Great Players Part 1

In a week where a lot has happened in soccer, racism, goals, Liverpool getting their first league win, Arsenal going back to losing ways, etc, it is hard to come up with something that interests people. Anyway, here I go....
Do you have that one player who you believe that no matter how hard the game is, no matter how pressured they are, no matter how shitty the team plays, they always come out on top? Hmm? There's that one player who you would clear your whole day's schedule for... Or just to watch the team, at least. These are the players who influence games so much, you would not miss the game. They make the game so beautiful you would tell your girlfriend you're staying at work late, just so you can hang out with the boys watching it, or lie to your boss the following day that you're feeling ill, just 'cause you stayed up late enjoying the game and catching pints. I can't pull that stunt though. That's just.... not right. I have a few players I enjoy watching play though. I will mention them.

We start with the usual suspects. CR7 and Leo. They are La Liga. ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY mention Spanish football and not mention how great (or whatever superlative you wish to insert) they are. They set the record... in the last two seasons, in the number of goals scored in a single La Liga season. For more stats about these two, see http://messivsronaldo.net/

It is the fans that are 'enemies' not the players

Messi: Incredible player, living legend. 188 goals, 70 assists for Barcelona in his last 180 games . 71 goals and 22 assists in 54 games in 2012 so far with3 months left. 268 goals for Barcelona in total including 21 hat tricks. Legend, eh? This guy creates goals out of nothing. Forget the fact that he is in an already great team... he always comes up shining brighter when things look gloomy for Barca. Case in point... his third goal in the 5-4 win against Deportivo.

CR7: Also made from the same stuff that creates legends. Not really the team player but you cannot blame him as he always delivers the goals. He wins matches, brightens up the atmosphere with his flair, and basically makes opposing players look very lazy. Ronaldo scored 46 last season. 12 appearances this season, 15 goals, no assists. Messi has bettered him by 5. Goal.com say at worst, he is the second best player in the world. His selfishness and ambition are what make him who he is. He recently has developed a certain understanding with Marcelo and most of his teams attacks come from the two. His stats and Messi's speak for themselves though so we cannot expound anymore

Zalatan Ibrahimovic. He was nicknamed Ibracadabra by his Inter Milan team mates. He rose into the limelight from playing in Italy. Won the Eredivisie twice(Dutch PL), Serie A 6 times(3 with Inter, 2 with Juve and 1 with AC Milan) and 1 La liga. Not to mention the Cup victories and personal awards. This is a player who has managed to shine, consistently at that, in some of the world's toughest leagues. He played for Ajax and starred, his performances leading him to be sold to Juventus, where he also starred. And when the team was relegated in 2006, he left for Inter Milan. He was, as expected, the star there too. He played the hitman, him and Adriano(remember him?). He was nicknamed Cereal Killer. Ninja grew too fat and unfit and eventually left Inter. But he's not Zlatan. So, after Inter, Zlatan was traded for Eto'o and went to Barca. he didn't have his usual season but he scored some good goals while there and then went back to Italy and played for AC Milan. he was again, their star man, overtaking the Brazilian duo of Robinho and Pato in the pecking order.

I read a blog somewhere that he is always that arrogant in real life. And that he is funny. I think Zlatan is a great player, no doubt. he is just at the wrong club, at the wrong time. You simply cannot overshadow Messi and Ronaldo. No way. He scores sublime goals, as demonstrated in the Euros, has some nice skills on the ball, and his power is just amazing. No matter how poor his team plays, national or club team, he always plays his game a notch higher and better than his team mates. You can read some of the Zlatan's quotes here http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/160084. He's a funny guy

For the sake of not lengthening this post too much, and also because today is a Champion's league night, I will stop there. I will mention the others in future posts on the same topic. I look forward to watching Wanyama go against Song/Busquets or whoever plays at the centre of midfield.