A Conversation With…Phil Schoen

Phil Schoen and Ray Hudson have thrilled U.S. audiences with their La Liga commentary for many years. As a team, they have been prolific in their art and undoubtedly have become the voices of La Liga Stateside. Whether you are being dazzled by the brilliance of Barcelona or wooed by the tenacity and strength of Real Madrid, Phil and Ray paint a picture so beautiful, you wished every single game lasted longer than 90 minutes plus injury time!

In A Conversation With Phil Schoen, we talk about the current financial state of La Liga and also discuss the emergence of Jordi Alba, the talent of the Spanish national team, Ronaldo, Messi, Tito Vilanova and we even manage to squeeze in a little Guti and Ibracadabra. Phil also comes with some exciting news about where his voice will be heard next season! Grab a sangria and enjoy the conversation.

A Conversation With…Roger Gonzalez

An exciting Copa Libertadores comes to a close and Corinthians win their first ever title versus Boca Juniors. In “A Conversation With Roger Gonzalez” we talk all things South American, with a focus on Argentina and the legend that is Riquelme. The talented midfielder has called time on his career with Boca and the big question is what happens next? Will Riquelme retire or will he find a new challenge at another club having given everything to Boca over the last few years. There’s even a little time for Messi and Ronaldo and how they have performed for their respective countries. Roger also discusses the importance of Copa Lib and how it compares to the Champions League. Get comfy and enjoy the conversation.

Best of the Best…

After a weekend of football, there is always major reaction or should we say overreaction to the events we have witnessed. But that’s football isn’t it? We react to what we see. And how we react as individuals is what makes the debate and dialogue that much more interesting.

This is not about who is the greatest ever footballer. Our Top 10 Best Players in Europe list is about who we think is great right now. The criteria for making the list is based on recent form, goals scored, assists provided and overall performances and general brilliance of each player.

So get mad, get riled up or simply agree with who we think is lighting up Europe from a football perspective.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo = Real Madrid

2. Lionel Messi = Barcelona

3. Robin Van Persie = Arsenal

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic = AC Milan

5. Xavi = Barcelona

6. David Silva = Manchester City

7. Thiago Silva = AC Milan

8. Wayne Rooney = Manchester United

9. Sergio Aguero = Manchester City

10. Robert Lewandowski = Borussia Dortmund

Top 10 Pear-Shaped Tips…

When the season goes pear-shaped, you need to be prepared with some sound advice to help you plough through the pain barrier. We fans experience the highs and lows of the beautiful game. Here are some survival tips for when it all goes pete tong…

#10 If you feel like you are about to implode, call the World Football Daily rant line for immediate help.

#9 If the rant line doesn’t work, Tweet like Joey Barton.

#8 Buy a voodoo doll of he entire Manchester City team and stick needles in their eyes instead of your own.

#7 Keep telling yourself “I’m the Special One, I’m the Special One, I’m the Special One.”

#6 Always have Whitecastle cheeseburgers available in your freezer. A dirty burger can save your football life.

#5 Abbreviate your name to initials and be as cool as new Chelski manager AVB.

#4 Seek an Arsenal fan for pear-shaped season advice! They are the experts.

#3 Picture yourself having sex with Ronaldo’s girlfriend…or even Ronaldo!

#2 Headbutt your way through the pain Zizou style.

#1 Watch Team America and be thankful you don’t live in North Korea!

Coming soon…look out for our “Top 10 Essential Items to Store in Your Cupboard for Game Day.”

Money, money, money…

Forbes magazine announced the top 10 richest clubs on the planet yesterday and Manchester United still rule the school when it comes to money.

Biggest surprise is Barcelona dropping from 4th to 5th place, even after their treble winning season. You would expect them to be in the top 3.

1. Manchester United {$1.86 billion}   2. Real Madrid {$1.45 billion}   3. Arsenal {$1.19 billion) 4. Bayern Munich {$1.1 billion}   5. Barcelona {$975 million}   6. AC Milan {$838 million}   7. Chelsea {$658 million}   8. Juventus {$628 million}   9. Liverpool {$552 million}   10. Inter Milan {$441 million}.

The richest players list was also revealed by Forbes yesterday. The one surprise here is that Ronaldinho is still bringing in some large coin. And John Terry must be a bit peeved that Lamps made the top 10 and he didn’t!

1. David Beckham {$40 million}   2. Cristiano Ronaldo {$38 million}   3. Lionel Messi {$32 million}   4. Ricardo Kaka {$25 million}   5. Ronaldinho {$24 million}   6. Thierry Henry {$21 million}   7. Wayne Rooney {$20 million}   8. Frank Lampard {$18 million}   8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic {$18 million}   10. Samuel Eto’o {$17 million}.

Cristiano Ronaldo once said “footballer’s are like slaves.” What do you think?

One thing is for sure, the next round is on one of these guys. And if  they were getting in the drinks, who would you like to be buying yours?

The story so far…

How are you enjoying the 2010 World Cup from South Africa? Has it lived up to your expectations? Is your country performing as you believed it would? What is the biggest story for you so far? How do you feel about the vuvuzela?

