Lionel >Leo< Andres Messi & Zlatan Ibrahimović FAN CLUB https://blog.dnevnik.hr/messi10ibra9

ponedjeljak, 26.04.2010.

Zlatan Ibrahimović

Zlatan Ibrahimović (born 3 October 1981) is a Swedish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Barcelona and the Swedish national team. He is of Bosnian[2] and Croatian[2] parentage.

Ibrahimović started his career at Malmö FF in the late 90's under Roland Andersson. He was signed by Ajax, and made a name for himself under Ronald Koeman. Years later, he signed with Juventus for €16 million. Ibrahimović gained fame and popularity in the Italian top flight while having a striking partnership with Alessandro Del Piero. After playing for the bianconeri, he made his move to league giants Internazionale in 2006. His record breaking performances led him to awards such as the Oscar del Calcio, the Guldbollen, and being named in the 2007 UEFA Team of the Year. In the summer of 2009, Ibracadabra transferred to Barcelona, while continuing to break records and receive awards.

As of February 2009, Ibrahimović, along with Kaká, were the highest salaried football players in the world with an annual pay of €9 million.[3] Ibrahimović won the Capocannoniere on 31 May 2009 with 25 domestic goals during the season. He has been named as one of the best players of his generation by being nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or due to his playing style, technique, and goal scoring abilities.[4] Ibrahimović currently holds the record for the second highest transfer fee in football history, with a total of €69 million for his transfer from Internazionale to Barcelona.

Twice footballing Manager of the Year, José Mourinho, said in an interview to The Sun on 5 March 2009, “I think there are four outstanding players in the world - Ibrahimović, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kaká. At the moment, I think I have the best in the four - the best player in the world [Zlatan Ibrahimović].”[5]


Early life
Ibrahimović was born in Malmö to a Bosnian father, Šefik Ibrahimović, and a Croatian mother, Jurka Gravić,[2] who emigrated to Sweden, where they first met. Ibrahimović grew up in Rosengĺrd, a Malmö neighbourhood known for its immigrant communities, along with his three sisters and two brothers. After receiving a pair of football boots, Ibrahimović began playing football at the age of six, alternating between local junior clubs Malmö BI and FBK Balkan.[6][7] He has stated in an interview that while his team was down 4-0 during halftime, he came on as a substitute for his Balkan youth team and dramatically scored eight goals. While in his early teens, he was a regular for his hometown club Malmö FF.[7] At the age of 15, Ibrahimović was close to quitting his football career, in favour of working at the docks in Malmö, but his manager convinced him to continue playing.[8] Ibrahimović successfully completed junior high school in the ninth grade, and though he was admitted to Borgarskolan, he soon dropped out of high school to focus on his football career.


Club career
Malmö FF

Ibrahimović signed his first contract with his hometown club Malmö FF in 1996, and moved up to the senior side for the 1999 season of Allsvenskan, Sweden's top-flight league. That season, Malmö finished 13th in the league and were relegated to the second division, but returned to the top flight the next season. Arsčne Wenger unsuccessfully tried to persuade Ibrahimović to join, while Leo Beenhakker also expressed interest in the player after watching him in a training match against Norwegian side Moss.[9] On 22 March 2001, a deal between Ajax and Malmö regarding Ibrahimović's transfer to Amsterdam was announced, and in July, Ibrahimović officially joined Ajax for €7.8 million.[10]
Ajax

Ibrahimović received little playing time under manager Co Adriaanse, but when Adriaanse was sacked on 29 November 2001, new coach Ronald Koeman inserted Ibrahimović into the starting lineup as Ajax won the 2001–02 Eredivisie title. The next season, Ibrahimović scored twice in a 2–1 victory over perennial French champions Lyon in his Champions League debut on 17 September 2002. He scored four Champions League goals overall as Ajax fell to Milan in the quarter-finals. In his final season with Ajax, Ibrahimović's profile rose when he scored a breathtaking goal against NAC on 22 August 2004, a goal that was eventually voted the "Goal of the Year" by Eurosport viewers.[11] He netted only once in the 2003–04 Champions League (against Celta Vigo on 22 October) as Ajax were eliminated in the group stage.

On 18 August 2004, Ibrahimović injured fellow Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart during an international match against the Netherlands, which led to accusations from van der Vaart that Ibrahimović had hurt him intentionally. This led to Ibrahimović's sudden sale to Juventus on 31 August.[12]
Juventus

Ibrahimović moved from Ajax to Juventus for €16 million.[13] He was promptly inserted into the starting eleven due in part to top scorer David Trezeguet's injury problems, and scored sixteen goals. Near the end of the season, Juventus reportedly rejected a €70 million bid for him from Real Madrid, which was later revealed to be a publicity stunt initiated by Ibrahimović's agent, Mino Raiola, in order to increase his market value.[11] On 14 November 2005, he was awarded the Guldbollen, a prize awarded to the best Swedish footballer of the year.[14]

The following season was poor compared to his first season; his role in Juventus' attack changed, as he became less of a goalscorer and moved more to the sidelines, taking much part in the build-up play, especially as a target player, and his assist numbers increased. In the 2005–06 season, Juventus fans often got frustrated with him due to his anonymous presence in certain important games such as the Champions League defeat to Arsenal. Juventus were stripped of their last two Scudetti as part of the verdict from the Calciopoli scandal, and were relegated to Serie B. The new staff tried to persuade Ibrahimović and other top players to stay with Juventus, but the player and his agent were adamant to move on, with Raiola threatening legal action in order to extricate Ibrahimović from his contract.[15]
Internazionale
Ibrahimović in a training match for Internazionale.
Ibrahimović and Mario Balotelli against Palermo in 2009.

Ibrahimović signed a four-year contract with Internazionale on 10 August 2006,[16] a few days after Patrick Vieira completed his transfer. Inter paid Juventus for €24.8 million.[17] He revealed that he supported Internazionale when he was young,[18] He started his spell at the club by scoring one goal and assisting another in a league match against Fiorentina and ended his first season as Inter's top goalscorer with 15 goals.

