Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
Sports => Football => Topic started by: dinho on November 05, 2010, 03:52:34 PM
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Is Samuel Eto'o the world's best striker?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/piersedwards/2010/11/six_months_ago_the_question.html
Piers Edwards
Six months ago the question couldn't have been asked but it's certainly relevant now following the coaching changes at Inter Milan, Diego Milito's recent absence and the goals, the endless goals: is there a better striker in the world right now than Samuel Eto'o?
The Cameroonian's goalscoring ability hasn't been in question since his Real Mallorca days but it was hidden under a bushel during Jose Mourinho's reign at the San Siro given the latter's preference for Milito to single-handedly spearhead this attack.
"When we had the chance to bring in Eto'o, I thought I could play 4-4-2 and 4-3-3," Mourinho has said. "I knew that in Europe you needed to be more balanced and Eto'o could give me that."
So the Portuguese bought the Indomitable Lion for his versatility which initially saw Eto'o deployed as Milito's partner before being withdrawn more and more onto the flanks until some were jokingly describing him as a full back.
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/piersedwards/blog_etoo.jpg)
It's impossible to knock the ploy though since Inter secured an historic treble - and Eto'o, for the record, says he's grateful for the unexpected modification to his game, one which displayed the depth of his footballing ability.
"I will never stop thanking Mourinho - he made me discover a different position," the 29-year-old has said. "I never imagined I could play there. He made me more complete and this gives me more security."
That said, the arrival of Rafa Benitez has unleashed the predatory beast that is the Douala-born destroyer, the man whose Barcelona spell brought 108 goals in 144 league games.
"With Mourinho we played on the counter-attack, with Benitez we press more and that's better for forwards because we win back the ball higher up the pitch and create more chances," Eto'o has said.
"For a forward it's important to play close to the goal. It's more complicated for me when playing on the wings."
Eto'o started out wide under Benitez but with greater freedom since he was largely relieved of his back-tracking duties and, with a point to prove after Cameroon's disappointing World Cup, the Indomitable Lion - 'I had a bad summer' - is back doing what he does best.
He's the leading scorer in both Serie A, with seven in nine, and the Champions League where he's red-hot - with seven in four. In his first game up front following Milito's injury, Eto'o bagged a hat-trick against Werder Bremen, and he's been there ever since.
And while the three-time African Footballer of the Year's finishing is impressing (not just the poacher's goals that were his bread-and-butter at Barca but also well-hit efforts from the edge of the box), so is his all-round game as well - particularly his movement and link-up play.
The weighting of Eto'o's passes are normally near-perfect, as his assists in the Champions League wins over Werder Bremen and Tottenham Hotspur showed.
His close control and first-touch are also world-class, able to kill a lengthy ball dropping over his shoulder (witness his sublime second against Bremen) or control any pass fired at him - as shown when scoring against Palermo or teeing up Dejan Stankovic in the 4-3 win at home to Spurs.
The Cameroonian gave a master class in the art of a forward in the first half of that match, making two and scoring two, the second a typical Eto'o strike where his run off the shoulder of the last defender was timed to perfection.
At White Hart Lane on Tuesday, Harry Redknapp's perfectly-executed tactics ensured Tottenham's midfield cut the crucial supply lines to Eto'o but the insatiable forward still brought Inter back into a match where they were over-run, scoring a beauty out of nothing to set Spurs hearts racing.
To be the world's best out-and-out striker at present, the Inter star would clearly have to be better than the usual cast. So is he?
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/piersedwards/blog_etoo_milito.jpg)
For my money, the only man who can rival him at present is another African - Didier Drogba, whose form (like Eto'o's) has been unaffected by this summer's World Cup and who's bagged seven goals so far while creating another six.
Although their styles differ - one a battering ram of brute force strength who is good in the air and on the deck, the other a smaller more lithe version with a greater element of finesse - their unerring eye for goal is as good as their form this season.
The same cannot be said of other big names - David Villa and Diego Forlan - who are suffering a World Cup hangover, while recent pretenders to the throne of the world's best forward have dropped off: see Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres.
There is of course another man who's flying even if Cristiano Ronaldo is not an out-and-out striker, playing more central these days admittedly but in the hole behind Gonzalo Higuain. The winker kept Madrid in the title hunt last season, on his own at times, and he's picked up where he left off in La Liga, netting 11 in nine.
