CRISTIANO RONALDO WINNER OF THE FIFA WORLD PLAYER 2008 PRIZE WITH SPANISH FLAVOUR

Below is the image of the 5 Best Players on the Planet just before the
ceremony of the World FIFA Player 2008 prize announcement:
left to right: Xavi (Spain); Torres (Spain); C.Ronaldo (Portugal);
Messi (Argentina) & Kaka (Brazil).

As seen, Spain for the first time have 2 candidates, plus if we consider
Agentina &/or FC Barcelona in Messi´s case, the flavour of the

night was definately Spanish, if not, at least Latin with 2 Portugues
speaking candidates along side the other 3 candidates.

However their can only be one ultimate winner & that person was
CRISTIANO RONALDO who was crowned FIFA WORLD PLAYER

2008, the trophy was given by legend Pele who gave a short speech

remembering that last year he promised Ronaldo that he would win

after finishing second to Kaka for the 2007 prize.

Here are the winners of the other places. Second place went to LIONEL
MESSI, third to FERNANDO TORRES, fourth to KAKA & fifth to
XAVI HERNANDEZ

The fact is that there could not have been another winner. Cristiano
Ronaldo of 23 years of age has virtually won all the titles possible at Club
& individual level.

France Football Golden Ball Award 2008

UEFA Golden Boot Award 2007/08 , as Europe´s Top goalscorer

add to these
- Best Player UEFA

- Best World FiFpro Player

Plus at Club level:

- English Premier League Title
- European Cup

- World Club Champion

See now why he won all these awards with this great VIDEO:

Cristiano Ronaldo All 42 Goals Season 2007/2008


Here is the final list of the Top 10 for 2008, with the voting points of the
World National Team Selectors & their respective Captains:

1. Cristian Ronaldo - 935pts

2. Lionel Messi - 678pts

3. Fernando Torres - 203pts

4. Kaka - 183pts

5 Xavi Hernandez - 155pts

6.Steven Gerrard - 98pts

7. Samuel Eto´o - 58pts

8.Iker Casillas - 49pts

9.Andres Iniesta - 37pts

10. David Villa

...5 Spanish players in the Top 10!

Special mention & congratulations to MARTA ( Brazil) who won the
women´s FIFA WORLD PLAYER 2008 for the 3ºrd time. Great & super
achievement.

Congratulations Ronaldo for SFS ! Congratualtions to the rest as well, in
particular Fernando Torres, Xavi Hernandez & Lionel Messi who gave the
night some Spanish spice.

Finish with a SFS prediction! Lionel Messi will win the prize next year for
2009.

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A FEW ATLETICO DE MADRID FANS HURT THE IMAGE OF THEIR CLUB

SFS will like to denounce the awful spectacle given yesterday by a small
part of the ATLETICO DE MADRID crowd during their match against
Athletic de Bilbao.The non- Football lovers who claim to follow Atletico
decided to throw snow at the Bilbao goakkeeper (see above video).

You may think that the fact that it was snow is not harmful. Wrong! The
correct & proper behaviour while you host an opposition team is to NOT
throw anything at all. The arguments & the battles are done on the field
by the teams under rules of conduct of play were after 90 mins you have
a result. The crowd’s behaviour is to sit & watch the spectacle of the game
& cheer their team onward to a possible victory. However, the crowd play
another important role for the rest of the World (Football is now
Worldwide) they represent the image of the team they are supposed to follow
& love. The actions of a few yesterday are detrimental for the Club & for
the Sport.

SFS finishes by saying that a few don’t represent all Atletico lovers, including
myself, but it’s up to the majority who really worries about their Club, &
wish to lift help it toWorld Class status that they denounce this sort of
behaviour. We cannot cry foul when this happens to Atletico on away games
here or internationally, & they show that we are the first barbarians. Please
lets all think about why we follow our Club & why we love Football. Tweet

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SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA 2008/09 - ROUND 18 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

Let´s get straight into the results & scorers of the Round 18 Sunday games
of the Spanish League.

