SPANISH FOOTBALL GOODBYES, NEWS & RUMOURS

Big day today for Spanish Football with important events & plenty of rumours flying around the local Soccer circles. Here is a summary of the main events in one place (post).

The greatest FC Barcelona & Spanish International midfielder in modern history Xavi Hernandez officially announced this afternoon this goodbye from Barça. In his press conference the player announced his exit, his new upcoming adventure in Qatar with the Al Sadd Club, his intentions to be a future Coach & to return to Barça. The player will receive an emotional farewell next weekend in the last Liga game of FC Barcelona in their home stadium "Camp Nou" with Liga Cup included!

Staying with FC Barcelona, news from Spanish Sports paper "Mundo Deportivo", publish that German International & Borussia Dortmund midfielder Gundogan passed a medical examination in Germany for Barça as the player is apparently the chosen candidate to substitute Xavi Hernandez at the Club. 

Although not official, it is interesting & it opens up more speculation, this time around with current Coach Luis Enrique. The latter has not decided if he will continue next season & the FC Barcelona Directives are said to be covering their backs with other Coaching alternatives. Could Jurgen Klopp - connected with Real Madrid earlier this week - be the surprise name that Barça has up their sleeve in case Luis Enrique leaves?

The German Coach was rumoured to have shut a pre-deal with Real Madrid earlier this week. However, the latest from Italy & from local observers is that current Spanish & Napoli Coach Rafael Benitez is the chosen one to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Coach at Real Madrid.

The speculated talk this last 24 hours is that Carlo Ancelotti will step down after the last Liga match for this season in the weekend & perhaps take a year off, although AC Milan is sounding for him from Italy. Real Madrid will thereafter take up talks & negotiations with Rafa Benitez who leaves Napoli.  

Rafa Benitez is a "Real Madrid Man" as he started his Coaching career there with Vicente Del Bosque taking care of the B-team & junior sides before leaving for Liverpool FC etc where the rest is known history.  

Lastly, staying with Real Madrid, local press announced that Gareth Bale & his representative have talked with President Florentino Perez to know from his own lips if the Spanish Club counts with the Welshman. The players has had a difficult season & has been criticised lately for his play, while from England Manchester United is reported to be offering a whooping  120M€ to convince Real Madrid to sell him to them. Lastest is that Real Madrid has no intention of selling Gareth Bale & has full confidence placed on the Welshman.

As you can read plenty of news & rumours exploding out of Spanish Football. This weekend will host the last Round of La Liga with the drama at the bottom of the ladder as four Clubs fight it out to avoid relegation. 

Stay tuned.

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XAVI HERNANDEZ ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE SPANISH FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAM

FC Barcelona & Spanish International XAVI HERNANDEZ gave his first pre-season Press Conference this afternoon. The big news was the announcement that he will no longer be available for the Spanish National Football Team. The player believes that his time is up & will move aside leaving his position for younger talent. 

Most media expected answers to why he decided to continue at FC Barcelona this season instead of leaving as he had announced to the Club at the end of the season. Xavi Hernandez has knocked back succulent offers from US Soccer (New York City) & Qatar Football after new Barça Coach Luis Enrique convinced him to stay & contribute with his vast experience. Xavi had felt at the end of the season that the Club did not need his services any longer after being sidelined in the important Liga title last match decider against Atletico de Madrid. 

However, the news that made the front page was the announcement that he will no longer be available for the Spanish Football Team. In this area he is totally convinced that his time is definitely up after suffering the disappointment of being placed on the bench against Chile in the last World Cup in Brazil. 

End of the road for perhaps that Greatest Spanish Midfielder of all time & prime element in the reign of Spanish Football in World Soccer in the last 8 years. Xavi Hernandez has been an International with Spain since the year 2000 & has been proclaimed himself twice European Champion in 2008 and 2012, as well as FIFA World Champion in 2010, plus with the Spanish U-20 squad in 1999. Xavi has been capped with 133 International matches & has scored 12 goals.