Lionel Messi has also been banging in the goals for Barcelona (12 now) despite not being at his best, fatigue seemingly taking its toll, but the Argentinian is another who cannot really be considered as a pointman.
Across Europe, there are dozens of strikers in good form (Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Llorente to name but two) but I guess the question, in true pub banter style, is this: if you had to choose a striker to convert a chance upon which your life depended, who would it be? I know mine.
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I think Drogba and Eto is the top 2 forwards in the game right now. For some reason the papers and media don't like giving Eto much attention, not to mention the Fifa awards folks. It's not like he just started playing and scoring goals like it was going out of style, he been doing this since his Mallorca days.
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No.
The world's best striker currently is Gonzalo Higuain
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No.
The world's best striker currently is Gonzalo Higuain
LOLLLLLL
Eto'o hands down is the best striker in the world currently...followed by Drogba
I dont rate Higuain at all...I think he is very lazy and technically poor and his overall contribution is poor compared to most strikers.... He is a better version of Inzahgi.. to be fair he scores goals but they have more strikers out there with goals and overall ability than Higuain ....
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Of course he is, there's no argument there. And Laporta is de dunciest owner in de world
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ETO talk done!!!!
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Of course he is, there's no argument there. And Laporta is de dunciest owner in de world
:beermug:
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No.
The world's best striker currently is Gonzalo Higuain
Higuain makes the right runs but half the time he misses the target for no apparent reason.
1. Eto'o
2. Drogba
3. Villa
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Jorsling :beermug:
Alright, Eto'o :thumbsup:
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No.
The world's best striker currently is Gonzalo Higuain
LOLLLLLL
Eto'o hands down is the best striker in the world currently...followed by Drogba
I dont rate Higuain at all...I think he is very lazy and technically poor and his overall contribution is poor compared to most strikers.... He is a better version of Inzahgi.. to be fair he scores goals but they have more strikers out there with goals and overall ability than Higuain ....
I agree that Eto'o is best striker in world...but I urge you to reconsider your stance on Higuain...really...
Gonzo is one of the top 5 strikers in the world..with ease...
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I glad he finally getting the respect he deserves.
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Best striker is Milito but he is carrying some knocks/ out of shape at the moment. Eto and Milito or Pandev all had the same responsibilities but Milito spearheaded the attack. El Pricipe scored to win the scudetto, italia cup against roma and against bayern and barca, even chelsea so.. he deserved the best striker award.
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Eto'o finally get back a central role - he eh foragin for Mourinho again.
He makin Barca look rather premature and foolish right now (not that the transfer market has been Pep's strength in the last few years).
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Of course he is, there's no argument there. And Laporta is de dunciest owner in de world
Is guardiola call that shot. He wanted Dinho, Deco and Eto'o gone at all costs.
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Eto is the best striker
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He is one of my favourite players ever. He plays with passion and pride.He works hard for the team and is a pest to any defence. His most important quality for me is that he is a big game player with great deal of mental toughness. He makes my World 11 any day, everyday. Yes I think he is the best right now.
Pep make a out selling this guy. I will agree with Xixgon that Pep is not the greatest in the transfer market.That Ibra buy was terrible for instance. He also bought Keirrison then proceeded to loan him out all over the place. Another player who never caught on was Hleb. For all of Barca's strength right now they are very thin at that position. If Villa is out Bojan is next in line and frankly he can't cut it.
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Of course he is, there's no argument there. And Laporta is de dunciest owner in de world
Is guardiola call that shot. He wanted Dinho, Deco and Eto'o gone at all costs.
Not according to an interview I read that Eto gave to one of Barcelona's newspapers, I was there a few days after the axe drop, all Barca fans were somber. Put it this way, either one of them was foolish to let this happen. Happy for him though, play yuh fitball :devil:
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Of course he is, there's no argument there. And Laporta is de dunciest owner in de world
Is guardiola call that shot. He wanted Dinho, Deco and Eto'o gone at all costs.
