Max Sports

Friday, 16 November 2018

Can an Indian play for the Brazil national football team

The better question should have been, Can a Brazilian play for the Indian national team.

Well in today's world , since impossible is nothing, we might see this happening any moment soon.

But even a Sunil Chettri will apologize after using the word…Impossible for this above question

And he's not far from the truth..

The Brazilian national team, a.k.a “La seleção” is one of the most versatile and toughest national team to manage.

It has been said that every world cup year, Brazil can take 4 different teams to the mundial and 3 can play in the semifinals.

Of course that was in their hay days.

So selecting a starting 11 is always a.serious headache for the coach.

The 200 million population country boasts of abundant raw talents of footballers from all over it's coast.

It was also on record that brazillians play in every soccer/football professional league in the world.

No other country can boast of that.

Football is their passion, their life, their joy, music and everything.

So for an Indian to outclass the abundant talents in Brazil and feature in the seleção is something that even Kepil Dev or Sacchin Tendulkar will applaud with all their strength.

For an Indian kid to feature with Neymar, coutinho, and the rest …

That is beyond what words can describe.

He has to possess the skills of a maradona, the intelligence of great Pele, the Ball-mastery control skills of Zidane, the scoring abilities of a cr7 and the imdepth knowledge of the game like Johann Cruyff.

Almost impossible, you think..

If Messi leaves Barcelona, would FC Barcelona's fate be like Real Madrid’s when CR7 left?

We should all know that the golden era of Barcelona was Messi playing in with all the La Masia academy graduates with his best combination till date with the duo of Xavi-Iniesta.

That generation is almost gone with the remaining like Messi, Pique and busquests all above 30 years.

Surely nothing last forever.

We have seen great teams come and dominate the game of soccer for sometimes and they will definitely go.

The problem people have with Barcelona is that they want the team to continue its dominance for a long time.

And this has put pressure on the players like messi, increase the boards of directors pressure by panic-signing Dembele.

And it has made them forget the Johann Cruyff La Masia philosophy: “ It doesn't matter what we play, but how we play”

This has led to the many questions of how Barça would fare in the eventual exit of Messi which is but imminent.

Well they will be affected, no doubt about that.

But they will be affected not in the same way as Madrid because both clubs have different philosophies.

Madrid is built on spotting the best talents worldwide and buying them to integrate to their squad.

They did it in the galacticos era: the luck is that they have been able to blend all different players together.

Not so with Barcelona.

The Club's philosophy started in 1972 when the father of Total football “Rinus Michels left ajax to sign for Barcelona and brought Total football that gave Ajax the European cup in 1971( the team won the next 2 against inter Milan and Juventus though Rinus Michels had left)

But it was until 1974 when Johann Cruyff signed for Barça to join his mentor and coach that things took shape in Barcelona and they won their first la liga since one decade.

After the Poster boy of total football left, Barça had some problem, but it was not until 1988 when he signed as coach of barca that he totally changed the club forever.

He started the La Masia academy (as Barc-Ajax school) and brought all he had learn under coach Rinus Michels.

The same training regimen and philosophy in the senior team in was implemented in la Masia and he made the club to graduate players from academy to main team.

What was the effect?

Pep Guardiola was discovered and formed an integral part of the “dreamteam” that won barca its first UCL trophy in 1992.

They stopped Madrid's la liga dominance and in on it 3 consecutive times.

That is the philosophy and same playing style barca has been using till date.

Pep Guardiola said, “Johann Cruyff built the cathedral, our job is to maintain it”

Pep Guardiola then converted total football to “Tiki-taka” and the 2008–2012 period saw Barca's teams be listed as one the greatest squad ever.

It affected the Spanish national team as they won 3 international competition consecutively ( 2 euro cup and 2010 FIFA world cup).

See how Barca is struggling in Europe; since 2011, they have only won the UCL trophy once in 7 years.

Conclusion:

Barca will suffer the same fate Madrid suffered after Ronaldo left, not because they will miss Messi, but because they have stopped producing world talents from la Masia academy graduates and just buy random players to fill the squad.

They should be careful, if not, the same fate that happened to the once mighty Ajax famed academy might happen to them.

The exit of Messi won’t be the problem they will face but the death of la Masia academy will.

What are the top 10 costliest flops in world football

10. Robinho, Manchester City, 43 Million Euros

The so called ‘next Pele’ seemed to be one of the greatest prospects ten years ago. It was Manchester City’s first big transfer. Also the biggest Manchester City’s flop. Despite a good first season with the club in which he scored 14 goals in the league, the second season was a huge let down. He was loaned in January at Santos and then sold to AC Milan.