At least we can still be able to see all his magic with FC Barcelona this season.

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SPAIN SAYS GOODBYE WINNING 0 - 3 AUSTRALIA | WORLD CUP 2014

Last match for Spain in this World Cup in Brazil with a 0 - 3 victory over Group B opponents Australia. Both teams leave eliminated from the competition with Spain at least finding today its "lost Football" & winning back some lost pride, while Australia is a young side that is building up experience with the Asian Cup - which they host - coming as their next big objective in the near future.

Spanish National Football Team Coach Vicente Del Bosque made some changes & gave Reina, Juanfran, Albiol, Koke, Cazorla, Torres & David Villa a run from the start. It was a "special" moment today for David Villa his last game with the National Team. Another player who has announced his exit from the National Team, Xavi Hernandez, sat it out on the bench with muscle problems. 

Andres Iniesta who was the "Best man on the ground" played his 100th International for Spain & was the architect of his teams goals. Luckily Iniesta will continue but there are question marks over the future of other players like Casillas & Xabi Alonso. Although my intuition suggests both will continue giving service at least up to the European Championship in France 2016.

It took Spain at least 15 mins to find its rhythm as Australia pressured in the midfield but slowly Jordi Alba with Villa came alive with Iniesta the director of the orchestra. The first goal came in the 36th min when David Villa knocked in a Juanfran pass, the second came in the 69th min from Torres from an Iniesta pass & the third came in the 82nd min from Mata. Good match & at last goals for Spain, but all too late as they are to catch a plane back home tonight. 

Lastly, special mention to David Villa as written above leaves the Spain Football Team as the "Highest Historical Goalscorer" with 59 goals & with 97 International Caps. Great service from a great Football player. Same goes out to Xavi Hernandez who leaves as well & leaves a huge space to fill, without doubt Spains Best ever midfielder . 

For Spain now its time to get home, disconnect & examine what went wrong to rebuild & think about France 2016. There are plenty of young Spanish Players at World class level waiting for their chance.

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THE FUTURE OF XAVI HERNANDEZ LOOKS MORE OUT OF FC BARCELONA

News & last minute manoeuvres coming out of the city of Barcelona indicate that Spanish International & Barça 34 year old midfielder XAVI HERNANDEZ may leave his actual Club. The arrival of new Coach Luis Enrique (no good feeling between them) & the effects of age has heated up the speculations levels for the past weeks of a departure.

It is known that Xavi Hernandez has an offer from New York (the American MSL) & a succulent temptation from Qatar & its Football League. In fact their is speculation he may have a pre-agreement with "Al-Arabi". The player has been meditating his future these days & today the players representative, along with FC Barcelona Football Directives meet this afternoon to discuss the situation. 

The latest from the city of Barcelona is that the Club will open the doors to Xavi & make things easy if Xavi finally does make the decision to leave the Club.

The long term future of Xavi will no doubt be tied to FC Barcelona. The player is more than likely to acquire his Football Coach license & one day perhaps train the Club of his life. The player, as with other team-mate veterans like Valdes & Carles Puyol, understand that the level required to stay in the elite of World Football & at Barça may not be attainable as the years pass. 

No doubt we will all be notified soon when Xavi Hernandez finishes with his commitments with Spain at the World Cup. Who knows he could be the next "Pirlo" going to another Club to live his last years in glory. Stay tuned!

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THREE SPANISH FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN TOP 100 WORLD CUP LIST

The English newspaper the "The Guardian" has elaborated & released its "List of Top 100 World Cup Football Players". Three Spanish Football Players are represented within the list:

• Xavi Hernandez Nº15
• Carles Pujol Nº64
• Andres Iniesta Nº65

The voting was done by 6 World Cup ex-players (Barnes, Khune, Matthaus, Oliseh, Smith y Zico), 20 journalists from "The Guardian" & 12 International journalists. The votes from the ex-players had greater weight than the rest.

