Tag Archives: barcelona
by At The Rails | June 30, 2014 · 5:52 pm
He is very, very, very sorry. Lo siento. It will never happen again.
Luis Suárez' pseudo-apology for his bite on Italy's Giorgio Chiellini is meant to placate the footballing world, but it doesn't do the trick. The Uruguayan should be on top of the world, but instead of topping a career season with Liverpool, the striker has had to deal with more of the controversy that follows him around.
As Suarez deals with his demons, so too does a man who has returned to the spotlight in the arena of politics. Toronto mayor Rob Ford is back on the job today, after several weeks in rehab. You can't help but look at the two men's situations and see the similarities.
Suarez doing what he does best: score.
Both are more famous for their behaviour than their job. Most casual sports fans had never heard of Luis Suárez before the biting incident, or had forgotten about his brazen hand ball in the 2010 World Cup. You'd be hard pressed to take a group of 100 people at a bar watching the World Cup and get them to tell you Suárez' club team, or how many goals he scored for them this year. But everyone remembers The Bite, played over and over and over again.
Rob Ford made Toronto a laughing stock the world over by admitting to smoke crack cocaine, bumping into cameras, and making a drunken ass of himself while clinging on to his vestiges of power. But almost no one outside Toronto (and sadly, a majority of people in the city) know about his 10-year career as a city councillor, his stance on privatizing garbage collection, property taxes, etc. He is simply Toronto's Crack-Smoking Mayor.
The proof that sent the mayor to rehab
They have serious problems. Before you get upset that I am attempting to link drug and alcohol addiction to a serial biter, know this: any addiction expert will tell you the underlying issue for an addict is a mental anxiety, trauma or compulsive behaviour issue. The person with these issues might lash out, they might overindulge, they might feel frustrated… but all of them engage in socially unacceptable and, frankly, harmful behaviours. It is not the sign of a healthy person when a player — widely acknowledged as one of the top-five players in the world — lashes out in a base and animalistic way in front of hundreds of millions of people.
Rob Ford is the mayor of the fourth-largest city in North America. He is in charge of a government that eclipses other provinces, states and even some nations in economic clout and influence. Yet this is a guy who showed up at City Hall and in public as drunk as the proverbial skunk. He was at the height of his power and then threw it away.
I'm sure that both men, when calm and collected, know their behaviour is wrong. Yet in times of great strain and anxiety, both men act out in ways they know they will regret later.
Suarez consoled by Uruguayan official
Both are enabled by those closest to them. When Ford first admitted to smoking crack cocaine, Toronto news station CP24 interviewed his mother and sister. When pressed about his behaviour, his mother explained that her son had a weight problem, not a drug problem. His sister also denied that Ford had a drug problem because she is "a former addict" and she would know. Before police found a video of the mayor using drugs, Ford and his brother, Doug, repeated until they were blue in the face (or in Rob's case, very red) that everything was fine.
Suárez has also been enabled… by his club, by his national side, by the very nation he represents. Liverpool bought him in January 2011, as he was coming off a suspension for his first biting incident. In fact, LFC negotiated for him with Ajax Amsterdam while he was serving the suspension. You'd expect the Uruguayan's behaviour problems to devalue the player, but Liverpool ended up paying £22.5 million, a club transfer record at the time. The next season, he was suspended eight matches for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra. Liverpool's response was to have the team practice in Luis Suárez t-shirts, saying they believed Suárez, not Evra. Eighteen months later, Suárez bit Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic , resulting in a 10-match ban.
Uruguayans are outraged by the latest Suárez ban because they love Luisito. They love his never-say-die, win-at-all-costs mentality. To them, FIFA has judged harshly because they believe that a player's profile and accomplishments must be taken into consideration. Basically, they believe there should be one set of rules for superstars and another for everyone else. That is the very essence of enabling.
For months, Ford denied he had a drug problem
Both men and their supporters blame the media for their troubles. The fall back position of many a fallen public figure is to blame everyone but themselves, including the messengers. Like so many other conservative politicians, the Fords initially blamed the crack video story on the left-wing media, who only wanted to smear the mayor's good name. When Rob finally admitted to the drug use, Doug attacked the media for pillorying his brother, saying he had simply "made a mistake" and asking why they couldn't just leave him alone.