Ibrahimović played his 100th Serie A match on 16 September 2007. His contract was renewed in 2007, it was due to expire in June 2013.[19] He was estimated as the top of footballer wages.[20] He scored two Champions League goals in the group stage against PSV on 2 October, which marked his first European goals since December 2005 and his first goals overall in an Inter jersey, and finished with five goals in seven Champions League matches. Against Parma in the final league matchday on 18 May 2008, he returned from a chronic knee injury and scored both goals as Inter won 2–0, clinching their third straight Scudetto.

On 16 November 2008, Ibrahimović said that he would not return to the Allsvenskan as an active player, but he would stay the rest of his active career as a player abroad.[citation needed]

Ibrahimović's 2008–09 season started brilliantly, hitting the back of the net in Inter's first league match. His goal against Bologna was voted "Goal of the Year". He scored it with his heel without moving and accurately into the net from a cross by Adriano.[21] Ibrahimović's form in the season had been eye-catching, with clever movement on and off the ball, and his passing had been outstanding, such as his acrobatic pass against Lazio. He ended a month long goal drought against Genoa, handing them their first home loss of the season, making Inter the only team not to lose at home in the league. In the final league game of the season, Ibrahimović scored twice against Atalanta, securing the Capocannoniere for himself by finishing one goal ahead of Marco Di Vaio and Diego Milito with 25 goals in the domestic season.
Barcelona

"It's the club that can make me a better football player than I am today. I want to be part of this project and history that Barcelona is making now."
Zlatan Ibrahimović upon arriving in Barcelona.[22]

After Maxwell completed his transfer to Barcelona, president Joan Laporta confirmed that there was an agreement in principle between Barcelona and Internazionale for Ibrahimović to join the club in exchange for Samuel Eto'o, plus a fee.[23] Laporta revealed that the negotiations started when he decided to divert a flight, which was originally from Ukraine to Spain, in order to have talks with Massimo Moratti, the president of Internazionale, in Milan.[24] Ibrahimović left Internazionale from the United States on tour in the World Football Challenge on 23 July 2009 for negotiations with Barcelona, with his last match for Internazionale being against Chelsea.[25] After Internazionale agreed terms with Eto'o[26] and Barcelona with Ibrahimović,[27] Barcelona announced Ibrahimović would arrive on 26 July 2009 and undergo a medical test on 27 July 2009.[28] Ibrahimović passed his medical and was presented to a crowd of over 60,000 at Camp Nou.[29] He signed a 5-year contract,[30] for €46 million ($65 million)[30] and the exchange of Eto'o (valued at €20 million) and loan of Aliaksandr Hleb (with an option to buy for a €10 million fee),[30] with a €250 million release clause,[30] making Ibrahimović worth €66 million ($94 million). Afterwards, Hleb refused the transfer and later loaned out to Stuttgart; therefore, Barcelona added a reported €3 million fee to compensate,[31] making Ibrahimović worth a final total of €69 million ($99 million). He signed for an annual salary of €14.5 million including bonuses.[32] Barcelona announced Ibrahimović successfully underwent surgery on his fractured left hand's second metacarpal on 28 July 2009.[33] He returned to full training on 12 August 2009 for Barcelona.[34] Barcelona also paid FBK Balkan, Ibrahimović's youth club, €144,000 and Malmö FF, Ibrahimović's first senior club, €2 million under the FIFA solidarity system.[35]
2009–10 season
Ibrahimović playing for Barcelona against Sporting Gijón.

Ibrahimović started the 2009–10 season with his competitive debut for Barcelona on 23 August 2009 by tallying an assist for teammate Lionel Messi, leading them to win the 2009 Spanish Super Cup. In his second competitive match, Ibrahimović helped his team win the 2009 UEFA Super Cup.[36] In his third competitive match for the Catalan outfit, Ibrahimović scored his first goal in his debut match in La Liga against Sporting Gijón with a diving header from a deflected cross, giving Barcelona a 3–0 win to the start of the season. In his second league match, he scored his second goal against Getafe, and assisted Messi in a 2–0 win, bringing his team to the top of the table.[37] He continued his great start to the season by opening the scoring for Barcelona, in the second minute, versus Atlético Madrid in his third league match, leading to a 5–2 win for the Blaugrana. Ibrahimović starred again in the next league match, the fourth of the season, at Racing Santander by scoring a goal and giving a back-heel assist in a 4–1 win for Barcelona, making it four goals and two assists in four league matches for the Swede. Ibrahimović is the only Barcelona player in history to have scored in each of his first four league games.[38]
Ibrahimović and Maxwell have played together at Ajax, Internazionale, and now Barcelona.

Barcelona stated on their website that Ibrahimović suffered a "grade 1–2" injury on his right ankle in the second half of the Santander match, and was doubtful for the fifth league match against Málaga.[39] After days of rest, he recovered from an ankle sprain, featured in the fifth league match after coming on for the injured Thierry Henry in the 29th minute, and scored his fifth goal of the season in the 39th minute with a half-volley. Days later, he provided an assist for Pedro in a Champions League group stage match against Dynamo Kiev. He then scored his first Champions League goal of the season in the next group stage match against Rubin Kazan. Five days later, Ibrahimović scored two goals and gave an assist in a 6–1 league match win against Real Zaragoza, bringing Barcelona top of the league table and bringing himself top of the 2009–10 Pichichi Trophy table with seven goals and three assists in seven league matches.[40]

On 7 November, Ibrahimović provided a back-heel assist for Pedro and was brought down by Josemi for a penalty in a 4–2 league match win against Mallorca at Camp Nou. Ibrahimović suffered a thigh injury which kept him out for three weeks. He returned to action in week 12 of the season against Real Madrid after coming on for Thierry Henry in the 51st minute. Five minutes later, he scored a volley from 10 yards out in his first El Clásico match, winning it 1–0, and bringing his tally to 8 goals in 10 league matches in front of a home crowd of 97,138.[41] He scored again in the next game in a 2–0 win at Xerez three days later by chipping the ball over the goalkeeper to bring Barcelona 5 points clear at the top of the table. With 9 goals in 11 league matches, Ibrahimović became the most efficient player in the La Liga season, needing an average of just 91 minutes per goal, and David Villa being second with an average of 96 minutes per goal.[42] Ibrahimović scored again in the next league match just four days later at Deportivo La Coruńa in a 3–1 win, bringing him to 10 goals in 12 league appearances and sending himself top of the Pichichi Trophy table once again while keeping his club undefeated in all 14 league matches. Ibrahimović scored a penalty in the next league match on 12 December against Espanyol in El derbi Barcelonés, which was Barcelona's last league match of 2009. Therefore, Barcelona finished the year undefeated in first place with 39 points in 15 league matches, while Ibrahimović had 11 goals and 4 assists in 13 of the league matches. Four days later, he played in the 2009 Club World Cup and gave an assist to Lionel Messi against Atlante. Ibrahimović's Barcelona won the Club World Cup against Estudiantes on 19 December, completing Barcelona's sextuple.