List of Top 100 World Cup players:

 1. Pele   (3 World Titles in 4 World Cup appearances)
2. Maradona
3. Beckenbauer
4. Ronaldo
5. Zidane
6. Cruyff
7. Matthaus
8. Müller
9. Garrincha
10. Platini
.../...  

15. Xavi
64. Puyol
65. Iniesta
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XAVI HERNANDEZ | THE MOST AWARDED PLAYER IN SPANISH FOOTBALL HISTORY

Who is the current - & active - Football Player with most Titles in Spanish Football History?

Until recently it was Real Madrid legendary winger Francisco Gento with 24 Titles, but the the recent Spanish Super Cup Title to FC Barcelona ( over Atletico de Madrid ) at the start of the season made midfielder Xavi Hernandez the most awarded player in Spanish Football. The FC Barcelona player has currently 25 Titles & the man still has margin to add more to that number.

courtesy of "Sport"

Spanish Sports paper "Sport" dedicates a spot in today's news to let us all know about the amazing achievements of Xavi Hernandez so far:

• 7 Spanish Liga Titles
• 3 Champions League
• 6 Spanish Super Cups
• 2 Spanish Cups ( Copa del Rey )
• 2 European Super Cups
• 2 World Club Champions
• 2 European Nations Cup
• 1 FIFA World Cup

The only award missing,  & deserved may I add, is a FIFA Golden Ball which some say that due to his low media "profile" was not given in 2011 when he came second to team-mate Lionel Messi. 

As habitual in Life we all - Football fans - will finally realize the importance & magic of Xavi Hernandez once he leaves Football & the Football field. At that point we will all remember & miss perhaps one of World & Spanish Football Greatest midfield players.

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THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IDEAL 11 TEAM SELECTION FOR SEASON 2012 - 2013

The news source in itself could be debated if its reputable, English paper "The Sun" has released their "Ideal Champions League 11" for season 2012 - 2013". Apart from their choices - all top players - there is a stark contrast with the "Ideal 11" lists from last season. 

Firstly, the list is dominated by the German Clubs Bayern Munich & Borussia Dortmund, both which will meet tomorrow in London in the Champions League Final. Secondly, there is just one Spanish player & that is FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez. Thirdly, the Spanish Club with most players is Malaga FC with goalkeeper Willy Caballero & defender Welington.

You may have noticed that "The Sun" leaves out Lionel Messi, but puts in Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo who is currently the leading Champions League goal scorer for season 2012-2013.

Here is the full list of names:

Willy Caballero; Lahm, Dante, Weligton, Schmelzer; Xavi Hernandez, Schweinsteiger, Götze; Lewandowski, Yilmaz & Cristiano Ronaldo.

As with all lists of these type they cause debate & never satisfy all the Footy punters. However, interesting how it does illustrate to some exact the "changing of the guard" or "shift in the European Football power" from Spanish Football to Germany.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAM COACH HANDS HIS GOLDEN BALL AWARD VOTES

SPANISH FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAM Selector & Coach Vicente Del Bosque has handed in his personal votes for the upcoming FIFA GOLDEN BALL 2012. Each National Team Coach along with Captains have 3 choices. The top three players voted globally with know who takes the prize the 7 th of January 2013.

The three candidates from Spanish Football Selector - Coach goes to...

1. IKER CASILLAS 
2. XAVI HERNANDEZ
3. ANDRES INIESTA

As Coach Del Bosque voted for Pep Guardiola ( ex FC Barcelona)

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IKER CASILLAS - XAVI HERNANDEZ WIN "PREMIO PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS"

The "Premio Principe de Asturias" , is the equivalent of the "Nobel Prize" for Spanish speaking Nations. There are many categories - Social Sciences, Medicine, Literatura, Arts  etc - & it is not shut to only Spanish speaking persons or organizations, as many non-Spaniards have been awarded like Woody Allen, Norman Foster, Google, Al Gore, Paul Krugman & Bob Dylan, just to mention a few.

