Fútbolita

So there was no need to scratch our heads to decide this week’s Sunday Señor! After scoring a hat-trick, surely Antonella‘s man, The Messiah, deserves high praise! She must have done something during the holidays to help her novia find his form again for Barca. And no, it can’t be the churrascaria.

Anyway, David Maravilla must also be smiling, because it’s his first major tournament for Los Cules, and he walked away with a shiny new medal! Un buen comienzo de la temporada, for sure.

And here’s a bonus of Pique the Pout doing what he does best (besides enjoying the DJ lifestyle – no kidding)… showering booze! You know that they’ve got loads of champagne bottles stocked up in the dressing room, so he’s not worried that they’ll run out of it anytime soon. If they do, Bojan can always make a quick run for the supermart near his home.

So Barca are now in Seoul, South Korea for their preseason tour! But before they left, the Messiah and his namorada Antonella took some time off to hang out with dolphins in Mexico. And in case you were wondering, they weren’t there to watch RBD Live in Concert! Instead, if you’ve been following the couple closely, you’d know that they’ve been travelling quite a lot and soaking in the sun!

If you observe the photo below, the dolphin actually looks proud to be offering its fins to the Messiah. A dance, anyone?

via Hola, AP

So The Messiah is incredibly exhausted.. but he still has six months to go until they crown the new FIFA World Player of the Year, so tipo has to WORK IT! It must be incredibly tiring to go back to playing football right after the World Cup, so he was nice enough to pick all the players whose teams went out early in the tournament. Obviously, folks like Materazzi had ample time to go for a spa, enjoy a manicure AND get inked at the same time while Lucio, as ya’ll know, has been hitting the bitch with Juan!

Edgar Davids and Kevin Urandi also didn’t have anything to say to Marco and Lucio, so they decided to have their own conversations (as seen below) instead. Seriously, what could Edgar and Lucio have spoken about? Felipe Melo?

It’s that time of the year again… the “Gêmeo Season!” The question is, can you tell the Da Silva brothers apart below? Meu Deus, someone needs to give them a hairdryer, the Perpetual Greaseano look is not working!!

Anyway, caras are now in the USA with the rest of the United gang as part of their pre-season tour. They’d better bring their Futbolita tees along for the ride. Hmmm, Fabio (left) is trying to recall where na terra he put it!

Last, and certainly not least, es hora de Ikerbonero! They’re now officially Pap material, which means you’ll probably be seeing them every morning at the breakfast table as you sip tea next to Arsene Wenger.

Anyway, here they are after enjoying a nice little dinner and getting into Wedgiellas’ car. OK, we don’t really care where they’re heading to or if he decides to get a new haircut, but he’d better keep Sara because she’s one of the few girls he has dated with actual brains!

via Gettyimages, Hola and AFP

Ok, so ya’ll know that the Messiah is in Rio de Janeiro now with his girlfriend, Antonella, to hang out with Deco aka The Betrayer and enjoy a short getaway at the same time. Here are more pictures of them enjoying the authentic “churrascaria” experience at a restaurant in Barra da Tijuca. Later in the evening, Antonella moved to sit next to the Messiah because she obviously wanted to lay her claim on her man as the evil Nereida Gallardos of Rio looked on! On a side note, Antonella is the Argentinean clone of my best friend, lo juro!!

Photos via EGO

So The Messiah has finally reunited with his namorada, Antonella Roccuzzo in Rio de Janeiro (of all places!) Unfortunately, la chica looks mighty peeved here! The photographer must have crept in on them when they were having a heart-to-heart talk. Dude, but they haven’t even ordered!

Anyway, they’re both in Rio to take advantage of a “short holiday” thanks to Deco aka The Man Who Doesn’t Play Football Anymore. His institute is called “Deco20″ and they will be playing some nice charity matches in Sao Paulo, which The Messiah will be a part of. What are Barca mates for, eh?

Speaking of which, Antonella is in university wrapping up her dietician studies, pink watch and all. In other words, she doesn’t really need The Messiah because she’s on the way to becoming “Una Mujer De Poder!” She’s even looking away here.

Fotos : Carlos Wrede / Agência O Dia

Diego Maradona will 7 substitutions in regards to the squad that started in the victory against South Korea, that is almost the entire squad.

Lineup:

Sergio Romero; Nicolás Otamendi, Martín Demichelis, Nicolás Burdisso, Clemente Rodríguez; Maxi Rodríguez, Mario Bolatti, Juan Sebastián Verón; Lionel Messi; Diego Milito y Sergio Agüero.