9. Andriy Shevchenko , Chelsea , 44 Million Euros

There is no doubt that Shevchenko was one of the best centre forwards in football history. However his move to Chelsea did not work out so well. After two seasons of scoring just nine Premier League goals, he was loaned back to AC Milan and then back to Dynamo Kiev.

8. Christian Benteke , Liverpool , 46.5 Million Euros

Back in 2015 Benteke was a top target for teams who wanted a scorer. He had 43 goals in three seasons with Aston Villa in Premier League. However , he could not keep up his form in Liverpool too. After a season in which he scored just nine goals and after the arrival of Jurgen Klopp he couldn’t keep his place anymore. He was sold to Crystal Palace.

7. Andy Carroll , Liverpool, 41 Million Euros

After scoring 11 goals in a half season with Newcastle United, it was time for Andy Carroll for his big move to Liverpool. It was a transfer bigger than the Luis Suarez. It was another January transfer that didn’t work though. After two seasons of injuries and just 6 Premier League goals, he was loaned to West Ham and then sold too.

6. Fernando Torres, Chelsea, 58.5 Million Euros

Undoubtetly, one of the most famous flops. However, he managed to win the Uefa Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea. Fernando Torres didn’t enjoy much individual success and he definetely wasn’t worthy of his price tag. After three and a half seasons, he scored 20 Premier League goals and 10 Champions League goals and he earned a loan to AC Milan. Another January flop.

5. Juan Sebastian Veron, Manchester United, 42.6 Million Euros

Back to 2001, Veron was one of the most promising midfielders as he was a part of the Lazio Serie A winners in 2000. It was supposed that Man United had struck gold. However, they struck cheap metal instead. Despite his talent, Veron didn’t adapt well in England and also some injuries set him back further. After two seasons, he was transfered to Chelsea and then loaned to Inter Milan.

4. Kaka, Real Madrid, 67 Million Euros

Kaka was definetely one of the best players in the world ten years ago. So the time came and his transfer to Real Madrid happened the same year with Cristiano Ronaldo’s record transfer too. Unfortunately in Spain, he wasn’t the same player anymore. After four seasons of underperforming and injuries, he was transfered back to AC Milan. Such a shame that a player like Kaka didn’t have a full of success career.

3. James Rodriguez, Real Madrid, 75 Million Euros

James Rodriguez, 2014 World Cup top scorer. It was inevitable that he would end up to Real Madrid in a big money transfer. Also, it was inevitable that he would leave the club on loan three seasons later. He may had enjoyed some decent playtime with Carlo Ancelotti but after Zinedine Zidane’s arrival, he fell down the pecking order. It seems that Real Madrid can’t possess many star players in the starting XI.

2. Angel Di Maria, Machester United, 75 Million Euros

What a flop that he was! In 2014, he was the ‘big transfer’ along with James Rodriguez. I don’t know though why people excpected so much from him. To be honest as an individual, he didn’t have such a bad season but definetely not worthy of his price. After just one season, he was transfered to Paris Saint Germain. Man United sure knows to sign expensive flops.

Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona, 115 Million Euros

To tell you the truth, when I hear about 115 Million Euros, I excpect to see something extraordinary. Ousmane Dembele doesn’t fall in that category. I know that he is still young and maybe he could improve in the future but right now he isn’t adapting well. If the rumours about his exit are true then he will be the top costliest flop in football history.

Thursday, 25 October 2018

Who do you think is going to be the most valuable football player in the next 5 years

The football world has quite a few amazing upcoming talents that will be valued a lot more in the next 5 years. These are my top picks:

Benjamin Pavard

The 22 year old centre-back took Stuttgart to promotion in 2016/17 and has prospered this past season, helping France to become world champions - being out of position at right-back, and scoring a screamer against Argentina.

Lucas Torreira

One of Uruguay's next generation of midfielders who was outstanding for Sampdoria and is a multi-talented midfielder with great tenacity and tackling. His good use of the ball should not be ignored either. Such players don't come cheap, costing Arsenal around €30 million, and will only go on to become more valuable.

Ryan Sessegnon

With a tender age of just 18 and already being called“The future of English football” is something special. It is not common for a teenager to be a key player, who largely plays as a full-back. He is a bundle of energy down the left side combining an incredible work ethic with football intelligence. In 58 first-team appearances he has scored 14 times, including a double this season from left-back and a hat-trick when played further forward, while providing a number of assists.

He’s already one of the best and most pivotal players for the Fulham side. Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all shown serious interest in him.

