Italian futbol reaches new lows

Sports are known for great moments, superb players, and some of the worst decisions and strategies ever conceived. No matter the sport this is always true. Taking futbol (soccer) for example there are the greats like Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho. There are great moments like these



and



but then there are things like I have just learned of.

It seems that Italian futbol is taking on a new low. Literally. They are lowering their shorts, in one case to their knees, to be able to win. It’s just awful.

Why in the world would any team do this? Well it’s being done during free kicks to block the view of the goalie. And it has been effective, at least in the recent Catania win. Is it worth it though?

According to Pietro Lo Monaco

“This is a strategy that [Walter] Zenga tries continually in training.”

Like that makes it worth doing. The referee should never allow this. It should not become a trend. It is the utmost in unsportsmanlike play. It is insulting to players and fans.

If this is the only way that Italian teams can win, they need to lose. I can only hope that this does not catch on and be displayed in the next World Cup.

Futbol is a great game, and the world enjoys it. But tricks like these don’t even deserve to be done or seen. Zenga knows better as do his players.

Ronaldinho in 2008

With fall approaching and the start of the 2009 season getting closer by the day I thought it was a good time to take a look at Ronaldinho (Ronaldo de Assis Moreira) in 2008. There is no question that I think he is one of the greatest players, and is at the top of the sport currently. So I present a few video clips of him in action this year.



For those wondering what are his best goals, I also found this video. I like the number 1 kick from 2006. Falling backwards and in! That is talent.



And let us finish with a bit more from 2008



One thing is for sure, Ac Milan and Ronaldinho will make the 2009 season exciting.

Introducing the history of Brazil's Golden Age

So I was running thru the web on a few of my more favored subjects when I ran across an interesting article by Zachary Ball, whom I presume is a fan of the Brazilian national futbol (soccer) team. And he has every reason, as do millions across the world, to favor this team above all others in the international arena. Having read the article I have to say that Americans should read this to get a sense of the passion and history of the game that we just can’t play.

Now most Americans are probably more familiar with a few names that are globally renowned. If I mention David Beckham some might think of the L.A. Galaxy – not realizing he is a superstar due to England and Spain performances. Others may recall Ronaldo without connection to his years for Brazil. Very few can identify (some can’t even pronounce) Ronaldinho – one of my favorites in recent years. The boy can play.

But most Americans just don’t get this beautiful game. But if the game were more stylized like the following video, they might watch a minute or so



Sadly they miss the real beauty in the game and the rich history that exists. And it’s that rich history that Mr. Ball reflects on. The fact that Brazil is the best in international soccer and that they have been for far longer than most remember. For longer than most any other nation in the world.

Instead of discussing the current greats of the game, or even focusing on just the stars, Mr. Ball goes into the history of the team and their Golden Age. Starting with the birth of international futbol and leading up to “three greatest minutes in the history of futbol” and then on to legends including Pele, Hilderaldo Bellini, Valdir Pereira, Jair Ventura Filho, Carlos Alberto up to 1970. He provides the reason why this nation has won more World Cups than any other nation, and in fact several combined.

For those that follow futbol, it’s a wonderful summary of the greatest sport on earth. To those that are unfamiliar (that means Americans) it’s a wonderful introduction and an introduction to some of the greatest names known in the world.

Let me finish with this. Mr. Ball, you did well. [article found at http://bleacherreport.com/articles/21523-The-Golden-Age-of-Brazilian-Futbol-1958-1970-050508]

Major soccer star pulls a Spears/Lohan move - 9.24.2007.1.

There hasn’t been a lot of talk about soccer (futbol) in the United States since the initial appearance of Mr. David Beckham at the L.A. Galaxy early this summer. His lackluster performance was covered widely, bringing in huge numbers. But that was then, and little is to be found about how he is doing now.

Not that America’s interest in Soccer can be called meaningful. I mean, really, have you seen the ads for women’s soccer? The only reason the league even exists is because the men’s team can’t win. I mean the Ivory Coast outscored us in 2006 at the World Cup. Of course, all the women play better than me, and many others, but the U.S. leagues are still a joke.

But I didn’t intend to beat up on Women’s soccer. Nor soccer in general, though it needs a kick in the pants to get jump started. Beckham has yet to live up to expectations so far, and while there is more attention on the MLS, a lot is left to be desired.

Yet elsewhere in the world things aren’t going as well as would be expected either. One of the best players in the world seems to be traveling down a path Maradona and many others have gone. If this happens it would be a horrible shame.

I’m speaking of Ronaldinho. Watching him play, when he is on his game, is a site to be seen. The kid is good, top of the world good. And now it seems that’s all going to waste.

Reports from Spain are mentioning that Ronaldinho has taken a page from Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan. Recent, and repeated, sightings in nightclubs prior to matches seem to match his lackluster performances this year. The situation is extreme enough that the club president and manager have both made public statements about his need for help.

This is a huge fall from being named Footballer of the Year in 2005. What’s next? Shaving his head and falling over drunk on the sidelines? I pray not. Hopefully someone will help him, and not like the half-hearted rehab some celebrities engage in. But only time will tell. We shall see.