When the Suárez incident first happened, he denied it. When he was banned, he denied it again. His national team coach, Óscar Tabárez, cried conspiracy, saying that his star striker was a "scapegoat" who'd been punished because of pressure brought by "English-speaking journalists". When Suárez scored his two goals against England, he said that he felt vindicated for the way he had been treated by the English press over his previous biting and racism incidents.
Uruguayans have supported Suarez without question
Both men have populist support, despite their behaviour. By now, Torontonians are sick of the over-used "Ford Nation", an umbrella term for predominately white, older, working-class, conservative voters who live in Toronto's suburbs. Ford speaks to this group, continually claiming that he sticking up for the little guy against the downtown, fat cat elites (including the aforementioned media). His behaviour ("Just having a few beers.") and his apologies ("Who hasn't made a mistake?") have found traction in a group that sees themselves in him, drug problems notwithstanding.
Likewise, Suarez is revered by his compatriots…even his fellow continentals. After this latest ban, Uruguay captain Diego Lugano called the punishment "barbaric", saying Suárez' human rights had been violated and that "not even a criminal would receive this penalty." Argentinian legend Diego Maradona — the Suárez of his day — compared the ban to being sent to Guantanamo Bay. In a nod to his late predecessor's extreme populist stances, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro invoked the spirit of Hugo Chávez by claiming that "all of South America" rejects the ban against "the son of the people". You can't get much more people power than that.
A media circus has surrounded Ford… and City Hall
Both men have bit the hands that feed them. When Ford lied about his crack use, then later admitted it when confronted with video evidence, he eroded the credibility of all who had supported him. His allies on council turned against him, leaving his own brother to sputter out half-excuses on behalf of his wayward sibling. He hurt the reputation of his city and made those who had backed him look foolish. He turned City Hall into a circus, bringing the business of government grinding to a halt as the spectacle played out day after day, week after week. Local media missed big, but boring, stories in favour of tracking Rob Ford, awaiting another gaffe. A politician with any sense of shame and duty would have bowed out. But Ford doesn't care about the city… he only cares about himself, and won't let his remaining reins of power go.
Suárez has done no one any favours. While he almost led Liverpool to its first Premier League title in almost a quarter-century, he has missed 34 matches for his two clubs since the infamous Ghana hand ball game at World Cup 2010, almost one full season out of four. Despite Liverpool's support, he sought to abandon the club last summer in favour of a move away. First he wanted to go to Spain to "get away from England", then he lobbied for a move to Arsenal… which obviously is still in England. Meanwhile, for two straight World Cups, Uruguay has rued his suspensions that followed his bad behaviour. Just as his national side could have used him against Spain in the 2010 semifinal, so too did they miss him against the surging Colombians on Saturday. You get the sense that Uruguay's time has come and gone… as their wait for another World title extends to 68 years.
Suarez' apology may have secured his move to Barcelona
Both men have shown contrition at opportune times. Over the term of his mayoralty, Ford has faced questions about being drunk in public, about assaults, and about drug use. Each time he was confronted with a transgression, Ford denied…until he was confronted with evidence and overwhelming negative opinion. Then, he apologized. And apologized. And apologized again. We could have accepted his apologies if he hadn't been so vicious in his denials, laying the blame elsewhere and threatening those who would think otherwise. Yet, in the end, the journalists who exposed him have been vindicated, forcing Ford to back pedal. When a second video came along, Ford finally went into rehab… if only to jump back onto the campaign trail when he finished.
Luis Suárez has also been contrary: he denied that he intentionally raised his hand to block a shot, until confronted with the video. He initially denied saying anything racist, but then changed his testimony and tack, admitting that he said it.. but that it wasn't racist where he came from. Now he's had to apologize after being confronted with a lengthy ban. But Suárez' half-hearted mea culpa is conveniently timed, considering that it is an alleged condition of a potential move to Barcelona. Instead of being punished, it appears the striker's apology will get him exactly what he wants.
Despite their setbacks, despite their very public falls from grace, neither Ford nor Suarez has yet to experience a true comeuppance. But that may still come to fruition. Ford is back to work today. He still plans to run for mayor, and polls show he still has a solid base of support. But it remains to be seen if he can translate that support into actual votes come October 27. If he doesn't win, he's likely out of politics for good.