Whether Sessegnon ends up a left-back remains to be seen. He's a better offensive player at this stage but in the hands of a good developmental coach, he can rise to the top.

Christian Pulisic

A 19 year old American who’s been attracting Chelsea,Liverpool,Bayern Munich and even Barcelona’s interest. He’s been setting records left and right. By the time he was 19, Pulisic had played 60 club games, scored nine goals and represented his country 18 times, with seven goals – bettering both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.He’s already the best player on the national team and he’s only 19.

Justin Kluivert

Recently signed for A.S. Roma, the youngster is destined to superstardom. A prodigious talent who has already forced his way into the Netherlands squad. Player of such lethal speed and wonderful skill is what landed him the big move in the first place.

Edit: Frenkie De Jong(Credits to Azrin Noor)

The Dutch midfielder has been somewhat of a revelation to the footballing world lately. A player with good control, smooth dribbles and dangerous passes, who can also dictate games, eager to go forward and can cut through several opponents with one quick move. With some even comparing his style to that of German legend Franz Beckenbauer.

De Jong is heavily linked to bigger clubs, especially Barcelona(surprise surprise). He was shifted into midfield because of his offensive style.But even when he plays in the middle third, he still drops deep and pushes the same aggressive ball movement.

Which sport will be the first to be abolished and why

“Abolished” is an interesting word.

Abolished implies that the sport is actively ended—that its governing body decided to fold and no longer sponsor official competitions. This may be due to lack of popularity, or because the federation finds it to be too flawed in some way.

It’s slightly different than a sport dying. A sport dying means that its popularity has waned and that very few people play it—eventually, there will be no one that plays it. I can think of a few sports that will die out, real tennis being one of them. However, a sport dying would eventually see its governing body fold, meaning it would be “abolished.”

Real tennis is vastly different than what you see on the ATP and WTA tours. The courts, which are generally indoors, are smaller and allow for closer viewing. From pictures, the courts look uncomfortably confined, almost as if a racquetball court and tennis court were combined. The ball is smaller, made of cork, and has fabric tightly wound around it. Unlike modern tennis, real tennis balls can bounce more than once, though I haven’t read enough to accurately say when this can happen and when it cannot. The ball can hit the wall and then returned. The video[1] I watched was short, but the racquet swings reminded me of slicing in tennis.

Melbourne Cricket Club

Modern tennis is often described as an “elite sport” because of the cost and the association with country clubs. Real tennis takes this further, with only have 43 courts left in existence. More than half are in the United Kingdom, so access is limited. They are almost all located in private clubs.

The most recently built real tennis courts were in Wellington College in 2016. It’s a private high school (I think that’s what a high school is called in England) that costs anywhere from £9,680 to £13,250 per term. Not exactly accessible—even if it was, I doubt there are actually many students looking to play real tennis.

Eventually, no one is going to be playing real tennis. It will be a museum memory like jeu de paume, the prototype to all racquet sports.

A2A

EDIT: If any of you Brits are wondering where I got the term “private high school” from, I got it by following links on Wikipedia.

Call me a dumb (or perhaps stubborn) American, but that was the equivalent I could come up with at the time. “Public School” may be the correct term, but it sounds too odd as an American, because that phrase is the equivalent of “state school” in the US. Private is private, no matter where you are.

What is the India football history

At a press conference,after India lost 2:1 to France at the 1948 London Olympics football match, the captain(Talumeren Ao) was asked why India played barefoot, he replied with wits “Well you see, we play “ football” in India, whereas you play “BOOTBALL”.

He was really applauded by the British after his wonderful but witty remarks, and the next day, that comment was splashed in all of London's newspapers.

We all know the story and how FIFA banned playing football barefooted the next year.While some erroneously believed India didn't play the 1950 FIFA world cup held in Brazil because they wanted to play barefoot..

They didn't go because the India football association (AIFF) thought it wasn't necessary considering the expenses to fly all the way to Brazil, and India then valued Olympics to a football tournament; though the playing barefoot was just used as an excuse.

With regards to sports in India, its being said, “Cricket is a religion, but football is a way of life”But before cricket became the country's favourite(after the 1983 world cup win),

Football was a national sports in India at one time, it was an impetus to unify the Indian Army.

The same thing with England, but a reverse situation; Cricket was No 1 in england before football gradually took over, and now cricket No 2.

Many believe this is the likely part its going in India. Football will soon move from the number 2 sports to being the mumber 1.

A BRIEF HISTORY

It will shock a lot of people today to know that the Durand Cup in India ( founded by Mortimer Durand in 1888) is still the world 3rd oldest club competition in the world only behind English F.A cup and Scottish Cup.