Because I want to see more ads like this

How to sell German adult toys - 5.14.2007.1

Here is just a quick little something to lighten the mood of things. Considering all the righteous outrage in recent weeks I just wanted to take a moment to look at some odd bits in the news of late.

One item that caught my attention deals with the world’s most popular sport. No it’s not baseball, basketball or football (at least not American style football). I’m talking about soccer (futbol). As famous and popular as our star athletes are, I’ve never heard of a defamation/trademark lawsuit quite like this. Obviously the name of a famous athlete as an endorsement can make a brand, and that is as true for an energy drink as it is for a sex toy it seems.

Beate Ushe, a German company, definitely thought that the names of 2 futbol players would make the difference in sales. They named 2 of their sex toy products after Mr. Michael Ballack and Mr. Oliver Kahn. They even timed the launch to start prior to the latest World Cup that was played in Germany.

[Sadly my team did not win, and you can see my various thoughts about that World Cup at Both my countries won the opening World Cup matches, USA vs. Czech Rep. - What happened there?, USA vs, Italy - we were robbed by the referee, Red cards, shades of color onscreens, and inscribed original products, Reflections on World Cup 2006, Who gets the Golden Ball and get your poker on]

This did not go over well with these soccer stars. They sued to have the products removed from stores and their name usage stopped, and won their case.

One thing that was not revealed in this whole case was what the sales were like. I just wonder if use of their names really made a difference. I can’t help it, but it’s an odd curiosity to me if the name on these vibrators made a difference in their sale. I equally wonder what would sell better, an item of this nature named after Mr. Michael Jordan, Mr. Tiger Woods, wrestler HHH, wrestler the Undertaker, or international futbol stars Mr. Michael Beckham, Pele, Maradonna, or Ronaldihno. There is a competition of U.S. and international sports you just won’t see.

Like I said, it was an odd bit of news.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Beckham arrives, Team USA wins! - 1.11.2007.2

Finally some significant news for American soccer fans. For decades there has been a desire and rumor of international players coming to play in the U.S. leagues. Other than Pele there has really been no significant player for the U.S. Now things have changed.

I’m sure the performance by the U.S. teams in several of the last World Cups has helped us to finally get some respect from the rest of the world. Some would say that it’s just about money, that we have never offered enough to draw a major player. I disagree. There is more than enough money for any sport we want. We have been able to attract players for every sport, even those from China (Mr. Yao Ming) a communist nation that has spotty relations with America. The question is not money it’s respect.

For decades, since Pele was kind enough to help draw attention to the fledgling soccer league here in his final years in the game, the thought of American leagues has been a joke world wide. I recall the disdain that was shown when the U.S. team finally made it to the World Cup in 1994, due to the fact that we hosted the games. I think the disrespect was most evident in the fact that when Columbian player Andres Escobar scored a home goal that cause a U.S. win and the elimination of the Columbian team, he was killed when he returned home. I think that his causing such an inferior team to win was the cause of his death. That same disrespect has been the reason why no major player has considered joining the U.S. leagues. It would be like Michael Jordan, at the height of his career, deciding to leave the Bulls and going to play for the South Korean basketball league [I’m not sure they have one, but you see the point].

But with our improved playing and actual qualifying for subsequent World Cups has started to change the world image. Currently I think we are just seen as bad, and not embarrassing, with some potential. Lots of talk of Ronaldo joining a team here was seen as his swan song. Equal to a model ending her career with a Playboy photo shoot. But now we have Mr. David Beckham.

Still in his solid playing days. He can elevate the whole of American soccer. He can draw fans and create new ones. Sadly he’ll draw new fans from the attempt of the media here trumping him as some type of model or for his good looks and former Spice Girl wife. Still this can lead to a real competitive league. It opens the door for international players to come to America without instantly ending their careers. Is there a chance of seeing Ronaldinho in America? Never. Not in the near future at the best. But there are many others that might consider it. And the benefit is an improved league and a real competitive national team.

Some may wonder why this is so important to me. I’m a fan of soccer, called Futbol in the rest of the world. I am a fanatic during the World Cup. Readers may recall my many posts during the entire World Cup of 2006. I love this game. Unlike the Super Bowl (which I think is fantastic) or the World Series, this is the only true international sport. It’s the only game where every country competes and many have a chance to win. To be in the World Cup is to have bragging rights. It’s a reflection of your nation and pride. It’s so important that a civil war stopped just to watch the national team play.

Considering that, and the desire by America to be the best at everything we do, I am of course desirous of a national team that can beat the world. To win this is to be the best for 4 years. It’s the real deal and I want to see America win. This is the first step in that process. The $250 million is a small price for America to get some respect, especially since I think we have the resources to excel.

So we have Mr. Beckham, maybe Ronaldo in the near future. Who’s next? And once they are here, watch out. I think the Golden Ball, Golden Shoe and the Cup itself are coming with our grasp. Go Team USA!

This is what I think, what do you think?