Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva (born 2 September 1989), commonly known as Alexandre Pato or simply Pato, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Italian Serie A club Milan and the Brazilian national team. His nickname, Pato, refers to his place of birth, Pato Branco, it is also a reference to his nickname "the duck", the literal translation of pato in Portuguese.
He started playing indoor football in his hometown at the age of three. Soon, his ability became known all around the south Brazilian state of Paraná for being a skillful and talented goal scorer and, after being praised by many of his managers, the teenager went to Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, to try out for Grêmio. He was turned away by Grêmio, the club whom he had supported since a boy – but local rivals Internacional convinced him to play for them. Despite the two clubs being bitter enemies, Pato’s parents convinced their youngster to switch his allegiance.
Pato said in an interview with the Brazilian television program, Esporte Espetacular that at age 11, he broke his arm and while examining the injuries, doctors found a tumour in the arm and feared the arm needed to be amputated. A successful operation removed the tumour.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Cesc Fabregas
Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas i Soler (born 4 May 1987) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder. He captains the Premier League side Arsenal and also plays for the Spanish national team.
Fàbregas started his career as a trainee with Barcelona but was signed by Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16. Following injuries to key midfielders in the 2004–05 season, he established himself as Arsenal's starting central midfielder and playmaker. He went on to break several of the club's records, earning a reputation as one of the best young players for his position.
In international football, the Spaniard's national career began when he represented the Under-17 side at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Finland. As a result of his club performances, he was called up to the senior squad in 2006. He has played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2008 and 2010 FIFA World Cup, helping Spain to become eventual winners in the two most recent tournaments.
Fàbregas started his career as a trainee with Barcelona but was signed by Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16. Following injuries to key midfielders in the 2004–05 season, he established himself as Arsenal's starting central midfielder and playmaker. He went on to break several of the club's records, earning a reputation as one of the best young players for his position.
In international football, the Spaniard's national career began when he represented the Under-17 side at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Finland. As a result of his club performances, he was called up to the senior squad in 2006. He has played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2008 and 2010 FIFA World Cup, helping Spain to become eventual winners in the two most recent tournaments.
The Black Pearl (Pele)
Pelé was born in Três Corações, Brazil, the son of a Fluminense footballer Dondinho (born João Ramos do Nascimento) and Dona Celeste Arantes. He was named after the American inventor Thomas Edison, however his parents decided to remove the 'i' and call him 'Edson', but there was a mistake on the birth certificate, leading many documents to show his name as 'Edison', not 'Edson', as he is actually called. He was originally nicknamed Dico by his family. He did not receive the nickname "Pelé" until his school days, when it is claimed he was given it because of his pronunciation of the name of his favorite player, local Vasco da Gama goalkeeper Bilé, which he misspoke but the more he complained the more it stuck. In his autobiography, Pelé stated he had no idea what the name means, nor did his old friends. Apart from the assertion that the name is derived from that of Bilé, and that it is Hebrew for miracle, the word has no known meaning in Portuguese.
Pelé grew up in poverty in Bauru, São Paulo. He earned extra money by working in tea shops as a servant. Taught to play by his coach, he could not afford a proper football and usually played with either a sock stuffed with newspaper, tied with a string or a grapefruit.
At the age of fifteen, he joined the Santos FC junior team. He played for one season before joining the senior team.
Pelé grew up in poverty in Bauru, São Paulo. He earned extra money by working in tea shops as a servant. Taught to play by his coach, he could not afford a proper football and usually played with either a sock stuffed with newspaper, tied with a string or a grapefruit.
At the age of fifteen, he joined the Santos FC junior team. He played for one season before joining the senior team.
Carles Puyol
Puyol started playing football for his hometown club, as a goalkeeper. However, after injury problems with his shoulder, he switched to striker. Puyol has said that in his youth, "My parents were skeptical about me becoming a footballer and encouraged me to study." In 1995, he joined FC Barcelona's youth system at La Masia, switching positions again, to play as a defensive midfielder. In 1997, Puyol stepped up to play for the club's B-team, occupying the position of right back.In 1999, then-coach Louis van Gaal promoted Puyol to the first team. He made his first division debut on 2 October 1999, at Real Valladolid, in a 2–0 win. After that, he successfully made another reconversion, now to central defender. During the 2003 off-season, as Barcelona was immersed in a financial crisis, Manchester United showed interest in acquiring Puyol's services, but no move ever materialized; two years later, the player extended his contract for a further five seasons. Puyol was named club captain at the end of the 2003–04 season, after the retirement of Luis Enrique.He continued to be a defensive cornerstone for Barça, being awarded the "Best European right back" award by UEFA in 2002 and "Best European centre back" in 2005, 2006 and 2008, as well as receiving the "UEFA Club Best Defender" trophy in 2006. Puyol helped the Catalans win an impressive two consecutive league titles in the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 seasons. In 2005-2006, Puyol helped Barça win its second Champions League title after 14 years.