MALLORCA hosted a REAL MADRID team that seems to be

finding its way again with a conviencing 0-3 victory. Real Madrid

climb up to second place on the ladder in their attempt & difficult task

to tear back points from the ladder FC Barcelona.

ROBBEN continues in state of grace scoring his teams 1ºst goal in the

2min. He also hit the post latter on !

RAUL notched up his 500th game with Real Madrid & scored Real´s
second in the 16th min (13 already this season) & the last goal & 3ºrd
came in the 66th when SERGIO RAMOS scored.

Crowd turned angry at ATLETICO DE MADRID Coach Aguirre

after ATHLETIC DE BILBAO handed them a painfull 2-3 defeat
in a poor performance from Atletico. The Atletico team is entering
a delicate situation were if they do not react they could see all their
earlier hardwork go down the toilet.

The Bilbao team were superior, Ateltico scored first via ANTONIO
LOPEZ in the 15th min, but Bilbao took over starting with KOIKILI
(above) scoring to equalize 46th min. Then Bilbao overran Atletico

thanks to FRAN LLORENTE who had his shot deflected for goal off
Atletico defender Dominguez in the 50th min & then scored himself
in the 66th min.

Atletico managed a cosmetic late goal by DIEGO FORLAN from an
Aguero pass in the 91st min. Conclusion, worrying times ahead for
Atletico!

Good game from REAL SPORTING DE GIJON with a 2-1 victory

over VALLADOLID who put a late fright with its solitary goal from
GARCIA CALVO. The scorers for Gijon were CARMELO & BARRAL
(both above)

RACING & RECREATIVO finished in a 1-1 draw. Goals from
PEREIRA for Racing & CAMUÑAS for Recreativo.

REAL BETIS lost in the last moment 1-2 thanks to a goal from
ELISEU for MALAGA. Earlier teammate ADOÑO scored in the

18th min & Betis equalized in the 37th from a EMANA free kick.
Malaga keep climbing !

ALMERIA saw its two goals from UCHE ( 3rd & 54th min) be

cancelled out by a brave & gutsy comeback from ESPANYOL who

are fighting to get out of the relegation zone. The comeback began

with ROMAN in the 62th min & a last moment goal from PAREJA

in the 95th min. Almeria wont be happy to see the victory slip

away. Result 2-2 draw

NUMANCIA defeated GETAFE 2-0 to send the latter close to the danger

"relegation" zone. BARKERO in the 7th min & ARANDA in the 79th min

did the demolition job on Getafe.

Last placed OSASUNA gave a great fight & nearly caused the surprise

by getting ahead, but the FC BARCELONA stars settled the "problem"

to take their team to a 2-3 victory.

SAMUEL ETO´O, the leading Spanish League goalscorer opened things

with his 44th min goal from a Messi pass.

Then Osasuna reacted & surprised Barça with iniciative that payed off with
goals from FLAÑO (63rd min) & PANDIANI ( 73rd min).

However, then the Barça stars did the job. XAVI equalized in the 80th min &
LEO MESSI put in a brilliant goal to clinch the victory in the 84th min. This

is Barça´s 15th straight win, & they are currently unstoppable.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA 2008/09 - ROUND 18 SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS (VIDEOS)

VALENCIA 3 - VILLAREAL 3



DEPORTIVO 1 - SEVILLA FC 3

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ENGLISH PRESS INSIST PACT BETWEEN CRISTIANO RONALDO & REAL MADRID

A couple of days ago it was the "Daily Mail", now it´s "The Times"
that insists that there is a "pact" between MANCHESTER UNITED
player CRISTIANO RONALDO & Spanish giant REAL MADRID. The
novelty here is that the reports & insistence is coming from English media
& not from Spain. The story says that there is a verbal agreement with
CR representative Jorges Mendes for a move in 2010.


















Here is the latest rundown. The deal is set for 2010 as part of ex- Real
Madrid President Florentino Perez bid to win the Real Madrid
Presidential elections due for that same year. The idea is that Perez will
use the "announced signing" of CR to win the votes of the members &
fans to give him the Club´s Presidency.

Remember Florentino Perez is the pioneer of the "Galatic Team" model,
when he poached Luis Figo from FC Barcelona to win the Presidency,
then he brough stars Zidane, Ronaldo & Beckham.