This year the "Sports Award" has being handed  to Spanish Football players IKER CASILLAS & XAVI HERNANDEZ for their contribution to Sport, Spanish Football History & for being exemplary models for the youth.  These two players have been pivotal in the success of the Spanish National Football Team in winning back to back European Titles & the first ever FIFA World Cup Title. Apart from this they symbolize an off the field "friendship" & Sportsmanship that  sets  an example to all even though both represent & defend different Club colours locally in which the rivalry has been so fierce the last couple of years that it has bordered on violence

Celebrating Euro 2012 title

Casillas & Xavi maintain a personal & professional relationship since their youth years representing Spain in all levels that has endured & has been maintain against all external "influences" up till now.  The Award prizes their social labours & work .
The "Premios Principe de Asturias" selection committee gave both as "joint-winners" over the other also worthy candidate the "International  Paralympic Commitee". 

Congratulations to both, as they win more than  just a personal prize, they also accept the Award in the name of Spanish Football & perhaps a never to be repeated generation of Spanish Football players.

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THREE SPANISH FOOTBALL PLAYERS WITH GOLDEN BALL AWARD ODDS

The talk about the "Golden Ball Award" candidates & favourites at this time of the year is obviously premature. However, it is inevitable after we have been blessed with the recently finished Euro 2012 tournament along with all the World star players on stage. 


In recent days, France Football has done its marketing strategy-tactic aimed at the Spanish Market, announcing that Spanish Goalkeeper & Captain IKER CASILLAS should be given this years Award. This & along with Brazilian & Football legend Pele announcing that Casillas was his favourite as well, casually while on promotion with a major Spanish/European Bank. 

Golden Boot Candidates 2012

But Casillas is not the only candidate sounding at this early stage. There is also the habitual  duo of Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo, along with Iniesta, Xavi, Pirlo & Drogba.

I personally am not getting into the "marketing hype" at this stage. My response will be worth more around Octubre. ¿Who is yourfavourite?

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BAD TIMING | THE XAVI INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS BARÇA - REAL MADRID / SPANISH TEAM SPLIT

"We applauded them (Real Madrid ) when they won, this is just Sport after all. We have been very respectful with them (Real Madrid ) at all times, even when they won the Spanish League, when they won the Spanish Cup in Mestalla ... We were very respectful with them. However, I noticed & feel that it was not the case when we won and they lost. It's a very personal feeling I have", said the FC Barcelona midfielder XAVI HERNANDEZ in an interview with Canal + League to be broadcast this Thursday on Spanish TV. The underlying tone from Xavi is that Real Madrid are sore losers & disrespectful.

These words by Spanish International XAVI HERNANDEZ has given life to my worst Football fears, that SPAIN will have it up-hill this time at the EURO 2012 Championships. The unity of the Spanish squad is under question & in doubt,  & you can´t get too far in a EURO without unity, without all for one, & one for all.

It is very unfortunate these words coming from a player that should have more "brains" than to let out what he feels at this particular moment. However, he is not the only Barça player that feels this ways towards Real Madrid & I suspect that the rest of the Barça players with the Spanish Football Team may share his views. The problem is that they all now share team & National objectives with another 5 Real Madrid players & now team-mates & this may open wounds in the very worst moment.

Xavi 

The past FC Barcelona - Real Madrid head to head clashes has produced some very harsh moments, serious cross-fire words, dangerous & on the edge actions & has left some deep psychological scares. The players from both teams have attempted to cosmetically hide their thoughts but they surface just under the skin & this can only lead to bad effects. Spanish Coach Del Bosque knows it, & is doing his best to tame the situation, but the absence of Barça Captain Carles Puyol is more than a playing loss, it is a serious mediator loss as he kept the balance between the players from both rival teams, or at least his camp.