Not according to an interview I read that Eto gave to one of Barcelona's newspapers, I was there a few days after the axe drop, all Barca fans were somber. Put it this way, either one of them was foolish to let this happen. Happy for him though, play yuh fitball :devil:
On most of the Barca forums i on....the fans were most excited. In my view....Pep and La Porta eh like de man..so dem was willing to force him out at all costs. And i hearing real people trying to justify it....oh...he's a disruptive influence in the dressing room. Strange....one of the first people to initiate a huddle is Etoo. Den on top of dat yuh replace him with Zlatan..who is a world class cudder muckin funt. Oh...he getting down in age. Xavi older dan him by a lil bit..and Xavi get he contract renewed. In fact..everybody from that treble squad get renewals except for him...and then yuh bring in Zlatan and pay him even more money than Etoo was asking for.
Ingratitude worse dan obeah..and Barca was DAMN ungrateful. Let dem ketch dey ass a lil bit.
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For all of Barca's strength right now they are very thin at that position. If Villa is out Bojan is next in line and frankly he can't cut it.
You kidding right?
Bojan?
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One of my favorite players of all time, I watching the man since Mallorca days.
I can't lie, i really get kinda sour on Barcelona since that sale. I does still watch them and enjoy the brand but i holding ah big grudge and I does even laugh at them when they get bore. All when Ronaldinho was there i used to have a running argument with some breddren that for me Eto'o was the boss on the side. For all the skill and touches and brilliance, at the end of the day yuh can't put a price on a man who WILL bore at any given time. Yuh dont sell a man that have ice water in he veins and will guarantee to bore in the biggest fixtures.
The man have everything in terms of raw tools.. Speed, power, movement, finishing ability, awareness... But the one thing that sets him apart from any other striker in football (like Jordan in b-ball) is the brain. He is the consummate big game player and has an impeccable sense of occasion and will always leave it all out on the pitch. Also, i give the man real credit for taking one for the team and playing right wing and right back under Jose and adapting to the role so well. Few strikers would be that unselfish to adapt a role like that for the sake of the team.
I so vex that Barca sell the man i almost want to suggest that they racist and on a mission to 'Catalunyize' the side (which is also how I explaining Busquets sweat in front of Yaya). Ah mean what other possible reason could it have to sell that?
Gimme ah break with the disruptive talk, the man disrupt the dressing room all the way to a first time ever treble.. Yuh supposed to let that kick up all he want.
That sale erase all possibility of the Barcelona dynasty that could have been.
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One of my favorite players of all time, I watching the man since Mallorca days.
I can't lie, i really get kinda sour on Barcelona since that sale. I does still watch them and enjoy the brand but i holding ah big grudge and I does even laugh at them when they get bore. All when Ronaldinho was there i used to have a running argument with some breddren that for me Eto'o was the boss on the side. For all the skill and touches and brilliance, at the end of the day yuh can't put a price on a man who WILL bore at any given time. Yuh dont sell a man that have ice water in he veins and will guarantee to bore in the biggest fixtures.
The man have everything in terms of raw tools.. Speed, power, movement, finishing ability, awareness... But the one thing that sets him apart from any other striker in football (like Jordan in b-ball) is the brain. He is the consummate big game player and has an impeccable sense of occasion and will always leave it all out on the pitch. Also, i give the man real credit for taking one for the team and playing right wing and right back under Jose and adapting to the role so well. Few strikers would be that unselfish to adapt a role like that for the sake of the team.
I so vex that Barca sell the man i almost want to suggest that they racist and on a mission to 'Catalunyize' the side (which is also how I explaining Busquets sweat in front of Yaya). Ah mean what other possible reason could it have to sell that?
Gimme ah break with the disruptive talk, the man disrupt the dressing room all the way to a first time ever treble.. Yuh supposed to let that kick up all he want.
That sale erase all possibility of the Barcelona dynasty that could have been.
:applause: :applause: :applause:
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I always loved this one. Check Lucio in panic.
http://www.youtube.com/v/kfH46J6Dlws
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World's best striker last year scored the most goals in the world's best league where the world's best players play and for the world's best team. TherM is non better than Messi who converts better than any other player on the planet.
He is not a striker ??? try telling that to the goalkeepers of La Liga and the top clubs in europe .
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For all of Barca's strength right now they are very thin at that position. If Villa is out Bojan is next in line and frankly he can't cut it.
