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Showing posts with label FC Barcelona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FC Barcelona. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

All Time Legend - Andoni Zubizarreta


Andoni Zubizarreta Urreta (Basque: [anˈdoni s̻uβiˈs̻areta uˈreta], Spanish: [anˈdoni θuβiˈθareta uˈreta]; born 23 October 1961) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

The all-time most capped player for the Spanish national team for several years, he played with individual and team success for Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona (eight years with the latter, he would later work with the club in directorial capacities), appearing in more than 950 official professional matches during his club career.

Zubizarreta represented Spain in seven major international tournaments, four World Cups and three European Championships, starting in six of those.

In 1986 Zubizarreta signed with FC Barcelona, for a then-record for a player in the position €1.7 million, quickly removing established Urruti from the starting post and rarely missing a match onwards – for example, only four in the Catalan's four consecutive league wins combined. He added the club's first ever European Cup in 1992, a 1–0 triumph against U.C. Sampdoria.
After the 1993–94 UEFA Champions League, where Barça lost heavily to A.C. Milan in the final (0–4), Zubi was deemed surplus to requirements and finished his career at Valencia CF, again at a high level. He retired after 1997–98 at nearly 37, having played in more than 950 official games (622 in the league alone – all-time best – conceding 626 goals).

On 2 July 2010 Zubizarreta was named Barcelona's director of football by incumbent president Sandro Rosell, taking over from former club and national teammate Txiki Begiristain. In the previous decade he had served in the same capacity at Athletic Bilbao, also working as a radio and television commentator.

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Saturday, September 29, 2012

World-Class Defensive Midfielder - Alex Song

Alexandre Dimitri Song Billong (born 9 September 1987), better known as Alex Song, is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Cameroon national team. He plays as a central or defensive midfielder, and can also play as a central defender.

He is the cousin of former footballer Rigobert Song (though he refers to him as uncle).


Originally a utility player on the fringes of the first team, Song quickly became an integral part of the Gunners' starting eleven during the preseason to the 2008–09 campaign. He played for Cameroon in 2010 FIFA World Cup. Song was called-up for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and was the only Cameroonian named in the Team of the Tournament. Known for his colourful hair dye, Song also possesses a French passport.

Song's gameplay is characterised by his tireless runs in midfield and good reading of oppositions' attacks. He plays a key role in breaking up opponents' attacks, shielding the ball when in possession, and then setting up counterattacks for his teammates.

Playing in a withdrawn role of a three-men midfield, Song allows his other teammates in midfield to provide support to the attack with more freedom. His passing range has also improved in recent seasons and he has been able to contribute with a number of assists for the team. A chipped through ball, most commonly to former Arsenal teammate Robin van Persie, has become a trademark of Song's in the 2011–2012 season. He has recently played as more of a play-making central midfielder as opposed to a more defensive role. He has been described by former Cameroon coach Javier Clemente as "much better player in attack than he is defensively."

This one is requested by Selvidero from the CBox. Enjoy !




Wednesday, September 26, 2012

All Time Legends (ATLE) - Hans Krankl

A prolific striker, Krankl is regarded by many as the greatest ever Austrian player. He started his professional career at Rapid Wien and stayed there for 8 years, apart from a year at Wiener AC. He won the European Golden Boot at Rapid Wien in 1978, attracting the interest of Barcelona. His spell at Barcelona was successful, winning the Copa del Rey in his first season as well as the Cup Winners' Cup (scoring in the final itself), and picking up the top goalscorer's award in La Liga that season with 29 goals. He returned to Rapid Wien in 1981, captaining the side and again hammering in the goals for them over the next 5 years. He played a major part in the most successful of Rapid teams in the 1980s, claiming the League crown twice and most prominently losing the Cup Winners' Cup Final in 1985 against Everton. In 1986, he moved to become player-manager at Wiener Sport-Club.

Krankl was named Austrian Player of the Year a record five times, and was voted the most popular Austrian player of the last 25 years.

Krankl made his debut for Austria in a June 1973 friendly match against Brazil and was a participant at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups. He earned 69 caps, scoring 34 goals. His final international game was an April 1985 World Cup qualification match against Hungary. In the 1978–79 season of the Spanish Primera División, he was the top goalscorer with 29 goals for Barcelona and was awarded the Pichichi Trophy.

One of his major achievements was helping Austria qualify for the 1978 World Cup, the first time Austria had qualified for the World Cup in twenty years. He then went on to score the winning goal against West Germany in a game dubbed The miracle of Córdoba, which the Austrians won 3–2 and which was Austria's first win against West Germany for 47 years, earning Krankl legendary status in his homeland. Scored in the 88th minute, the live footage of the goal still regularly features on national television, and the audio commentary ("Tor Tor Tor Tor Tor Tor, I werd' narrisch" – "Goal goal goal goal goal goal, I'm going crazy") is immediately recognised by Austrian football fans.



This one is requested by "Salmom Khan" from the CBox. Enjoy !


Saturday, September 15, 2012

All Time Legends (ATLE) - Hristo Stoichkov


Hristo Stoichkov Stoichkov (Bulgarian: Христо Стоичков Стоичков), sometimes Stoitchkov; born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian footballer. He is regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation and the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time. Nicknamed The Dagger (Камата), The Dog (Кучето), The Modern Left (Модерния ляв). At Barcelona he earned the Spanish nickname 'El Pistolero' which translates to 'the gunslinger'. He was a member of the Bulgaria national team that finished fourth at the 1994 World Cup, of which he was the top scorer with 6 goals. Apart from his footballing talent, he was notable for his on-pitch temper. His awards include the European Golden Ball, the European Golden Shoe, the World Cup Golden Boot and the World Cup Bronze Ball.

Stoichkov played as a left winger who was known for his explosive acceleration and speed dribbling, and for taking unpredictable shots on goal. He was also notable at taking free kicks and penalties as well as being among the best crossers in the world at his prime. He gained infamy because of his aggressive temper on the pitch. He could often be seen arguing with the referee, or with his opponents. In 2006, he was sued by a former American University college student whose leg he broke in a violent tackle during a match against D.C. United in 2003. The case was settled out of court in 2007 for undisclosed financial terms. The student's coach called Stoichkov's challenge "criminal". Ray Hudson, who coached D.C. United for whom Stoichkov played at the time, called it a "rash tackle". Following an investigation by MLS, Stoichkov was suspended two games and fined $2,000.

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

World-Class Side Back (WSB) - Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba Ramos (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈʒɔrði ˈaɫβə ˈramos]; born 21 March 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for FC Barcelona in La Liga and the Spanish national team. Mainly a left defender, he can also operate as a left midfielder.
He started his career at Hospitalet, but finished his formation at Valencia (after a seven-year youth spell with Barcelona), rising to prominence in La Liga with the club. In 2012 he returned to Barcelona.

Alba represented Spain at Euro 2012, having first appeared for the team in 2011.

The stat is based on PES stat with a few tweaks.  Since he is a young boy, shone while he was playing for Spain in Euro 2012 and keeping his impressive playing till now, I decide to call him The Wonderkid of Spain. My friend suggested me to do this one

Enjoy ! And don't forget you can request a card to be made. Any clubs, any players and any countries !