It is no secret that Gerard Pique & Sergio Ramos do not get along & they are Spain's main defensive line. Arbeloa is not to liked at Camp Barça after having his do´s & don´t with Villa & Pedro in the "Clasico". Xabi has said words on the apparent Busquets acting & Xavi has never bitten his tongue. All this & the "unsaid" rivalry between Casillas & Valdes, the last sees himself as more wordy as he has won the Spanish League "Best Goalkeeper" Award in past seasons.


I wish that me feelings, my vibrations & my words above are just my paranoid mind & me making a mountain out off a mole-hill. But I suspect that these last words on Spanish TV by Xavi, to be broadcast on Thursday, will cause some talk, some serious talk in the Spanish Camp that will give rise to some "bad vibes"


Lets hope that the Spanish Football players are professional & mature enough to change their mind-set from Liga to National priorities & the task ahead in attempting to make Football History if they can retain the European Champions title. I am praying this is so, but how unfortunate is Xavi´s interview at this moment, & the timing could not be worst.

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FIFA GOLDEN BALL 2011 WINNER LIONEL MESSI | GUARDIOLA BEST COACH

FIFA handed tonight the 2011 GOLDEN BALL ( BALON D´OR) AWARD - the Best Player in World Football - to FC BARCELONA player LIONEL MESSI. Its his third straight Golden Ball & puts the 24 year old Argentine in the elite class of 3 x winners like Platini, Van Basten & Cruyff. 


The second place was given to REAL MADRID player CRISTIANO RONALDO & third to FC BARCELONA player XAVI HERNANDEZ.

FIFA also made public the "IDEAL 11 WORLD TEAM" with 5 FC BARCELONA & 4 REAL MADRID PLAYERS...as listed below:

Iker Casillas; Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Vidic; Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernández; Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo & Rooney.

Here is the full list of the "GB" voting:
Messi 47,88%
Cristiano 21,60
Xavi 9,23
Iniesta 6,01
Rooney 2,31
Luis Suárez 1,48
Forlan 1,43
Etoo 1,34
Casillas 1,29
Neymar 1,12
Özil 0,76
Sneijder 0,72
Müller 0,64
Villa 0,53
Schweinsteiger 0,50
Xabi Alonso 0,48
Agüero 0,48
Abidal 0,36
Benzema 0,34
Alves 0,34
Fábregas 0,29
Nani 0,26
Piqué 0,22

Lionel Messi

In the "BEST COACH" for 2011 catagory, FC BARCELONA Coach JOSEP GUARDIOLA was voted as the winner, ahead of Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson & with third place going to Real Madrid Coach José Mourinho.

Pep Guardiola

Full list of votes for the "Best Coach":
Guardiola 41,92%
Ferguson 15,61
Mourinho 12,43
Del Bosque 9,12
Tabárez 7,47
Lw 4,40
Villas-Boas 4,16
Wenger 1,91
Klopp 1,54
Rudi García 0,89


There was an element of pure Marketing - there had to be - as Brazilian NEYMAR was Awarded the "Best Goal of the Season" (Puskas Award). One can debate the true merits as the Wayne Rooney overhead "screamer" could be considered as better. Anyway, some multinational sportswear had to get their value from all this as well. 

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IFFHS NAMES XAVI HERNANDEZ BEST MIDFIELDER 2011

The FIFA backed IFFHS ( International Football Federation of History & Statistics) has handed in their list of the "Best Midfielder in World Football" for 2011 ( game creator + assistances) . The FC BARCELONA & Spanish Football International XAVI HERNANDEZ tops the list over second placed team-mate Lionel Messi. Its the 4th consecutive time that Xavi gets this prestigious recognition, & maybe, just maybe, the Golden Ball organizers can put aside their "marketing variable" & prize Xavi for at least his long & consistent trajectory. However, don't think this will happen.