I can personally remember far more exciting group stages at the World Cup. There were definitely some thrilling finishes towards the end, but overall, that edge-of-your-seat type action was lacking tremendously for me. And I also have a problem with the weather and how cold it always looks. Seeing Casillas wearing a scarf during the World Cup is just wrong. I can respect the tournament being held in South Africa, but ultimately, the World Cup always smacks of summer and unfortunately, I’m not feeling the sizzle at all this time around.

The other problem with the tournament is the lack of attendance in the group stages. Most of the stadiums were not full and if it wasn’t for the vuvuzela, would there have been an atmosphere in some of the early games at all? Sure everyone has complained about the vuvuzela, but if you ask me, I think it saved the blushes of FIFA by filling the seats with sound as opposed to their ability to sell the tickets and fill the seats with warm bodies.

I’m also a little bored with Brazil and Argentina being so dominant again. Sure they are playing beautiful football and I would prefer to see Argentina win it all over Brazil. I know that is probably weird coming from a Brit and deep down I’m still hoping this is the year someone unpredictable wins the whole enchilada. But if we’re running with a favourite, I hope it’s Argentina who makes it to the final and I have this silly optimism they will meet England and we will payback Maradona for the Hand of God once and for all!

The truth is anything can happen. Who would have predicted France’s public implosion? And what about Italy’s collapse? It was a total embarrassment as they tried to defend their title. I feel bad for their supporters. We feel your pain. And speaking of pain, some of the refereeing has been hellacious. Some refs have made terrible decisions that would inspire any government in any country across our universe! Fans get ripped enough at it is in life and they certainly don’t want some amateur ref from Mali screwing them over at the World Cup! Come on referees! Sort it out FIFA.

There have been some good goals and perhaps a couple of great goals. We’ve seen very few sexy free-kicks converted and I’m not sure if there is a new star that has emerged just yet for us all to be salivating over. And the already established stars like Ronaldo, Rooney and Messi haven’t really lit it up yet have they? Messi’s had some pretty play overall, but we’ve seen no individual magic just yet and I think that’s what this World Cup is lacking.

Hopefully the last 16 will make me eat all of my above mentioned words. Hopefully the stars will come out and shine bright because the story so far is…Slovakia and Uruguay?

Who will win..?

cannavaroAre you ready for the British Soccer Diva World Cup competition?

Last time around Fabio Cannavaro had the honour of lifting the World Cup for his beloved Italy. Fast forward four years and we excitedly find ourselves closer to another mouth-watering tournament.

The passion, the glory, the unpredictability and despair make-up some of the greatest sporting memories of our lifetime. Villains and heroes are waiting to be crowned. Are you ready? I can’t take the wait much longer.

Can England really do it? Will Brazil stand in everyone’s way again? How about the Italians and their incredible ability to do well in big tournaments? Is this Holland’s time? What about the reliable Germans? Are the U.S.A. ready to cause a huge upset? Will an Asian country rise and take it all? Can an African nation win the World Cup? Is it possible that we could see a Messi vs Ronaldo final, or will Rooney get his revenge on the winker? I can’t stand it.

This is a competition that unites the world and the world could sure use a month off this summer! We can’t wait until the economy, the politics and the daily grind of life comes to an incredible halt. We are ready for what is undoubtedly the most anticipated sporting event in the universe. How many times have we all played out scoring the winning goal for our country in the World Cup? Even girls do that boys!

When you post your comments to this story, please also include the 2 teams you think will qualify from each group to the knockout stages. Make it clear who you think will finish 1st and 2nd. You get 2 points for the top team and 1 point for the group runner-up. We’d also like for you to pick a “dark horse” team. You only get one choice so make it a good one. If your “dark horse” team makes it, you get a bonus 3 points. And finally, to make this puppy even more fun, we’d like you to pick the two teams you think will make it to the final. You will get 5 points for each team. Once we move to the knockout phase, we will then introduce another round of picks to the competition.

The world waits. Fans of football live in hope. Boyhood dreams are waiting to be fulfilled. Who is your money on..?

What’s up with Europe’s big boys..?

Rafa_Benitez_280x39_921611aThe Champions League is proving to be really weird this year people. Barcelona struggled to beat a team that sounds like a really delicious sandwich. Liverpool need to get their prayer mats out and hope for a miracle. Bayern Munich do not look like German giants. Inter Milan are not so special. Real Madrid really need Ronaldo back. And Manchester United should look into cloning Rooney 10 times, despite moving closer to the knockout stages.

Did one of you rival fans put something in their nutritional beverages? Or could it be the clocks going back? That always messes with one’s alignment. Whatever the problem is, these teams need to snap out of it and fast.

Bordeaux, Arsenal, Sevilla, Juventus, Lyon, Chelsea, Fiorentina and FC Porto are looking the best thus far in the competition. Arsenal and Chelsea have been regular cast members in the Champions League group stages. And if you are a player, manager, executive or fan of either of these clubs, you have to believe you have a great shot at winning Europe’s greatest prize, especially when you look around and see the big boys struggling.

