19
Jun

David de Gea signs Thiago’s game ball: “See you in Manchester”

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Thiago Alcantara was the hero of yesterday’s Under-21 European Championship final, netting a hat-trick in Spain’s 4-2 win over Italy. Afterwards, the Barcelona talent received a game ball that was littered with messages from his teammates, one of which is veeeeery interesting.

David de Gea supposedly wrote this sly little note on Thiago’s ball:

“Nos vemos en Manchester.” Or, in English: “See you in Manchester”

Hmmmmmmmmmm….

With recent reports suggesting that the current Premier League champions are interested in triggering Thiago’s £18m release clause, this unmistakeably suggestive message from the current United goalkeeper could indicate that a move is now only a matter of time. Barcelona, though, are being advised by Pique not to give up their young jewel. We’ll see I guess!

Here’s the closeup of the ball:

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(Images Via @CheGiaevara)

13
Jun

FAIL: Spain fields 12 players according to newspaper gaffe

Ah, the ol’ 4-3-3-1 formation! Nice try Spain, but you’re not getting away with it this time.

Javi Martinez often looks like he’s all over the field, cleaning up the midfield like a vaccuum for Bayern Munich. Still, he actually is not two different players, as this newspaper apparently failed to realize when it printed its probable lineups for Spain’s friendly against Ireland. Fail!

(H/T 101GG)

8
Jun

Real Madrid players struggle mightily with one sentence of English

(via Goal.com)

Check out this funny blooper reel from a video raising awareness for “A Game of Hope,” a charity game organized by Real Madrid’s Michael Essien. In it, several Real Madrid stars struggle to get out one simple message in English: “Hello, I’m ___ and I support the Game of Hope,” .

The highlights: Ricardo Carvalho supporting the “game of dope” instead, Mesut Ozil doing his best to sound like a robot, and pretty much everything Marcelo says. To their credit, at least all the players were having fun with it!

3
Jun

Neymar unveiled at the Nou Camp, shows off juggling skills

Neymar has finally made the official move to Barcelona, signing a five-year contract with the La Liga powerhouse. On Monday, he was introduced at a press conference and also was brought out onto the pitch for the first time.

Tens of thousands of fans waited for over an hour just to get a glimpse of their new Brazilian striker, and how did the young striker respond? By juggling a ball, of course.

It’s as if the team wants fans to think that by proving that he can keep the ball up in the air for 45 seconds straight, they can rest assured that the rumored 30 million euro transfer fee was money well spent.

Juggling skills aside, Neymar couldn’t hold back his excitement:

“I am very happy, very moved to be a Barcelona player and fulfill my dream. I want to help the team. I have come to add my part so that Lionel Messi continues to be the best player in the world.”

Time will tell how the two stars will co-exist, but one thing is for sure, excitement and optimism are running high in Barcelona.

1
Jun

Mourinho swarmed with photogs, ref pauses match

Leave it to Jose Mourinho to go out in one final blaze of glory.

Rather than join his team on the pitch for warmups and pregame ceremonies, he decided to wait in the tunnel to make sure that he could make a grand entrance for his final appearance at the Bernabeu with the club.

After the match began and the manager finally appeared, he was swarmed with photographers. It got so hectic that the referee had to pause the game to clear the cameramen from the sidelines. Once the photo opp was finished, Mourinho quietly took a seat on the team’s bench. 

Mourinho wishes the team happiness and will exit La Liga on a high note after defeating Osasuna 4-2. Before the match, the former Chelsea manager provided a goodbye statement on Real Madrid’s website after his three-year stint with the club:

”I wish all of Real Madrid’s supporters much happiness in the future,” Mourinho said. ”I want to thank many fans for their support, and I respect the criticism of others. I repeat, happiness to all, and above all, good health. Hala (Forward) Madrid!”

Madrid players Sami Khedira and Alvaro Arbeloa wished Mourinho well on their Facebook and Twitter accounts respectively:

31
May

Turkish giants eye move for United’s Nani

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Nani is back in the news…or as they say in the press “unsettled Manchester United winger”. Even though Sir Alex Ferguson said the Portugal international would be staying at Old Trafford that hasn’t stopped the rumors saying that his time is up. Ambitious Galatasaray are the latest club to be linked with Nani. You can read about this and more about the futures of Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea and Real Madrid - all just one click away.

22
May

Psychic animals picking Champions League winner

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The animals are at it again. Nelly the Elephant has triumphantly declared that Bayern Munich will defeat Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final. This isn’t Nelly’s first rodeo, she correctly predicted 4 of the 5 Germany matches in the Euro 2012 tournament, and she hopes to get back on track with her Bayern Munich selection.

Some other animals are not as optimistic about Bayern’s chances.

Walter the Orangutan has selected the underdog Dortmund side to come out victorious, though Walter is from a Dortmund zoo so he may be a bit biased. Joining Walter on the Dortmund bandwagon are a pair of otters in Aue Favor Dortmund as well as a tapir in Leipzig zoo.

In England, Nicholas the Llama correctly predicted both an FA Cup and Champions League victory for Chelsea last year.

All of these animals just hope to live up to the legend of Paul the Octopus:

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During the 2010 World Cup, Paul the Octopus correctly predicted all seven of Germany’s matches, as well as correctly choosing Spain to defeat Netherlands in the final.

Paul unfortunately died of natural causes in 2010, but he had become so legendary in his native Germany that a golden statue was erected in his honor.

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