Casillas
Casillas was born on May 20, 1981 in Móstoles, Madrid and he still lives there. Casillas has always been a Real Madrid player. He started in the junior squad during the 1990-91 season and debuted in the senior side in the 1998-99 season when he replaced Bodo Illgner.
Casillas became the youngest-ever goalkeeper to ever play in a Champions League final in 2000 when Real Madrid beat Valencia C.F 3-0. Casillas was just 19 years old.
Following the Champions League won, Casillas remained in the starting lineup but his poor form meant that César Sánchez would take on the goalkeeper position. However, Casillas over took the position again when Sanchez got injured during Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen during the 2002 Champions League Final. Since that incredible match, Casillas has been the number one goalkeeper for Real Madrid.
Casillas became the youngest-ever goalkeeper to ever play in a Champions League final in 2000 when Real Madrid beat Valencia C.F 3-0. Casillas was just 19 years old.
Following the Champions League won, Casillas remained in the starting lineup but his poor form meant that César Sánchez would take on the goalkeeper position. However, Casillas over took the position again when Sanchez got injured during Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen during the 2002 Champions League Final. Since that incredible match, Casillas has been the number one goalkeeper for Real Madrid.
John Terry
John George Terry (born 7 December 1980) is an English professional footballer. Terry plays in a centre back position and is the captain of Chelsea in the Premier League. Terry was also captain of the England national football team from August 2006 until February 2010.
Terry was voted best defender in the UEFA Champions League in both 2005 and 2008, the PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2005, and was included in the FIFPro World XI for four consecutive seasons, from 2005 to 2008. He was also named in the all-star squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the only English player to make the team. He wears the number 26 shirt for Chelsea.
In 2007, he became the first captain to lift the FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium in Chelsea's 1–0 win over Manchester United, and also the first player to score a full international goal there, scoring a header in England's 1–1 draw with Brazil. However, the 2007–08 season saw Terry and Chelsea miss out on three trophies, losing the League Cup Final to Tottenham Hotspur and Premier League and UEFA Champions League to Manchester United with Terry having slipped resulting in missing a penalty in the Champions League final shootout, sending it to sudden death. Had he scored, the European Cup would have been secured for Chelsea. After the final in Moscow, teammate Frank Lampard described Terry as "a man's man".
Terry was voted best defender in the UEFA Champions League in both 2005 and 2008, the PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2005, and was included in the FIFPro World XI for four consecutive seasons, from 2005 to 2008. He was also named in the all-star squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the only English player to make the team. He wears the number 26 shirt for Chelsea.
In 2007, he became the first captain to lift the FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium in Chelsea's 1–0 win over Manchester United, and also the first player to score a full international goal there, scoring a header in England's 1–1 draw with Brazil. However, the 2007–08 season saw Terry and Chelsea miss out on three trophies, losing the League Cup Final to Tottenham Hotspur and Premier League and UEFA Champions League to Manchester United with Terry having slipped resulting in missing a penalty in the Champions League final shootout, sending it to sudden death. Had he scored, the European Cup would have been secured for Chelsea. After the final in Moscow, teammate Frank Lampard described Terry as "a man's man".
Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole (born 20 December 1980) is an English professional footballer who plays for Chelsea and the England national team. He plays as a left-back and has been named one of the best in the world.[2]
Cole began his career with Arsenal in 1999, going on to make 228 appearances, scoring 9 goals for the club, and winning two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a runners-up medal from the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. In August 2006, after a protracted transfer saga, he completed the move to rival club Chelsea in exchange for £5m plus defender William Gallas. Cole is a regular in the Chelsea first-team winning a second Champions League runners-up medal in 2008, three more FA Cups and his third Premier League title in 2010. On 15 May 2010, he became the first player to win six FA Cup winner's medals.
Cole married singer Cheryl Tweedy in July 2006. They separated in February 2010 and divorced in September 2010.
Cole began his career with Arsenal in 1999, going on to make 228 appearances, scoring 9 goals for the club, and winning two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a runners-up medal from the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. In August 2006, after a protracted transfer saga, he completed the move to rival club Chelsea in exchange for £5m plus defender William Gallas. Cole is a regular in the Chelsea first-team winning a second Champions League runners-up medal in 2008, three more FA Cups and his third Premier League title in 2010. On 15 May 2010, he became the first player to win six FA Cup winner's medals.
Cole married singer Cheryl Tweedy in July 2006. They separated in February 2010 and divorced in September 2010.