In the first match of 2010, Ibrahimović played a full 90 minutes of the league match against Villareal on 2 January 2010. In the match, he received his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning he would be automatically suspended from the next league match at Tenerife, which Barcelona went on to win 5–0. In Ibrahimović's first Copa del Rey match, he came on as a substitute in the second half to score Barcelona's only goal in the first leg match of the round of 16 at home to Sevilla on 5 January 2010. He played again in the next league match at home to Sevilla in a 4–0 win, which kept Barça in first place, 5 points ahead of league rivals Real Madrid. On 20 January, he was selected in the 2009 UEFA Team of the Year. Ibrahimović played a full match in Barcelona's next league match in a 3–0 win at Valladolid, as the Swedish striker assisted Messi once again to bring the winger to first place in the Pichichi standings. With Valdés first place in the Zamora standings by allowing only 10 goals in 19 league matches, Messi first place in the Pichichi standings by scoring 15 goals in 16 league matches and Barcelona first place in the league standings with 49 points in 19 league matches, this became the first Barcelona side to go undefeated at the halfway point of the season, as they scored an incredible 12 goals in 3 consecutive league matches as well.

Ibrahimović's first goal of 2010 came on 14 February against Atletico Madrid. In his next appearance, Ibrahimović scored against Stuttgart in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout stage fixture. Days later, the striker assisted Pedro in a league match, keeping Barcelona in first place. Ibrahimović received his first red card for Barcelona on 6 March in a league match against Almeria. Barcelona later appealed the red card decision to the Appeals Committee as replays suggested that there was minimal contact by Ibrahimović on Cisma.[43] The appeal was later rejected; therefore, he missed the next league match against Valencia due to suspension, which Barça went on to win 3–0. However, he came on as a subtitute in Barcelona's next match in the second leg of their Champions League match and assisted Bojan by slotting in a nutmeg pass through the legs of Niedermeier to finish up a 4–0 win, bringing his team to the quarter-finals. Four days later, Ibrahimović finished off a 4–2 win with a penalty at La Romareda against Zaragoza. He scored again days later against Osasuna, giving him 14 goals in 23 league matches. He then scored in the next league match against Mallorca, bringing him to 3 goals in 3 consecutive league matches. Four days later, Ibrahimović scored two goals at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions league quarterfinal. He injured his right calf during warm ups before the next league match against Athletic Bilbao, ruling him out of the second leg of the Champions League, a 4–1 win, the El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu as well, which was a 2–0 win, and the next league match against Deportivo La Coruńa. He made his return from injury by coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute in El derbi Barcelonés against Espanyol.

Ibrahimović made his full-game return from injury for Barcelona a week later against Xerez in a league match by assisting Thierry Henry in the 24th minute and scoring a goal himself in the 56th, bringing him to 16 goals and 7 assists in 26 league matches.

International career
Ibrahimović playing for Sweden.

Even though he was eligible to play for Bosnia and Croatia, Ibrahimović chose to play for Sweden, his country of birth.[44]

Ibrahimović made his debut for Sweden in a goalless friendly match against the Faroe Islands on 31 January 2001.[citation needed] His first competitive match was a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on 7 October. Ibrahimović was part of Sweden's 2002 World Cup finals squad who were eliminated in the round of 16 by newcomers Senegal.[45]
Ibrahimović in the starting lineup.

Ibrahimović was a fixture in the starting lineup for Euro 2004, scoring a penalty against Bulgaria and rounding off a fine performance against the solid defense of Italy by scoring a late equaliser. However, he missed a penalty as Sweden were sent home following a shootout loss to the Netherlands. He went scoreless during the 2006 World Cup finals as Sweden were again snuffed out in the round of 16, this time by Germany.[46]

He was called up for a Euro 2008 qualifier against Liechtenstein on 6 September 2006, but two days before the match, he violated team curfew by leaving the hotel with teammates Christian Wilhelmsson and Olof Mellberg and visiting a nightclub. Though none of the players consumed any alcohol, they were nonetheless all sent home by Lars Lagerbäck as punishment and did not take part in the match. Mellberg and Wilhelmsson did not appeal the coach's decision, but Ibrahimović felt that it was unjust and therefore refused to take part in Sweden's next qualifiers against Iceland and Spain. He also skipped a friendly against Egypt on 7 February 2007, but ended his self-imposed boycott a month later,[47] and returned for Sweden's loss to Northern Ireland on 28 March. He did not score in any of the 12 qualifying matches; his one goal was disallowed for offside in a 3–0 loss to Spain on 17 November. On 12 November 2007, Ibrahimović was awarded the 2007 Swedish Golden Ball as the "Country's Top Player of the Year."[citation needed]

Ibrahimović ended his international goal drought, which had lasted for over two years, against Greece in Sweden's Euro 2008 opener on 10 June 2008, and the next match against Spain four days later.[48][49] He finished the tournament with two goals as Sweden were eliminated in the group stage by Russia.[50]

Ibrahimović scored a goal in a 4–0 win against Malta on 10 June 2009 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier.[51] On 5 September 2009, he scored a last second goal in Stadium Puskás Ferenc against Hungary in a 2–1 win for Sweden in their qualification match.[52]