Many believe that Perez is working in the shadows to undermine the current
President Calderon & his team so as to clear the path for his "Return Of
The Messiah" campaign.

However, lets speculate ourselves in this Shakespearen "Football play".
Can it be all a Manchester United/English Press alliance to undermine
the Spanish giant? Doubt it. Can it be Ronaldo had a "pact" with current
President Calderon & now wishes to go back on his word because he
changes alliance to now go with Florentino Perez (more money)? Perhaps.

What´s clear is that this story is´nt going away & as it continues, the secret
"pact" idea gains strenght either with Calderon or with Florentino Perez. Tweet

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FRANCK RIBERY LAUNCHES A MESSAGE TO REAL MADRID?

BAYERN MUNICH French International FRANCK RIBERY has
commented in the German daily “Bild” that he is open to every offer,
despite that he has a contract with the German Club until 2011. In fact
the comments are the following translated from Spanish to English:
“I can’t promise that I will end my contract. One never knows what
life may bring him. I am open to everything”

This is being interpreted as a message to his current German employees
– which he is not in favour with - & to other potential interested Club that
the player is “all ears”. His new agent Alain Migliaccio is the same person
that did the Zidane Zidane operation to Real Madrid & everyone knows
that the current Real Madrid Club is very enthusiastic about the Frenchman.
The Bayern winger has also said recently in “Kicker” that Real Madrid
is one of his dreams!

Is there something being cooked up here? SFS will follow developments.

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IFFHS: XAVI HERNANDZ BEST CREATIVE PLAYER & IKER CASILLAS BEST GOALKEEPER FOR 2008

More titles & recognition for FC BARCELONA & Spanish International
midfieder XAVI HERNANDEZ & REAL MADRID Spanish International
Goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS. The players have been awarded by 83

World experts under the IFFHS ( FIFA endorsed) umbrella, the title of
"The Best Creative Player" & "Best Goalkeeper" for 2008

XAVI (above) wins ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo & Messi. 2008 has
been a fabulous year for Xavi, with European Nation Cup title, 5th in the

Golden Ball, FiFpro Top 11 side & is a candidate for FIFA World

Player to be announced shortly. This Sunday he makes another milestone

with his Club Barça as he will reach his 300th game. Congratulations!
















IKER wins ahead of Italian Gianluigi Buffon & Dutchman goalie Van Der
Sar. Congratulations!

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SPANISH CUP 2008/09 RESULTS ...THURSDAY NIGHT 1º LEG RESULTS

Two matches tonight to wrap up the 1ºleg SPANISH CUP clashes of the
last 16 teams.Here are the results & the scorers:

MALLORCA defeat & nearly shut things up with its 3-1 victory over
ALMERIA. The latters away goal gives it some hope however to comeback.
Scorers:
Mallorca: Keita 02m; Cleber Santana 42 m; Varela 56 m
Almeria: Otriz 09m
























OSASUNA had the game won with a 82th min goal by PANDIANI,
when ATHLETIC DE BILBAO forward & inform Spanish International
LLORENTE ( pictured above) scored the equalizer in the 92th min. All
down to the 2ºleg clash at Bilbao next week! Tweet

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FC BARCELONA PLANS A 50M€ OFFER FOR CESC & VAN PERSIE?

News from the English paper "Daily Star" has reached the Spanish
Sporting press with the rumoured report that FC BARCELONA is
planning a 50M€ double offensive for both of ARSENAL´s pearls.














The paper says that Barça will go after Spanish International midfielder
CESC FABREGAS & 25 year old Dutch International ROBIN VAN
PERSIE.
























Big news that is just speculation, as SFS doubts that the price is high
enough for both & that Wegner - nor Arsenal - will let go their crown
jewels. In any case, if any were to leave Barça would have plenty of
competiton from all the Big European Clubs. Take this with a grain of
salt for the moment. Tweet

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SERGIO "KUN" AGUERO & LEO MESSI GIVE THEIR UEFA TOP SIDE FOR 2008

SERGIO AGUERO & LEO MESSI have given their list of 11 players
& Coach that they each consider make up the ideal UEFA 2008 Team.
Surprising names & curious selections, eg Aguero leaves out Messi
& Messi includes Aguero but leaves out Ronaldo.