I know what you are thinking…India,why India, and not the top European country competition.

India has a rich football history, no thanks to the British soldiers stationed in the Asian country and helped spread the new sport to every nook and cranny of the “Mystic land”But the big question is still,

What really happened to football in India?Imagine Calcutta F.C was the first club to be formed in India in 1872, while Mohun Began A.C founded in 1889 is now India’s oldest current team.

The India football association (IFA) was established in 1893, and legendary India player Gostha Paul led India to her first International football match victory 1:0 over Ceylon in 1933.

THE GOLDEN ERA(1951–1962)

India was Asian best team that period. They finished 4th place (in football games) in 1958 olympics in Australia.They defeated host Australia 4:2, and became the first Asian team to score in an international competition.

They were also the first Asian team to reach Olympics semifinals ( lost 4:1 to Yugoslavia in semi, and lost 3rd place to Bulgaria by 3:0)Indian finished 4th in Asian games, came 2nd in 1959 Merdeka Cup, and in 1962 defeated south Korea 2:1 to reach the finals.

THE DECLINE

Its strongly believed after India won the 1983 cricket world cup, an euphoria swept through the nation as cricket became a religion and the star players seem like gods.

THE SLEEPING GIANT AWAKENS

This new new millennium has seem a giant leap taken by the IFA to reposition football to its original rightful place as it was in the beginning.Taking over cricket as the number 1 sport might be a difficult task, but it has to start somewhere and someday.

With the introduction of the new ISL(Indian super league) in 2013 and players like Frederick Ljungberg, Nicholas Anelka, Del Piero gracing and playing in the league…

This has gotten the ISL worldwide attention, media coverage and sponsorship deals, with the newly league getting highest attendance in Asia and 5th highest in the world- You don't wanna joke with 1.2 billion people.

And one of the biggest feats is hosting the 2017 FIFA U-17 world cup with record attendance; they are already lobbying for hosting 2019 FIFA U-20.

Conclusion

Truly football is now a way of life. Go see a match of Kerala blasters and see thousands of supporters cheering the“Yellow submarines” to victory.

As more youths are involved from grassroots level with active government support, it won't be long before India plays its first FIFA world cup match.

My bet: 2026 world cup will take part in the copa Mundial.

BELIEVE THAT Universal Champion Roman Reigns shock cancer announcement is a wake-up call about what the Big Dog means to WWE and RAW

LAST night Roman Reigns announced that he was relinquishing the Universal Championship because he’s suffering from leukaemia – his second bout of the disease in 11 years.
The fans were stunned and showed their support for Reigns with chants of “Thank you Roman”.

Roman Reigns' cancer shock is a wake-up call to everyone about what he has done for the business.

Aside from the tragedy of a 33-year-old family man fighting a life-threatening illness, it was a wake-up call about what Roman means to pro-wrestling in 2018.

The night after WrestleMania 33 – when Reigns became only the second man to defeat The Undertaker on the grandest stage – Reigns stood silent as fans booed him for 12 minutes.

After 12 minutes of nuclear heat, Reigns lifted the mic and said: “This is my yard now.”

I was there that night. It was an amazing thing to witness – the defining moment in Reigns’ singles career.

The Big Dog revealed last night he has been diagnosed with leukaemia for a second time

More than pinning The Deadman 24 hours earlier. More than beating Triple H to become WWE Champion at Mania the year before. Or winning the Royal Rumble and headlining against Brock Lesnar the year before that.

It dawned on me that night in Orlando that Vince McMahon’s plan was foolproof.

The more he pushed Reigns, the more he turned up the heat. In that moment – as he was booed mercilessly – Roman Reigns became a superstar.

Not just a superstar as WWE labels every one of its wrestlers, from top of the roster to the very, very bottom, but a legit superstar of sports entertainment.

As the handpicked hero of this generation, Reigns is “the guy” of this wrestling era. Like John Cena was the guy of the previous era. And Stone Cold and Hulk Hogan of the eras before that.

Of course, Reigns has been blighted with negative fan reactions since going solo from The Shield in 2014.

The fans were originally protesting against Vince and WWE booking, rather than Roman himself, but the boos had become venomous – even worse than Cena received at the height of his run. But we didn’t know how good we’ve had it with Roman Reigns.

He’s a true workhorse, far better than most gave him credit for, and someone with a genuine love for wrestling. Coming from the famous Anoa’i wrestling family, the business is in his blood. He’s a true fighting champion, with or without a belt.

Roman Reigns received more heat from the crowd than John Cena.