, and a United offer that met MSI's requirements in terms of wages and a fee for the player, Red Devils' boss Sir Alex Ferguson said on Mondday that he felt the Argentine striker had decided to bail out long before the eventual decision was taken.

"I half expected Carlos Tevez would be going a long time back," said the United boss. "I think he maybe did a deal around January because I spoke to him and gave him an offer on the night we played Inter Milan (in March) and he never came back to me.

"I phoned him on holiday and he never got back to me and I texted him twice and he never got back to me then either, so obviously he had made his mind up a long time ago.

"He was a good player and did well for us. But he obviously assessed the situation and wanted to go somewhere else."

Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor has also emerged as the latest big name to catch City's eye while they also wait to see what the result of conversations between John Terry and Chelsea will be.

Blues chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak is willing to make Terry the highest-paid player in England in order to lure him north.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=660462&sec=transfers&cc=5901

 

[Ziongate]

Tervez to Man City....interesting. Man City "talking" to Arsenal for Adebayor...Interesting....I wouldn't want to see him[Adebayor] go yet though.......can't wait for the 15th august...... Matter of fact, can't wait for the various European leagues to begin

 

[Wes Manchild]

I would sell Adebayor, we are deep enough at forward. We still need a CDM.

 

[DJCandle]

Laporta claims Ibra/Eto'o swap deal agreed

Barcelona president Joan Laporta claims to have come to a complete agreement with Inter Milan over a swap deal involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o.

Laporta met his Inter counterpart Massimo Moratti on Friday to discuss the potential switch.

Moratti said earlier that negotiations are still ongoing but Laporta insists the deal is all but completed with Inter set to receive 45m euros as well as land Eto'o and Barcelona winger Alexander Hleb.

"I can't say that it will still happen if one of the conditions isn't fulfilled since the signing has been agreed in a comprehensive manner," he said. "I spoke with Samuel on Tuesday and after the dinner in Italy.

"I'm not going to disclose these conversations. I'll only say that his move is not a question of money.

"He is a professional and his work has to be rewarded, but his priority is not money. It's other things."

With Ibrahimovic, who finished as Serie A's top scorer last season, seemingly on the verge of a move to the Nou Camp, David Villa's chances of joining the treble winners appear even slimmer.

However, Laporta insists they have not given up hope of landing the Valencia and Spain striker.

"The signing of David Villa has not been ruled out," he added. "We have not ruled out any of the possibilities open to us.


"The technical secretary remains in contact with him because he understands the anxiety of a player for whom, if the clubs had reached an agreement, things would have gone in a different direction."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=661520&sec=transfers&cc=5901

 

[DJCandle]

Striker Adebayor completes his move to Man City

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has completed his move to Manchester City after passing his medical and signing a five-year deal.

The 25-year-old striker will cost the club around £25m where he will join Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz in a new look City frontline.

Several hundred City fans were at the stadium to welcome Adebayor, who hopes to help the ambitious club move forward.

"It made me feel really welcome and special and I can't wait to play for City's fans and show them what I can do," he declared after completing the bulk of the paperwork.

"I was born to play football and that is what I want to do. I have come here to make history for this club and those supporters. It what the chairman and the manager told me that they want too and I can't wait to get started.''

Asked what the manager and chairman had said to convince him it was the right move, Adebayor replied: ''That this is a team, maybe in one year or two years, that will be one of the best in the world.''

''We have to fight for the club, we have to fight for the team. As you can see, the fans believe in us that we can bring them something. That's what we're going to fight for now.''

Adebayor claims he left the Emirates with coach Arsene Wenger's blessing after three and a half years in north London.

''It (leaving Arsenal) was a little bit difficult but at the end of the day it's a game,'' he added on Sky Sports News. ''They will have made money as well. I had a good discussion with Arsene. I have all his blessing to leave the club so I'm very happy.

''I went through a lot of good moments in Arsenal and a lot of difficult moments as well. I'm very happy to be a player who played for Arsenal.

''I wish them the best of luck. No matter what happens they will always be in my heart because I love the club.''

Blues boss Mark Hughes is delighted to have secured the services of yet another high class international star with his peak years still in front of him.

"Emmanuel has been one of the top forwards in the Premier League since he arrived from France and we are delighted he has agreed to come and join us," he declared. "Along with the other signings we have made in the last two windows he will greatly enhance our ability to compete with the top sides.

"His arrival is another clear indication that we are determined to augment the players we have here with the best of international talent.