But there is another great observation, there are another 4 more Spanish Football players in the Top 10 of World Football: Iniesta, Silva, Xabi Alonso & Cesc Febragas

Here is the IFFHS list :

.1. Xavier Hernández Creus 'Xavi' (SP/Barcelona) 232 points
.2. Lionel Messi (ARG/Barcelona) 147
.3. Andrés Iniesta (SP/Barcelona) 110
.4. Mesut Özil (GER/Real Madrid) 59
.5. Cristiano Ronaldo (POR/Real Madrid) 47
.6. David Silva (SP/Manchester City) 31
.7. Wesley Sneijder (HOL/Inter Milan) 22
.8. Xabier Alonso 'Xabi' (ESP/Real Madrid) 19
.9. Diego Forlán (URU/Inter Milan) 17
.10. Cesc Fábregas (SP/Barcelona) 15
.11. Andrea Pirlo (ITA/Juventus) 15
.12. Franck Ribery (FRA/Bayern Munich) 10
.13. Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER/Bayern Munich) 9
.14. Luka Modric (CRO/Tottenham Hotspur) 8
.15. Frank Lampard (ENG/Chelsea) 5
.16. Javier Matías Pastore (ARG/Paris Saint-Germain) 5

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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2011 - 2012 GROUPS DRAW | LIONEL MESSI AWARDED UEFA BEST PLAYER IN EUROPE

The Top European Football Clubs - along with the four Top Spanish Football Clubs - have been drawn in Groups for the upcoming UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE season 2011 - 2012 competition. The most notable observation is Group A where VILLAREAL has been drawn in a "killer" group which beforehand is the most difficult of all the Spanish teams. REAL MADRID is in Group D & repeats with Lyon & Ajax, while VALENCIA CF  in Group E has Chelsea FC & will meet up with ex player just transferred to the English Club Juan Mata,  & FC BARCELONA is in Group H & should be relatively happy with the draw.

courtesy of sportyou.es

Straight  after the European Club Groups draw for Champions the voting by 53 European journalists (Live) was celebrated with three candidates up for the inaugural "UEFA Best Player in Europe Award 2010 - 2011". The journalists had to give their winners vote to either Xavi Hernandez (FC Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Fc Barcelona) & Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) with the final outcome not surprising anyone as it was given to LIONEL MESSI.

Lionel Messi 2011 - courtesy as.com

This new personal Award makes the Barça & Argentine International "hot favourite" candidate to given next January the "FIFA World Player - Golden Ball" which would be his 3rd if actually awarded. There is ( & cannot be ) any doubt that Messi deserved totally to win the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award tonight, congratulations!

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MESSI - RONALDO - XAVI CANDIDATES FOR THE UEFA BEST PLAYER IN EUROPE 2010-2011 AWARD

Three names are down as candidates for the first & new "UEFA Best Player in Europe" Award 2010 - 2011. The names are LIONEL MESSI (FC Barcelona) , CRISTIANO RONALDO ( Real Madrid) & XAVI HERNANDEZ (FC Barcelona). Thus Spanish Football has the honour of having all three play in its Football League (LA LIGA) & a Spanish born representative in Xavi Hernandez.

Messi, Ronaldo & Xavi Hernandez

The winner will be announced along with the draw of the UEFA Champions League Groups at Montecarlo tonight. The voting was done by a team of 53 experts of the "European Sports Media" group. The other 7 names that make up the Top 10 are:
 
4.- Andrés Iniesta (SP) - FC Barcelona (33 pts)
5.- Falcao (COL) - FC Porto/At.Madrid (17)
6.- Wayne Rooney (ENG) - Manchester United (15)
7.- Nemanja Vidic (SER) - Manchester United (5)
8.- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (SWE) - AC Milan (4)
9.- Gerard Piqué (SP) - FC Barcelona (4)
10.- Manuel Neuer (GER) - FC Schalke 04/Bayern (3)


The hot favourite is LIONEL MESSI. Stay tuned!

