Fútbolita

Bienvenido, tipoooo! We’re so thrilled to finally see Özilita in the La Liga. The choice of club may not be everybody’s favourite, but at least MouMou has some solid goals for Real in mind and you know he doesn’t care about the politics in the backroom. As far as Senhor Treinador is concerned, Flo Perez is just a fruit seller in all of this.

Said Ozil : “I spoke to my advisers and looked at the options but I always wanted to join the best team in the world, and to play under the best coach in the world, Jose Mourinho,” I spoke to him and he convinced me. What we spoke about will remain between him and me but that’s why I am here.”

Here he is, doing the Obligatory Madrid-Medical Pose! You can’t join the club officially until you agree to a photo with wires all over you! Also, you gotta Ozil’s ghetto get up with the white shoe, ya’ll.

Meanwhile, here is Internacional’s Rafael Sobis with the club flag… as he celebrated their Copa Libertadores win last night! Yes, Nilmar and Pato’s former club defeated Mexico’s Chivas 3-2, and they promptly walked away with the title of Libertadores champions. Parabennns, Internacional fans!

All the Cescy lovers (ooh, snappy!) at Barca must be feeling a little disappointed at the fact that a move back to Catalonia did not materialise. But that’s fine, because Chamakh and him are getting along just fine at Arsenal. Let him spend a few more seasons with the gunners then maybe Pique can do something to convince him of a return!

“I’m sure that someday he will join the club again. Although he is now working in London, he will always remain a culé,” said Pique to El Mundo Deportivo. Yes indeed, who knows?

via Elisa Estrada, Reuters, Gettyimages,

So the Gremistas are all celebrating their Rio Grande do Sul championship which they took from the hands of Internacional last night! We have a nagging feeling that Nilmar was disappointed about his former team’s loss but Internacional have won it a whopping 39 times in the past… so time to let Gremio celebrate theirs instead!

Anyway, the club released a commemorative poster to celebrate their historic victory. And after watching this video below… you too can be a Gremista!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAp1GUm-1M8]

No no, not Ronaldinho but Patinho! The award is officially called the “Golden Boy” award and is given out by Italian newspaper, Tuttosport. It recognizes the best U-21 player in the game, and Pato won most of the votes this year – beating out Balotelli, Bobojan and Ghana’s Adiyiah. Quite amazing, for esse cara who hasn’t been called up to the selecao in recent months!

Anyway, here Pato waxes lyrical about his interest to see Rafael da Silva clinch the next edition of the award (from one jovem to the next!) and his memories at Internacional, where he was pretty much a cracker. Which is a nicer word for “douche”, which we can’t bring ourselves to say.

“I see many familiar faces. I like Jovetic, who eliminated Liverpool in the Champions League with a double. I like Balotelli, I like (Bojan) Krkicand I like Adiyiah, a very fast striker who made my cry Brazil in Under-20 World Cup final in Cairo where his Ghana won on penalties,” said Pato. “But above all, I can say I have many friends and countrymen in the list of candidates. Beginning with the Benfica defender Sidnei: we arrived when we were 11 in the youth team of Internacional in Porto Alegre and spent six seasons together. Then Rodrigo Possebon, now at Sporting Braga on Manchester United – he comes from the same school. And as for Rafael da Silva, I root for him to become the next Golden Boy.”

via Tuttosport, AP

Palmeiras-Corinthians will forever always remind us of that louco Brazilian film, Romeo and Juliet Get Married where the characters come from a family of opposing hardcore supporters. They would’ve loved result in yesterday’s 2-2 draw! Ronaldo Lima scored a double for the Timao while Danilo and Maurício did the favour for Palmeiras. All the goals came in the first half.

In the other game, Nilmar’s former team, Internacional, were unable to pull off a victory against Botafogo. They were down 0-1 in the second minute when Juninho struck for the visiting side. However, Inter still think they can win the Championship.

“It’s no use trying to make excuses. We do not play well. We conceded a goal early. We had a lot of pressure from the fans. We have to recognize that everyone fought to the end to try to break even and turn the game,” said coach Mário Sérgio. Well, at least their fans know how to turn the heat up…literally!

