Welcome to Offbeat Wednesday, our Weekly Special on the Lighter Side of the Game! This week, read about Iker Muniain’s Comparison to Bart Simpson, Leo Messi’s Baby Rumours, The Rooneys’ Las Vegas Holiday, Irina Shayk and Park Ji Sung!

Man United’s Park Ji-Sung and Rio Ferdinand (who’ll now have a pretty enjoyable, ‘England-free’ summer, no thanks to Roy Hodgson) were both in Thailand today to play a charity match called the ‘Asian Dream Cup 2012′, in aid of Ji-Sung’s foundation. The South Korean star was gifted a garland upon his arrival in Bangkok and was clearly overwhelmed by all the support he received. Well, you know how much the Thais love their football. To add to that, their hospitality is outstanding!

Meanwhile, Ronaldo has spoken out about his former teammate’s England snub – a rightful thing to do, especially if you’ve played alongside the man and know his character. 

“Maybe the coach has justifications and we have to respect those. But I have to be honest, I love Rio. He’s a great player, great man and he should be in the national team because he would help England do well… maybe to win the tournament,’ Ronaldo said, according to quotes attributed in ‘The Sun’.

Athletic Bilbao are set to face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final next Wednesday, and what better way to count down to this momentous occasion than by getting winger Iker Muniain to pose with a photo of his ‘twin’, Bart Simpson, at the Bilbao training ground? We all need some creativity in football, and the Catalan press have kicked it off by coining the nickname ‘Bart Muniain’ for the 19-year-old!

The truth is Muniain is a funny kid and you could probably ask him to do cartwheels for the camera. Interestingly, the one thing he’s looking forward to next week – besides the match itself – is being reunited with his old friend at Barca, Thiago Alcantara. Both of them represented Spain at youth levels and played together at various tournaments.

“(Thiago) is super fun guy – he’ll make your day and changes the ‘vibes’ (within)of the dressing room. He is a lad I always see with a smile, always playful from head to toe. He is unique, the kind you want on any team,” said Muniain.

Football’s own alien, Leo Messi and his girlfriend, Antonella Rocuzzo, are said to be expecting their first child – a baby boy – early next year. However, the couple, who have been together for four years, have neither confirmed or denied the reports that emerged a few weeks ago. Messi is notoriously private about his personal life, particularly since the Spanish and European paparazzi in general can be rather merciless.

If this were true, there’s no need for Messi to plan his child’s future at all – Barca have got it all figured out! An all-expense paid childhood, his first boot endorsement  the moment he leaves his mother’s womb and a welcome kiss from Maradona. Anything, just as long as the boy ends up playing for the Blaugranas in the ‘el clasico‘ scheduled in the year 2025. Ronaldo Junior (Real Madrid) is waiting for his nemesis!

In case you were wondering, that’s not a 15-year-old boy who forgot to dress up for a pool party. It’s Wayne Rooney in Las Vegas with his wife, Coleen! The couple and their families are enjoying the striker’s temporary time off from football before he returns to join England’s Euro 2012 training camp next week. Wayne has been spotted everywhere from nightclubs to casino slot machines in Vegas – formerly known as the ‘party capital’ of the world (it so isn’t!)

Irina Shayk stepped onto the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival last night in an elegant dress, but her beau, Ronaldo, who is currently in training camp with Portugal was unable to join her. Instead, Irina was joined by jewellery maker, Fawaz Gruosi, a 60-year old man who is said to be ‘dating’ Tara Reid. Gross! Ronaldo should’ve totally turned up, snapped his fingers and yelled : “Ficar longe da minha namorada, avô!“

Anyway, Irina looked stunning – as usual – but we’re starting to think that she needs to do more than just red carpets and parties. How about some substance?!

via Hola, Sport.Es, Film Magic

Ronaldo wants to win the Euro 2012 this summer with Portugal. Do you think the Portuguese captain can do it without a shield? Of course you do! / via AP Photo

It has now been confirmed that David Villa will not feature for Spain at the Euro 2012, despite his personal race to become fit for the tournament. You may recall last week that Del Bosque wanted a week to assess the Barcelona striker’s situation, but upon further inspection and his own lack of match fitness, it will not be possible for Villa to play at all. Triste!

“Villa spoke with the national team doctor this afternoon after the arrival of the team in the Austrian town of Schruns. After not getting in the final practice and development desired, (Villa) spoke with Del Bosque, who relayed that although it was Villa’s wish to be with the team in Poland and Ukraine, that his physical state was ‘not as good’ as would be desirable,” – Spanish Football Federation.