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SPANISH FOOTBALL DOMINATES UEFA BEST PLAYER IN EUROPEAN FOOTBALL AWARD

Three SPANISH FOOTBALL based players ( one Spanish born ) are the final candidates for the "UEFA Best Player in European Football Award season 2010 - 2011". The three names are CRISTIANO RONALDO ( Real Madrid ) , LIONEL MESSI & XAVI HERNANDEZ ( FC Barcelona). The winner will be announced the 25th of August at Monaco were a jury of 53 European sporting journalists will hand down their decision. 

Messi, Ronaldo & Xavi UEFA Best European Player candidates

The prize was virtually pulled out of the UEFA hat this year as a possible reaction to the France Football - FIFA Golden Ball, were this time its UEFA which hads in the Best Player in a European Club independiently of his natiuonalty for the season. The 25th of August winner will have the privilege of being the first to win this converted prize.  One thinks that the idea behind this incentive is to give back UEFA ( as an organization ) its protagonist role & stimulate Football business driving & stimulating the individual elements with extra sales & marketing.

The favourite beforehand looks like Lionel Messi if we are to follow the logic after he won the France Football - FIFA Best World Player Award. But we have been surprised in the pass as "outside" influences may tip the decision according to their own particular logic. Said this, we await the chosen date to know who was considered the "Best Player in European Football" for last season.

Here is the list of the discarded players that made up the Top 10:
4 Andrés Iniesta (SP) - FC Barcelona (33 pts)
5 Falcao (COL) - FC Porto (17)
6 Wayne Rooney (ENG) - Manchester United FC (15)
7 Nemanja Vidić (SRB) - Manchester United FC (5)
8 Zlatan Ibrahimović (SWE) - AC Milan (4)
Gerard Piqué (SP) - FC Barcelona (4)
10 Manuel Neuer (GER) - FC Schalke 04* (now Bayarn Munich)

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SPAIN 2 CZECH REPUBLIC 1 | EURO 2012 GROUP I QUALIFIER MATCH RESULT

The SPANISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM & current European & World Champions defeated the CZECH REPUBLIC 2 - 1 in a difficult & at times frustrating game as the visitors put Spain on the ropes for 69 mins before solving the "situation". The victory opens up a significant gap between Spain,  which now leads Group I ,  & second placed Czech Rep with a 6 point margin. 

There were two milestones tonight of worthy mention. The first was the 100th International Cap that XAVI HERNANDEZ gets onto his name & DAVID VILLA who surpassed mythical Spanish player Raul & become  the "all  time Historical goal scorer for Spain" with his two goals taking his tally to 46 goals for the Spanish National Football Team.

Plasil for Czech Republic

The Czech Republic had their ideas fairly clear from the start: DEFEND. I suppose they thought that If by doing so, they could find a counter-attack & get lucky, so be it, with defending the priority. Thus, it was so, with Spain controlling proceeding & Czech goalie Peter Cech stopping everything kicked/headed towards his goal. Then in the 28th min the Czech side attacked in a rare forward move & PLASIL tried his luck from outside the box that found the post & scored a "surprise" goal. First & only attack by the Czech side & a goal!

Obviously this motivated Spain further to attack more & the Czech team took their defending to the maximum level,  literally constructing a defensive wall.

Iniesta for Spain

The nerves set in onto the Spanish Camp & Coach del Bosque took some brave risks. He changed Xabi Alonso for Fernando Torres at the start of the second half & shortly later defender Capdevila for Cazorla. Spain continued dominanting the match entirely & smashing into the Czech Wall until finally in the 69th min Iniesta found DAVID VILLA who equalized & become the Spanish Team all-time Historical goal scorer. It was a big sigh of relief as Spain was seeing how time was flying by & the game was getting more & more complicated.