SFS will let you decide if each have said something "hidden" in their
selection, but SFS thinks its all innocent. By the way , great sides!














SERGIO AGUERO - TOP 11 UEFA Team choice:
Petr Cech (Chelsea); Sagna (Arsenal); Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd);
Carvalho (Chelsea); Evra (Man Utd); C.Ronaldo (Man Utd);
Xavi (FC BCN); Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal); Ribery (Bayern M);
Del Piero (Juventus) & Ibrahimovic (Inter)
Best Coach : Ferguson (Man Utd)

LEO MESSI - TOP 11 UEFA Team choice:
Petr Cech (Chelsea); Maicon (Inter); Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd); Puyol
(FC BCN); Von Brockhorst (Feynoord); Zanetti (Inter); Xavi (FC BCN);
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal); Iniesta (FC BCN); Sergio Aguero (At.Madrid)
& Rooney (Man Utd)
Best Coach: Ferguson (Man Utd)
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FEDERIC KANOUTE: BEST KEEP POLITICS OUT OF SPORT - A THOUGHT

FEDERIC KANOUTE yesterday voiced his personal opinion after
scoring the 2º goal in Sevilla FC 2-1 victory over Deportivo in the
1ºleg of the SPANISH CUP ( image below).
















We are all terrified & concerned as human beings of what is occurring
in Palestina, & we pray daily for a stop to the military activities so that the
Palestinian people can stop suffering. It´s a complex affair, it is not black
& white at all, Kanoute has a democratic right -plus as a Muslim- to
express his feelings.

However, just for reflexion, SFS feels it is best not to mix politics with
sport. The latter is already emotionally charged as to have another
emotional element get mixed in. Sports is meant to united, while politics
by its nature disunites as there is always a loser.

Althought Kanoute´s action is human, a sign of solidarity & a right, it´s
best be kept off the field. Its the ethical thing to do: neutrality in Sports Tweet

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SPANISH CUP 2008/09 RESULTS...

Here are the results with scorers of tonights SPANISH CUP 1º leg games:

Pol. Ejido 3 (Molina;Juli;Chico) - Espanyol 2 (Hurtdado;Martinez)
Sevilla FC 2 (L.Fabiano;Kanoute) - Deportivo 1 (Bravo)
Real Union 0 - Real Betis 1 (Damia)
Sporting Gijon 3 (Barral 2; Carmelo) - Valladolid 1 (Canobbio)
Racing 1 (Colsa) - Valencia CF 1 (Lacen)

Two more games tomorrow. Surf into SFS for the details. Tweet

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PEPE: CRISTIANO RONALDO WISHES TO COME TO REAL MADRID

A week ago SFS wrote a post explaining its thoughts on Cristiano
Ronaldo´s comments about his future, in concrete the comments that
he was happy at Manchester United, that a Real Madrid "pact" was a
lie & that he has no plans for a move. See & click here for reading
of said post.


















Today in the Spanish Sports daily "AS", Real Madrid defender &
Cristiano Ronaldo teammate in the Portugues National Team, PEPE,
makes comments that add food for thought & keeps the debate, &
the future of Ronaldo still wide open. Pepe assures in the interview that
Ronaldo desires to go to Real Madrid, that the problem perhaps was
the way the transfer attempt was handled & the timing. He is sure that
his National side teammate has shown already that his desire is to play
in the Spanish Club.

Interesting comment from a person that has access directly, & in an
alternative environment (Portugues National side) to Cristiano, & one
can assume have occasions to exchange deep mutual conversations.

