Andres Iniesta wins UEFA Best Player In Europe Award

The only reason I'm writing something about this was because Cristiano Ronaldo was a candidate of the award. I really haven't had the chance to watch Andres Iniesta but I have heard that he was really good and after seeing Barcelona's four matches (2 in La Liga and 2 against Real Madrid), of course I agree. But can't hide the fact that I'm a bit disappointed with the result. No, I never think Iniesta was not deserving of the award. I know how Lionel Messi had given him almost half the credit of his goals to his teammates and that was Iniesta and Xavi, I'm also aware of what Iniesta did to help Spain retain their Euro Championship, I was just perhaps, really expecting Cristiano Ronaldo will get it. As UEFA had presented the candidates, the top three that was voted was of course all deserving of their spots. The stats had shown it;

Andres Iniesta

• 42 Total Appearances, 3079 Minutes Played, 5 Goals
• 11 Assists, 87 Goal Attempts
• 30 Matches won,10 Matches Drawn,2 Matches Lost

Lionel Messi

• 48 Total Appearances, 4258 Minutes Played, 64 Goals
• 21 Assists, 278 Goal Attempts
• 30 Matches Won, 8 Matches Drawn, 4 Matches Lost

Cristiano Ronaldo

• 58 Total Appearances, 5214 Minutes Played, 64 Goals
• 16 Assists, 403 Goal Attempts
• 46 Matches Won, 7 Matches Drawn, 5 Matches Lost

Seeing the stats, I,  as Cristiano Ronaldo fan know and believed he had this great chance of winning it. But I've heard that Lionel Messi also have a great chance too since their stats were almost incredibly the same and Messi was actually the real favourites of most media men. And since this award will be decided by chosen media men, I got a bit worried just the same. I know Ronaldo was not liked by many, his personality was not usually the best, but I personally believed he was misunderstood. I thought too that on this one, I guess they will consider what the players had really done, and having Ronaldo leading Madrid to the La Liga title and Euro semis will help, it had to some 17 voters. Voting ends with Iniesta getting 19 votes to lead and Messi also having 17 same as Ronaldo. I was able to see the awarding ceremony, and I really did see how Ronaldo reacts, it really was a grimace. Before this I saw an interview of him and he was confident and hoping he can get it. I can only be sad for Ronaldo.

Photo Credit: Ives Galarcep Twitter

Again, no hating, Iniesta definitely deserves the award. I felt okay when I have read that Iniesta said Cristiano Ronaldo personally congratulated him and commented that he can tell he (Ronaldo) is an amazing person. Ronaldo I'm sure, eventhough disappointed will be okay with it afterwards.

Not really feeling okay though when Barcelona player Gerard Pique tweeted this "Congratulations to the journalist representing Spain and did not vote for Andres Iniesta", the journalist voted for Ronaldo, I don't know why he have to question him.

Some also anticipating if Messi and Iniesta and Ronaldo greet each other, actually I don't think they did when they were presented at the stage, but I just felt Ronaldo was just like that, its nothing personal.

I'm going to forget what I had anticipated over this. I know Ronaldo's a great player and a great person. He knows that, people close to him knows that, and I think that all that matters.

Real Madrid Super Cup Champions

August 30, 2012 4:30 am Philippine Time

Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2nd Leg of Super Cup Champions (Santiago Bernabeu)

With Barcelona leading the aggregate score 3-2 going to the second leg, I was feeling more than nervous of what will happen going to this game. Real Madrid just came from a lost too off their game in La Liga against Getafe and they had received criticism from their manager Mourinho, I'm wondering how could they respond to that, especially up against a great team Barcelona. 

