Ronaldo: “I will win the Ballon d’Or in 2010 or 2011″

December 30, 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo has never showed any lack of self confidence. The Real Madrid attacker has recovered from an ankle injury and has revealed his target for next year: winning the Ballon d’Or.

The Portugal international relinquished the crown he won in 2008 to Barcelona star Lionel Messi who also took over the title of FIFA World Player of the Year in 2009 and won several trophies with Barca. Ronaldo has his sights firmly set on returning to being recognised as the best footballer on the planet.

“I’m going to win the Ballon d’Or back, this year or next,” he told Marca.

I have an ambition to become the best player in history.”

The 24-year-old also declared that his troublesome ankle, which kept him out of action for two months, is in good shape and will not require surgery.

“The ankle is fine and if not the Real Madrid doctors will see it right. I am sure I will not need an operation,” he noted.

Tags: ambition, ankle injury, attacker, ballon, Barcelona, best footballer, best player, doctors, good shape, lionel messi, MADRID, portugal, real madrid, ronaldo, self confidence, target, trophies, world player of the year

Suarez keen on Ajax stay

December 15, 2009

AFC Ajax have been reassured by their Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez that he will not be leaving the Amsterdam ArenA tenants before the World Cup finals.

The 22-year-old, who is the leading scorer in the Eredivisie with 18 goals to his name this term, has been linked to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United linked, with Chelsea believed to be leading the chase for his services.

But despite interest from Carlo Ancelotti, Suarez does not want to think about moving ahead of the World Cup finals.

“I am not going to move anywhere for the moment. I thank any team that is interested but my idea is to stay at Ajax at least until the end of the current season,” said Suarez to Radio Carve.

“Maybe when this season ends I will accept a move somewhere.

“Chelsea? There is nothing at all.

“I don’t know from where the press gets some information.

“If it’s true, I thank them that they are interested.

“I have said to everyone at Ajax that I want to stay here because I nearly always play and I want to be in good shape for next year to play for Uruguay in South Africa. I am going to stay at Ajax at least until June.”

Tags: afc ajax, Amsterdam, amsterdam arena, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, Eredivisie, good shape, keen, leading scorer, Liverpool, luis suarez, Manchester, manchester united, radio, South Africa, uruguay, uruguayan, world cup finals

Standard and Germinal divide points

December 6, 2009

After two league defeats, Standard Liege were again unable to record a victory and were instead held to a 2-2 draw by Germinal Beerschot.

Beerschot have been in surprisingly good shape lately and currently occupy third place in the Belgian Pro League.

And Germinal again impressed in Liege, taking the lead through Bart Goor in the 39th minute.

Milan Jovanovic levelled the score three minutes before the hour mark, but Tosin Dosunmu had already restored the gap five minutes later.

Standard did limit the damage though, as Igor De Camargo made it 2-2 with 20 minutes to play.

Leaders Anderlecht play away to Cercle Brugge on Sunday, while second-placed Club Brugge travel to face Lokeren.

Tags: bart goor, Beerschot, brugge, Dosunmu, five minutes, gap, Germinal, good shape, igor de camargo, League, Liege, Lokeren, Milan, score, Standard, standard liege, taking the lead, three minutes, tosin, victory

Scotland scoreline should have been more, says Carew

August 13, 2009

Norwegian international and Aston Villa striker John Carew has said that Norway were denied a legitimate goal plus a penalty and Scotland should have ended with nine men during his side’s 4-0 win.

While Scotland’s Gary Caldwell was sent off after pulling at the striker, who says that Caldwell’s brother, Steven, should also have received a second booking for fouling him in the box.

And the 29-year-old believes that one of his shots on goal crossed the line.

“We didn’t expect it to be that easy,” said the Aston Villa striker.

Norway’s victory lifts them off the foot of Europe’s Group Nine qualifying group, with Scotland slipping to third behind Macedonia on goal difference.

However, Carew believes that his side now have a good chance of finishing second and reaching the play-offs behind group winners Netherlands.

“I still think Scotland have a chance of finishing second, as do we,” he said.

“It was a good night for us,. We had players in good shape and we did well.”

Scotland manager George Burley thought that the sending off had been harsh and that his side did not enjoy the rub of the green on the night.

But Carew said: “The referee gave yellow cards to both teams and he treated them the same way and it was a sending-off because there was a lot of pulling.

“And it could have been a direct red card for his brother when he held me back and only got a yellow.

“It should also have been a penalty when he kicked my legs and the ball was well over the line, so it was actually five-zero.

“If it was 0-0 and he hadn’t allowed it then it would have been serious, but it was not a problem.”

It was a second win in a row – they beat Germany in a friendly – for Norway coach Egil Olsen after he agreed to return to the post in an interim capacity in January.

Olsen agreed with Burley that the red card had not only been decisive but was harsh on Caldwell.

“I wasn’t very happy about the sending off,” he said.

“It was probably not deserved and I feared that it would then be harder to score against them.