"He adds vital balance and power to our attack. He has everything a top forward needs. He is versatile, powerful, quick and agile on the ball. I am looking forward to working with him as are the rest of the staff. He will definitely add a new dimension to our play. I have been a great admirer for a long time."

Adebayor is expected to join up with Mark Hughes' touring side in South Africa in the next few days as City look to continue to add to their squad with the, so far unsuccessful, captures of John Terry and Joleon Lescott.

# Wenger in no rush to replace Ade

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger says he has no plans to replace Adebayor after agreeing to sell him to Manchester City.

''We're not on the verge of signing anybody but I'm able to spend the money if we find the right players,'' he said. ''We're not in a hurry because we have a big squad. We'll see in pre-season if we need to make any additions.

''If we need to add something we will. Chamakh is one of the players we've followed and if we need to go for a striker he's a possibility. We're keeping an eye on him.

''We have Rosicky and Eduardo back so we've lost a big striker but have gained two offensive players who were absent last season. We also have Nicklas Bendtner, Andrey Arshavin, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott who can play striker. We have top players we can use as strikers.''

Wenger understands Adebayor's desire to leave the Emirates and admitted he was joining a growing force in the Premier League.

''We'll miss him - he's a great player. I'm sure he'll give something special to Man City,'' he said. ''I don't believe that last season he got enough support and I think that played a part in his mind.

''There was a bit of resentment you could feel through last summer. I believe he wanted to do well but didn't have the confidence of the year before. If you consider the money we paid for him it was good business, but that was not our main target.

''It's a good opportunity for him because City could be a big force in the coming years. Carlos Tevez, Robinho and Gareth Barry have done it. Man City will be a threat to the top teams.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=661578&sec=transfers&cc=5901

 

[Ziongate]

So Man City is buying all these strkers......who gets to play and who gets to sit on the bench?....
I'd wish Ade got to stay at the Emirates though.Who are we having in replacements? Van Persie, Arshavin and who?..... not Bendtner????..........Adebayor had his problems this past season.....somebody school me!

 

[Ziongate]

......By the way, "Ibra" is one f'king selfish player to hell with him. Yes, he's good but he's too much over himself. That's no self confidence but one stinking arrogance... can't stand him but respect is due when it is.

 

[DJCandle]

So Man City is buying all these strkers......who gets to play and who gets to sit on the bench?....
I'd wish Ade got to stay at the Emirates though.Who are we having in replacements? Van Persie, Arshavin and who?..... not Bendtner????..........Adebayor had his problems this past season.....somebody school me!

Its going to be interesting because they've now got Robinho, Tevez, Santa Cruz, and Adebayor. Someone's getting bench time here.

All the while, they still have no midfield, with the exception of Steven Ireland, and no defenders. They can cry for Terry all they want... I don't see that man leaving the bridge.

As for the Gunners, I think our CONCACAF representative, Carlos Vela, is a heavy option. The kid has incredible understanding, and with a little more box presence, Wenger can stick him up there to accompany Van Persie and Arshavin. Although, they're going to have to go pull the unconventional lone forward, and pull a Barca with 3 strikers, they're the "finesse" team in England, so if anyone can get it done, they can.

 

[DJCandle]

......By the way, "Ibra" is one f'king selfish player to hell with him. Yes, he's good but he's too much over himself. That's no self confidence but one stinking arrogance... can't stand him but respect is due when it is.

I don't see what all the fuss is about this dude. He plays in Italy. Who can't score there? I wanna see what he does in Spain. I question if he's gonna light it up in La Liga. He disappeared in the Champions League with one defender on him.

 

[TMNTnigg]

Who is checking out this World Football Challenge?? Are they playing all their games on US soil? If so, where? this would be a great opportunity to see some of these squads in person
Preciate it

 

[BornJamerican]

I don't see what all the fuss is about this dude. He plays in Italy. Who can't score there? I wanna see what he does in Spain. I question if he's gonna light it up in La Liga. He disappeared in the Champions League with one defender on him.

I read a rumor that Man U was in the running for Ibra and I got pissed off. In my opinion the EPL has the best center backs around. They'd destroy him. Stay in Italy. SAF we already have a semi-useless forward in Berbatov.

 

[DJCandle]

Who is checking out this World Football Challenge?? Are they playing all their games on US soil? If so, where? this would be a great opportunity to see some of these squads in person
Preciate it

http://www.worldfootballchallenge.com/

I'll be at the game between Chelsea and AC Milan this Friday in Baltimore.