First half whistle came and they had proved that they were really up to the challenged. First minutes of the game saw the Whites attacking and creating chances to score. It was indeed a good comeback for Pepe after missing some games due to injury as he provide good defense (I'm anticipating his defense particularly to Messi, I've heard/read he had good history against him - good might be an understatement *grin*). More than the defense though of Pepe, he was the one who created a good chance for Madrid as he passed a long ball to Higuain. He easily scored a goal against the Barca goalkeeper Valdes. Then on the 19th minute of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo add another goal, his move - back-flicked of the ball to keep the possession was just amazing, he struggle a bit to control the ball and though the goalkeeper was anticipating the shot, Ronaldo was able to shoot it past him with a very powerful shot. Of course, I could never been so happier! As some fans had said, that was the fifth successive goal of Ronaldo against Barcelona, I think that's an awesome feat as there were only two of them for the Whites to do it. I was also looking at some match commentary and some said this was like the only El Clasico where Real Madrid had actually dominate. There was a third goal but it was cancelled since Pepe was caught pushing a Barca player. During the 28th minute a Barca player saw red as he pushed off Ronaldo who had a good scoring chance, Barca was reduced to 10 players but they seemed  to had been more dangerous. The 2-0 lead though was not long-lived, before the halftime whistle, Messi took a free-kick, and I am shocked to see how he had done it so beautifully as well! I could never complain as the halftime score was 2-1 because that free-kick was just wonderful, even if it was against Real Madrid. The second half was a bit different, there was more possession on Barca side, and they are trying to attack more. But the Whites was able to held up their defense with Iker Casillas doing some brilliant saves. With their less possession, they were still able to have some shots on target but the other sides goalkeeper was able to held up his own. Fulltime and score was 2-1. Aggregate scores was 4-4 but Real Madrid won with Away Goals having scored 2 in Camp Nou (pretty sure Barca fans again remember that error of Valdes during the first leg). Real Madrid was named the Super Cup Champions. 

The thing was, even before this championship started, both teams, both managers were saying this was the least important of all trophies although they will both make an effort to get it. But this one, was still special for Real Madrid, after having a not so good first week in La Liga, after being criticized by their own coach and some fans, this, as Cristiano Ronaldo had said, will give them more confidence in the future. Also this was special for Luca Modric, who had played his first game as a White after being substitute during the 83rd minute and instantly won a championship for them - he was hailed a Lucky Luca by his teammates.

This was special, for me of course, as I have witnessed them to get a trophy. I am just happy for them. I am a very happy Real Madrid fan.

Super Cup Champions Real Madrid

Team Captain Iker Casillas holding the Super Cup Trophy

Photos courtesy of Real Madrid Official Website.

My First El Clasico

August 24, 2012 Friday 4:30 am (Philippine Time)

I have stayed late in the morning after shift to watch my first El Clasico. As everyone knows, El Clasico features Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two great football teams of Spain and in Europe.

This one is for the title Spanish Super Cup, the battle between champions of La Liga and Copa del Rey, this year La Liga Champs Real Madrid and Copa del Rey Champs, Barcelona. 1st leg was held in the home of Barcelona, the Camp Nou and 2nd leg will be held in Santiago Bernabeu, home of Madrid.

I am more than looking forward to this, past El Clasico as I have heard and watched was always interesting, full of actions, full of emotions. Going into this game, my Real Madrid was confident, they were also aware of course how great Barcelona is, but they're planning to win it just the same.

First half, it was all Barcelona. This is the first Real Madrid game that I have watched where they have least possession. The Whites as I can remember never really had a good scoring chance. As I have watched Barcelona too, I had noticed how swift their midfielders were. Real still played good defense and managed to end it at 0-0 at halftime.

Come 2nd half and into just the 55th minute, the moment that I've been waiting for. A Cristiano Ronaldo goal! More specifically, a header out of a corner from an Ozil assist. That - was just simply amazing. That's the first real time goal of Ronaldo that I had watched. The feeling was overwhelming. Ronaldo and the rest of the Whites was celebrating only for a short while, then the Home Kick off was taken, and with less than a minute to spare.. GGGOOOAALLLL!!! Goal by Barca and the game is tied at 1-1. Saw players of Madrid complaining that it should have been an offside but referees says it wasn't. Just like that, my elated feeling of that Ronaldo goal vanished. And it vanishes more when Sergio Ramos fouled Iniesta on the box that gives Lionel Messi a Penalty Goal to make it to 2-1, then another goal by Xavi. Just too much. I am so sad. Some people at work were teasing and pissing me off more because of it. Then during around the 85th minute, the goalkeeper of Barca (Valdes) when trying to clear out the ball decided to put it on the floor, Di Maria then challenged and able to take it and Goal! Whites now scored their second goal and made it 3-2. Full time and Barca lead with 3-2 going to the Whites Home next Thursday.