Meanwhile, Suarez could get his wish of a move to Barcelona. But after almost a decade of success, the Catalan club appears to be on the downward side of the curve that all teams experience. He is not of La Masia, the fabled Barça academy… and he does not embrace the concept of team very well. Suárez may not find the titles he craves… but he may find that his talent and time have passed him by.
Both men may yet wonder what could have been… an awful thing when you've been to the places they've been.
Too bad… so sorry.
Brent P. Lanthier
Filed under Brazil 2014, World Cup
Tagged as ajax amsterdam, barcelona, bite, branislav ivanovic, colombia, diego lugano, diego maradona, ghana, giorgio chiellini, hand ball, hugo chavez, italy, la masia, liverpool, luis suarez, nicolas maduro, oscar tabarez, patrice evra, rob ford, toronto, uruguay
by At The Rails | September 13, 2011 · 10:47 pm
AC Milan: Il Diavolo is in the Details
C'mon Thiago, give us a kiss...
One club is considered the best in the world; the other is a team that has found its way back to the top of its domestic league. Both were surprised this weekend by so-called lesser sides. Tonight, it was Barcelona that showed its quality over AC Milan. Unfortunately for Barca, the scoresheet didn't reflect it.
Two goals by Milan's Brazilian stars bookended the game and stole a point for the Rossoneri. The World Champions dominated up until that point: Barcelona had 80% possession at the 75th-minute mark… a calling card for the Catalonians. Gaffer Pep Guardiola says he's not worried… nor should he be.
It's the Italian club that should be wringing its hands. The consensus is that AC Milan will have a tough time defending the scudetto… and judging by their last two performances, they may prove the pundits right. Not only did Barca's tiki-taka have Milan on the back heel for most of the match, but the Italian champs kicked off the Serie A season on Thursday by having to fight back against a new-look Lazio. Add the Roman club to Milan's growing list of league rivals:
– Internazionale is aging but still potent.
– Juventus may be an Old Lady, but she may find a sabbatical from Europe rejuvenating.
– Udinese was the better team against Arsenal in CL qualifiers, and could build on last year's success.
– The South seems to be rising again with Palermo beating Inter 4-3 (again, the Nerrazzurri looked slow and old)… and Napoli being picked as a dark horse for the title.
Zlatan the Terrible
And while he didn't play tonight, Milan still has its good luck charm: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Every team he has played on since 2004 has won its domestic title (if you include Juventus' revoked trophies). He is a big, black belt-wearing nutter who has a goals-per-game average of at least 50% in the last six seasons. Plus, NOW he's eating his Wheaties.
Filed under Champions League, Serie A
Tagged as ac milan, Alex Pato, barcelona, inter milan, internazionale, lazio, napoli, nerazzurri, old lady, palermo, Pep Guardiola, rossoneri, scudetto, serie a, Thiago Silva, Udinese, zlatan ibrahimovic
World's finest come from too few teams
First of all, congratulations to Lionel Messi for capturing his second consecutive World Player of the Year award. Though Xavi and Andres Iniesta were also worthy finalists, little Leo's tally of 58 goals in 54 games for Barca last year was simply too outstanding for voters to ignore. Congratulations also must go out to every player named to FIFA's world XI, all of whom were outstanding at their respective positions last year:
GK: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
RB: Maicon (Inter)
CB: Lucio (Inter)
CB: Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
LB: Carles Puyol (Barcelona)
MF: Xavi (Barcelona)
MF: Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
MF: Wesley Sneijder (Inter)
FWD: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
FWD: David Villa (Barcelona)
FWD: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
A look at the players, however, shows a disturbing pattern. All of the XI belong to just three clubs! And the way Real Madrid and Barcelona are tearing up La Liga this season, it isn't beyond the realm of possibility that next season's World XI will be comprised entirely of players from just those two Spanish squads.
We all love to watch soccer for various reasons, but I think everyone can agree that one of the most compelling reasons is the game's unpredictability. If European soccer continues to be dominated by so few teams, then the game will begin to bore us all. Yawn. Wake me when Real and Barca make the Champions League final, will ya???
