It is well documented that the world's most popular soccer clubs compete for the next up-and-coming Messi or Ronaldo. See, for insance, this article about the 9-year-old AS Roma signed earlier this year. Youngsters who show promise and skill are top priorities for any club's youth system – and after you see some of the videos of these wonderkids play, you can understand why.
Heading into the weekend, we previewed the main plotlines we thought might unfold in La Liga (Spain), Seria A (Italy), and the Bundesliga (Germany). Now let’s see what actually happened:
Spain - La Liga:
About a week ago, Zlatan Ibrahimovic named his dream team, consisting of all the players he’s played with. He, of course, put himself on the list starting alongside Leo Messi, but the Swedish great may have forgotten one player.
David Luiz has now come out with his starting 11, and the Paris Saint Germain defender failed to put his teammate in his 11 as well. The two shared only three of the same players in their XIs: Lionel Messi, Thiago Silva and Maxwell.
At The18, we have covered many stories about soccer hooliganism and match abandoments around the world - from the biggest rivalries in soccer, to the worst instances of fans rioting on the pitch, to street brawls outside stadiums (some of them very strange indeed).
Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has fired 40 managers in 23 years, in addition to all the crimes he's committed in that span.
We at the18 encourage diversity in football watching, so here is a preview of what's on tap this weekend in Spain, Germany, and Italy
You don’t get to where Cristiano Ronaldo is by liking to lose. Just as Barcelona did, the Real Madrid first team participated in an Audi event which ended with the company gifting cars to the players.
Looking for a gift to get your friends for the holidays? Well, Serie A giants Napoli may have just the thing for you. Every year Napoli releases a ridiculous calendar for fans in which the players dress up in costumes and pose for your monthly viewing pleasure.
This year the players and coach Benitez are portrayed "in a mix of fashion, humor and sensuality.” Well… did they achieve their goal?
Meet Kevin Walker: professional footballer and pop music sensation.
We are going to go out on a limb here and say that after watching that video, most of find yourself falling into one of three main groups: 1) People who wish they were Kevin Walker, 2) People who now hate Kevin Walker, and 3) People who want to spend the rest of their waking days with Kevin Walker.
James Rodriguez is going to win the FIFA Puskas Goal of the Year because no one can help themselves. His goal, and moments like it, is what we watch sports for, and it commands so much of our attention because the circumstances surrounding it have considerably more weight than the act itself.