Personal life
Ibrahimović has 2 siblings and 3 half-siblings. He is married to Helena Seger and has 2 children, Maximilian (born 22 September 2006), and Vincent (born 6 March 2008). They have a pet pug named Trustor. He currently resides in Barcelona, although he visits his summer home in Malmö annually. He has never officially disclosed his religion, although having a tattoo stating "Only God Can Judge Me" suggests that he may believe in deity. Ibrahimović received a black belt in taekwondo at the age of 17, where he attended classes at the Malmö Taekwondo club Enighet, which has helped his flexibility in the ability to take acrobatic shots and passes. In May 2003, the name Zlatan was trademarked by PRV for "most likely being perceived as Zlatan Ibrahimović". This meant that he received exclusive rights to the name Zlatan for certain products, including sporting goods, clothing, and shoes. He has stated that he enjoys watching new movies and traveling with his family.[53] Ibrahimović is sponsored by Nike and features in their television advertisements. He wears the Mercurial boot line and has the name and date of birth of his sons embedded onto the external sides of his cleats. In the autumn of 2007, Ibrahimović, with the help of Nike, self-funded a new football court in the streets of his hometown of Rosengĺrd where he grew up playing football. He added a playing mat, goals, electric lights and modernized fencing.[54] In 2008, he donated new Nike kits to his youth club, FBK Balkan.[35] Ibrahimović is fluent in Swedish, Bosnian, English, Italian and Spanish.

26.04.2010. u 13:35 • 1 KomentaraPrint#^

Lionel >Leo< Andres Messi

Lionel Andrés Messi (born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for La Liga team Barcelona and the Argentine national team. Considered as one of the best football players of his generation and frequently cited as the world's best contemporary player, Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21 and won both by the age of 22. His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to football legend Diego Maradona, who himself declared Messi his "successor".
Messi began playing football at a young age and his potential was quickly identified by Barcelona. He left Rosario-based Newell's Old Boys's youth team in 2000 and moved with his family to Europe, as Barcelona offered treatment for his growth hormone deficiency. Making his debut in the 2004–05 season, he broke the La Liga record for the youngest footballer to play a league game, and also the youngest to score a league goal. Major honours soon followed as Barcelona won La Liga in Messi's debut season, and won a double of the league and UEFA Champions League in 2006. His breakthrough season was in 2006–07: he became a first team regular, scoring a hat-trick in El Clásico and finishing with 14 goals in 26 league games. Perhaps his most successful season was the 2008–09 season, in which Messi scored 38 goals to play an integral part in a treble-winning campaign.

Messi was the top scorer of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship with six goals, including two in the final game. Shortly thereafter, he became an established member of Argentina's senior international team. In 2006 he became the youngest Argentine to play in the FIFA World Cup and he won a runners-up medal at the Copa América tournament the following year. In 2008, in Beijing, he won his first international honour, an Olympic gold medal, with the Argentina Olympic football team.


Early life

Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, to parents Jorge Horacio Messi (b. 1958), a factory worker, and Celia María Cuccittini, a part-time cleaner.[12][13][14] His paternal family originates from the Italian city of Ancona where his ancestor, Angelo Messi, emigrated to Argentina in 1883.[15][16] He has two older brothers named Rodrigo and Matías as well as a sister named Maria Sol.[17] At the age of five, Messi started playing football for Grandoli, a local club coached by his father Jorge.[18] In 1995, Messi switched to Newell's Old Boys who were based in his home city Rosario.[18] At the age of 11, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency.[19] Primera División club River Plate showed interest in Messi's progress, but did not have enough money to pay for the treatment, as it cost $900 a month.[14] Carles Rexach, the sporting director of Barcelona, had been made aware of his talent as Messi had relatives in Lleida, Catalonia, and Messi and his father were able to arrange a trial.[14] Barcelona signed him after watching him play,[20] offering to pay for the medical bills if he was willing to move to Spain.[18] His family moved to Europe and he started in the club's youth teams.[20]

Club career

Barcelona

Messi made his unofficial debut for the first team in a friendly match against Porto on 16 November 2003 (at 16 years and 145 days).[21][22] Less than a year later, Frank Rijkaard let him make his league debut against Espanyol on 16 October 2004 (at 17 years and 114 days), becoming the third-youngest player ever to play for Barcelona and youngest club player who played in La Liga (a record broken by team mate Bojan Krkić in September 2007).[1][21] When he scored his first senior goal for the club against Albacete on 1 May 2005, Messi was 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old, becoming the youngest to ever score in a La Liga game for Barcelona[23] until 2007 when Bojan Krkić broke this record, scoring from a Messi assist.[24] Messi said about his ex-coach Rijkaard: "I never forget that Rijkaard has launched me. That he gave me confidence as I only sixteen, seventeen years was."[25]
2005–06 season

The Maradona and Pele polemics will end.
Diego Maradona, on the consequences if Messi won the 2010 World Cup[26]

On 16 September, for the second time in three months, Barcelona announced an update to Messi's contract; this time it was improved to pay him as a first team member and extended until June 2014.[18] Messi obtained Spanish citizenship on 26 September 2005[27] and was finally able to make his debut in the season's Spanish First Division. Messi's first home outing in the UEFA Champions League came on 27 September against Italian club Udinese.[21] Fans at Barcelona's stadium, the Camp Nou, gave Messi a standing ovation upon his substitution, as his composure on the ball and passing combinations with Ronaldinho had paid dividends for Barcelona.[28]

Messi netted six goals in seventeen league appearances, and scored one Champions League goal in six. His season ended prematurely on 7 March 2006, however, when he suffered a muscle tear in his right thigh during the second leg of the second round Champions League tie against Chelsea.[29] Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona ended the season as champions of Spain and Europe.[30][31]
2006–07 season
Messi in a match against Rangers in 2007