You kidding right?
Bojan?
Bojan is the next striker. Look at who comes on all the time. The youth couldn't buy a goal these days.
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Leo Messi the world's deadliest striker ! ...just from the 2007 season til now ....
2007–08 season
Messi takes Barcelona to 2–0 against Sevilla at Camp Nou on 22 September 2007During the 2007–08 season, Messi scored five goals in a week leading Barcelona to the top four in La Liga. On 19 September he scored once as Barcelona defeated Lyon 3–0 at home in a Champions League match.[46] He scored two goals against Sevilla on 22 September[47] and then on 26 September, Messi scored another two goals in a 4–1 victory over Real Zaragoza.[48] On 27 February, Messi played in his 100th official match for Barcelona against Valencia.[49]
Messi was nominated for a FIFPro World XI Player Award under the category of Forward.[50] A poll conducted in the online edition of the Spanish newspaper Marca had him as the best player in the world with 77 percent of the vote.[51] Columnists from Barcelona-based newspapers El Mundo Deportivo and Sport stated that the Ballon d'Or should be given to Messi, a view supported by Franz Beckenbauer.[52] Football personalities such as Francesco Totti have declared that they consider Messi to be one of the current best footballers in the world.[53]
Messi was sidelined for six weeks following an injury on 4 March when he suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh during a Champions League match against Celtic. It was the fourth time in three seasons that Messi suffered this type of injury.[54]
2008–09 season
Messi in a match against Deportivo La CoruñaUpon Ronaldinho's departure from the club, Messi inherited his number 10 jersey.[55] On 1 October 2008, during a Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, Messi scored two goals during the last seven minutes, after coming on as a substitute for Thierry Henry, to turn a 1–0 deficit to a 2–1 victory for Barcelona.[56] The next league game was versus Atlético Madrid, a match billed as a friendly battle between Messi and his good friend Sergio Agüero.[57] Messi scored a goal from a free kick and assisted another as Barça went on to win the match 6–1.[58] Messi netted another impressive brace against Sevilla scoring a volley from 23 metres (25 yd) and then dribbling round the goalkeeper and scoring from a tight angle for the other.[59] On 13 December 2008, during the first Clásico of the season, Messi scored the second goal in Barcelona's 2–0 win over Real Madrid.[60] He was also named second in the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year awards with 678 points.[8]
Messi scored his first hat-trick of 2009 in a Copa del Rey tie against Atlético Madrid which Barcelona won 3–1.[61] Messi scored another important double on 1 February 2009, coming on as a second half substitute to help Barcelona defeat Racing Santander 1–2 after being 1–0 down. The second of the two strikes was Barcelona's 5000th league goal.[62] In the 28th round of La Liga, Messi scored his 30th goal of the season in all competitions, helping his team to a 6–0 victory over Málaga in the process.[63] On 8 April 2009, he scored twice against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, setting a personal record of eight goals in the competition.[64] On 18 April, Messi notched his 20th league goal of the season in a 1–0 win at Getafe, allowing Barcelona to maintain their six-point advantage at the top of the league table over Real Madrid.[65]
As Barcelona's season was drawing to a close, Messi scored twice (his 35th and 36th goals in all competitions) to cap a 6–2 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu[66] in what was Real's heaviest defeat since 1930.[67] After scoring each goal, he ran towards the fans and the cameras lifting up his Barcelona jersey and showing another T-shirt that read Síndrome X Fràgil, Catalan for Fragile X Syndrome, to show his support for children who suffer from the affliction.[68] Messi was involved in the build-up to Andrés Iniesta's injury time goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final to send Barcelona through to face Manchester United in the final. He won his first Copa del Rey on 13 May, scoring one goal and assisting another two, in a 4–1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.[69] He helped his team win the double by winning La Liga. On 27 May he helped Barcelona win the Champions League by scoring a second goal in the 70th minute giving Barcelona a two goal lead; he also became the top scorer in the Champions League, the youngest in the tournament's history, with nine goals.[70] Messi also won the UEFA Club Forward of the Year: and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year rounding off a spectacular year in Europe.[71] This victory meant Barcelona had won the Copa del Rey, La Liga and Champions League in the one season,[72] and was the first time a Spanish club had ever won the treble.[73]
2009–10 season
"Once he's on the run, Messi is unstoppable. He's the only player who can change direction at such a pace."