The Real Madrid & Cristiano Ronaldo - or vice versa - issue is still
active no matter how the Manchester United public relations team
may think or attempt to make it seem that this is a shut case. Tweet

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SPANISH CUP 2008/2009 VIDEO: AT MADRID 1 FC BARCELONA 3. THE MESSI SHOW

Here is a video of the Highlights of the Leo Messi Show. More Spanish Cup
matches tonight:

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2008/09 SPANISH CUP ...CONTINUES

Genlemen & SFS readers, I figure that you already know that the
author of this blog has it´s heart with ATLETICO DE MADRID.
Following the SFS philosophy of being neutral - for respect of its
readers - the comment after witnessing tonights SPANISH CUP
clash with FC BARCELONA will be precise. LEO MESSI is now the
BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD! Cristiano Ronaldo may have had
a grand season that gave him the Golden Ball, but Leo Messi comes
from another planet. He & DANI ALVES ripped the entire Atletico
De Madrid team to take their side to the 1º leg victory in the Spanish
Cup match 1-3.
























SFS can give you a speech on the match, but what for. It´s simple,
Messi made a HAT TRICK . Summary Leo Messi 3 - Atletico de
Madrid 1. Goodnight readers Tweet

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MANCHESTER CITY BIDS FOR BARÇA PLAYER TOURE

News from England, from the daily "The Sun", says that Premier League
Club MANCHESTER CITY has made a 26M€ bid for FC BARCELONA
midfielder TOURE YAYA (pictured below).


















The English team wishes to attract the midfielder by also doubling
his actual salary to around 5M€/year. SFS doubts that the player
or Barcelona will accept the transfer. Toure is now a vital part of the
Barcelona "machine" & the player knows beforehand that he is already
playing in one of the World´s Best clubs Tweet

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LA LIGA ROUND 17 2008/2009: VIDEO OF ROBBEN & IRAOLA GOALS

Due to popular demand from American & Asian SFS readers, here
are the VIDEOs of the ROBBEN goal for Real Madrid against Villareal
& the overhead equalizer by IRAOLA for At.Bilbao against Espanyol.
Enjoy!

Robben - Real Madrid


Iraola - Athletic de Bilbao


Read the summary of yesterdays games & results below Tweet

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SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA 2008/09 - ROUND 17 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

Todays Round 17 Sunday games have given fans relatively low scores,
however with debuts, surprises & last minute comebacks. Here is a brief
summary of games, scores & scorers.



















REAL MADRID hosted VILLAREAL & put on from the start their
two new signings, HUNTELAAR & LASANA DIARRA. Both played
well, Huntelaar nearly scored & contributed to their teams 1- 0
victory. A vital win which gives them 3 points as they begin the difficult
task of attempting to catch up to leader & rival FC Barcelona who has
a 12 point gap lead.
























While the new signings need more games & rhythm, ROBBEN is
on fire & blitzed in the first half. So much so that he scored a brilliant
outside shot goal to give Real Madrid the victory tonight in the 31st
min.

The second half had another saviour, IKER CASILLAS secured the
victory for Real with brilliant & amazing saves. They can kiss his glooves.

Hard days work for Real Madrid tonight, but the objective has been
gained: the 3 points.

RECREATIVO won 3-1 NUMANCIA to jump out of the relegation zone,
but they were lucky as Numancia failed TWO penalties. The scorers for
Recreativo were, JAVI FUEGO ; CAMUÑAS & AITOR. The scorer for
Numancia was BRIT ( who failed earlier a penalty) in the last min.

MALAGA took advantage of a injury stricken SPORTING to win

by the solitary goal scored by LOLO in the 33rd min. Final score

1-0, & deserved win to Malaga

Ex Real Madrid goalscoring leyend, Mexican Hugo Sanchez (above)

started his new carreer in Spanish Football as ALMERIA Coach with

a 1-0 victory over REAL BETIS. However, Almeria were lucky as

Real Betis hit the post twice & played better. But CORONA´s goal

in the 34 th min was enough to give Almeria the 3 points.

ATHLETIC DE BILBAO cameback thanks to an overhead goal

by IRAOLA in the 81st min to equalize the goal scored by ESPANYOL

player HURTADO in the 36th min. Final result a 1-1 draw.

VALLADOLID lost 0-1 to RACING & thanks to a goal from the
prodigal son, Racing forward ZIGIC in the 64th min, who has returned
from Valencia on loan for the rest of the season.

