Golden Boot

     Today, September 30, remarks as a day of grandeur and cherish for the life of Leo Messi and of all his supporters. The Golden Boot, an award given to the top goal scorer of Europe, was awarded to the young Argentinian for scoring 34 goals last season which helped Barcelona retain its Spanish League Title. Luis Suarez scored 35 goals last season, yet was annulled the prize because the Holland League is simply easier than the top leagues: England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France. "Lionel Messi is a humble character," exclaimed Carles Puyol, Barça's captain.

The Golden Glove

     In this years Fifa World Cup, the Golden Glove award was rewarded to none other than Madrid's own Iker Casillas; an award given to the best goalie of the tournament and, in turn, the world! Currently resting comfortably as the captain for both the Spanish International team and Real Madrid, Casillas boasts an heir of assurance and respect among the football community.
     Nonetheless, it wasn't all fame, glory, and a gorgeous wife for Iker. He had a few opportunistic chances to prove himself in the highest leagues of soccer. In 2002 Korea-Japan, when the star goalie Canizarez was injured weeks before the international spectale, young Casillas had to step up, and with the grace of a leaping monkey allowed Spain's far-fetched trajectory in the tournament.
     Casillas can be easily categorized between the top three goal keepers of the world; while many other keepers follow close behind like Barcelona's Valdes. Personally, Casillas has been far greater than Valdes will ever be, yet who knows, Casillas is turning 29 and his golden years have past. Who will prove to be as worthy as this king?

Champions!

The strongest rivalry out there exists between Barcelona and Madrid fans; however, they all come together during the matches of the Spain National Team. Their differences must be put aside, and they must become friends just for a little while. Currently on the squad of the Spanish team there are 5 Real Madrid players and 8 Barça players. Who is the better team then? It doesn't matter because we must all be friends (for a little while)! Anyways, since the World Cup title rests calmly on Spain's shoulders, most players on Madrid and Barça are truly great friends, yet the fans don't necessarily have to be!

The Lost Captain!

All time scorer in La Liga! That title isn't simply just handed to you for being a good citizen! Raul Gonzalez Blanco is so widely known that they call him by his first name, Raul! Most player are named by their last name..if you didn't know that already. Having been playing in Real Madrid for 16 years, Raul is an idol for many young soccer players not only in Madrid but all over the world. Humble, endearing, fighter..Raúl became the one of the only players never to win a red card in all his years playing soccer! What more can I say? All time leading scorer in Champions League along with having scored the most goals for Spain; however, the greatest man in Real Madrid history has just signed a contract with Schalke 04 and plays in a German club to many people's dismay...He is a legend..An inspiration to those of us perusing greatness.

Click HERE to view his greatest goals!

El Clásico

     The streets are deserted, yet the couches aren't. In Spain, the day Real Madrid and Barcelona face each other is a day of national importance, ceasing almost every activity in the nation. Bets are aimed high at this competitive match, regularly falling twice a year. Tickets have been sold out almost for 8 months prior. Anyone that is anyone will kill for a spot in that stadium. As the eleven starters step out onto the fields the hooligans become a choir of hooting supporters. No action will be missed; the stage is set; who will take the win?
     Every Clásico begins this exact same way! Throughout the course of history, there have been only 160 rivalry games, of which Real Madrid has won 68, Barça has won 62, and there have been 30 ties. The teams train yearly basically for this competition. And since the league is normally harshly disputed between these two all-star teams, the winner of these matches regularly take the season cup back home.
     A 2007 survey by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas determined that Real Madrid was the team with the largest fan zone in Spain. 32 % of the Spanish population supported Real Madrid, while 25% supported Barça; however, Barcelona in turn is more popular in Europe than Madrid. According to a survey made by the German research agency Sport Markt in 2010, Barcelona has approximately 57.8 million fans around Europe, while Real Madrid has 31.3 million fans. Globally, Real Madrid is the most popular football club in the world according to a study performed by Harvard University in 2007, with over 228 million supporters worldwide.
     This year, El Clásico lies November 28, 2010, @ Barcelona and April 17, 2011, @ Madrid.