I’m sure the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan will make the knockout stages. That’s not what’s in question. What’s in question is how they are playing. Real Madrid should really be beating this particular AC Milan team. They’ve been poor in the Italian league and nobody really thought they were the AC Milan of old when the season started. Ronaldo has been sorely missed by Real Madrid, but after buying so many expensive and quality players this summer, are Real Madrid really a one man team?

Inter Milan were lucky to have walked away with a win against Dynamo Kiev. The Champions League is the piece of silverware the club wants badly. You can see the reflection of the Champions League trophy in Jose Mourinho’s eyes as he observes his team from the touch line. Schevchenko almost came back to haunt the man who didn’t really give him a chance at Chelsea. But a couple of last gasp goals from Milito and Sneijder saved the blushes of Mourinho and his men. And what’s happened to Eto’o since his move from Barcelona to Inter Milan?

Manchester United – although sitting comfortably at the top of their group – just don’t seem to be the same team this season. The loss of Ronaldo has been far greater than even the genius of Sir Alex Ferguson could have imagined. They fought back once Rooney came on as a substitute. But what if Rooney gets injured? What then? Where will their inspiration come from? It’s tricky times at Old Trafford. The amazing thing about United is they are drawing or winning and not playing their best football. They don’t warm up to their sublime best until December/January. The question is, do they have the talent to shift into their usual 5th gear this season?

Liverpool are a mess. Alonso is another player who left for Real Madrid in the summer and Liverpool have not recovered. Aquilani could be the answer, but we just haven’t seen enough of him yet to compare. Voronin and Lucas are not the answer. Benayoun, Kuyt and Torres are the only players that are trying to make an impact and difference on the pitch. Carragher has been a disaster all season and with Gerrard being injured, they don’t have that final driving force in the midfield to make things happen going forward. I don’t like to talk about people losing their jobs, but Benitez is one bad result away from losing his.

Of course this could all change next week and that’s the beauty about the game we fans love! What do you think of the European giants struggling in the Champions League? Which team is looking the most dynamic for you? Is it possible that a Lyon, Fiorentina or Sevilla could win the Champions League? Did you drink wine or beer when watching the games this week?

He’s already making history…

ron07_350x475_895566a4 games. 4 wins. 4 goals for Ronaldo. Lovely jubbly. So far so good.

Ronaldo and Kaka have hit the ground running for Real Madrid in La Liga. And Ronaldo made history last night by becoming the first player to score in all four league starts for his club. Real Madrid are now level on points with Barcelona, the team they are so desperate to topple in Spain and across Europe this season. It’s a great start for the new Galacticos and up to this moment proves that Mr.Perez was right to spend the bank’s millions to acquire two of the best players in the world.

It also appears there is enough room in the team for Ronaldo and Kaka’s talent and they certainly have the Bernabeau faithful optimistic about their team’s football future once again. Sure there are question marks with regards to Madrid’s defense, but their overall play has been a treat to watch and we’re only 4 games in. There is a definite bite to them now which was absolutely lacking last season.Let’s face it, when you acquire Ronaldo and Kaka, it would almost be criminal if your team did not improve. And as Kaka said last night, “we can get even better.” Scary stuff.

With Messi, Villa and Ronaldo on equal pegging with goals scored so far, we could be in for a stunning season in La Liga. I for one already miss watching Ronaldo in the Premier League. He is such an exciting player and is setting La Liga on fire with his presence, style and exceptional play. It’s early on, but the Portuguese superstar is already making history at the Bernabeau.

Do you miss watching Ronaldo in the Premier League? Do you think Kaka is off to a good start? Do you see them winning La Liga or the Champions League?

It’s a Topsy Turvy game this football…

MrTopsy-TurvyLast night Aston Villa beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield. Liverpool fans must be feeling sick this morning. This is not how they planned out their season at the pub this summer. It will take a lot more than a couple of pints to erase this miserable loss.

Did anyone tell the Liverpool players the summer is over and it’s time to get back to work? Do they know it’s not pre-season any more? Someone send them the memo.

Liverpool just don’t look like the same team right now. Torres appears sluggish. Gerrard looks lost. The defense looks dodgy. The midfield is uninventive. The majority of the team can’t finish. And the manager is too busy moaning instead of coaching. Get off your soap box Rafa and get on with it. Stop acting as though the world is against Liverpool. Start doing your talking on the pitch.

Liverpool need to bring in a couple of new players. The scouse house has another week or so to splash the cash in the transfer market. It’s tough to talk about whether or not they will be better with Aquilano as we haven’t seen him perform in the league yet. And despite his acquisition, they could still use an additional midfielder and perhaps even a little more firepower up front. They cannot afford to lose too many more games. We all saw what happened to Arsenal last season. Once they lost 3 or 4, there was no turning back. It was over.

The new season is up to it’s old tricks again. We have plenty of drama early on. Hold onto your balls as though Ronaldo were firing one right at you people. This is going to be one Topsy Turvy season. Are you ready to roll with the nutmegs?