Photos via UOL and Reuters

• So Corinthians proved that they’re back on their feet (Ronaldo Lima’s still injured, pessoas) yesterday with their 2-1 win over the Nilmar-less Internacional in Porto Alegre. Jean and Jorge Henrique both netted in goals [watch them below.]
• Santos edged Gremio 1-0 at Vila Belmiro stadium behind an 80th-minute header by striker Paulo Henrique, keeping Gremio winless away from home in this year’s competition. There’s something for Pele to smile about.
• Sao Paulo also defeated Fluminense 1-0 thanks to Richarlyson and are now closer to the top of the table. Forca caras!

Nilmar is walking away from Internacional!!! Yes, the striker will officially be presented as a Villarreal player later tonight at El Madrigal. The striker will also be parading the team’s new kit. No eagle is slated to make an appearance, though, so everyone please sit down.

Well, we’ve been waiting for cara to make his move to Europe since forever. Everyone from Palermo, Wolfsburg and Milan had been knocking on his door but it looks like Villarreal found the magic solution. They paid 15 million euros for him and we’re sure the money will be worth it.

“I have the opportunity to play in one of the strongest leagues in the world. I (want to) develop and succeed in Europe as well as did in Brazil,” said Nilmar.

Yes, here’s another one of those baby tributes, courtesy of Jorge Henrique! Corinthians came away with a 2-0 victory in the first leg of the Copa Brasil final against Internacional yesterday. The other goal was scored by The Ronaldo. Sadly for Internacional, Nilmar couldn’t feature in the game but we’re sure he watched it from the comforts of the hotel.

Corinthians’ louco fans, as usual, went all out for their team, lighting up a section of the stadium with their fire sticks! The next leg will be on July 1 at the Beira-Rio.

Day two of the Brazilian boot camp yesterday and it involved blood tests, more gym work and 45 minutes of tactical training on the field. We did a blood test last week and the nurse jammed the needle into our veins twice. It wasn’t pleasant at all so someone please explain amigo’s sly grin above!

Anyway, Kaka did the usual yesterday refusing to answer questions about his ‘future’. Instead, he ran past journalists, waving and smiling like a good Samaritan. As for newcomer Nilmar, he fielded questions about missing the Brazilian Cup to play for the national team.

“I watched the game (Internacional vs Coritiba) on Wednesday and let it slide,” he said. “Nothing is more complicated. I just saw the fans cheering.”

Nilmar – who has obviously picked up fashion tips from Sergio Ramos - is looking forward to meeting the rest of the seleção on Monday, as they prepare for the World Cup qualifiers and Confederations Cup.

However, the striker is currently nursing a hip injury and fears that this may affect his performances for the team.

“I will introduce myself to the selection on Monday without problems,” he said. The idea is to be available to play both qualifiers. My recovery has been good and I’m improving.”

“I will play on Sunday (for Internacional) to ensure that I don’t lose my pace but I think it is too early think about it. I was worried (about my hips) because the pain was very strong and (prevented) a few movements. But fortunately I am better now.”

¿Que hubo amigos?! We’re back with some Brasileirao highlights from the weekend’s games! Corinthians (who failed in their quest to sign Guti. Really?) defeated Barueri 2-1, thanks to goals from Souza and Jean. Ronaldo Lima was rested in the game due to a muscle injury he picked up. He’s likely to barbecue be rested for Wednesday’s Brazilian cup game against Vasco.

Unfortunately, Santos reduced Fluminense to batter thanks to a 4-1 victory at the Maracana. Well, fluzão had better believe that they made a good investment in Adriano – something we know you are struggling to believe.

Gremio (see below) also defeated Botafogo 2-0 at the Olimpico stadium and the game saw the debut of new coach Paulo Autuori while Internacional came away with a 1-0 victory away at Goiás thanks to a goal from Taison.

Oh, how we ought to be asleep now! But we love all you futbolitas so here’s a little bit about Nilmar feeling really happy about his call-up to the national team.

“I feel proud to be chosen because it is the pinnacle for every player. It is a recognition of the work I’ve done. I feel like I’m among the best,” he said. “The coach is observing and monitoring everyone. If I am right for the selection and keep (performing well here at) Inter, it is a big step for the World Cup.”

And on that super goal he scored against Corinthians two weeks ago, Nilmar maintained it may have ‘helped a bit’ but in the end, it all boiled down to his hard work.

