Quote of the Day: Johan Cruyff
“Messi (is better) because he’s in love with the ball, he’s pure technique and he’s a good kid.”
Johan Cruyff weighs in on the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate.
Source: Soccerway; Image Credit: JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images
Quote of the Day: A final embrace
“Thank you little one.”
– Pep and Leo embrace for the last time at the Camp Nou.
As relayed by @DavidIbanez5, Telecinco journalist.
Quote of the day: Manuel Pellegrini on Messi
”I don’t know the parameters for the Ballon d’Or. I only know that Messi deserves to win every trophy.”
– Former Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini [via @barcastaff]
Image: David Ramos [Getty]
Quote of the day: Van der Sar on Chelsea
“For the sake of the game and for football in general, I hope Barcelona win in the Nou Camp. I love teams who attack. Chelsea did nothing but defend with nine players and kept lots of players in the middle of the park. But this tie could have been over by now. I expected Chelsea to lose by a big figure. And it could still have been 5-1 to Barca at the end. Chelsea had just one shot at goal – and they scored.”
– Retired United keeper Edwin Van der Sar, quoted in the Daily Mail • Image: Martin Meissner [AP Photo]
Quote of the Day: Ronaldo on Barça
“I’m Merengue and I really like the way Madrid are playing, but you can’t ignore Barcelona, who have a fantastic team. They may not be the most spectacular, but they make everything look so simple. Every single player in every area of the side knows what they have to do at any given time, then you’ve got their ability to keep hold of the ball and the way they patiently work their way towards the opposition goal. The great job that Guardiola’s done shines through: it’s one of the best teams I’ve seen in my 35 years on the planet. It hurts to say that, since I’m Madridista, but I still think we can pip them to some titles this year.
Former Brazil international and Barca and Real Madrid player Ronaldo in an interview to FIFA.com admits that even though he supports Real Madrid, the team that he likes to see in action is Guardiola-led side.
Quote of the Day: Maradona responds to Pele
Brazilian football icon Pele has made no secret of his admiration for Santos starlet Neymar, declaring publicly on several occasions that he rates the Brazilian ahead of Barcelona’s Argentine ace Lionel Messi. Just last week, Pele declared that Messi would only rise to highest echelons of the sport if he could outperform Neymar on the football pitch.Diego Maradona, not know as a man who minces his words, had this to say in response:
“You could say that Neymar was the best player on the planet, but only if you admit that Messi is from another planet altogether.”
Quote of the Day: John Terry on Messi
“My kids [twins Georgie and Summer] love him. They both have Barcelona shirts with his name on the back and they like the fact I swapped shirts with him after one of our previous games… It’s a pleasure because when you finish and look back – and the guy’s still going to be going strong – you’ve tested yourself against the best. And, quite clearly for me, he’s the best ever. He’s a great individual, a great person as well and a credit to the sport. For me, he’s got everything. He is magical. “
Before Chelsea hosts FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League yet again, the club’s captain and centre-back John Terry is generous in praising FC Barcelona’s leading goalscorer Lionel Messi
Quote of the Day: David Villa
“I’m really happy, lively, content, and eager. I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and keen to enjoy football again from within.”
It has been over three months since David Villa underwent surgery for a fracture of his left tibia. At an event hosted by the Association of Spanish Footballers, the Spain international and FC Barcelona striker said he was working hard on his recovery and is optimistic he will be back in action sooner than expected.
Quote of the Day: Jorge Valdano on Guardiola
“Guardiola believes in football as a territory where greatness is possible. He also never cheats, is always brave and strips football of all its miseries.”
Former player, youth coach, general director and sporting director of Real Madrid, Jorge Valdano, praises the attitude and qualities of FC Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola to El Colombiano.
Quote of the Day: Joan Laporta on Guardiola and Xavi
“Guardiola will become the next president of FC Barcelona and Xavi will be club’s coach.”
In an interview with Italian newspaper ‘La Repubblica’, former FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta shares his view on Pep’s and Xavi’s future.