Hadi Zogheib
Filed under Champions League, La Liga, Serie A
Tagged as andres iniesta, barca, barcelona, carles puyol, champions league, cristiano ronaldo, David Villa, fifa, gerard pique, golden ball, iker casillas, inter, inter milan, internazionale, la liga, lionel messi, lucio, maicon, real madrid, ronaldo, serie a, wesley sneijder, xavi
by At The Rails | January 7, 2011 · 12:44 am
Out with the Old, Inter with the New
Whole Motta love from Leonardo
Premier League clubs, take note. It seems that the key to revitilizing your squad involves hiring a manager whose resume doesn't include a stint at a club that rhymes with Shiver Pull.
Such is it with Internazionale. The World Champions never got off the ground under Rafa Benitez. Even in this summer's exhibition game in Toronto — against Greek champions Panathinaikos — the Milanese side lacked imagination and flow. By the end of 2010, Inter sat seventh — 13 points behind their rivals AC Milan, who are threatening to take away one of the trophies their crosstown rivals won in their treble season.
So out goes Rafa and in comes Milano legend Leonardo. Questions were raised in the Italian north whether the Brazilian could revive the tired and injured-riddled rivals of his former club. Those questions were put to rest within three minutes during today's match against Napoli.
The game was riveting from the get-go, with the ball going end-to-end — the antithesis of stereotypes about Italian football. It was Thiago Motta who sparked the Inter revivial — finishing a Balkan sequence from Dejan Stankovic and Goran Pandev to put them up 1-0.
But Napoli are near the top of the table for a reason. A corner from Liverpool reject Andrea Dossena went straight into the box, and a brave Michele Pazienza stuck his head in, bringing the Neapolitans level.
Fast forward to the 33rd minute when Diego Milito flubbed a wide cross in front of the net, sending the ball sailing over the crossbar. But less than a minute later, Inter were back in the box and Esteban Cambiasso made no mistake. The unmarked Argentine raced in and took a remarkable cross from Maicon in the far corner and converted. 2-1 Inter Milan.
It should be worth noting how Maicon seemed to drive the team forward. The powerful Brazilian seems to have recovered from injury and awakened from his slumber in the first half of the season. The fullback was a constant threat on the right, finding the ball wide and providing service for Inter's attackers.
Motta celebrates his second goal...
But it was Motta who provided the book-ends for Leonardo's first win in charge. The former Barca man found the end of Pandev's corner kick in the 55th, sealing victory for the Nerazzurri.
Massimo Moratti says he considered hiring Leonardo in June, but eventually settled on Benitez. You can bet that English clubs like Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Ham have also spent the last six months regretting their choice of manager. All three clubs may yet pull an Inter before the month is through.
Filed under Serie A
Tagged as andrea dossena, aston villa, barcelona, cambiasso, diego milito, inter milan, leonardo, liverpool, michele pazienza, napoli, pandev, rafael benitez, stankovic, thiago motta, west ham
by At The Rails | January 4, 2011 · 2:46 am
Know Thine Enemy
Ronaldo shows us the dimensions of his bathroom mirror
My main interest has always been in the Premier League. But football is a global game, with so much movement for players between leagues that — as a soccer pundit — you have to know your stuff. So I found said stuff, pressing my nose to the computer screen, scanning for facts and figures, and forcing my brain to sharpen its knowledge of all the big leagues.
Fast forward to November. After Real Madrid's humiliating defeat in El Clasico, I became intrigued. Now I wanted to see how Real's season plays out. Of course, Los Merengues are the biggest football club in the world (and I'm saying this as a Liverpool fan). Their manager might be the best football mind in the game today (sorry, Manchester). But my reasons for watching them aren't entirely academic.
I despise Real Madrid and I want to watch them lose.
Jose Mourinho: Madrid's Dark Angel
I think Jose Mourinho is an evil genius, a Professor Moriarty. I remember his time in the Premier League as an instigator, an irritant in front of the microphone who could make an enemy out of Doug the Dog.
I think Cristiano Ronaldo is an enfant terrible, a child prodigy whose ascent into adulthood has done nothing to curb his toys-out-the-pram attitude. If anything, it has enhanced it. Every time I see a call go against him, I secretly revel in his misfortune. Well, actually, there's nothing secret about it: I swear at him through my TV screen.