“But Scotland didn’t take any risks and, when we got the first goal, I sensed that there would be many more because I knew they would have to re-organise and that would give us space and we were good at exploiting 11 men against 10.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: aston villa, brother steven, egil olsen, Gary Caldwell, george burley, goal difference, good chance, good shape, group winners, interim capacity, John Carew, Macedonia, norwegian, qualifying group, referee, shots on goal, striker, yellow cards

Toni promises Werder Bremen players ‘holiday in Italy’

May 23, 2009

Luca Toni is willing to do anything for Bayern Munich to win this year’s German championship. The Italian striker offered Werder Bremen players a holiday in his home country if they manage to beat leaders VfL Wolfsburg.

On the final day of the season, Bayern have a two-points gap with Wolfsburg to overcome and depend on Werder to earn at least a draw. “If Bremen need motivation, then I will offer those players a summer residence in Italy. Surely they will amuse themselves there,” the forward said.

Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge isn’t quite as positive, he revealed in an interview with Kicker magazine. “I hope our position won’t change,” he said, referring to the fact that his club could also drop to third or even fourth place.

“I don’t think that Wolfsburg will do anything strange,” he added.

Werder, who lost the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday, have little left to play for in the Bundesliga but will want to stay in good shape ahead of the German Cup final, in which they face Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern need a victory over third-placed VfB Stuttgart, who with the same amount of points could still win the league as well. For Wolfsburg, a draw with Werder should be enough due to their comfortable goal record.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: bayer, bayer leverkusen, Bayern, bayern munich, Bremen, Bundesliga, gap, german championship, german cup, good shape, holiday in italy, Italy, Jonathan Roorda, karl heinz, karl heinz rummenigge, kicker magazine, Luca, luca toni, motivation, players holiday, striker, stuttgart, Toni, UEFA Cup, vfb stuttgart, VfL, werder bremen, Wolfsburg

United hold no fears for old boy Hughes

May 7, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Manchester City coach Mark Hughes says he has no fears about facing his former side Manchester United on Sunday, despite having seen them crush Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals.

United produced a vintage display to win 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, thereby securing a 4-1 aggregate victory, but former United hero Hughes says his side will approach the derby in high spirits.

“Irrespective of who we are up against on the pitch on Sunday, it’s about us being positive,” he told the club’s website on Wednesday.

“We are going there in good heart and with confidence. We have won our last four games and you have to go to Old Trafford in the belief you can get something out of it. We are in good shape.”

Hughes admitted to being impressed by United’s disposal of Arsenal but revealed he was just as concerned by the personnel sitting in the dugout.

“I was looking with interest in regard to who wasn’t playing as much as who was,” the Welshman said. “You look at the bench and they’ve still got great quality they can call upon.

“Sir Alex seems to have the knack of being able to get the rotation correct. The performances don’t seem to suffer when he makes those changes in personnel – and that’s because of the quality he has available to him.”

City hope to welcome back winger Shaun Wright-Phillips after an injured-enforced five-match absence as they look to secure seventh place in the table and a berth in next season’s UEFA Europa League.

“It’s a big game and one we need to get something out of,” Hughes said.

“If we pick up points from our last three matches we’ll go close.”

Tags: aggregate victory, arsenal, berth, big game, coach mark, dugout, Emirates Stadium, English Premier League, four games, good heart, good shape, high spirits, knack, london, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, Mark Hughes, old trafford, semi finals, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Sir Alex, Trafford, welshman, win 3, winger

Danielle Bux Gushes About Fiance

April 14, 2009

Danielle Bux says fiance Gary Lineker is perfect and goes on a lot more about how great he is!!

The Welsh lass who is doing a lot of promotions at the moment for her appearance on Hell’s Kitchen has told Fabulous magazine about how completely loved up she is with her former ‘baller.

Danielle coos: ‘It’s completely true that men are like a good bottle of wine. They get better with age. Gary’s gorgeous, romantic, caring and funny. He loves everything about me and he’s got an incredible body.’

‘He exercises every day and he’s in just as good shape as he was at his playing peak. His stomach is flatter than mine!’

The model goes on: ‘We’re completely mad about each other. But I’m glad I met him when he was older and more mature. I much, much prefer older men. They know how to handle women.’

‘They understand us more, they’re calmer, they’ve got everything out of their system.’ - yeh like the 20 year marriage and 4 children. Miaow!

She even says she loves Gary’s trademark ears: ‘He does joke about getting his ears pinned back, but if he ever did that, I’d march him back to return them to normal. I love his sticky-out ears. They’re cute!’

I caught a little of Hell’s Kitchen last night but I didn’t gage much of Danielle’s personality yet, one thing I did realise though is how pointless the show actually is.

Go to Source

Tags: appearance, bottle, bottle of wine, bux, danielle, Danielle Bux, ears, fabulous magazine, fiance, flatter, Gary, gary lineker, good shape, hell, joke, lass, magazine, marriage, older men, personality, promotions, stomach, WAGS, welsh

Raul vows Real will stun Liverpool

March 9, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Real Madrid captain Raul has warned Liverpool that the Spanish club are confident of claiming a Champions League second leg victory at Anfield on Tuesday.