About Gerrad
Steven Gerrard was born in Whiston, a suburb of Liverpool, England on May 30, 1980. While growing up he was a huge fan of the professional soccer club Liverpool, and dreamed of one day becoming captain of the team.
He started playing soccer at a young age for the Whiston Juniors. By the age of eight, he was noticed by Liverpool scouts and joined their youth program in 1987. At the age of 14, he was scouted by other various organizations such Manchester United. However, Steven Gerrard found his home to be at Liverpool, where he pressured the owners into signing him into a youth training scheme contract. In 1997 he signed his first professional contract with Liverpool, but did not get a chance to start in a game till the 1999-2000 seasons. Currently, Steve Gerrard is fulfilling his childhood dream and captains the club team Liverpool and England’s national team.
He started playing soccer at a young age for the Whiston Juniors. By the age of eight, he was noticed by Liverpool scouts and joined their youth program in 1987. At the age of 14, he was scouted by other various organizations such Manchester United. However, Steven Gerrard found his home to be at Liverpool, where he pressured the owners into signing him into a youth training scheme contract. In 1997 he signed his first professional contract with Liverpool, but did not get a chance to start in a game till the 1999-2000 seasons. Currently, Steve Gerrard is fulfilling his childhood dream and captains the club team Liverpool and England’s national team.
crouch's robotic dancing
In the summer of 2006, Crouch adopted a robotic dancing goal celebration. A parody of a dance he had been seen performing on a television program covering a party held at England team-mate David Beckham's house, he first performed it after his goal for England against Hungary on 30 May. He again performed the dance after both of his first two goals against Jamaica on 3 June. The Daily Mirror newspaper claimed that the dance was inspired by the lyrics to the Arctic Monkeys' hit single "I Bet You Look Good on the Dance floor".
On 12 June, Crouch announced he would only perform his robotic dance again if England were to win the World Cup, saying "It's not about robotic dancing. It is about scoring goals and winning matches. It's an important time for everyone now".[57] In September 2006, he was quoted in The Observer newspaper as saying that: "It was funny at the time, but I didn't want to carry on doing it until it became unfunny. I've stopped doing it for the time being, but if I ever score a really big goal you never know."
On 6 August 2007, Crouch insisted that he would never use the Robot dance again unless he scored in the UEFA Champions League Final. On 1 April 2009, however, Crouch partially reprised the celebration after scoring during England's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine after a Comic Relief sketch.
On 12 June, Crouch announced he would only perform his robotic dance again if England were to win the World Cup, saying "It's not about robotic dancing. It is about scoring goals and winning matches. It's an important time for everyone now".[57] In September 2006, he was quoted in The Observer newspaper as saying that: "It was funny at the time, but I didn't want to carry on doing it until it became unfunny. I've stopped doing it for the time being, but if I ever score a really big goal you never know."
On 6 August 2007, Crouch insisted that he would never use the Robot dance again unless he scored in the UEFA Champions League Final. On 1 April 2009, however, Crouch partially reprised the celebration after scoring during England's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine after a Comic Relief sketch.
History of David Villa
David Villa has been recently selected from World Cup fans as the best offensive duo together with team mate Fernando Torres, a title the player definitely deserves. According to his stats, David Villa is the number one goal scorer in the world, with almost 180 goals scored with Spain and Valencia in the period from 2005 to 2010. When Spain won the European championship two years ago Villa was the number one scorer of the tournament, and despite playing in only four games due to an injury he managed to win the Golden Boot. David Villa scores on average 0.654 goals per game with Spain, a truly impressive number (Torres for example has an average of 0.319 – less than half).
David Villa got seriously injured in the right leg when he was four years old, and because he had to use his left side to accomplish every day tasks, he became completely ambidextrous – something that has significantly helped Villa throughout his entire football career. His father would throw the ball and pushing him to kick it with the left leg over and over again.
David Villa is already the second top scorer of all time for Spain, behind the one and only Raul that Villa basically replaced in the national team (he is even wearing the same jersey number 7). And since Raul has long retired from international football, the sky is the limit for David Villa that is just 28 years old and at the peak of his football career.
David Villa got seriously injured in the right leg when he was four years old, and because he had to use his left side to accomplish every day tasks, he became completely ambidextrous – something that has significantly helped Villa throughout his entire football career. His father would throw the ball and pushing him to kick it with the left leg over and over again.
David Villa is already the second top scorer of all time for Spain, behind the one and only Raul that Villa basically replaced in the national team (he is even wearing the same jersey number 7). And since Raul has long retired from international football, the sky is the limit for David Villa that is just 28 years old and at the peak of his football career.
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