I think Real Madrid are what's wrong with football. They are a club who started the inflationary economics of today's game with the assembly of the Galacticos teams ten years ago. I hate it when they trot out their nine European titles, even though the first five came when the competition was still finding its legs.
The truth is that Real are a very good squad right now. But they share a league — and a bitter rivalry — with what could be the best team that ever was. So yes, Ronaldo scored two more goals tonight, putting him ahead of likely Ballon D'or winner Lionel Messi. And yes, Real dominated their neighbours tonight — but not like they have other teams this season.
It might be that, despite their best efforts, Real Madrid will be pipped to the league and European titles by an incredible Barcelona side. Of course, there is still half the season to play, and I don't know how it will play out. But I'll be watching.
Filed under La Liga
Tagged as barcelona, cristiano ronaldo, getafe, jose mourinho, real madrid
by At The Rails | December 17, 2010 · 12:34 pm
CL draw: Spurs get San Siro return
When Tottenham was drawn against Young Boys of Bern in Champions League qualifying back in August, it was a dream draw for the North London's debutantes, the easiest opponent Spurs could have faced at the final hurdle before the group stages of the competition.
And although they nearly bolloxed things up by falling behind 3-0 in the opening 30 minutes of the first leg, Spurs recovered to sweep past the Swiss side and move on to the tournament proper, where their only slip-up in six matches was a 4-3 defeat to Inter at Milan's San Siro. A 3-1 triumph in the return leg at White Hart Lane put Tottenham on top of Group A to stay, meaning they'd avoid some of Europe's heaviest hitters in this morning's draw for the Round of 16.
This time, there was no dream draw, and Tottenham must go back to their house of first-half horrors to face Inter's crosstown rivals AC Milan in February. The best scenario this time, if it could be considered as such, was probably FC Copenhagen, the first Danish side to reach the last 16. But even as a group winner, Tottenham still faced the prospect of many problematic opponents. And in the Rossoneri, current Serie A leaders, Tottenham have drawn one of the toughest. Sure, Marseille, Lyon and Valencia wouldn't have been cakewalks, either, but this promises to be a stern, serious test.
Spurs, who will hope to be healthier in 10 weeks time, will be coming home for the second leg, of course. And our man 'Arry isn't afraid of the big, bad boys from Northern Italy, saying he's happy to keep measuring his squad against the best.
Of course, as North London squads go, Tottenham's draw looks far better than neighbourhood rivals Arsenal, who face the daunting task of a battle with Barcelona, the same team that knocked them out of the tournament last year, and beat the Gooners in the 2006 final. Good luck with that one, lads.
Rather than Spurs, it was West London's Chelsea who got the great Dane draw against Copenhagen, while Manchester United will meet Marseille. Inter got Bayern Munich in a rematch of last year's final. Will the embattled Rafa Benitez still be in charge by then?
Meanwhile, the scabby Europa League teams also learned their fate today, with Man. Citeh drawn against Greece's Aris Salonika, the team that knocked title holders Atletico Madrid out of the tournament. Obi Woy's Liverpool get Sparta Prague, and Tottenham's old adversary Young Boys, still alive in this competition, get Zenit St. Petersburg, who were UEFA Cup winners in 2008.
Finally, speaking of Swiss men and young boys, FIFA head of corruption president Sepp Blattter has apologized for his recent remarks urging homosexual fans to refrain from gay sex in Qatar. I give old Joseph a piece of my mind in my weekly Toro Magazine column today.
Filed under Champions League, Premier League, Serie A, World Cup
Tagged as ac milan, arsenal, barca, barcelona, bayern munich, champions league, chelsea, fifa, fifa world cup, gooners, harry redknapp, liverpool, man utd, manchester city, manchester united, qatar, qatar 2022, rafa benitez, rossoneri, san siro, sepp blatter, spurs, thfc, tottenham, tottenham hotspur, world cup, young boys, young boys bern
by At The Rails | November 30, 2010 · 12:00 am
Fear and Loathing in La Liga
They call it El Clasico. Barcelona vs. Real Madrid. A literal Clash of the Titans.
It was Version 20-10, Round One, The Nou Camp. Actually, for us, the actual locale was Scallywag's in midtown Toronto. But it was a memorable afternoon, in that Ian and I got to drink pints and watch a stunning rivalry, all the while texting and taunting Kev and Len — two other ATR contributors — because they had to work. But on the pitch, only one team showed classic form… and the other failed to live up to its superstar credentials.