Raul and company travel to England for the last 16 clash trailing 1-0 after Yossi Benayoun’s winner for Liverpool at the Bernabeu two weeks ago.

Although Liverpool are now favourites to go through thanks to that priceless away goal, Raul insists Juande Ramos’s team have more than enough quality to recover the deficit and reach the quarter-finals.

"We have a clear idea of what we have to do – score twice," Raul said in The Times on Monday.

"The other day we were hit strongly by the defeat (against Liverpool), but we know we are going to have our chances and we are not going to give up.

"We are capable of beating Liverpool at Anfield. Since the arrival of Juande Ramos we are more disciplined.

"At the beginning of the season we had a lot of problems – we were scoring goals, but letting them in as well and that cost us a lot of points. We are now in good shape, above all physically and mentally."

Written by: AFP

Tags: AFP, anfield, captain Raul, champions league, clash, company travel, England, English Premier League, good shape, juande ramos, LA Liga, Liverpool, london, MADRID, quarter finals, raul, real madrid, score, scoring goals, spanish club, UEFA Champions League, victory, yossi benayoun

The title is Inter´s to lose, says Ranieri

February 21, 2009

ROME (AFP) – Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri admitted on Friday that the Serie A title was now Inter’s to lose rather than theirs to win.

Juve dropped to nine points behind the reigning champions last weekend after a 1-1 home draw against Sampdoria while Inter beat AC Milan 2-1 in their city derby.

And it has left Ranieri admitting that his team could well be forced to focus on the Champions League – they face Chelsea in the second round in London next week.

"Only Inter can lose it (the title), we have to keep the faith and play a great match against Palermo," he said.

"It will be an important gauge for us ahead of the Champions League. The team is in good shape and we need a good boost ahead of the next seven days, and that means a victory.

"We’re at a key stage of the season and the fact that the treatment room is empty is a good sign."

That means that important players such as former France striker David Trezeguet and Italy internationals Mauro Camoranesi and Giorgio Chiellini are all back in first team contention.

All three will play on Saturday with Trezeguet making his first start of the season.

"Trezeguet will play from the first minute against Palermo in attack with Camoranesi in midfield and Chiellini in defence," said Ranieri.

"I just hope we’re not thinking about Chelsea."

With the title seemingly out of their grasp, the Champions League may provide their best hope of silverware this season.

Ranieri is hoping that his team can go all the way in Europe but admits that the knock-out format is not the true test of a team’s capabilities.

"The league is where the true strength of a team is exposed. The Champions League is a different kettle of fish, it’s not always the best team that wins it," he said.

"In front of us are four or five European battleship destroyers but upsets can happen and we have faith.

"Valencia twice reached the final despite being a little known team. (Italy coach Marcello) Lippi may think it will be a Barcelona-Manchester United final and maybe he has a point but I don’t want to agree with him, I’ll do everything to guide Juventus to the final."

Written by: AFP

Tags: ac milan, CHELSEA, Chiellini, Claudio Ranieri, coach claudio, coach marcello lippi, david trezeguet, destroyers, Europe, France, giorgio chiellini, good shape, internationals, Italy, italy coach, juventus, kettle of fish, knock out, london, Manchester, mauro camoranesi, midfield, Milan, Palermo, ROME, sampdoria, Serie A, team italy, true strength, true test, Valencia

Civil servant Watmore gets English FA post

February 18, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Ian Watmore, a senior civil servant in the British government, was announced Wednesday as the new chief executive of England’s Football Association.

Watmore, currently the permanent secretary of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills where FA chairman Lord David Triesman was once a minister, will take up his role in June.

"I am delighted to be joining The Football Association as chief executive," said Watmore. It is a great challenge and one I am really looking forward to.

"With Lord Triesman and the (FA) Board, Fabio Capello and the FA’s staff, I want to ensure we are achieving success on and off the pitch across all levels of the game."

Former Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman was also reported to be in contention for the post.

But it is the 50-year-old Watmore who will replace Brian Barwick, who stepped down at the end of last year.

Barwick was in charge when Italian Fabio Capello, who has enjoyed a successful start to his time as England manager as he bids to take the team to the 2010, World Cup finals in South Africa, was appointed.

But the former television sports producer also presided over the dismal failure of then England manager Steve McClaren’s dismal failure to qualify for Euro 2008 and the bungled attempt to appoint Luiz Felipe Scolari, recently sacked by Chelsea, as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s successor.

However, he did conclude a lucrative television deal with ITV and satellite station Setanta which left the FA’s finances in good shape.

Delivery of the long awaited National Football Centre in Burton, central England will be one of the tasks facing Watmore, who before entering government worked in the IT industry.

Watmore’s appointment will raise concerns about whether there are too many figures with a Whitehall background at the FA but Triesman said: "We had a very strong shortlist of candidates, but in Ian we have the right person to lead the organisation as chief executive officer.

"The FA is committed to maximising participation across all levels of football in this country, helping the England teams and our clubs achieve success on the pitch, while also being trusted to govern the game."

Written by: AFP