Quote of the Day: Valdano on Messi
“We judge Maradona based on his entire career, while Messi is still only 24. The fact that we’re already comparing them is a tribute to what Lionel has achieved. If we have to differ between them, you can say that Maradona was more artistic and had a unique, beautiful style of play. Messi on the other hand is more efficient and more consistent. He’s dangerous every time he gets the ball. If he continues to perform at this level, he will exceed everyone, including Pele.”
– Former Real Madrid and Argentina star Jorge Valdano, quoted in Sport
Quote of the Day: Billy Beane on Lionel Messi
“You know, I’d actually say Lionel Messi. He’s so remarkable, watching him play he’s probably still undervalued. When you’re scoring five goals in one Champions League match, there’s no value that’s too high.”
Billy Beane, general manager of Major League Baseball team Oakland Athletics, who was portrayed by Brad Pitt in Oscar-nominated movie Moneyball, tells The Guardian on who he thinks is the most undervalued player in football. Beane became famous for forming his team on the basis of sabermetrics – “detailed analysis of statistics” of players.
Quote of the Day: Oliver Kahn on Messi
“Messi is undoubtedly a gifted footballer, like Maradona and Pele, and he’s playing for the best club side in the world at the moment. He’s successful and he’s winning trophies, so it’s only logical that he’ll be voted the best player in the world.”
In an interview to FIFA.com, former Germany international and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn explains why FC Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is justified in winning his third straight FIFA Ballon d’Or World Player of the Year title.
Quote of the Day: A War of Words
A gradually escalating war of words has unfolded this week between FC Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola and his counterpart, Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. Earlier in the week, Mourinho insinuated that despite their very different public personae, the two managers had the same goals and used essentially the same tactics to achieve them. Guardiola’s reply to Mourinho on Saturday was withering:
“We are alike in that the two of us want to win, there’s no doubt. But if I have behaved like him, then I will have to revise my behavior.”
Quote of the Day: The Rebirth of Alexis Sanchez
“Joining Barcelona is like learning to play football all over again.”
– FC Barcelona’s Chilean attacker, quoted in Sport. Image: AP
Quote of the Day: Maradona on Valdés
“It’s true. Valdés is terrible! But with players like these in front of him, he looks good.”
– The incomparable Diego Maradona via Sport. Image: EFE
Quote of the Day: Pele on Barça
“The crowd wants to see this [Barça’s style] football, this spectacle. I sincerely hope it’s the blueprint for the future—that skill overtakes strength. For example, Germany has a much more technical game at the moment. This is the football we like to see, with the ball moving, not the players, and that only happens when teams are very well organised. That’s how Barça is today, that’s how my Santos was.”
In an interview to FIFA.com, football legend Pele admires the style of the current FC Barcelona side.
Quote of the Day: Sir Alex Ferguson
“They [Real Madrid] might be on the same level as them soon, but for the moment Barça have still got that magical ability to play a game that’s beyond everyone else. When [Lionel] Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta are on song, they’re just unstoppable.”
In an interview to FIFA.com, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said that while Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid is inching closer to Barca, Pep Guardiola’s side still remains the team to beat. He added that he had no regrets in losing to a “better” side in the Champions League final at Wembley.
Quote of the Day: Gianfranco Zola on Barça
“I believe the same thing that everyone else does, they [Barça] play spectacular football, very pretty to see. The majority of supporters admire Barcelona because of their fantastic football and for the type of players they have.”
Former Italy international and Napoli and Chelsea player Gianfranco Zola attended a Juvenil A training session and waxed eloquent about the reigning European champions on Barça TV. Zola also hailed Guardiola as “one of the best managers of the world” and believed if there is any side that can win two Champions League titles in a row, it is Barça.
Quote of the Day: Walter Mazzarri on Barca
“We don’t model ourselves on any side, but obviously Barcelona, who are making history right now, have a winning mentality and that’s the image they’re projecting to everyone. A lot of other clubs have studied the way they play, and their style is a benchmark for everyone.”
In an interview to FIFA.com, Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri praises FC Barcelona’s style.