"He is the best player in the world by some distance. He's (like) a PlayStation. He can take advantage of every mistake we make."
Arsène Wenger after Barcelona won 4–1 against Arsenal.[74][75]
Messi in action during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between Barcelona and Manchester City at Camp NouAfter winning the 2009 UEFA Super Cup, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola asserted that Messi was probably the best player he had ever seen.[76] On 18 September, Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona, running until 2016 and with a buy-out clause of €250 million included, making Messi, along with Zlatan Ibrahimović, the highest paid players in La Liga, with earnings of around €9.5 million yearly.[77][78] Four days later, on 22 September, Messi scored two goals and assisted another in Barça's 4–1 win over Racing Santander in La Liga.[79] He scored his first European goal of the season on 29 September in a 2–0 win over Dynamo Kyiv,[80] and then took his goal tally to six goals in seven games in La Liga with a strike during a 6–1 routing of Real Zaragoza at Camp Nou.[81][82]
Messi was named winner of the 2009 Ballon d'Or on 1 December 2009, beating runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo by largest ever margin of 473 to 233.[83][84][85] Afterwards, France Football magazine quoted Messi as saying: "I dedicate it to my family. They were always present when I needed them and sometimes felt even stronger emotions than me."[86]
Messi during 2009 FIFA Club World Cup.On 19 December, Messi scored the winner in the final of the 2009 Club World Cup against Estudiantes in Abu Dhabi, giving the club their sixth title of the year.[87] Two days later, he was given the FIFA World Player of the Year award; beating Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Kaká and Andrés Iniesta to the award. This was the first time he had won the award, and he became the first Argentinean to ever receive this honour.[88] On 10 January 2010, Messi scored his first hat-trick in 2010 and his first hat-trick of the season against Tenerife in the 0–5 victory,[89] and on 17 January he scored his 100th goal for the club in the 4–0 victory over Sevilla.[90]
Messi then started an impressive run scoring 11 goals in five games. First he scored on the 84th minute against Málaga for a 2–1 win,[91] then he scored two goals against Almería in a 2–2 tie.[92] He continued his spree with an impressive week where he scored eight goals; he started by scoring a hat-trick against Valencia in a 3–0 home win,[93] then he scored two goals against Stuttgart, in a 4–0 win that secured Barcelona's qualification to the quarterfinals of the Champions League,[94] and finally he scored another hat-trick against Zaragoza in a 4–2 away win,[95] becoming the first Barcelona player to score back-to-back hat-tricks in La Liga.[96] He played his 200th official match for Barcelona against Osasuna on 24 March 2010.[97]
On 6 April 2010, for the first time in Messi's career he scored four goals in a single match, netting the lot in a 4–1 home win over Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.[98][99][100] This also saw him overtake Rivaldo as Barcelona's all time greatest scorer in the competition.[101] On 10 April, Messi scored his 40th goal of the season when he netted the first goal in a 2–0 away win against title-rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico.[102] On 1 May, Messi played his 50th game of the season and scored two goals on a 4–1 away win against Villarreal.[103] Just three days later, on 4 May, Messi scored two goals in another 4–1 win at home against Tenerife.[104] Messi scored his 32nd goal of the La Liga season on 8 May, during an away win against Sevilla,[105] and in the final match against Valladolid, he scored two goals in the second half to tie Ronaldo's club record of 34 goals in a single league season, set in 1996–97,[106][107] and to finish four goals behind the all-time record held by Telmo Zarra.[108] He was named La Liga player of the year for the second year in a row on 3 June 2010.[109]
2010–11 season
On 21 August 2010, Messi scored a hat-trick in his first start of the season in a 4–0 victory over Sevilla in the Supercopa de España, helping Barcelona secure their first trophy of the season after a 1–3 first leg loss.[110] He also began his league season with a goal, scoring after just 3 minutes against Racing Santander on 29 August 2010. He then continued his excellent form into the UEFA Champions League group stage match against Panathinaikos where he scored 2 goals, assisted another 2 and also hit the goal-frame on 2 separate occasions. He also missed a penalty, though. Barcelona won the match 5–1.