SEVILLA FC goes away with a lost opportunity to keep 2ºspot on

the ladder & a sour taste after seeing how bottom side OSASUNA
scored in the last minute to equalize & have the game finish in a
1-1 draw. NAVAS put Sevilla ahead in 49th min & PANDIANI scored

to draw in the 92th min.


















DEPORTIVO continue with their fine form & manage to lift itself into
European places - 6th - behind Atletico de Madrid who is 5th, after
defeating away GETAFE 1-2. Tough fought affair were Getafe could
not keep out a determined Deportivo who have found their game.
Deportivo striker BODIPO opened for them in the 5th min, to see Getafe
equalize via DE MORAL in the 15th min. From then on it was a tassle
between both to regain dominance, however Deportivo took its chance in the
81st min when SERGIO scored the winner.

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SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA 2008/09 - ROUND 17 SATURDAY GAMES RESULTS (VIDEOS)

The Spanish League - "La Liga" - got back into action tonight with two
great games in Round 17 that SFS will now give in form of a resume &
with results: includes two videos of goals scored.

FC BARCELONA hosted bottom positioned MALLORCA & in the end
managed to dominante & steer home a 3-1 victory. Barça started without
Messi & Alves & felt the lack of dominance in the right side. In fact,
Mallorca was standing firm & scored first via ADURIZ as the below video
shows:

(Aduriz 14th min - goal Mallorca)


Barça reacted & managed to score the equalizer via HENRY as the below
video illustrates, a great goal:

(Henry 30th min - goal FC Barcelona)


Then for the 2ºhalf Coach Guardiola put on ALVES & INIESTA who
cameback from injury, & that transformed the side to give it more
attacking power & ball control.

















INIESTA put Barça ahead in the 75th min.
























TOURE scored the third in the 92th min & stamped his team dominance
to continue were they left off last year. FC Barcelona look strong & are
THE team so far this season.

















VALENCIA CF needed to win to keep up with the Barcelona train &
ATLETICO DE MADRID had a golden chance to create a gap against
its followers. However, Atletico again disappointed with a "strange"
move by Coach Aguirre to keep Maxi Rodriguez & Maniche out for the
Spanish Cup match against Barcelona next Tuesday. They paid
dearly for this decision as they lost to a resistent Valencia CF 3-1 & a
brilliant DAVID SILVA who cameback from injury.

After Valencia dominanted early on, they were rewarded with a penalty
in the 33rd min which DAVID VILLA (above) converted.
























Then the DAVID SILVA show continued with his goals in the 38th min
& the 69th min, the latter a brilliant cracker from outside the area that
halted an Atletico attempted comeback after being awarded a penalty at
the end of the 1ºst half that stopped them dry.



















Atletico had their chances, one as mentioned converted by DIEGO
FORLAN via a penalty in the 45th min, & the rest stopped by the
Valencia goalkeeper in the 2ºhalf.

Deserved win for Valencia who were the better team, with Atletico
doing its habitual one step forward, two steps back routine. Their minds
- or at least Coach Aguirre´s - seemed to be on next Tuesday
Spanish Cup clash with FC Barcelona, something the SFS frankly can´t
really understand why so much importance over their League aspirations.

See the Video of the goals in this game:

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VALENCIA CF DENIES THAT IT HAS AN AGREEMENT TO LET GO DAVID VILLA AT THE END OF THE SEASON 2008/09

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, via its program "Carrusel Deportivo"
have announced that they have information that VALENCIA CF will
allow its star forward & Spanish International DAVID VILLA to leave
at the end of the season. They insinuate that their is a "pact" between
Club & player that will allow Villa to go to a "bigger" Club or seek a
change of aires. They add however, that the player intends to stay in Spain,
thus discarting moves to Chelsea, Man City...Italy ...etc.

Lets remember Real Madrid made a 40M€ offer that was stopped in the
last moment & FC Barcelona has just had its 35M€ offer rejected as well.
It´s no secret that Valencia is in a very serious financial hole & the selling
of Villa will help them easy their balance sheet.


















