Most kids, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, will give you a different answer every time you ask them. Not Lionel Messi though. He wanted to be a footballer.
"I've never thought of any other job."
Wouldn't we all like to say that? Some of us grow up wanting do do only one thing from a very young age. Very few of us actually get to become that thing, and certainly the odds are against it.
Ask any soccer fan, and they will know about the Robeto Carlos free kick goal. It is considered by many as the best free kick ever taken, and has even gained haters along the way who contest that Carlos didn't mean to do it. We say that's some b.s, and think Carlos knew exactly what he was doing before he executed the most cold blooded free kick ever.
It was quite the day for the city of Toronto yesterday. First, the Blue Jays clinched a spot in the ALCS after a wild game vs the Texas Rangers and then a Sebastian Giovinco goal for Toronto FC sent the club to their first ever playoff apperance. As the rapper Drake would say, "what a time to be alive!" Giovinco's goal for Toronto reminded us, and probably anyone who watched it, of a little Argentine that plays his futbol over the pond at Barcelona. Yes we're obviously talking about Lionel Messi, and yes Giovinco's goal mimics the likes of La Pulga.
The US-Mexico rivalry has seen some pretty memorable moments, but Paul Aguilar's Goal vs the US to clinch El Tri a spot in the confederations cup may be the most memorable to date. Prior to this match the US fan base was calling for Jurgen Klinsmann's head should the stars and stripes not earn a victory, and that is exactly what has happened since the loss. Frustration has now surrounded Klinsmann's program after a poor performance in the Gold Cup and the lack luster result this past Saturday.
Ireland hadn't been in a major tournament since 2002, but now thanks to Shane Long's Goal vs Germany, the Irish are close to solidifying their spot in their second straight Euro Cup. The lads from the Emerald Isle beat the defending world champions in Dublin yesterday and we couldn't be more excited about how close they are to qualifying for the Euro. They haven't sealed the deal yet, as they have a match with Poland on Sunday. With a win, the Irishman will officially qualify for the Euro. With a loss, they will enter a playoff match to decide their fate.
Want to feel bad about yourself? Watch this amazing La Masia goal that will leave you wondering why your soccer skills are so futile. These two kids literally just dystroyed an entire defense, and it looked effortless. Lets break it down:
The man scored a beauty earlier in the match, but Daniel Sturridge's 2nd goal vs Aston Villa was one of class and ease. Just like his first goal in the match, Sturridge received the ball and this time dumped it off to teammate Philipe Coutinho, who then gave a cutting Sturridge a perfectly placed back heel pass resulting in a peach of a goal for LFC.
It was a long time coming but he's back. This Daniel Sturridge volley vs Aston Villa may just be the thing that Liverpool has needed all season, a threat at the striker position. With Liverpool already up 1-0, Sturridge received a pass and did what he does best. He sent it off to James Milner and bolted into the box and was on the recieving end of a great ball back from Milner. The world class finish was and abosulte beaut, and was well deserved after the long road back from injury for Sturrdg.
Hopes are high in Paris and they should be with the way the Zlatan Cavani duo have produced this season. The Swede and the Uruguayan linked up for one of the nicer goals of the Champions League and Laurent Blanc's bunch are looking dangerous earlier on in European compition.
Taking on an entire defense on your own takes stones and that is what Hatem Ben Arfa had when he scored this unreal solo goal. The 28-year-old from France began his run fending off a defender and then going balls to the wall towards the goal. Ben Arfa kept his head up and went at 5 St. Etienne defenders before blasting a low right footed shot past the keeper.