In the 2006–07 season, Messi established himself as a regular first team player, scoring 14 times in 26 matches.[32] On 12 November, in the game against Real Zaragoza, Messi suffered a broken metatarsal, ruling him out for three months.[33][34] Messi recuperated from his injury in Argentina, and his return to action came against Racing Santander on 11 February,[35] where he came on as a second-half substitute. On 11 March, El Clásico saw Messi in top form, scoring a hat-trick to earn 10-man Barcelona a 3–3 draw, equalising three times, with the final equaliser coming in injury time.[36] In doing so he became the first player since Iván Zamorano (for Real Madrid in the 1994–95 season) to score a hat-trick in El Clásico.[37] Messi is also the youngest player ever to have scored in this fixture. Towards the end of the season he began finding the net more often; 11 of his 14 league goals for the season came from the last 13 games.[38]
Messi shortly before scoring a goal against Getafe

Messi also proved the "new Maradona" tag was not all hype, by near-replicating Maradona's most famous goals in the space of the single season.[39] On 18 April 2007, he scored two goals during a Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe, one of which was very similar to Maradona's famous goal against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, known as the Goal of the Century.[40] The world's sports press drew comparisons with Maradona, and the Spanish press labelled Messi as "Messidona".[41] He ran about the same distance, 62 metres (203 ft), beat the same number of players (six, including the goalkeeper), scored from a very similar position, and ran towards the corner flag just as Maradona did in Mexico 21 years before.[39] In a press conference after the game, Messi's team-mate Deco said: "It was the best goal I have ever seen in my life."[42] Against Espanyol Messi also scored a goal which was remarkably similar to Maradona's goal against England in the World Cup quarter-finals. Messi launched himself at the ball and connected with his hand to guide the ball past the goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.[43] Despite protests by Espanyol players and replays showing it was clear handball, the goal stood.[43]
2007–08 season
Messi takes Barcelona to 2–0 against Sevilla at Camp Nou on 22 September 2007

During the 2007–08 season, Messi scored five goals in a week leading Barcelona to the top four in La Liga. On 19 September he scored once as Barcelona defeated Olympique Lyonnais 3–0 at home in a Champions League match.[44] He scored two goals against Sevilla on 22 September[45] and then on 26 September, Messi scored another two goals in a 4–1 victory over Real Zaragoza.[46] On 27 February, Messi played in his 100th official match for Barça against Valencia.[47]

He was nominated for a FIFPro World XI Player Award under the category of Forward.[48] A poll conducted in the online edition of the Spanish newspaper Marca had him as the best player in the world with 77 percent of the vote.[49] Columnists from Barcelona-based newspapers El Mundo Deportivo and Sport stated that the Ballon d'Or should be given to Messi, a view supported by Franz Beckenbauer.[50] Football personalities such as Francesco Totti have declared that they consider Messi to be one of the current best footballers in the world.[51]

Messi was sidelined for six weeks following an injury on 4 March when he suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh during a Champions League match against Celtic. It was the fourth time in three seasons that Messi suffered this type of injury.[52]
2008–09 season
Messi in a match against Deportivo

Upon Ronaldinho's departure from the club, Messi inherited his number 10 jersey.[53] On 1 October 2008, during a Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, Messi scored two goals during the last seven minutes, after coming on as a substitute for Thierry Henry, to turn the score from 1–0 to a 1–2 victory for Barcelona.[54] The next league game was versus Atlético Madrid, a match billed as a friendly battle between Messi and his good friend Sergio Agüero.[55] Messi scored a goal from a free kick and assisted another as Barça went on to win the match 6–1.[56] Messi netted another impressive brace against Sevilla scoring a volley from 23 metres (25 yd) and then dribbling round the goalkeeper and scoring from a tight angle for the other.[57] On 13 December 2008, during the first Clásico of the season, Messi scored the second goal in Barcelona's 2–0 win over Real Madrid.[58] He was also named second in the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year awards with 678 points.[8]

Messi scored his first hat-trick of 2009 in a Copa del Rey tie against Atlético Madrid which Barcelona won 3–1.[59] Messi scored another important double on 1 February 2009, coming on as a second half substitute to help Barcelona defeat Racing Santander 1–2 after being 1–0 down. The second of the two strikes was Barcelona's 5000th league goal.[60] In the 28th round of La Liga, Messi scored his 30th goal of the season in all competitions, helping his team to a 6–0 victory over Málaga CF in the process.[61] On 8 April 2009, he scored twice against Bayern Munich in the Champions' League, setting a personal record of eight goals in the competition.[62] On 18 April, Messi notched his 20th league goal of the season in a 1–0 win at Getafe, allowing Barcelona to maintain their six point advantage at the top of the league table over Real Madrid.[63]

As Barcelona's season was drawing to a close, Messi scored twice (his 35th and 36th goals in all competitions) to cap a 6–2 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu[64] in what was Real's heaviest defeat since 1930.[65] After scoring each goal, he ran towards the fans and the cameras lifting up his Barcelona jersey and showing another T-shirt that read Síndrome X Frŕgil, Catalan for Fragile X Syndrome, to show his support for children who suffer from the affliction.[66] Messi was involved in the build-up to Andrés Iniesta's injury time goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final to send Barcelona through to face Manchester United in the final. He won his first Copa del Rey on 13 May, scoring one goal and assisting another two, in a 4–1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.[67] He helped his team win the double by winning La Liga. On 27 May he helped Barcelona win the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final by scoring a second goal in the 70th minute giving Barcelona a two goal lead; he also became the top scorer in the Champions League—the youngest in the tournament's history—with nine goals.[68] Messi also won the UEFA Club Forward of the Year: and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year rounding off a spectacular year in Europe.[69] This victory meant Barcelona had won the Copa del Rey, La Liga and UEFA Champions League in the one season,[70] and was the first time a Spanish club had ever won the treble.[71]
2009–10 season
"Once he's on the run, Messi is unstoppable. He's the only player who can change direction at such a pace."