On 19 September 2010, Messi suffered an ankle injury due to an ill-advised tackle by Atlético Madrid defender Tomáš Ujfaluši in the 92nd minute of their Round 3 match at the Vicente Calderón Stadium. At first sight it was feared that Messi suffered a broken ankle that could have kept the star player away from the pitch for a minimum of six months but MRI performed the next day in Barcelona showed he suffered a sprain in the internal and external ligaments of his right ankle.[111] Team-mate David Villa stated "the tackle on Messi was brutal" after watching the video of the play and also added that he believed the Atlético defender "didn't go into the tackle to hurt".[112] The incident caused widespread media attention and brought up the debate of equality in protecting all players in the game.
When he recovered he scored in a 1–1 tie against Mallorca. He then scored another brace on the UEFA Champions League against København and helped the team to a 2–0 home win.[113] He continued his impressive scoring run with braces against Zaragoza and Sevilla. After a prolific October, he started November scoring on an away 1-1 tie against København and an away 3-1 win against Getafe where he also assisted teammates David Villa and Pedro Rodríguez.[
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We could go go back and forth about who's the best in the world till we are blue in the face.
I will say this though, he is a BIG GAME PLAYER.
He bore every big side in world football - Real, AC, ManUre, Arsenal, Chelsea et al. Scored in 2 CL finals and numerous goals to break a deadlock in the closing minutes of a game.
Why would seemingly educated, experienced individuals in Barca sell him for someone who has history of attitude and disciplinary problems in that of Zlatan?
Samu is ah boss player that has never been a media darling like those of his compatriots for whatever reason.
But to go from a silky finisher to someone who was always trying to karate kick the ball into the net but only succeeded in putting it into the stands. The more I think about, the more I getting vex.
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Steupppsss....one shit thread.
Bendtner on he worse day better than all of them. ::)
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I so vex that Barca sell the man i almost want to suggest that they racist and on a mission to 'Catalunyize' the side (which is also how I explaining Busquets sweat in front of Yaya). Ah mean what other possible reason could it have to sell that?
That is exactly why Busquets was favoured in front of Yaya. This is also the reason why Marcos Senna was shunned by Spain in the past few years, to make room for natives.
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No.
The world's best striker currently is Gonzalo Higuain
Nah Palos...
I's a big RM fan, and I cyah even endorse that....
I wouldn't go as far as SM and say that he's lazy and techincally poor, but he's not the best....
Drogba is the closest thing to unstoppable in the 18yrd box on his day, so I'll give Drogba the no.1 striker in the world, currently...Messi of course is also unstoppable on his day, but I eh think we calling him a striker....
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Bendtner on he worse day better than all of them. ::)
(http://bocktherobber.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/dog_vomit.jpg)
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If I am wrong about Messi I am certainly in good company .........according to this ...Eto'o eh even in de running according to the stats ...and that is what matters .. Note Messi is listed as a forward ...even if he isnt a traditional forward he outscoring them all !
Ronaldo vs Messi battle hots up
TNN, Nov 9, 2010, 01.37am IST
Article
Tags:Real Madrid|Lionel Messi|Cristiano Ronaldo|Barcelona
Lionel Messi retains pole position in the Castrol Rankings this month but finds himself under increasing pressure from Cristiano Ronaldo as the Real Madrid star closes the gap at the top of the table.
There is little between the two players now; their goal tallies are close with Messi scoring 35 goals in 34 league appearances over the last 12 months and Ronaldo netting 33 in as many league games.
The difference however, lies in the players' conversion rates and while Ronaldo converts 14% from open play, Messi converts nearly twice as many chances with 26% of shots. But with Ronaldo hot on Messi's heels for the top spot there's everything to play for in this month's El Clasico.
With seven men from the two clubs in the top 20 of the rankings, it could easily be another player who grabs the limelight. Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain has been on great form over the last 12 months scoring 29 goals in 35 league games and contributing eight assists. He has now moved up to third spot.
Despite being in good form this month Dider Drogba has dropped from 4th to 9th in the latest Rankings while Rooney has moved up one spot to 4th. But don't forget that the Rankings analyses player performance over a 12-month period. Last October, Drogba scored twice and assisted twice compared to just one of each in October 2010. His weaker performance this year has reduced his average, causing him to drop down the table.