Valencia CF has immediately gone out via its Web to say that the news
is totally false, & rejects that there exists any pact to let the player go.
In fact, the Club comments that Villa is an important part of the Clubs
proyect & future.

No doubt this is shaping up as one of the upcoming summer end of season
transfer stories. SFS will keep an eye on things as they develop. Tweet

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HUNTELAAR THE 2º BEST GOALSCORER ON THE PLANET IN 2008

The new REAL MADRID player signed from Ajax of Amsterdam
HUNTELAAR has been award by the FIFA authorized Organization,
"IFFHS" (International Football Federation of History & Statistics),

the second Best Goalscorer (in all Leagues) on the Planet.

His 33 goals (in 34 games) put him behind the winner LUCAS
BARRIOS, the Argentine at Chilean Club "Colo Colo" with 37 goals. The

third place went to MIGUEL XIMENEZ of the Peruvian Club "Sporting de
Cristal" with 32 goals

IFFHS uses it´s own coefficients to weight equally all the Top World

Leagues, & Huntelaar (& those mentioned) beat Cristiano Ronaldo with

his 31 Premier League goals.

Huntelaar & the rest will be given their award in a star studded ceremony

at the end of March.

Huntelaar may well debut this Sunday for Real Madrid in it´s League

game against Villareal to replace the injuried Higuaín. The player will

have a final examination under the watchful eye of Coach Juande who

will make the decision. Real Madrid desire that their new buy continue

with what he does best, put the ball into repeatedly the opposition net.

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BENITEZ: REINA BEST GOALKEEPER OF PREMIER & SPAIN

News from England has LIVERPOOL FC Spanish Manager Rafael Benitez
commenting that his current goalkeeper Spanish International PEPE
REINA is the Best Goalkeeper in the Premier League & in Spain. The
reasons are his strong competitive mental attitude, his team role, his
aerial work, security & the physical style of game which is perfectly suited
to English Football.

Reina is the Spanish National Teams second choice goalkeeper behind
Real Madrid Goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS who has been voted the 4th
Best Football player in the World for 2008.

These comments are arguable but come in a logical moment & from a
logical source. It´s part of Manager Benitez strategy & work to build up
confidence in his players & to show that he is the person that steers
the ship with leadership & true belief in his team. Rafael Benitez did the
same thing a couple of days ago announcing full support for team Captain
Steven Gerrard after being charged with assault in a nightclub incident.
The “You´ll Never Walk Alone” slogan at Anfield is deeply embedded in
the Clubs culture & that should – will – give wings to the Liverpool
Football team players to meet the upcoming vital clashes in the Premier,
FA Cup & Champions with a strong “family”/ Team mentality that will
help enormously with the difficult task ahead.

Smart move & words from Benitez, who is creating “school” at Liverpool
& in English Football. The reader should not interprete this as a Reina
vs Casillas statement, its more intelligent than all that.

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FC BARCELONA PLANS ITS FUTURE FORWARD LINE

The Barcelona based & pro Barça Sporting paper "Sport" publish today an
article that highlights the planification of FC BARCELONA, & in this
case, its forward line. Currently, SAMUEL ETO ´O & THIERRY
HENRY are doing the job, however the former with 28 years & offers
from half of Europe, & the latter with 32 years force some short/mild
term planning. To add to the uncertainty, Eto´o faces next year the
2010 African Cup were he will be with Camaroon & this will cause the
strike to be absent from Camp Barça for at least a month or more.

(courtesy of "Sport")














Three names have been put up, three names the "Sport" says are
on the Barça agenda, three top class goalscorers to guarantee the
upfront firepower:

1. DAVID VILLA: Barça recently made a 35M€ offer for the Valencia
star. It was rejected. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea ...have
this man on their shopping list as well.

2. BENZEMA: Barça has been flirting with the Olympique de Lyon
star all year. However, the player voices his preference for Real Madrid
who have the player down for next season as well. A bidding "war"
assured.

3. ADEBAYOR: The Arsenal star nearly landed in Barcelona last summer,
he was the planned substitute for Samuel Eto´o.

Stay tuned, SFS will keep an eye on developments. Tweet

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CRISTIANO RONALD "DIVORCES" HIMSELF FROM REAL MADRID : SMOKE SCREEN?