And here are two of the French National Team’s ‘immigrant sons’ – Man City’s Samir Nasri and Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa – at France’s training ground in Clairefontaine, outside Paris, yesterday. Of course, the ‘cultural revolution’ debate in France is a favourite topic whenever a big tournament such as the Euro Championships or World Cup comes round. However, let’s not talk about ethnicity – the biggest question right now is who Laurent Blanc will be taking with him on May 29, when he is expected to whittle down the French squad to 23 men. It’s almost like a Survivor : Football – who will be eliminated and who stays?!

“I am more peaceful now. I make more efforts for the others. Every failure makes you grow. I have evolved and at 25 I think I’m more mature than when I was 20,” said Ben Arfa. “Obviously you wonder what is going to happen but I have no hunch. I just hope I will be in the squad. I still remember the shocks of 2008 and 2010. If it has to happen, I will adapt.”

Obviously, it’s the dream of every professional to go to a tournament such as the Euro 2012. But it will be difficult to pick anyone over Karim Benzema, at the moment, for France. A Benzema-Ben Arfa partnership upfront could be lethal – qui sait?!

(Photos : Gettyimages via Daylife)

The Basques, Galicians and Catalan delegates are all coming together to promote solidarity within the Spanish National team at the Euro 2012! Time to leave cultural differences in favour of football, folks! / via Sport.ES

Antonio Cassano spent the bulk of his AC Milan season “high-fiving” players during training sessions, dancing TO “Ai Seu Te Pego” with Robinho, cracking jokes at everyone’s expense – all the while recovering from his heart operation. So of course (naturalmente), his call-up to Prandelli’s Azzurri squad was highly unexpected and had more to do with his bubbly personality than his goal average. Everybody loves a joker when things get awkward (and mark our words, it WILL, with Balotelli around!)

“In my opinion, (Balotelli) has to see it as an extraordinary occasion for him as it is for the national side. It is a time for him to be written about for what he does on the pitch and not what he has done off it.” – Prandelli

You could also argue that Italian squad also needs a personality like Balotelli who has a “Winners/Fighters” attitude, which often unfortunately translates into arrogance. And sure, Di Rossi may not like him very much. But if the goals keep coming, perché no?

“We are not going to win Euro, but I like to say that the Italians know how to surprise. I would like to show that the team has at least worked well and which is arriving at this Euro knowing it is experiencing a unique moment with a smile on its lips,” added Prandelli.

Reports emerged from the French press last night linking Didier Drogba to a Chelsea exit. He had apparently informed his teammates about his decision to leave aboard the team’s fancy Champions League team buson Sunday. However, the Ivorians’ representatives denied the claims this morning while the club’s chief executive, Ron Gourlay, asserted that “no decision” had been made.

“As I decided to leave, I wanted to tell them straight in the eye. Except that I could not do it. They made me crack,” Drogba had reportedly said on Sunday to ‘France Football’ magazine. “Even though it’s been three years since I said I wanted to leave, I find it hard to admit that it’s over with this club – especially as I did not feel like this.

If he does leave, Didier is set to join Nicholas Anelka at Shanghai Shenhua as Chelsea prepare to rebuild their new team. Holiday time, anyone?!

Real Madrid’s Kaka and his wife, Caroline Celico, were spotted in Sao Paulo over the weekend at a concert in Anhembi, São Paulo. They sang along to hits from Brazilian singer Ivete Sangao, Thiaguinho and Luan Santa in the VIP area of the stage. Like teenagers all over again!

via EgO

Well, they finally did it – and boy, do Chelsea deserve it! Saturday night’s Champions League final was a fitting representation of the football patterns we’ve come to witness in the last decade. The notion of “Finders, keepers” coupled by the actual, cruel possibility of denying a team their fairytale ending has come to light once again. Bayern, for all their missed chances and their work rate, just failed to convert in front of goal and their home fans while Chelsea did the complete opposite and pulled out all the stops that were needed to win. That’s the Di Matteo spirit- and that is the attitude we can all learn from!

The game would not have gone to penalties if simple things such as self glory (Arjen Robben), actually turning up at a final (Mario Gomez) and unnecessary substitutions (taking off Mueller and beefing up the defense? Come on!) were avoided. However, there’s no denying the fact that Ribery put on a magnificent performance in midfield – one capable of a World Cup final. It’s a pity that the Frenchman- of all people – had to pay the price for it when he limped off the pitch with an ankle injury.

As we told you on Saturday, Chelsea had already planned a massive parade around West London, ahead of the Champions League final. They delivered on their promise of course, and thousands of fans gathered on the streets to welcome their heroes home yesterday. It was also nice to see Ryan Bertrand – whom the Futbolita crew met at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground a few months back – winning the trophy on his Champions League debut. What a dream start!