Quote of the Day: Osvaldo Ardiles on Messi
“I think he’s certainly the best player of his generation. And I definitely believe not only that but he’s the best player in the history of football. To be perfectly honest, I thought I would never encounter anybody in the same league because Diego was a genius. One of the reasons I think Messi is better than Maradona and Pelé is evolution. People before say Pelé was running 5,000, 6,000 meters. Now they are running 9,000 meters. Now players eat better, train better, the pitches are better. So this is why I believe Messi is the very best ever.”
Quote of the Day: Novak Djokovic on Lionel Messi
“Messi is the best player on the planet and he keeps on improving at Barça, now the best team in the world. What Messi does on and off the pitch is an inspiration for children who dream of becoming a footballer.”
- Tennis world no. 1 Novak Djokovic (Serbia), when speaking with Sport.es
Conversation of the day: Ray Hudson & Phil Schoen
Phil Schoen: “Some say that Messi doesn’t get abused the way Maradona and Pele were in their day . . .but if you don’t think Messi gets kicked, you don’t watch closely enough.”
Ray Hudson: “Or you haven’t seen Pepe play.”
Ray and Phil are commentators for GolTV.
Quote of the day: Wayne Rooney on Pepe
“Pepe. What an idiot. Sometimes people wind u up.”
-Wayne Rooney on his official twitter.
And a few minutes later:
“Haha. That goal serves pepe right.”
Image Credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Quote of the Day: Gary McAllister on Mascherano
“Mascherano was outstanding in the final. It was as if he’d played there his whole life. I don’t think he got caught out once – some feat given his limited experience in that position.”
In a piece in UEFA’s Champions magazine analysing the changing role of centre-backs , former Scotland captain and Liverpool FC midfielder Gary McAllister praised FC Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano for his performance against Manchester United in the final of the UEFA Champions League. Continue reading »
Quote of the Day: Johan Cruyff on Xavi
“Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are truly exceptional players. But it all depends on how you view the game. The way I look at it, Xavi deserves it not because he’s the best, but because he’s the type of player whose hard work allows others to come to the fore.”
Barca legend Johan Cruyff explains why the FIFA Ballon d’Or should go to the Catalan club’s majestic midfielder, Xavi.
Quote of the Day: Marco van Basten on Messi
“There’s no doubt for me, Messi is clearly the best player in the world. He’s a veritable phenomenon who has won everything but still wants more. His humility only makes him better in my eyes. I think he can become even more influential – he’s a born leader and should make his mark just like Diego Maradona did. I don’t mean just with Barcelona, but with Argentina too. He should win the Ballon d’Or award again. Not just for his skills, but for the Liga, Champions League and Spanish Super Cup medals he earned this year. He’s been a key figure for his team all season.”
Former Dutch international and Ajax and Milan player Marco van Basten tells fifa.com why he thinks Lionel Messi deserves the FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
Quote of the Day: Rafael Nadal on Xavi
”I hope Xavi wins the Ballon d’Or. As a Spaniard, I have to support Xavi! He’s had an incredible career and completely deserves it, even if the other two are also extraordinary players.”
Spain’s tennis star Rafael Nadal may be a Real Madrid fan but when it comes to the FIFA Ballon d’or he rather see his compatriot Xavi win it.
Quote of the Day: Manuel Sanchís on Dani Alves
“He plays in a position that should not receive that much attention at a team like Barcelona but his style of play has made him into a crucial part of their team.”
Former Real Madrid player Manuel Sanchís applauds Dani Alves, who was chosen as the right-back in Sanchís’ UEFA Team of the Year, which included three other Barca players and coach Guardiola.
Quote of the Day: Arrigo Sacchi on Guardiola
“He’s the author of this great Barcelona side – the master and creator of the beautiful style of play his team always displays, and the coach who achieves great results through education. He has written a great script and he is the director of the show.”
Former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi, who led a squad often hailed as one of the best in the world, praised Guardiola as he selected the Catalan as the coach who would lead his UEFA Team of the Year which had five Barca players.