EPL, the strongest?
The Premier League is still edging the Spanish league in terms of strength with eight players in the top 20. La Liga has seven, but all those players come from just two clubs, whilst the Premier League is represented by four teams. The Bundesliga has 4 representatives and Serie A just the one.
Performance of the Month
Ronaldo inspired Real Madrid to a 6-1 victory over Racing Santander to emphatically win the Castrol EDGE Performance of the Month with 2,279 points, the highest individual rankings match score in October. The Castrol ambassador scored four goals from just six shots, with five of those attempts on target, as his clinical finishing display left the Santander club reeling.
HOW THEY STAND
Player
Club
Points
Lionel Messi (FW)
Barcelona
1,207
Cristiano Ronaldo (FW)
Real Madrid
1,023
Gonzalo Higain (FW)
Real Madrid
909
Wayne Rooney (FW)
Man United
900
Arjen Robben (MF)
Bayern Munich
895
Frank Lampard (MF)
Chelsea
890
Rafael va der Vaart (MF)
Tottenham Hostpur
857
Lucas Barrioas (FW)
Borussia Dortmund
837
Didier Drogba (FW)
Chelsea
832
Florent Malouda (MF)
Chelsea
832
Read more: Ronaldo vs Messi battle hots up - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Ronaldo-vs-Messi-battle-hots-up/articleshow/6891571.cms#ixzz14k2fK0ST
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http://www.youtube.com/v/wUlUxCmvLis&feature=player_embedded
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Call all dem names. Nothing beating Ronaldo right now infront the goal. After he is Messi, forward or no forward.
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messi so good he cah score in a world cup :-\
eto is a boss and he has been for years..............
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Italian FA to investigate Eto'o headbutt
Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o is set for an almost certain suspension after Italian Football Federation bosses on Monday asked to be shown TV evidence of the Cameroonian headbutting Chievo's Bostjan Cesar.
Eto'o escaped punishment for the butt—reminiscent of France legend Zinedine Zidane's attack on Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup final—and even went on to score a consolation goal in the champions' 2-1 defeat.
However the striker is now almost certain to face a two or three game ban when sporting judge Giampaolo Tosel gives his verdict on Tuesday.
(continue) (http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=afp-fblitacmrinteretoo)
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http://www.youtube.com/v/uKSp6YU-w74
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WHOA! Blanka would be proud. Sammy get frustrated dey but really he was giving as much as he got in the previous tussle.
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No one investigating the two upper cut he get. Stueps. Italy for Italians.
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Eto'o handed three-match ban
Samuel Eto'o has been given a three-match ban and €30,000 fine after his attack on Chievo defender Bostjan Cesar on Sunday.
Eto'o remained on the pitch as the referee failed to notice his butt on Cesar's chest in the 92nd minute of the 2-1 defeat, an attack which came in retaliation for a first-half punch from the centre-back.
The Cameroon striker, who is Serie A's joint top scorer with nine goals alongside Napoli's Edinson Cavani, will miss games against Parma, Lazio and Fiorentina.
(continue) (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=845396&sec=europe&cc=5739)
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No one investigating the two upper cut he get. Stueps. Italy for Italians.
Cesar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo%C5%A1tjan_Cesar) is Slovenian. It might more likely be a case of Italy not for certain people.Totti only got 4 matches off for an unprovoked violent attack on Balotelli last year.
It is common to be punished for retaliation so I'm not too surprised. What's disgusting is Cesar received no punishment at all.
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I don't see that Cesar did much wrong. First Cesar swing his leg but it didn't look like there was contact, then Eto'o hit him in his neck with his forearm twice, then Cesar give a soft little hammer punch on Eto's shoulder.
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We could go go back and forth about who's the best in the world till we are blue in the face.
I will say this though, he is a BIG GAME PLAYER.
He bore every big side in world football - Real, AC, ManUre, Arsenal, Chelsea et al. Scored in 2 CL finals and numerous goals to break a deadlock in the closing minutes of a game.
Why would seemingly educated, experienced individuals in Barca sell him for someone who has history of attitude and disciplinary problems in that of Zlatan?