“Football, like life, is unpredictable and crazy. Nobody could have predicted the last three months. To finish like this is incredible. Whatever the future holds for me, I’d be happy.” – Roberto di Matteo

After his penalty miss on Saturday night, Bastian Schweinsteiger hasn’t been in the best of moods. Naturally, the German tabloids decided to stalk the defender on Sunday morning as he walked his dog wearing the worst outfit ever assembled. Well, to be fair, after you’ve lost such a painful Champions League final – 15 wasted corners and all – the last thing you’ll care about is your shirt or the fact you look like Eminem’s hobo brother. He could’ve worn a pink scuba diving suit along the streets of Bavaria and still be lost in his own thoughts – AH, the pain of loss!

Anyway, Schweini was said to have snubbed the German journalists as Bayern made their way to the post-match dinner party – which was clearly meant to be ‘festive’ – at around 1am last night. Everyone wants a fairytale ending, but very few actually get it.

We all know how good Bayern are of throwing a mean dinner party, but given the circumstances on Saturday night, no one was really in the mood to celebrate. Still, if you didn’t watch that unbelievable Champions League Final, we would like to invite Mario Gomez to pour that glass of cold water all over you! Elsewhere, Arjen Robben looked like he was at a permanent loss for words (or “stoned” if you will!) as his wife, Bernadien, tried to talk to him over dinner. Robben, no one plays for himself – if you had at least remembered to PASS on at least one occasion that night, things could’ve been different!

Thankfully, for Thomas Mueller, his mighty and gorgeous wife Lisa was around to cheer him up. Nothing like some female support, really!

Photos via Bild, Gettyimages

Nothing like going all out for your team, eh girls?! Take a cue from these Club de Fútbol Monterrey fans the next time you attend a game! / via AP Photos

Welcome to your Champions League Final Bumper Post, brought to you by the squinting Fernando Torres and his post-flight mop. He brought just enough clothes for the post-match dinner in Munich, so it looks like that epic house rave and beer fountain party Jupp Heynckes has planned will only be attended by Mario Gomez (2 more goals, tipo, “zwei tore!”)

Chelsea are scheduled to throw a Champions League parade on Sunday in the Fulham area of West London if they defeat Bayern tonight. Although this final has been pegged as a “sure win” (natürlich!) for Bayern, it’s a dangerous move because this match will be unpredictable and ‘favourites’ never do too well. Sure, the Allianz Arena is Bayern’s backyard but Schweini and co’ must remain cautious, play with their brains and look after Didier Drogba- this game essentially depends on who scores first. And Didier loves his grand tournaments- he has scored in all four of Chelsea’s FA Cup Finals!

Upon arrival yesterday, David Luiz was pleased to find his passport in his front zip pocket and proudly presented it to the airport’s immigration officer. Interestingly, David hasn’t stopped talking about the final ever since Chelsea qualified a few weeks ago, but Brazilians love to get sentimental over the big games : Pato repeatedly played the Champions League anthem on his mobile phone before his big move to Milan.

“This final is my dream. A few years ago I dreamt of playing in this final, and now I have the opportunity. I think every player wants this opportunity, and if I have it I need to enjoy this moment,” – David Luiz

Meanwhile, Bayern’s captain Philipp Lahm, has admitted that home advantage feels bloody amazing and he is looking forward to saving his team from a severe case of Borussia (oops) Blushes!

“It’s sensational, of course, and it feels great. We’re the first team to host the Champions League final in our own stadium and that’s obviously something great. The city is ecstatic and can’t wait for 19 May. It’s very nice to be among the two best teams in Europe. We have a good chance to win an international title again and this is why you play football: to win the big trophies, international titles.” – Lahm

Bayern coach, Jupp Heynckes, has also started his mind games with Roberto di Matteo. As a coach, one of the ways to do this is to heap praises on your opponents, hope to distract them and keep them coming! Unfortunately, Roberto di Matteo is the undisputed current King of Mind Games (after he pulled off an epic inception of Guardiola) so no petty words are going to fool the Italian.

“You can see that Chelsea can play different systems. They played completely differently against Benfica [in the quarter-finals] than they did against Barcelona [in the last four]. I expect Chelsea to be a bit different than against Barcelona. The team has been going through a really good period in the last weeks, and they’re playing better, more successful football.” 

If Bayern win the trophy, it’ll be their only silverware his season and will make history by winning it within their own vicinity. So Mario, what say you actually become the Champions League top scorer and marry Silvia after that? 1, 2,… go!