The reason behind the number of substitutions lies behind FIFA’s suspension rules. The rule was modified to prevent World Cup final bans; therefore existing yellow cards will clear after the quarterfinals. The rule was considered after the 2002 world cup final, when Michael Ballack missed the finals against Brasil due to a yellow card accumulation.

Veron will return to the squad after being sidelined with a muscle sprain. Nicolas Otamendi will make his debut in the World Cup, a well as Clemente Rodriguez and Mario Bolatti.

Diego opted to chose Diego Milito and Sergio Aguero on the attack. The big question is, will we see Palermo in this match?

Probably the biggest occurrence of that match will be Lionel Messi captaining the squad. The 22 year will become the youngest Argentine player to captain his squad in a world cup.  Messi holds the #10 in his back, the captain band on his arm and the hopes of one Nation in left foot.

Argentina will qualify to the next round in first place if they either win or tie the match, or South Korea ties or loses the game. In Either case, Argentina only depends on itself.

The possible opponents for next round are Mexico, Uruguay or France.

Signing off,

Your Argentina Futbolito

As always, benvinguda to our Friday Crackovia club which promises to settle you into the weekend… without the need for boiled potatoes! Anyway, in this episode, Iniesta, Pep and Puyolita all decided to start their own Glee Club by breaking into a song and dance (and putting the journalists into a trance) in the middle of a press conference. Oh trust us, esto es muy normal.

The best part has to be when the subject of this entire parody – The Messiah himself – makes an appearance and starts shooting at the camera while dancing/singing. Laporta also makes an appearance – and so do the rest of the loco crew. Espero que les gueste…!

So Brazil’s U-17 coach, Lucho Nizzo paid a visit to the Arsenal’s Brasileiros yesterday (including Eduardo da Silva, who is now effectively a Croat….but they still love him the same!). He was apparently invited to England by his former U-15 prodigy, Denilson. The official purpose of his trip was to learn more about Arsenal’s working methods. We all know that the REAL reason Uncle Lucho came was for a taste of the infamous Brazilian soup prepared by Gilberto Silva before he left for Greek shores. Admiti-lo!

So the Messiah netted two goals (and we all know he is still the undisputed SuperStar) but everyone, please put your hands together for Bobojan who also scored in Barca’s demolition of Stuttgart last night! Buen trabajo, muchacho. Tiempo de helados!

So your favourite Brazilian Great who is approaching retirement soon aka Ronaldo Lima has gotten himself into another funny mess again. In a flight he boarded that was heading to Bogota last week, he complained that the sandwiches on board were a “misery”. Shortly after that, the flight attendant (accidentally, we’re guessing) passed him some lasagna that was meant for the pilot. “I pay a hundred real for you to leave this lasagna here,” instructed Ronaldo. The flight attendant refused and Ronaldo ended up only with the sandwich!

via Ego/AP

It’s the Messiah and Ibracadabra! Oh dear, how we’ve missed thee. Anyway, our friends can’t stop yelling Bobojan’s names into our ears so we just had to put this up. This and the fact that Senor Pep was recently inducted an ambassador for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid. Yes, even the cat sitting outside thinks it’s all pretty random, but Pep actually played for Al Ahli for two years so that explains it all!

Of course, the Messiah believes they will beat FC Stuttgart in the Champs League tonight despite the fact that “German sides are always strong.” Pique the Pout however, is giving you the benefit of the doubt….

via Gettyimages & AP

Ola Futbolitas! Many of you may not know this (and a few amici still tease us about it) but last December, we interviewed Greaseano himself aka Cristiano Ronaldo via phone from Japan). And yes, he was nice and sent us his autographed book – so  we’ve been pretty mean calling him names. Anyway, we didn’t get to speak to this year’s Jugador del Ano (Player of the Year) on the phone because of his tight schedule. Still, that didn’t stop us from getting Leo Messi!

Yes, The Messiah exclusively answered our questions on Monday – mid-flight to Zurich to collect his FIFA Award. It was a loco week for Barca, but thanks to our dear amigos, Messi dished out a series of interesting answers for our newspaper, on his good friends, family, the awards (of course) and winning the World Cup with Argentina! We’ve included a few of Messi’s relevant quotes below from the main interview so read on … and Happy Boxing Day to you!