The media build-up to the game was epic. Thirteen World champions were facing off, along with the two greatest players in the world at the moment: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi. Both acted according to type: Messi was a genius (although he failed to score) and Ronaldo once again threw all his toys out the pram.
Let's just get down to it. Final score: 5-0. After a build-up of rhetoric — mostly from the evil genius, Jose Mourinho — the game was nothing short of a blood bath and an embarrassment for Real Madrid. Barcelona tore their rivals apart and left them bent — and possibly broken. Real had gone into this game undefeated but now they sit second, humiliated by their rivals. Nothing but sour grapes for the arrogant side of the Spanish capital.
Everyone talks of how Messi is the best player in the world, but Xavi Hernandez is the best playmaker on the planet… and he proved it with a lucky, flukey goal that looked like he was giving a camp course. The midfielder took a pass off his back heel, flick it up his over his shoulder, and onto the toe of his boot. Some fortunate physics may have been involved but it was a massive, massive 1-nil.
Xavi: The "Real" Special One…
From then on, it was all Barcelona. And regardless of their club stripe, all Spaniards will take small consolation that Xavi — along with teammate David Villa — embarrassed the national goalkeeper, Iker Casillas.
But none of it was as embarrassing as Ray Hudson's colour commentary on Gol TV. Sounding like someone who forgot to take his Ritalin, the Geordie was over the top on every single play, making inappropriate and/or nonsensical references. Examples:
On Victor Valdes: "He looks like Mussolini looking over the balcony…" Nice… comparing the Barca keeper to the second-most infamous Fascist in history.
On David Silva: "He's on fire… He looks like a Peregrine Falcon." Um… I believe you are referring to the phoenix, which is born out of a fiery demise. Peregrine Falcons are known as fetchers for their master. Perhaps you can get one to find you the definition of mixed metaphors…
On Lionel Messi: "He's the world's best player… on account of his powerful little legs."
Scintillating analysis….
Back to La Liga. Like it or not, Mourinho has finally lost, a defeat that he is calling the worst of his career. More importanly, the landscape has changed on the Iberian Peninsula, with the Catalans walking as softly as their gaffer, but carrying a big stick. All the while, Madrid will look back at a performance where they began as Los Merengues… but ended as lemons.
Dr. Z's take on el Clasico
Well then, that settles that. In what was touted to be one of the most tightly contested clasicos in years between the two titans of Spanish (and likely European) football, there was only going to be one winner.
Only it wasn't supposed to end up like this. Madridistas around the world were so sure their team was finally up to the challenge of beating Barcelona. They had the players. They had the manager. They had the confidence of being unbeaten all year.
But, as the saying goes, that's why they play the games. The end result was a thrashing of historic proportions, handing Jose Mourinho the worst defeat of his managerial career. The new boys of Real were supposed to make the difference. Angel Di Maria, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil, and Ricardo Carvalho were playing scintillating football all season. The blistering Madrid counterattack was touted by pundits as the key to unlocking the slower Barcelona defence. But, the newbies seemed absolutely overawed by the occasion.
Instead it was Barcelona who were majestic. Over six hundred completed passes in the match. Six hundred!! That's how you play, baby. Forget Messi vs. Ronaldo. Ronaldo has a long way to go to play up to the standards of Xavi and Iniesta, let alone Leo Messi. This was team football at it's finest. The mesmerizing movement of the blaugrana showed the world that years of playing as a unit trumps any amount of bought talent. Sure Barcelona has some big name buys too (David Villa, Dani Alves, etc.), but it was the interplay between Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, and Messi that unlocked the toughest defence in La Liga.
It may only be one game and there's still a long way to go in the season. But it's clear for all to see that Real Madrid has a long way to go if it is to be considered Barcelona's equal. For those of us who had the privilege of witnessing the game, it was one we will not soon forget.
Tagged as at the rails, barca, barcelona, cristiano ronaldo, David Silva, el classico, iker casillas, jose mourinho, la liga, lionel messi, ray hudson, real madrid, sergio ramos, victor valdes, xavi, xavi hernandez