 

[DJCandle]

I read a rumor that Man U was in the running for Ibra and I got pissed off. In my opinion the EPL has the best center backs around. They'd destroy him. Stay in Italy. SAF we already have a semi-useless forward in Berbatov.

Yea, I think he'd definitely struggle against Premier League centre backs in his first stint. He is a good player, and I think eventually he'd get into the swing of things, but he'd be exposed for what he really is right now, real fast in England.

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

It's nice to see an U.S. player going to one of the biggest clubs(Onyewu to Milan). Hope he does well, because he was holding it down in the Confederations Cup. And as a Barca fan it's sad to see Eto'o go, he is way more clutch and prolific than Ibrahimovic. The advantages I see for Ibra are his height and technical skill with the ball. I still don't think he can replace Eto'o, but hopefully he does well.

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

Estudiantes win Libertadores

Estudiantes capture fourth Libertadores Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 15 (Reuters) - Juan Sebastian Veron led Estudiantes to their fourth Libertadores Cup and first since 1970 when they upset Brazil's Cruzeiro 2-1 in the second leg of the final at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday.

The Argentine club, who had lifted the trophy three times in a row from 1968, triumphed 2-1 on aggregate after a 0-0 draw at home in La Plata last week.

It was a special achievement for Veron, emulating his father Juan Ramon, the outstanding player of the Estudiantes side that won the club's three previous titles.

"Let them enjoy this -- it's for the fans. It's unique," former Lazio and Manchester United midfielder Veron told Fox Sports.

"We have to raise a monument to all the players," said coach Alex Sabella. "Veron is the greatest ever Estudiantes player."

Cruzeiro took the lead seven minutes into the second half when Henrique unleashed a drive from 25 metres that took a deflection off defender Leandro Desabato and went in at the near post, out of reach of the diving Mariano Andujar.

But Estudiantes replied within five minutes. Right-back Cristian Cellay whipped in a cross, keeper Fabio failed to cut the ball out and Gaston Fernandez tapped in from two metres.

Mauro Boselli headed the winner in the 73rd minute from Veron's corner, boosting his tally as the tournament's top scorer to eight goals.

"This is what one dreams of," said Boselli. "It was our objective and we achieved it."

Cruzeiro coach Adilson Baptista told a news conference: "We played better in the second half, went 1-0 up and could have got a second. Then we concended goals through a loss of concentration in defence and a dead ball play.

"We're not going to feel sorry for ourselves," added Adilson, whose side became the second Brazilian team in a row to lose the final in the second leg at home.

Last year Fluminense lost on penalties to LDU Quito of Ecuador.

Cruzeiro substitute Thiago twice came close to pulling the Brazilians level in the final three minutes, first with a long-range effort that hit the angle of post and bar and then when he blasted over from close range.

Estudiantes had marginally the better of a tight first half in which neither goalkeeper had a save to make, although both sides had chances.

The first fell to Estudiantes when Fernandez crossed from the left to Boselli who mis-kicked in front of an open goal after 23 minutes.

Two minutes later Cruzeiro's Wellington was sent through on goal by Wagner but Andujar came out smartly to smother the ball.

Close to the half hour, Desabato cleared a dangerous low cross into the box from Cruzeiro dangerman Kleber with Wellington again slow to pounce.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=261095&cc=5901

So in the FIFA Club World Cup it'll probably be Barcelona vs Estudiantes in the final.

Spanish commentary


Portuguese(aka Brasil) commentary


LMAO at the bias in the GOL!!! chants.

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

Livorno interested in Donovan, Clark, says agent

The news that Landon Donovan was being pursued by newly promoted Serie A side Livorno came as a surprise to most observers. Livorno seems like too small a club for Donovan, who has indicated he would like to play for a big European team.

But on Wednesday, Donovan's agent, Richard Motzkin of WMG, confirmed to Goal.com that he had spoken to representatives at Livorno about the Los Angeles Galaxy striker. He also said the club had shown an interest in Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark, another WMG client.

Motzkin declined to provide more details.

The news of Livorno's interest in Donovan, the U.S. national team's all-time leading scorer, emerged on Tuesday when club president Aldo Spinelli claimed he was preparing a bid. He is looking to bolster his attacking corps, which currently includes former Italy international Cristiano Lucarelli and veteran Francesco Tavano.

Questions linger whether the small Tuscan side has the financial capabilities to wrest Donovan from MLS, given the striker's raised profile after a strong performance at the Confederations Cup.