"He is the best player in the world by some distance. He's (like) a PlayStation. He can take advantage of every mistake we make."
Arsene Wenger after Barcelona won 4-1 against Arsenal.[72][73]
Messi in action during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between Barcelona and Manchester City at the Camp Nou Stadium

After winning the 2009 UEFA Super Cup, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola asserted that Messi was probably the best player he had ever seen.[74]

On 18 September, Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona, running until 2016 and with a buy-out clause of €250 million included, making Messi, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the highest paid players in La Liga, with earnings of around €9.5 million yearly.[75][76] Four days later, on 22 September, Messi scored two goals and assisted another in Barça's 4–1 win over Racing Santander in La Liga.[77] Messi scored his first European goal of the season on 29 September in a 2–0 win over Dynamo Kyiv.[78] Messi took his goal tally to six goals in seven games in La Liga with a strike during a 6–1 rout over Real Zaragoza at Camp Nou,[79][80] and also scored a penalty in Barça's 4–2 win over Mallorca at the Camp Nou on 7 November.[81] On 1 December 2009, Messi was named winner of the 2009 Ballon d'Or, beating runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo by largest ever margin of 473 to 233.[82][83][84] Afterwards, France Football magazine quoted Messi as saying: "I dedicate it to my family. They were always present when I needed them and sometimes felt even stronger emotions than me."[85]

On 19 December, Messi scored the winner in the final of the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup against Estudiantes in Abu Dhabi.[86] Two days later, he was given the FIFA World Player of the Year award; beating Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Kaká and Andrés Iniesta to the award. This was the first time he had won the award, and he became the first Argentinean to ever receive this honour.[87] On 10 January 2010, Messi scored his first hat-trick in 2010 and his first hat-trick of the season against Tenerife in the 0–5 victory.[88] On 17 January, Messi scored his 100th goal for the club in the 4–0 victory over Sevilla.[89]

He then started an impressive run scoring 11 goals in five games. First he scored on the 84th minute against Málaga for a 2–1 win, then he scored two goals against Almería in a 2–2 tie. He continued his spree with an impressive week where he scored eight goals; he started by scoring a hat-trick against Valencia in a 3–0 home win, then he scored two goals against Stuttgart, in a 4–0 win that secured Barcelona's qualification to the quaterfinals of the Champions League,[90] and finally he scored another hat-trick against Zaragoza in a 4–2 away win,[91] becoming the first FC Barcelona player to score back-to-back hat-tricks in La Liga.[92] He played his 200th official match for Barcelona against Osasuna on 24 March 2010. On 6 April 2010, for the first time in Messi's career he scored four goals in a single match, netting the lot in a 4–1 home win over Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg. This also saw him overtake Rivaldo as Barcelona's all time greatest scorer in the competition.[93] On 10 April 2010, Messi scored his 40th goal of the season when he netted the first goal in a 2-0 away win against title-rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico.[94]

International Career

In June 2004, he debuted for Argentina, playing in an under-20 friendly match against Paraguay.[95] In 2005 he was part of a team that won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands. There, he won the Golden Ball and the Golden Shoe.[96]

He made his full international debut on 17 August 2005 against Hungary at 18 years of age. He was substituted on during the 63rd minute, but was sent off on the 65th minute because the referee, Markus Merk, found he had elbowed defender Vilmos Vanczák, who was tugging Messi's shirt. The decision was contentious and Maradona even claimed the decision was pre-meditated.[97][98] Messi returned to the team on 3 September in Argentina's 1–0 World Cup qualifier away defeat to Paraguay. Ahead of the match he had said "This is a re-debut. The first one was a bit short."[99] He then started his first game for Argentina against Peru; after the match Pekerman described Messi as "a jewel".[100]

On 28 March 2009, in a World Cup Qualifier against Venezuela, Messi wore the Argentine number 10 jersey for the first time. This match was the first official match for Diego Maradona as the Argentina coach. Argentina won the match 4–0 with Lionel Messi opening the scoring.[101]
2006 FIFA World Cup

The injury that kept Messi from playing for two months at the end of the 2005–06 season jeopardised his presence in the World Cup. Nevertheless, Messi was selected in the Argentina squad for the tournament on 15 May 2006. He also played in the final match before the World Cup against the Argentine U-20 team for 15 minutes and a friendly match against Angola from the 64th minute.[102][103] He witnessed Argentina's opening match victory against Ivory Coast from the substitute's bench.[104] In the next match against Serbia, Messi became the youngest player to represent Argentina at a World Cup when he came on as a substitute for Maxi Rodríguez in the 74th minute. He assisted Hernán Crespo's goal within minutes of entering the game and also scored the final goal in the 6–0 victory, making him the youngest scorer in the tournament and the sixth youngest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup.[105] Messi started in Argentina's following 0–0 tie against the Netherlands.[106] In the following game against Mexico, Messi came on as a substitute in the 84th minute, with the score tied at 1–1. He appeared to score a goal, but it was ruled offside with Argentina needing a late goal in extra time to proceed.[107][108] Coach José Pekerman left Messi on the bench during the quarter-final match against Germany, which they lost 4–2 on a penalty shootout.[109]
2007 Copa América

Messi played his first game in the Copa América 2007 on 29 June 2007, when Argentina defeated United States 4–1 in the first game. In this game, he showed his capabilities as a playmaker. He set up a goal for fellow striker Hernán Crespo and had numerous shots on target. Tevez came on as a substitute for Messi in the 79th minute and scored minutes later.[110]

His second game was against Colombia, in which he won a penalty that Crespo converted to tie the game at 1–1. He also played a part in Argentina's second goal as he was fouled outside the box, which allowed Juan Roman Riquelme to score from a freekick, and increase Argentina's lead to 3–1. The final score of the game was 4–2 in Argentina's favor and guaranteed them a spot in the tournament's quarterfinals.[111]

In the third game, against Paraguay the coach rested Messi having already qualified for the quarter-finals. He came off the bench in place of Esteban Cambiasso in the 64th minute, with the score at 0–0. In the 79th minute he created a goal for Javier Mascherano.[112] In the quarter-finals, as Argentina faced Peru, Messi scored the second goal of the game, from a Riquelme pass in a 4–0 win.[113] During the semi-final match against Mexico, Messi scored a lob over Oswaldo Sánchez to see Argentina through to the final with a 3–0 win.[114] Argentina went on to lose 3–0 to Brazil in the final.[115]
2008 Summer Olympics