“It was not the goal that (helped me). It was all the work that I did. The goal helped, but I wasn’t summoned because I scored it alone,” adding that many factors went into the selection process.

Yeah we’re looking forward to this too… along with Gilberto Silva’s sly expression.


[* There won't be a Sunday Señor this week as we'll be out of the country. Have a good one amigos! ]

Today is a very important day for the seleção because Dunga is slated to announce the official squad list for the qualifiers and the Confederations Cup! We know right…. it’s almost like American Idol!

Anyway, Nilmar has told the Brazilian press that he hopes to be called up to the national team. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for mano too. Surely, there’s gotta be space for him after Adriano freaked out and did the unthinkable.

“Dunga should have already decided who he’s going to call up. I am thinking about (Internacional’s game). I must do well in the game too, because it is my last chance to prove myself to the coach,” he said.

His club has also graciously backed him. “He is a great striker and he deserves to be in the Brazilian team. I say that although it could mean a loss for (Internacional).”

Parabens to Internacional’s striker, Nilmar, who has married his girlfriend, Laura Guimarães! According to reports, the striker arrived at the church in Porto Alegre last Friday at 8PM but had to wait 25 minutes before his bride arrived. He could’ve scored a hat-trick!

Nilmar has been linked to many European powerhouses in the last few years after playing at Lyon for three years alongside Juninho. He chose to return to Brazil and play for Internacional instead.

Internacional’s extremely talented striker, Nilmar, has confirmed the interest from Italian side, Palermo, in him.

The club are willing to fork out €18 million (U.S. $54 million) to prise him away from Internacional. It is the second player the club has invested in the last six months. In the middle of last year, Palermo offered € 15 million (about U.S. $ 45 million) for Nilmar.

However, the attacker says that he’s fully concentrated on Internacional – for now – and speculation will not affect his performance on the field.

“It is difficult to choose a club to play. Everyone wants to play at the biggest club in the world. We have to see. Nothing is set yet. I want to continue playing well here. I know that the fans suffer a lot, but (so do) the players. My family (would prefer) for me to remain at Inter,” he said.

Yes Nilmar, don’t go to Palermo. Wait for an offer from another team!!

The footballing Gods must have heard our cries and granted Brazil a 2-1 win over Bolivia in last night’s U-20 South American Championships.

The young selecao had to work hard to win the game, however as their opponents scored first thanks to a goal by Castedo. Rafael Toloi did no favours for the team either, after being sent off with a second yellow card.

However, Brazil fought back and expanded their gameplay – passing quickly and creating more chances at goal. Of course this paid off and Internacional’s Walter and Tales both netted in goals to earn a win for their side.

The South American championships are pretty challenging, and given the fact that all the players still play in their domestic leagues, it certainly shows that talent isn’t lacking outside Europe!

Internacional became the first Brazilian club to win the Copa Sudamericana after Nilmar (again!) scored in the 23rd minute of extra time to earn a 1-1 draw with Estudiantes of Argentina. Internacional won the first leg of the finals, 1-0, last week in Argentina and needed only a draw to clinch the South American club title.

Interestingly, no Brazilian club has ever reached the Copa Sudamericana final since the competition began in 2002. The result made Internacional the only unbeaten champion in the competition.

Boosted by nearly 50,000 wildly cheering fans at the Beira-Rio stadium, Internacional went on the attack as soon as its players entered the field.  It is the fifth international trophy for Internacional in the past two years after it won the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2006, the Recopa Sudamericana in 2007 and the Dubai Cup and the Rio Grande do Sul state championship this year.

Futbolitas, watch the video below to ‘experience’ the ‘paixão’ for yourself.

Time to catch up on some South American football action. Internacional won 1-0 away to Argentina’s Estudiantes de la Plata in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final on Wednesday. Apparently, Estudiantes’ midfield was ochestrated by Juan Sebastian Veron, who dominated the second half – but still failed to pull off a well-deserved victory. Nilmar was fouled by Leandro Desabato, earning a penalty for the Brazilian side which was promptly scored by Alex.

“It was a strange game, I can’t really describe it,” said Veron. Well, it is pretty sad especially if you’ve been doing most of the work in a game.