Clark, a 26-year-old hard-nosed holding midfielder, also turned heads at the Confed Cup. His play in the 2-0 win over Spain was particularly impressive. He is a box-to-box player who is not afraid of a hard tackle and is capable of shooting from long distance.

On the negative, he has also had discipline problems throughout his career, including earning a nine-game ban after kicking an opponent who was on the ground in 2007, and more recently, receiving a red card against Italy in the Confed Cup.

While in South Africa, Clark, whose contract is up at the end of this season, spoke to Goal.com about his desire to go overseas and whether he could play in top European league like Serie A.

"I'm always keeping my options open," Clark told Goal.com. "I feel like with my abilities, I could play in a league like that."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/07/22/livorno-us/index.html

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

 

[TMNTnigg]

http://www.worldfootballchallenge.com/

I'll be at the game between Chelsea and AC Milan this Friday in Baltimore.

Summabish...im from MD...im mad jealous ...enjoy urself though homey

 

[DJCandle]

Summabish...im from MD...im mad jealous ...enjoy urself though homey

I may have an extra ticket if you interested. Lemme kno on PM and i'll give you the details.

 

[DJCandle]

Eto'o agrees Inter move

July 23, 2009

Samuel Eto'o's agent has announced the player has reached an agreement with Inter Milan.

Inter have been in negotiations with Eto'o and his agent for the past few days after Barca had an offer of €45m plus the Cameroon striker for Zlatan Ibrahimovic accepted. Alexander Hleb will also join Inter on loan.

And, after Thursday's meeting with the Serie A champions, Josep Maria Mesalles told reporters the deal is all but complete.

"There's complete agreement with Inter,'' he told Radio Radio. "The negotiations are complete but it's not possible to say that the footballer now belongs to Inter because his release from Barcelona has not been resolved yet. But that won't be a problem.

"The deal is for five years, the player is happy.''

Eto'o has spent his entire professional career in Spanish football since joining Real Madrid in 1997.

The 28-year-old has had a successful five seasons at Barca but the cracks started to appear last summer when he was transfer-listed by new coach Pep Guardiola.

The Barca boss made it clear his feelings were still the same despite Eto'o lashing in 30 goals in 36 Primera Division games as the Catalan giants stormed to the treble.

And Mesalles is confident Eto'o will continue firing in the goals in Italy.

"Eto'o has been an important player in Spanish football,'' he added. "A player who wants to remain at big clubs. Did Guardiola undervalue the Cameroon striker? It's true that with the change of coach at Barcelona it was difficult for the player to do well.

"The player then showed a good performance. The contract will be for five years, the player wants to do well at Milan at Inter showed a lot of interest for Eto'o. The player is happy.

"I don't think Serie A is very different from La Liga. Eto'o has shown since the first moment of his debut in Spain that he can do well. There won't be any problems in Italy either.

"Maybe there will be a few days or months of adapting, also to life in Milan, but everything will change at the first game.''

The agreement will probably give the green light for Ibrahimovic's move in the opposite direction although his agent insisted earlier that the Sweden striker will not finalise his move to the Nou Camp on Thursday. And Mesalles claims that even if Ibrahimovic remains at Inter it will have no impact on Eto'o.

"The performance of one is different to that of the other,'' he said. "They are important players, each has to give his most for his club. Samuel is Samuel, he had a brilliant performance both in the league and the Champions League and now he wants to do well at Inter. His deal was completely independent to that of Ibrahimovic.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=662648&sec=transfers&cc=5901

 

[Riggz]

Eto'o agrees Inter move

July 23, 2009

Samuel Eto'o's agent has announced the player has reached an agreement with Inter Milan.

Inter have been in negotiations with Eto'o and his agent for the past few days after Barca had an offer of €45m plus the Cameroon striker for Zlatan Ibrahimovic accepted. Alexander Hleb will also join Inter on loan.

And, after Thursday's meeting with the Serie A champions, Josep Maria Mesalles told reporters the deal is all but complete.

"There's complete agreement with Inter,'' he told Radio Radio. "The negotiations are complete but it's not possible to say that the footballer now belongs to Inter because his release from Barcelona has not been resolved yet. But that won't be a problem.

"The deal is for five years, the player is happy.''

Eto'o has spent his entire professional career in Spanish football since joining Real Madrid in 1997.

The 28-year-old has had a successful five seasons at Barca but the cracks started to appear last summer when he was transfer-listed by new coach Pep Guardiola.

The Barca boss made it clear his feelings were still the same despite Eto'o lashing in 30 goals in 36 Primera Division games as the Catalan giants stormed to the treble.