Having barred Messi from playing for Argentina in the 2008 Olympics,[116] Barcelona agreed to release him after he held talks with newly appointed coach Josep Guardiola.[117] He joined the Argentina squad and scored the first goal in a 2–1 victory over Ivory Coast.[117] He then scored the opening goal and assisted Ángel Di María in the second to help his side to a 2–1 extra-time win against the Netherlands.[118] He also featured in Argentina's match against rivals Brazil, in which Argentina took a 3–0 victory, thus advancing to the final.[119] In the gold medal match, Messi again assisted Di María for the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Nigeria.[120]
Personal life

Messi was at one stage romantically linked to Macarena Lemos, also from his hometown of Rosario. He is said to have been introduced to her by the girl's father when he returned to Rosario to recover from his injury a few days before the start of the 2006 World Cup.[121][122] He has in the past also been linked to the Argentine model, Luciana Salazar.[123][124] In January 2009 he told "Hat Trick Barça", a programme on Canal 33: "I have a girlfriend and she is living in Argentina, I am relaxed and happy".[124] He was seen with the girl, Antonella Roccuzzo,[125] at a carnival in Sitges after the Barcelona-Espanyol derby. Roccuzzo is a fellow native of Rosario.[126] They plan to wed near the end of 2010.[125]

He is featured on the front cover of the video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and is also involved in promotional campaigns for the game.[127][128] Messi, along with Fernando Torres,[129] is the face of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010, and was also involved in the motion capturing and the trailer.[130][131][132] Messi is sponsored by the German sportswear company Adidas and features in their television advertisements.[133]

He has two cousins in football; Maxi and Emanuel Biancucchi.[134][135]

Messi was announced as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF on 11 March 2010.[136]



Honours and Awards

Spain Barcelona:

* Spanish League (3): 2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09
* Spanish Cup: (1) 2008-09
* Spanish Supercup (3): 2005, 2006, 2009
* UEFA Champions League (2): 2005-06, 2008-09
* UEFA Super Cup (1): 2009
* FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2009


Argentina International:

* FIFA U-20 World Cup (1): 2005
* Olympic Gold Medal (1): 2008


Individual:

* FIFA U-20 World Cup Top Scorer: 2005
* FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament: 2005
* Copa América Young Player of the Tournament: 2007
* U-21 European Footballer of the Year: 2007
* FIFA World Player of the Year: 2009
* FIFA Team of the Year: 2008, 2009
* European Footballer of the Year: 2009
* Onze d'Or: 2009
* UEFA Champions League Player of the Year: 2008–2009
* UEFA Champions League Forward of the Year: 2008–2009
* UEFA Team of the Year: 2007–2008, 2008–2009
* UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 2008–2009
* FIFPro World Player of the Year: 2008–09
* FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year: 2006–2007, 2007–2008
* FIFPro World Young Player of the Year: 2005–2006, 2006–2007, 2007–2008
* FIFPro World XI: 2006–2007, 2007–2008, 2008–2009
* Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano: 2008–2009
* LFP Best Player: 2008–2009
* LFP Best Striker: 2008–2009
* World Soccer Player of the Year: 2009
* World Soccer Young Player of the Year: 2005–2006, 2006–2007, 2007–2008
* FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2009
* Toyota Award: 2009
* Player of the Year of Argentina: 2005, 2007, 2009
* Premio Don Balón (Best Foreign Player in La Liga): 2006–2007, 2008–2009
* EFE Trophy (Best Ibero-American Player in La Liga): 2006–2007, 2008–2009

26.04.2010. u 13:29 • 0 KomentaraPrint#^

The League Table after 34.Week !!!

Teams Total Home Away
Position Teams Pts P W D L SG CG P W D L SG CG P W D L SG CG
1 FC Barcelona 87 34 27 6 1 83 20 17 16 1 0 49 10 17 11 5 1 34 10
2 Real Madrid 86 34 28 2 4 89 30 17 16 0 1 52 15 17 12 2 3 37 15
3 Valencia CF 62 34 18 8 8 53 37 17 11 5 1 30 11 17 7 3 7 23 26
4 RCD Mallorca 56 34 16 8 10 53 38 17 14 1 2 39 11 17 2 7 8 14 27
5 Sevilla FC 54 34 16 6 12 52 42 17 9 6 2 28 14 17 7 0 10 24 28
6 Villarreal CF 52 34 15 7 12 50 46 17 12 3 2 32 14 17 3 4 10 18 32
7 Getafe CF 50 34 15 5 14 52 46 17 10 3 4 31 20 17 5 2 10 21 26
8 Athletic Club 49 33 14 7 12 45 44 16 10 3 3 30 20 17 4 4 9 15 24
9 Deportivo 44 34 12 8 14 33 43 17 8 4 5 21 20 17 4 4 9 12 23
10 At.Madrid 43 34 12 7 15 52 53 17 10 3 4 34 20 17 2 4 11 18 33
11 RCD Espanyo 41 34 10 11 13 27 40 17 8 6 3 18 14 17 2 5 10 9 26
12 UD Almería 38 34 9 11 14 34 46 17 7 6 4 19 18 17 2 5 10 15 28
13 Osasuna 38 33 10 8 15 30 39 16 6 6 4 17 14 17 4 2 11 13 25
14 Sporting Gijón 37 34 9 10 15 33 46 18 7 6 5 19 17 16 2 4 10 14 29
15 Racing
16 Zaragoza 34 34 8 10 16 39 58 17 6 5 6 23 20 17 2 5 10 16 38
17 Málaga CF 34 34 7 13 14 38 43 17 5 6 6 19 19 17 2 7 8 19 24
18 R. Valladolid 32 34 6 14 14 34 54 17 3 7 7 21 31 17 3 7 7 13 23
19 CD Tenerife 32 34 8 8 18 35 66 17 7 5 5 22 26 17 1 3 13 13 40
20 Xerez C.D. 27 34 6 9 19 31 59 17 4 4 9 15 26 17 2 5 10 16 33

26.04.2010. u 13:27 • 0 KomentaraPrint#^

The week ahead in detail

FC Barcelona face a crucial week in the two competitions that they are aiming to win this season as Inter visit in the Champions League before Villarreal await in El Madrigal on the domestic front.