After that, mixed emotions just overwhelmed me. It was a great El Clasico, and just realized how I missed the past ones and how I kind of regret it. But it didn't matter, that game was just amazing. Real Madrid still have the chance to grab the title come Thursday and I hope they will. I had enjoyed and fully appreciated this match, from Real and from Barca. I can't wait for the next few ones.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - best players in the world.

Ronaldo celebrates after the header.

Iker Casillas of Real Madrid

Real Madrid vs Getafe 1-2

August 27, 2012 Monday 3:00 am (Philippine Time)

This was really frustrating. After just watching Barcelona made a comeback against Ossasuna with Messi hitting 2 goals, this defeat of Real Madrid was just so sad for me. The Whites didn't dominate as well with possessions and chances. Neither their defense was great. Higuain once again provided the first goal for the Whites but after that Getafe made it to 1-1 out of header in the second half. To make it worst, they got their winning goal with 75th minute and Madrid cannot equalize. Cristiano Ronaldo had some chances with one from a free kick but was blocked by the Getafe goalkeeper, he had another one as well in the 70th minute which was saved too by the goalkeeper. This was really sad since Madrid had lost 5 points from the past two matches of La Liga. Although it was early to tell, I just hope they will bounce back. 

We are a team, we are Real Madrid (Real Madrid Presentation Video 2012-2013)

The best thing is to have a solid defence. - Xavi Alonso

The best thing is to dominate the midfield. - Sergio Ramos

The best thing is to be able to stop the unstoppable. - Cristiano Ronaldo

The best thing is to be able to score more goals than any other team. - Marcelo

All of these thing are important, and the best thing of all is that we're a team. - Iker Casillas

We are a team, We are Real Madrid

Old Game, Old Team, New Fan

"Better Late Than Never"

That old cliche always implies on everything, this time for me, it applies to appreciating one of the greatest sport the world had seen.

I had eaten my own words too, for I love basketball so much that I thought and said I will never love any other sports other than it, but I was wrong.

So it's basically thanks to the current job that I have right now that I've been introduced to International Football, especially European Football. It's thanks to the Euro 2012 that I've managed to see some games. It's thanks to Clear Shampoo that I had finally known a football player, yes, it's thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo, I love football now.

It might have been a little late, but I know I can always catch up. Just watching videos of his amazing goals and plays, reading everything about him and his current team Real Madrid, checking some comments from Madridista too, was more than enough for me to see how great he is.

I even think I need not to watch any other amazing players that were known today, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas and the Real Madrid was just enough.

I don't know much yet, not as much as I am familiar with basketball, but it won't stop me from appreciating and loving the game.

I personally want to thank Cristiano Ronaldo for that. Hope he continue to do what he does and just be himself in the process. I want to thank Real Madrid, they're an awesome team and I'm looking forward to enjoying their matches.

Hala Madrid!

Side Note: Real Madrid v Valencia 1-1

So this is my official La Liga game of Real Madrid and sad that it had to end on a draw. I'm not sure about the tactical story of it but I do know that possessions and opportunities are mostly on Real's side, evidence to their superiority on that match. But Valencia team played so well. The first half was scary when I saw Pepe and Iker Casillas collide and was down on the ground for some time. Earlier to that, Sergio Ramos also had a small cut in the forehead when a foot hit his face. The one goal by Higuain was so awesome! Three tries and it finally went it on the last one! Upon reading the post game comments, just hope that Pepe will be fine, his injury seems so dangerous. Also there's a lot of optimism from all Madrid players as well so that's just very good. Sad that I didn't see Kaka on the game though and it seems like he really is going to be moved out of Real. Just sad.

Saw Barcelona's game too. And Messi scored 2 goals! Yeah I've heard, watched and believed Messi was actually the best. I won't have to disagree but being a Ronaldo and Madrid fan, after the game, the feeling just sucks! Hahaha, but I'm no hater. At least I'm watching great games as well.

Hope you guys welcome me to the football world!

Photo from Real Madrid Facebook Page  http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150313378074953.66684.19034719952&type=1