Samu is ah boss player that has never been a media darling like those of his compatriots for whatever reason.
But to go from a silky finisher to someone who was always trying to karate kick the ball into the net but only succeeded in putting it into the stands. The more I think about, the more I getting vex.
You were the biggest Zlatan fan until he purge for Barca... Doh talk like yuh didn't rate the man...
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No one investigating the two upper cut he get. Stueps. Italy for Italians.
what upper cut breds?
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Eto'o apologises for head-butt
Inter striker Samuel Eto'o says he has apologised to his teammates after receiving a three-match ban for head-butting Chievo player Bostjan Cesar.
The Cameroon international, who is Inter's top scorer this season, is now unavailable in Serie A until the New Year, costing his side dearly in their hour of need.
In an official statement, Eto'o offered his “sincere apology to all the people who were shocked [by his actions].
(continue) (http://www.football-italia.net/nov24h.html)
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Eto'o apologises for head-butt
Inter striker Samuel Eto'o says he has apologised to his teammates after receiving a three-match ban for head-butting Chievo player Bostjan Cesar.
The Cameroon international, who is Inter's top scorer this season, is now unavailable in Serie A until the New Year, costing his side dearly in their hour of need.
In an official statement, Eto'o offered his “sincere apology to all the people who were shocked [by his actions].
(continue) (http://www.football-italia.net/nov24h.html)
It's high time to exclude the words "Cameroonian international" from articles about Eto'o.
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Cesar: 'Eto'o made personal apology'
Bostjan Cesar was not mentioned in the public Samuel Eto’o head-butt apology, but reveals it’s because “he apologised to me personally.”
The Inter striker received a three-match Serie A ban after he was caught on camera head-butting Chievo defender Cesar in the chest during an off-the-ball incident.
Although Eto’o released a public apology to his teammates and “all the protagonists” of the match, he did not specifically name Cesar.
(continue) (http://www.football-italia.net/nov27g.html)
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Samuel Eto'o wins record fourth African Player award
Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o has become the first man to be named African Player of the Year for a fourth time. The striker, 29, enjoyed little success with his country in 2010 but helped his club Inter Milan become European and Italian champions last season.
Eto'o also won the prestigious award in 2003, 2004 and 2005 while playing in Spain, latterly with Barcelona. He finished ahead of Ivory Coast and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Ghana and Sunderland forward Asamoah Gyan.
(continue) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/9307060.stm)
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BOOM!!
Add CWC to the list of accolades too!
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Alyuh does see what alyuh want to see.
Cesar ent do nuttin wrong...in fact he get a elbow to throat.
That lil ting before was simply a man screening a ball and a defender removing the man hand from he chest.
That is regular ting, it is so common it not even worth blowing for. Eto move like a hen and embellish the contact.
The head butt was uncalled for...he lucky Cesar ent hit him a "burners" for he shit.
This sport is not dolly house...but Eto wrong and is good he arse get ban. That kinda ting not called for in sport.
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Samuel Eto'o: Anzhi Makhachkala are striving to be like Barcelona
When you earn €423,000 a week and are the highest-paid player in football history, the downside is that people are going to want to talk about it and, more often than not, jump to unfavourable conclusions. Samuel Eto'o has heard the questions and the assumptions many times.
The intensity of them is magnified as his salary is net, netto, après impôt and the club that pays him is not one of the established, trophy-chasing elite. It is Anzhi Makhachkala, the team from civil war-torn Dagestan, which has been funded since January by Suleiman Kerimov, the local boy turned billionaire oligarch.
(continue) (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/nov/16/anzhi-makhachkala-samuel-etoo)
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Well Anzhi... it simple really... Just teach yuh players to dive and feign injuries and get opponents red carded...a la Busquets, Dani Alves, Villa, Fabregas, etc, etc...
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Well Anzhi... it simple really... Just teach yuh players to dive and feign injuries and get opponents red carded...a la Busquets, Dani Alves, Villa, Fabregas, etc, etc...
Boss man, put ah smiley face or something after dem kinda post so people go know dat yuh joking nah ;)
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With that kind of money (if it's true), I ain't blame him to move to Russia. He already win 2 Champion League medals, so why not go for the money!!