MANCHESTER UNITED Portugues star CRISTIANO RONALDO
has gone publically on the Clubs website to dismiss the news that
there exists a "secret" agreement between himself & REAL MADRID
for him to go next season. He goes further & calls the Real Directive
that leaked the news as a "liar" & adds he his happy at Manchester
& with his Football guardian angel Alex Ferguson.

This seems to indicate the Cristiano Ronaldo has finally shut the door
on Real Madrid. Do you believe this? Lets analizes further, in SFS
humble manner.
























Firstly, SFS thinks it should remind everyone that Ronaldo was extremely
close, on the verge, of going to Real Madrid last season. Press sources &
the way his actual Club reacted - Ferguson´s outragous comments against
Real Madrid & trips to Portugal - indicate that it was a done deal, so much
so, that Real Madrid risked its pre-summer planification for the 2008/09
season on his arrival. Real Madrid current playing problems stem directly
from the fact that they put all their eggs in the Cristiano Roanldo basket.
What happenned?

The "kid" did not have the balls to rebel, in plain English. The pressure
from his Club, Coach & fans was intense, but press reports - Spanish &
Internationally - rumoured that Ferguson assured Ronaldo that if he stayed
another season he would allow Cristiano to leave for Real Madrid for
2009/10. Immediately Real Madrid backed off & allowed the kid to work
on his public relations strategy to win back Club fans & press in England.

We all remember the numorous public statements last year from Ronaldo,
statements that said his dream was to play in Spain, with Real Madrid ...
etc & etc. What has occurred to let those dreams fly away? NOTHING!

SFS believes, that all this follows an agreed strategy at the start of
the season between Ronaldo, his representative, Real Madrid & Manchseter
United, too silence everything so everyone can concentrate on their
individual independent & mutual objectives for the 2008/09 season:
local competitions titles & Champions League. The "accidental" leaking
from a Real Madrid representative follows current "internal" Real Madrid
disputes at Directive levels & fanbase containment strategies due to Real
Madrid´s terrible start & situation. All parties have political motives locally
to best use the information they have in their pocession.

What if Manchester United gets knocked out of the Champions League? If
Manchester United does´nt win FA Cup or Premier titles? If Ronaldo has a
relative poor season? SFS & many already know that Ronaldo is a very
ambitious & "egocentric" person that needs to be always on the front page &
in the limelight. The results will determine Ronaldo´s future, not Manchester
United.

Today´s Web statement is just another public relations move which could well
follow a logical "silence code" & "smoke screen" policy in line with "secret"
pacts. Only time will say if SFS hunch is correct, what SFS will guarantee
is that Ronlado WILL NOT stay forever at Manchester United & will leave
when the results or objective does not suit the Ronaldo "dreams": titles,
fame, money & to be the greatest player of all time. If that means leaving
Man Utd, not going finally to Real Madrid, so be it! Ronaldo will go to
the Club were his ambitions = dreams, fit perfectly. Tweet

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60M€ IF REAL MADRID THINK ABOUT RIBERY

The French International winger hasn´t accepted a contract renewal, plus
FRANCK RIBERY has gone on record with Spanish press expressing
his admiration for REAL MADRID.

With this in mind, BAYERN MUNICH has let known that it will not
consider any offer short of 60M€ for its "crack" winger, according to Spanish
paper "Marca". Bayern will not let it´s star player go, but it "fears" that
Ribery may consider & ask to leave the Club at the end of the season if
Real Madrid makes an offer, therefore it is positioning itself just in case.













Many see - including SFS - the Frenchmen as the alternative option,
& better profiled player, to Cristiano Ronaldo for the Real Madrid forward
line. There is speculation that next season Real Madrid will go after
BENZEMA of Olympique de Lyon & the prospect of Ribery joining him
makes it attractive to all concerned - including Ribery.

Before everyone gets excited, all this is pure speculation & before the above
scenario can become a reality, many things will need to happen, things that
at this point are extremely complicated that makes it all just rumours.

SFS will keep an eye on all this & report if there is developments. Tweet

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