Its Real Madrid’s BBC against Barcelona’s MSN as FIFA releases 23 man shortlist.

 Arsenal, Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo, FIFA, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Manchester City, Premier league, Real Madrid  1 Response »
Oct 202015
 

bbc vs msnReal Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo who make up the clubs attacking trio known as “the BBC” together with Barcelona’s fearsome MSN which consist of Lionel Messi, Lius Suarez and Neymar Santos Jr would battle other players in world football for the FIFA Ballon D’Or. The 23 man shortlist which was announced by FIFA is dominated by Barcelona players and that of course is because of the team’s success last term. Exceptional players like Alexis Sanchez who has been a sensation since his move to arsenal also made the 23 man shortlist. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard also made the cut along side Manchester City stars; Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure.

Current holder Cristiano Ronaldo recently became Real Madrid’s all time highest goal scorer eclipsing club legend Raul Gonzalez. Lionel Messi led Barcelona to a treble last season and Alexis Sanchez was instrumental in winning a trophy each for his club Arsenal and Chile in the Copa America. the full 23 man shortlist is listed below;

Sergio Aguero (Argentina/Manchester City), Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/VfL Wolfsburg/Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Paris Saint-Germain), Andres Iniesta (Spain/FC Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern Munich), Javier Mascherano (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona), Paul Pogba (France/Juventus), Ivan Rakitic (Croatia/FC Barcelona), Arjen Robben (Netherlands/FC Bayern Munich), James Rodriguez (Colombia/Real Madrid), Alexis Sanchez (Chile/Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Uruguay/FC Barcelona), Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire/Manchester City), Arturo Vidal (Chile/Juventus/FC Bayern Munich).

 

Alessandro Florenzi steals the show on Messi’s night

 Barcelona, Champions league, Roma  No Responses »
Sep 172015
 

It was poised to be a memorable night for Messi as he clocked 100 games in the prestigious UEFA Champions League. Everybody expected him to mark the night with a goal or at the very least an assist but none of that happened. Instead it was Alessandro Florenzi who was in the spotlight with an incredible lob to rob Barcelona of their lead as he advanced down the right flank before lifting the ball over Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s head. The ball looked like it was going out till it hit the bar and went in. This was to be a night he would never forget as not even Lionel Messi could match this feat.

Barcelona had earlier taken the lead through a wonderfully timed header from Luis Suarez as he perfected his run onto a cross from team mate Ivan Rakitic. Barca dominated for most of the game and looked to build on their advantage and add more goals but young Florenzi had other plans. He carried the ball from the right back position, crossed the half line and unleashed an unexpected shot that Ter Stegen didn’t see coming. Although many were quick to blame the keeper but it wasn’t his fault as nobody expected the Italian international to shoot from that distance. That strike turned out to be one of the greatest goals the Champions League has ever seen.

Luis Enrique came back to the ground he called home back in 2011-2012 and was even given an ovation by the home fans but a victory was not the result on his return instead he lost one of his players to a serious injury in the second half. Messi had some moments in the game too but it wasn’t enough to seal all three points for Barcelona as what was supposed to be his night ended up being Florenzi’s night.