David Villa become Spain all-time goalscorer

Spain continued with their pressure as they wanted the victory & in the 73rd min Iniesta was fouled in the area & awarded a penalty. DAVID VILLA stepped up & scored the second for Spain & his 46th overall for his country.  There was a few more chances for Spain towards the end, especially one that Torres had stopped by team-mate Cech & the match finished happy for the locals.

Spain now plays Lithuania next week, after the latter defeated Poland 2 - 0 tonight in a Friendly...(thanks to the reader who brought it to my attention).


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SPANISH INTERNATIONAL PLAYER XAVI HERNANDEZ REACHES HIS 100th INTERNATIONAL GAMES WITH SPAIN

Tomorrow when XAVI HERNANDEZ runs onto the field to represent his country with the SPAINISH FOOTBALL TEAM that plays against the Czech Republic in their important Euro 2012 qualifying Group I match, the FC Bareclona midfielder will have reached a personal & prestigious milestone in his spectacular professional Football career: the 100th International Cap for SPAIN.

Xavi Hernandez with his brother, mother & father

The 31 year old born in Terrasa (Catalonia) & breed in FC Barcelona as a player, has become a fundamental piece & member of the Spanish National Football Team. The "brain" behind his Club & of the Spanish Team, Xavi Hernandez is currently considered the "Best Midfielder Player in the World" for his skill, touch & his extraordinary vision of play. Here is his list of titles won with the Spanish side:

FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1 1999

Olympic Silver Medal: 1 2000

UEFA European Football Championship: 1 2008

FIFA World Cup: 1 2010

From Spanish Football Sports Blog, Happy "100th game" Birthday tomorrow XAVI & may you play many, many more games.

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THE GUARDIAN - XAVI HERNANDEZ INTERVIEW

Great interview given by Spanish Football International & FC Barcelona midfield ace XAVI HERNANDEZ to English newspaper "The Guardian" which I place here & recommend you click over to have a read below the main picture.

FC Barcelona player Xavi Hernandez

"I'm a romantic..."


I have taken from "The Guardian" Interview ( thanks guys!) the impressive Football Honours that Xavi has to his name:

Club career
Joined Barcelona's youth system at the age of 11 and made a scoring first-team debut aged 18 in the 1998 Spanish Super Cup final. He has made 557 appearances for the club, scoring 56 goals.


Games/goals
1997-2000 Barcelona B 61/4
1998- Barcelona 557/56


Honours
2 Champions Leagues 2006, 2009
1 Club World Cup 2009
5 La Liga titles 1999, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010
1 Spanish Cup 2009


4 Spanish Super Cup 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010
1 Uefa Super Cup 2009


International career
Represented every Spain youth team from Under-17 to Under-23 level, making his senior debut in 2000 at age 20. He has scored eight goals in 99 appearances. He has also scored twice in eight matches for Catalonia


Games/goals
Spain 99/8
Catalonia 8/2


Honours
1 World Cup 2010
1 European Championship 2008
1 Under-20 World Cup 1999
Olympic silver medal 2000


Individual career


The world's best playmaker, he completed 104 passes more than the next most prolific passer at last year's World Cup which Spain won. He has made more assists than any other player in the past two La Liga and Champions League seasons


Awards
European Championship player of the tournament 2008
Champions League final man of the match 2009
Fifa World Cup All-Star Team 2010
Fifa Team of the Year 2008, 2009, 2010
Uefa Team of the Year 2008, 2009, 2010
Third place in Ballon d'Or 2009, 2010
La Liga Player of the Year 2005



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VIDEO | XAVI HERNANDEZ 549 FC BARCELONA GAMES HONOURS

Video of midfielder  XAVI HERNANDEZ receiving honours from FC BARCELONA Club members & fans for equalling the Clubs "All-Time" games records held along with ex player Migueli. Xavi now has 549 games against his name & his next will be the "record - breaker". A remarkable achievement!

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