"King of the Hill"

      Chocolate or vanilla? Blue or Green? Maradona or Pelé? All these questions can be answered in one word, this next question cannot: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Two of the top footballers in the entire world are constantly being compared exclusively almost every weekend. Being the top dogs, the "creamé de la creamé", the King of the Hill both Messi and Ronaldo take lead positions on rivalry teams Barcelona and Real Madrid. Their performance influences almost directly with the overall performance of the team and the outcome of the game after the 90 minutes are over.

      Sexy, cunning, arousing, flirtatious. Cristiano Ronaldo (referred to as CR7) is a "stud and a half" which causes teenage girls to faint at the end of a match when he takes off his shirt. He's a sex icon, but underneath it all there lies the greatest talent of Real Madrid. At 25 years of age, CR7's quick pacing cuts and changes of direction demonstrate the most picturesque soccer ability; scissor moves, cut backs, chest passes, Ronaldo is an expert when it comes to giving the camera a beautiful portrait. However, his style of play proves very effective. Searing past any defender and lofting beautiful swerving crosses, the opportunities to goal are endless when he is at his paramount. In 2008, he achieved winning the Champions League and was named the FIFA World Player of the Year. At times CR7 seems selfish in his style of attempting to tackle every player by himself, or even making the simplest pass the most complicated way. Nevertheless, Alex Ferguson, his ex-coach, describes him as, "the best player in the world. He is better than Kaka and better than Messi. He is streets ahead of them all. His contribution as a goal threat is unbelievable. His stats are incredible. Strikes at goal, attempts on goal, raids into the penalty box, headers. It is all there. Absolutely astounding." Did I mention Madrid paid €80 million for his transfer?

     Short, long haired, slumped over. Messi was not made for the photo camera. Towering at 5 feet 7 inches, Lionel Messi began with humble beginnings in Rosario, Argentina. After receiving devastating news that the young footballer had a growth problem, Messi was forced to look for every means possible to pay for the medication. In the mean time, a scout from Barça was in Argentina and spotted the young Lionel. He promised a life of opportunity and glory for the young player and promised the Spanish club would pay for his medication. What a wise decision! After a couple of years, Lionel Messi debuted on the the Primer Team at 17 years of age. Ever since then, he has gone on to win almost everything: an Olympic Gold medal,  FIFA Player of the Year in 2009, two Champions League, three Ligas, and a Supercopa. His slithering manner of passing defenders in impeccable, as he races down the field he is unstoppable. And his clutch is always on in the most needed moments. Humble, and hardworking Messi is an idol for many young soccer players. The only critique anyone can ever say about him is his lack for proving himself internationally with the Argentinean soccer team. In 2006, he was benched in the last few games, and in 2010, he didn't even score a single goal. However, Maradona himself says "Messi is my Maradona!"

Check out these great videos:
Messi's Top 10 Goals
Ronaldo's Top 10 Goals

Visça Barça

For starters, Visça Barça, means all hail Barcelona in Catalán! fun fact i guess. Well recognizably Barcelona is known as the best, most fancy, beautifully skilled team in the world. They have nothing left to prove because they have proved worthy enough! However, every game is abundant with an elegant style of soccer and a bitter opposing team after the 90 minutes. In fact, out of their 11 starters, 8 of them play on the Spain international team! Basically, they play well, they're always playing, and the crowd grows fond of them! It is inevitable to speak about Barcelona and not mention Lionel Messi, or simply Messi, the best footballer in the world! This Argentinian play maker and striker never ceases to push boundaries and perform the unthinkable! Though short in size, he is big in passion and Barcelona owes their success to this young superstar...I'm speechless!

Madrid, in a Jist!

Real Madrid is at it again! They may not have won any tournaments last year, but they have enough money to stir up an audience! Spending multiple millions, Madrid is now reinforced with some of the biggest names in futbol. The new season began with the sacking of Pelegrini (an ex-coach) and the introduction to arguably the most talented head coach in the world. JOSE MOURIHNO! The highest paid member of the team. With the addition of a millionare squad, Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez, bought six new players: Carvalho (the elder), Canales (the youngster), Khedira (mad ugly), Ozil (German legend), Pedro León (who is he?), and Di María (such class). This new year opens with high expectations for the Madridista fans, but the true question is: will they be able to please the critics?