And Mesalles is confident Eto'o will continue firing in the goals in Italy.

"Eto'o has been an important player in Spanish football,'' he added. "A player who wants to remain at big clubs. Did Guardiola undervalue the Cameroon striker? It's true that with the change of coach at Barcelona it was difficult for the player to do well.

"The player then showed a good performance. The contract will be for five years, the player wants to do well at Milan at Inter showed a lot of interest for Eto'o. The player is happy.

"I don't think Serie A is very different from La Liga. Eto'o has shown since the first moment of his debut in Spain that he can do well. There won't be any problems in Italy either.

"Maybe there will be a few days or months of adapting, also to life in Milan, but everything will change at the first game.''

The agreement will probably give the green light for Ibrahimovic's move in the opposite direction although his agent insisted earlier that the Sweden striker will not finalise his move to the Nou Camp on Thursday. And Mesalles claims that even if Ibrahimovic remains at Inter it will have no impact on Eto'o.

"The performance of one is different to that of the other,'' he said. "They are important players, each has to give his most for his club. Samuel is Samuel, he had a brilliant performance both in the league and the Champions League and now he wants to do well at Inter. His deal was completely independent to that of Ibrahimovic.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=662648&sec=transfers&cc=5901

damn...just heard about this

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

Maradona open to Portsmouth switch - lawyer

Diego Maradona's lawyer has claimed that the Argentina boss could quit his job to join Sulaiman Al Fahim's Portsmouth side as a "global ambassador".

The football legened has come under pressure while in charge of the national team and Al Fahim, who this week completed his takeover of the club, wants the Argentine to help attract world superstars to the south coast.

Despite only accepting the position last October, Maradona is reportedly keen to join Al Fahim's Fratton Park revolution, according to his lawyer Angel Oscar Moyano.

"He has got top players ready and he is even ready to leave the Argentine national team," Moyano told Arabian Business.

"He wants to build a strong team for which he offers his mediation for signing players of top level, who with the support of Diego Maradona, will be ready to come to Portsmouth."

Al Fahim is clearly a fan of the 48-year-old, stating his presence alone would go a long way to helping transform Portsmouth.

"I do not know if Maradona is a good coach," he conceded. "What I think is that he should be president of a club and have the right to buy and choose players.

"At Napoli he started from scratch and built a club. He has the power to transform football teams."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=662595&sec=england&cc=5901

 

[Black Limey]

Can't believe the Eto'o has gone to club like Inter who have some of the most racist fans



Italy has some of the worst racism in Europe

http://italy.theoffside.com/serie-a/racism-in-the-italian-game.html

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

Barça signs Keirrison from Palmeiras for $20M

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Barcelona agreed to a $20 million deal to sign Brazilian striker Keirrison from Palmeiras on Thursday.

The 20-year-old Keirrison is expected to arrive at the Camp Nou later and undergo a medical examination on Friday before signing a five-year deal.

Barcelona said Palmeiras could receive up to $23 million depending on the number of games Keirrison plays with the Spanish champions, although coach Pep Guardiola had said the team planned to loan Keirrison out to start.

"The club has decided to sign him but, in principle, to send him out on loan," Guardiola said earlier this week. "I'm not counting on him this season."

Keirrison, whose full name is Keirrison da Souza Carneiro, scored 26 goals in the past two seasons in the Brazilian league.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/07/23/keirrison.ap/index.html

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

Barcelona agree personal terms with Ibrahimovic

Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle with Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the striker to sign for the European champions, sporting director Txiki Begiristain said on Friday.

"There are agreements in principle with the player and with Inter and the documents are being drawn up," Begiristain told Barca TV.

He added that only a few details remained to be worked out and Ibrahimovic could be presented as a Barcelona player as early as Monday.

On such 'detail' appears to be the loan move of Alexander Hleb, who has threatened to scupper the deal by insisting he does not want to leave Barcelona.

The Belarus international was included as a makeweight by Barcelona - on a season-long loan - in their bid to land Ibrahimovic, as Barca offered 45m euros and striker Samuel Eto'o for the Swede.

But the former Arsenal midfielder is determined to remain at Barca and prove he is worthy of a starting place at the Nou Camp.

''I have a contract with Barcelona and am currently preparing for the new season with the team,'' he told Germany's Sport Bild magazine. ''My aim is to make the breakthrough here and be successful with this club.''

Hleb's agent has even denied being contacted about a switch to Inter.

