Fútbolita

By now, we’ve all accepted the fact that Zizou will never be satisfied solely with pain au chocolat from Didier Deschamps’ wife. After winning almost all there is to win in world futbol, he wants more out of life! What a charming go getter.. nous sommes ravis!

You see, Zizou has gone ahead to produce and participate in a TV show called “Football Cracks” with his idol, former Uruguayan player Enzo Francescoli (whom he named his own son after... quelle belle!) The program is open to “all children who want to try out” and the prize is to be a part of pre-season training with a Spanish team. Casting will be done outside of Spain too…. so if you know anyone between 16 and 18, keep them in mind and round those niños up, aussitôt!

“Football Cracks is an academy that consists of two things: discovering new talents and teaching values. Enzo and I are the godparents of the academy. We will not train, but to be there, close to the players, to try to give advice and value for all… The camaraderie, teamwork and effort,” said Zizou.

As always, you know how much you love blasts from the past. So meet Zizirella, the Blushing Bride!

via Reuters/Angeli

Zizou and amigos played out to a nice 3-3 draw in last night’s “Match of the Stars” to help Haiti. And don’t you agree that it’s tres bien to see Rui Costa, Luis Figo and Edgar David’s Mask on the field again?! Daaaamn, feels like old times. Anyway forty international football stars from across the world joined UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) to play that match against Benfica All Stars. This is the match which Kaka played on behalf of Greaseano cuz’ their Bromance is going out of hand and bros don’t let bros down. Anyway, once again it’s amazing how futbol has transcended all boundaries and reached out to those in need!

“By coming to the stadium people have done a great thing. I am very happy we can do something to help,” said Zizou. Added Louis Van Gaal, who was in charge of the All-Star squad : “This is a very good cause, that’s why there are so many players here. Football is with the people of Haiti.”

van Nistelrooy has switched sides from Madrid to Hamburg (a pity, since we hear he’s one of our dear amiga’s favourite interviewees!) .Granted, he did look a little zoned out at his own presentation but it was all done for the Oranje.

There’s a lot riding on Nistelrooy’s quest to join the national team and only first-team football will give him that chance, seeing that Madrid are very content with Higuain and Benzema. He will remain at Hamburg until his contract ends in 2011. And as the Dutch say… veel succes!

Do not fear, Robinho is not pulling a R.Carlos and getting married again. Instead of showing him looking all gloomy on the bench, we decided that a smiling-and-spoilt Robinho would be the better option for your precious eyes.

Anyway, A Douche has declared that he wants to take a pay cut, return to Santos and play regular football again. He’s looking at a Beckham/Milan deal where Oil City continues to pay his wages while he parties at the Catwalk club in Rio. Ah cara, sei lá…! Sao Paulo better be ready for the return of Robinho and his entourage.

via AP, Globo

• You and I know that 2010 will be a bloody exciting year for futbol - so if you aren’t counting down to the symphony of vuvuzelas in South Africa already, you’d better start inmediatamente! Happy New Year’s Day, futbolitas.

• Guess who desperately needs to start the year on a clean slate? It’s none other than… Luca Toni! After complaining about  being underused and mistreated by Mistress van Gaal at Bayern, Italy’s Most Awkward striker has now officially joined AS Roma on loan until June 30. Obviously, he’s banking on that transfer to help him get into Lippi’s World Cup squad. Oh for the love of Ranieri, is this man deluded? Someone will have to air courier us a live cactus if Luca gets called up!

• Lookey! Another Brazilian has joined Arsenal on a long-term deal. It’s the U-17 meninho, Wellington and the Gunners have bought him from Fluminense for a cool $10 million. Of course, Wellington is still considered a fetus (much like Coutinho) so he’ll remain in Brazil until he turns 18. And as they say, experience is key so he’ll have to win as much as he can with Fluminense (cue the collective snorts!) before officially becoming Denilson’s BFF in London.

• Yes, you’re looking at specially-commissioned stamps of Zizou in aid of the ELA – a European foundation against Leukodystrophy (a genetic disease which attacks the nervous system). We must say that Zizi resembles the handsome French actor types in these portraits and no, we’re not referring to Gerard Depardieu…. how dare you! Oui, des amis, Zizi’s more like the type who murders the heroine and gets away scot-free in a movie because he’s just so suave. Ah, when did it all come to this, you say? Je ne sais pas!
  



• The man who is capable of causing a fire alarm to set off at a fertility clinic aka Senhor Mourinho has declared that he’s fighting a “lost war” with Italian journalists. Awww, cari colleghi (dear colleagues) – what have you done now?! “I do not feel uncomfortable in this country. When I say I am (not loved) here, I am referring to my relationship with the media. For me, it is the fault of journalists (but) for them, it’s my fault,” he said.”In that sense, I know it is a lost war from the beginning, because journalists are many and I am only one. I lose this war, but not my independence, my way of being politically correct and always saying what I think. But I think with a little more respect we can move on.”
  

via AFP, Abola, Reuters

How does Zizou always manage to look like a deer caught in the headlights? Maybe not so much in this photo – but it’s only because he and Veronique are standing in some fancy hotel lobby.

Anyway, the French whiz has spoken up about his former club Real Madrid and believes that the problem with the squad lies in their ‘identity’.

“Real Madrid must stop signing foreign figures and look at the culture (present in) Barcelona’s (squad). Madrid must recover their identity as soon as possible. In Barcelona there is a line and a common philosophy, which coincides with the first team,” he said.

“Messi, Xavi and Iniesta are able to do incredible things with the ball. They cannot be stopped even on Playstation.”

Well, at least Harry Potter Perez is taking steps to ensure the Great Dutch Sale will happen, if you believe this report.

Say allô to Enzo, Zinedine Zidane’s 15-year-old son. He’s been playing at the Real Madrid youth academies since he father joined the club in 2001. Now, several newspapers are speculating that the boy will play for the U-16 Spanish national team. Man, give him a break!

On hindsight, it’s better for Enzo to pick his national side now. Learn from Amauri’s mistakes!