ON HIS EMOTIONS

“I am happy. For many reasons, this year was my best year. Fortunately, I did not have many injuries and continued to play at a good level. Since I arrived (at) Barça, I have been very involved with the team. In football, teamwork and goals is what I love most.”

ON FAMILY AND HIS GIRLFRIEND, ANTONELLA

“For me, it is very important that I have my family’s support. I know that I am privileged (now) so the best thing is to enjoy what I have and to be the same person as always. I am happy that my family is more settled now.”

“Yes, I’ve seen (Antonella) grow up and she knows me very well. Our families are good friends, so I had no doubts about her. I’ve grown as a person and as a footballer and it is clear (she) supports that.

ON HIS BEST FRIENDS

“As I said before about (Eric) Abidal, he’s one of my good friends in the team and he always jokes around. Gabriel Milito is like a brother to me and he’s a great person. He’s very strong and we’re happy to have him back (from injury).? At Barcelona, I am close to everyone. Gerard Pique is also a ‘buen amigo’ (good friend) and I can always laugh with (Brazilian defender) Dani Alves as he’s a very outgoing person.”

ON THE LA LIGA

“The La Liga is even stronger this season, and for sure, it will continue to get better with more big signings. But I think that the quality of the league is also improving. So I believe that in the next few years, Spanish football will be more popular and I hope more people (around the world) will watch it.”

ON HIS ADVICE FOR ALL OF US!!!

“Always have a positive attitude, and dreams can come true with hard work and effort. With hard work, anything is possible. I can assure you that you can dream and that dream can be achieved.”

ON THE WORLD CUP

“I also want to win the World Cup in 2010, a title that the Argentinean people have been waiting for a long time. Lastly, I dream of another treble first because winning six trophies again is very difficult.”

Photos via AP and Reuters

Ok, so it isn’t just Bobojan Babe who is making up that sullen face for the cameras. The Barca boys – who must be exhausted – have arrived in Abu Dhabi to compete in the World Club Championships. La Liga’s Christmas break has officially commenced which means that Gonzalo Higuain has already started his shopping for The Dona but unfortunately, all that will have to wait for the likes of the Messiah.

Senor Pep didn’t bother to hide it at all. “We’re tired and it must be noticeable. We’re going to train a little, rest as much as possible and see if we can win (the World Club Championship),” he said. Added Iniesta : “This year we have won every competition we have been in, this is the only one left for us to win. This is enough to give us 100 percent motivation. Most of the other sides are unknown to us, but we must remember they are still the champions of their respective regions.”

Anyway, don’t forget to check out photos of the Messiah receiving the Ballon d’Or from his mother. Very sweet, but the resemblance between those two…. uncanny, isn’t it?

via Reuters, AFP

Doesn’t The Messiah look all forlorn and contemplative in that photo? And haven’t we seen that familiar look before…. on a Mime’s face somewhere? Il est un acteur beau! UEFA should commission an opera about football and call it Le Grande Affair. All that’s left for Leo to do is to put on white gloves and wait for the lights to go out! Domenech, The Dona and Henry will each have their own parts to play (unscripted, naturally!) Tickets to the play will be sold out in ten minutes – especially when it starts showing at Milan’s La Scala Opera House and Berlusconi buys the entire front row.

Anyway, we’re digressing as usual but your hero of European Mimes for 2009 has claimed his gold and glistening Ballon d’Or award in Paris. He said : “I want to thank my family, my friends, and my brothers who are always there for me.”

Yes, Messiah’s referring to those protective bro’s of his who ban him from chilling with The Dona at the hotel bars. Tipos need to chillllllll…. he’s only having Coke!

• Oh Messiah… there’s no need to play pretend here! Tipo’s throwing the “Ooh, I didn’t know my name would be in here. How Marvelous!” look for the cameras. Kkkk, maybe that’s just our imagination. The Barca man has won the European Footballer Award and everyone knows that he’ll go on to win the FIFA Wold Player of the Year award. If he doesn’t, then Sepp Blatter must stop playing Farmville on Facebook and do something immediately!”Honestly, I knew I was among the favorites, because Barca enjoyed a successful 2009, we won everything. But I did not think that the margin would be so great (he won 433 votes as opposed to Greaseano’s 233),” the Argentinean said. “The Golden Ball is very important to me. All those who won were great players. And some were never able to win big things.”