''Nobody has spoken to me or Alex about a possible transfer to Inter Milan,'' said Uli Ferber. ''We are all a bit surprised about the recent press reports, which we cannot confirm.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=662848&sec=transfers&cc=5901

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

Anyone know of a place where you can download matches?

 

[MCP]

Spurs hold mighty Barca

Teenager grabs late equaliser in Wembley Cup

A late equaliser from substitute Jake Livermore ensured Tottenham held European Champions Barcelona on the opening day of the Wembley Cup.

Barcelona controlled proceedings in the first half, with Yaya Toure particularly impressive in the heart of their midfield as teenage prodigy Bojan gave the Catalan giants a half time lead.

A host of changes at half time disrupted the flow of Barcelona's game allowing the English side back into the game in the second half.

It did, however, take them until the 83rd minute as Jake Livermore crashed a header past Jose Pinto in the Barcelona goal.

Tottenham sit joint second in the group alongside Barcelona, with Celtic leading the way after their 5-0 drubbing of Egyptian side Al-Ahly earlier in the day.

Pedro Rodriguez offered the first threat on goal on 20 minutes when his tricky step-over fooled Benoit Assou-Ekotto, creating room to drill a low shot at the near post only to be palmed away by the impressive Carlo Cudicini.

The deadlock was broken on 32 minutes however as Toure bulldozed through the Spurs midfield before Tom Huddlestone's tackle knocked the ball into the path of Bojan who duly slotted low past Cudicini.

The half was somewhat dominated by the European Champions, however Spurs were not without their moments and were almost on level terms as Luka Modric's deflected shot struck the bar on 39 minutes.

The Croat latched onto a delightfully weighted pass from Wilson Palacios and struck a powerful shot which was deflected onto the upright with Albert Jorquera beaten in the Barcelona goal.

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola sent out an entirely new team for the second half while Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp made just four changes at the break, including youngster Kyle Naughton, who joined from Sheffield United on Wednesday.

Spurs began the restart in better fashion and endured much of the possession early in the half without seriously troubling the Barcelona goal.

Modric almost capitalised on a spill by stand-in keeper Pinto after some good work on the right flank from Aaron Lennon, but the Spaniard recovered to clear the danger.

Equaliser

The equaliser finally came on 83 minutes and on the basis of play in the second half, it was no more than Spurs deserved.

A disguised short corner was stroked towards the unmarked Assou-Ekotto who had time to deliver a delicious whipping cross which was met with venom by 19-year-old substitute Livermore.

The teenager had only been on the pitch two minutes before bringing his side level to the delight of his team-mates.

Spurs upped the tempo for the final minutes as they sensed a win but were unable to breakdown the Barcelona defence as both sides saw out the draw on the opening day of the tournament.

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3148185,00.html

 

[TMNTnigg]

I may have an extra ticket if you interested. Lemme kno on PM and i'll give you the details.

Im in Mississippi now...but preciate the look

 

[PinoleroNicoya85]

Mexico 5-0 U.S.: El Tri run rampant



EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Finally, a win against the Americans on U.S. soil for Mexico.

And, finally, the charmed run by the young hosts in the Gold Cup ended in a crushing defeat.

Mexico snapped a decade victory drought against the Americans in the United States on Sunday with a 5-0 rout for its fifth CONCACAF regional championship. Captain Gerardo Torrado scored on a penalty kick in the 56th minute, then the inexperienced U.S. squad came unglued.

As an overwhelmingly pro-Mexico sellout crowd of 79,156 rocked Giants Stadium, Giovani Dos Santos and Carlos Vela scored 5 minutes apart despite several brilliant saves by Troy Perkins. Indeed, it seemed the goalkeeper was the only American on the field during the 11-minute blitz in which Mexico's attackers could have sprinted all the way back to Azteca Stadium without being touched.

The fiesta was on.

Jose Antonio Castro and Guillermo Franco put the finishing touches on Mexico's first win at the United States since March 1989. Castro scored off a great through-pass from Vela, a substitute who energized Mexico when he entered the game after halftime.

The United States, fielding an inexperienced squad after the top team finished second in the Confederations Cup last month, could not maintain American dominance of its continental rival. Not even close.

Mexico was 0-9-2 at the United States since its last win, and fell 2-0 in February in a World Cup qualifier. The nations meet again in Mexico City on Aug. 12, but then the full American roster will be on hand, along with several of the players who carried El Tri to this Gold Cup crown.

But that is another story. For now, after a 10-year wait, there was sweet victory in commanding style.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=266871&cc=5901

 

[mrmetoo84]

Vela