Monday 26: The team starts the week with a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper at 18:00.

Tuesday 27: Training is again at 18:00, but will be in Camp Nou this time. The first team squad will be put through their paces for the penultimate time before they take on Inter. Pep Guardiola and one player will attend a press conference.

Wednesday 28: The team will train again at 12:00 in Camp Nou to go through the last few details ahead of the 20:45 kick off.

Thursday 29: There will be no time to rest for the Barça stars as training begins at 12:00 at the Ciutat Esportiva with all eyes on the trip to Villarreal at the weekend.

Friday 30: At 11:00 the players will be put through their paces for the final time before they travel south to Villarreal. Guardiola will again attend a press conference.

Saturday 1: Barça’s squad will travel by train to Villarreal for the late kick off time of 22:00.

Sunday 2: A warm-down session for the players that played in El Madrigal starts at 13:00 at the Ciutat Esportiva.

26.04.2010. u 13:24 • 0 KomentaraPrint#^

Camp Nou record invites optimism !!!

If repeated against Inter in the second leg, the score line in 16 of the 25 matches played this season in the Camp Nou would be good enough to send Barca through to the final of the Champions League.

Barca have played five matches in the Champions League this season in the Camp Nou and the results in four of them would be sufficient to classify Barca for the Madrid final. The same optimistic slant can be put on the results obtained in the league – more than 50% of the score lines would also do the job against Inter.

League form encouraging

FCB_-_OSASUNA_x68x.JPGIn the Spanish league there are plenty of good omens, such as the results against Sporting Gijon (3-0), Atletico Madrid (5-2), Zaragoza (6-1), Sevilla (4-0), Racing (4-0), Valencia (3-0), Osasuna (2-0) and Athletic Club (4-1), all of which if repeated against Inter would mean an aggregate victory for Barca. However, the future looks even brighter if we just consider the last five home matches, where four of the score lines would send Barca straight through to the final while one (the 3-1 win against Jerez) would send the tie to extra time.

16 out of 25

2010-04-14_PARTIDO_48.JPGThe situation is much the same in the Champions League. The results obtained against Dynamo Kiev (2-0), Inter - in the group stage - (2-0), Stuttgart (4-0) and Arsenal (4-1) would be good enough to knock out Inter while only a repetition of the result against Rubin Kazan (1-2) would send Barca crashing out of the competition. A repeat of the home legs of the Cup and Spanish Super Cup matches against Cultural Leonesa (5-0) and Athletic Club (3-0) would also do the trick though not the other Cup match against Sevilla that Barca lost 1-2

In short, a repeat of the score line in 16 of the 25 matches played this season in the Camp Nou would send Barca through to Madrid. The stage is set for an epic battle!

26.04.2010. u 13:21 • 0 KomentaraPrint#^

REMUNTADA!!! We'll give it everything!!!

Using the slogan 'we’ll give it everything', FC Barcelona are organising a series of spontaneous initiatives for the build-up to the huge game against Inter Milan on Wednesday, where they have to make amends for 3-1 defeat in Italy.
The fans’ support will be needed more than ever for the massive Champions League game coming up on Wednesday. There is a two goal deficit to make up if Barça are to be playing in the grand final at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Fans hold the key

'We’ll give it everything' is what FC Barcelona are promising the supporters as they prepare for one of the biggest matches in recent history. The game won’t kick off until 20.45, but the build-up began as soon as the final whistle blew on the league fixture with Xerez. A sell-out crowd is expected at the Camp Nou, and Guardiola and his players know that the ideal way to unsettle Inter will be for the fans to make themselves heard.

The following are all the activities being planned for the big night:

- The game starts at 20.00. We are calling on supporters to be in the ground three quarters of an hour before it starts, so that the players can feel the warmth of their support from the moment they go out for the warm-up.
- Barça colours for everybody: wear the shirt and scarf, fly the flag, like on all special occasions.
- Mosaic of 90,000 cards in the colours of Barça and the Catalan flag and the picture of a fan holding a scarf saying 'Barça!'
- After the game with Xerez 50,000 stickers bearing the logo 'Nos dejaremos la piel' were handed out.
- Television adverts: The club will be recording two promotions, one about the supporters’ role and the other about the players.

Also on social networks

Facebook and Twitter are the other FC Barcelona platforms that fans can use in the build-up to Barça v Inter by leaving their comments there. The club has set up a special facebook page , which can be found on the club’s official page ( www.facebook.com/fcbarcelona ) and where fans can join in with the desire for a 2-0 win or better.

Barça fans can also take part in the comeback through the official Barça twitter accounts (www.twitter.com/fcbarcelona_cat, www.twitter.com/fcbarcelona_es y www.twitter.com/fcbarcelona). Using the hashtag #remontada, which has already gained popularity on this social network, Barça fans can share their messages of support for the team.

26.04.2010. u 12:37 • 0 KomentaraPrint#^

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Opis bloga

Lionel Leo Andres Messi & Zlatan Ibrahimović FAN CLUB for every big Barca fan and for every human in the world who really loves LEO MESSI and ZlLATAN IBRAHIMOVIIĆ and the way they are playing.FORCA BARCA

Linkovi

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Video news portal Nove TV

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Blog servis

Igre.hr
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Forum.hr
Monitor.hr

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/index.html
Official Barcelona Site

http://www.facebook.com/#!/KiZ17
My Facebook Profile

Something about ME

Country: Croatia
Town: Ploče
Date of birth: 24.06.1993
Place of birth: Dubrovnik
Age: 16
Weight : 70 kg
Height : 180 cm
Favourite Football Club : FC BARCELONA
Favourite Player : WHOLE BARCA BUT ESPECIALLY LEO MESSI AND ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIĆ
My Number in Club: 6

Most of all I love to watch Barcelona and never miss their games, even more than that I love to watch their magic on the field and always make me once again more and more enthused !!!

MESSI10IBRA9

Next Game

FC Barcelona vs Internazionale Milan
28.04.2010
at 20:45
Camp Nou