• In Milan, Sandro Nesta and Massimo Oddo hit the streets for some much needed Man-to-Man time last week. Yes, amicis went to the barber for a wash and cut and went shopping after that. Oddo looks pissed that the Italian paparazzi caught them on their special day out. But they make quite a pair, doncha agree? Dolce and Gabbana think so too…
• So we kinda forgot about Kun Aguero Papa, but he is apparently willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the club when transfer window opens again in January. “I’ve always told the club that from now until June I’ll stay here. Then we will see what they do. If in June the club still need money there are ways to help. This (Madrid) is my home but if the club have to sell me I must go. I know nothing. Now I need to concentrate on getting us into Europe,” he declared. The folks at Chelski are impressed and apparently want him. He’d better not go there!

• Bono and Drogba the Diver were at a Nike/Global Fund to fight Aids event in London yesterday and the campaign looks pretty cool. The tagline is “Lace Up. Save Lives” which encourages the sale of shoe laces (specially designed Red ones, in this case) to help fund treatment for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Drogba looks bored, but that’s his Default look anyway.
  

via France Football, Gossip IT, Globo

So El Clasico is finally upon us… and what better way to embrace it than by playing one of our own games? We rounded up two loco and incredible passionate futbolitas – Messa (Barca) and Leo (Real Madrid) who were more than excited to get fired up about everything from Pep’s formations to the sexy jugadores themselves.

So let’s get the ball rolling and we promise you, this one has no winners! (PS : See Leo’s incredibly awesome tattoo on her arm – the same one as Sergio Ramos – at the bottom!)

3 THINGS THAT MAKE YOU BETTER THAN THE OTHER TEAM…

3 PLAYERS WHO WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE/YOU WANT TO MARRY

Click find out “3 things that could go terribly wrong”…
Read the rest of this entry »

You know that baby wanted a photo with Martin Palermo… but his family stopped Veron’s sleek black ride instead as it drove up to Estudiantes’ training ground last week. The baby’s got the “Papa, you lied. We were supposed to go to Boca’s training ground, dammmit!” look.

Anyway, Veron gave a pretty fascinating one-to-one interview to Argentinean newspaper, Ole. He spoke about the criticism faced by Los Albicelestes to the controversy facing Messi.

“There were things that were turned into shit. After defeating Peru, we read the newspaper aloud at the back that said Lionel Messi did not know the national anthem. Everybody laughed. We sent him a message about it. And he was the bench (during the game). What do you do? Are you going to get angry?” said Veron.

“That day of the game against Uruguay, Martin Palermo and I got up at eleven in the morning and then we took a nap for three hours. He was calm.”

“I learnt that there is no margin for error in the World Cup. You have to give your fullest and enjoy the moment. During the game, the feeling is completely different. “

Also, in the spirit of our CQC Friday Club, here’s the loco Chilean journalist at his country’s game against Ecuador last month… doing what he does best, as always. Enjoy!

• We know of many mujeres who’d like to be seated in that car with Gangsta Gattuso! He’s the Sexiest man in Italy, don’t ever forget that. Anyway, the entire Milan squad (yes, including Dida – how dare you accuse tio of being ineffective!) received keys to a set of new wheels yesterday. Looks like Milan, Uncle Fester and commercialism are all going a loooong way!  Agradeço a Deus, Pato doesn’t have to take a rollercoaster to Milano anymore and if our memory serves us right, they’ve all received 2 cars and are on course to receive the third one next year.



• On the other hand, the Madrid boys look annoyed at being dragged to the Audi ‘Snowdriving Experience’ roadshow (apart from Kaka, who is always happy). Also, Karim Benzema looks more like a Children’s Entertainer than a top-tier striker these days. What’s with the cap?
• Our French friends at Hourrafoot met The Messiah at an Adidas closed-door event yesterday. Ooooh, très bon! The Barca man looks like our P.E teacher the photos, but someone should’ve yelled “Ei Leo, donde esta Maradona, seu amigo mejorrrr!?!?!”
• Awww… even the referee couldn’t tell Fabio and Rafael apart so he booked the wrong twin! Get used to it, our irmãos here are not to be messed with.
• RobinHood Amauri scored twice yesterday as Juventus thrashed Sampdoria 5-1. Sometimes, the big teams need to learn to relax against the smaller ones. But besides Amauri, Giorgio Chiellini, Mauro Camoranesi and David Trezeguet all wanted their names on the scoresheet, which is good of course. “Everything worked to perfection,” coach Ciro Ferrara said. “We were coming off a few negative results but we’re bouncing back. This is Juventus’ real spirit.” Meanwhile, Milan drew 2-2 against Napoli.