Lionel Messi Or Diego Maradona - Who is the Greatest Footballer of All Time?

By Dan Fresh

Lionel Andrés Messi has been making all the headlines in the soccer world recently, he is undoubtedly the best footballer in the world at the moment, but such is the media obsession with the 22 year old genius from Rosario, Argentina, that some pundits are actually starting to say that Messi is now the greatest player of all time. Is this possible? Or is this just media hype?

There is no doubting that Messi has achieved an awful lot in terms of club football at such an early age. He was nominated for several FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or nominations by the tender age of 21, and then won both at the age of 22. Messi's playing style, skill and ability have drawn many comparisons to fellow countryman, Diego Maradona, who has himself declared Messi as his "successor". However, can we seriously consider Messi to be a better player than the Argentinean legend?

Let us look at the facts. Diego Maradona also had a tremendous club football career, for Boca Juniors, Barcelona and in particular, Napoli. It was at Napoli that he elevated the team to the most successful era in their history. Led by Maradona, Napoli won their only Serie A Italian Championships in 86/87 and then in 89/90. They also came second in 87/88 and 88/89, as well as winning the Coppa Italia in 87, the UEFA Cup in 89 and the Italian Supercup in 90. Also Maradona was the top scorer in Serie A in 87/88.

Meanwhile, although Messi is winning every trophy in sight with Barcelona, it is arguable that they would do so anyway whether he was in the team or not. This is possibly the greatest club side that there has ever been and includes two of the other top 5 players in the world, in Xavi and Iniesta. However good Messi has been for Barcelona, he has not had the impact that Maradona had at Napoli.

Although at club level, there is not much in it between the two Argentinean geniuses, that is not the case at international level. Messi's record is average to say the least when he plays with Argentina, whereas Maradona's record with Argentina was second to none. Maradona won the World Cup in 1986 with a very average side, putting in unbelievable performance after performance. He then took an even worse team to the final in 1990, although they ended up losing to Germany.

Yes, Messi is the best player in the world. Yes, he is still young and who knows, one day he may well challenge Maradona as the greatest player ever. However, to compare Messi to Maradona at this stage is sheer nonsense and is clearly just media hype. Can we even compare him to the likes of Pele, Zidane, Cruyff and Platini at the moment? I doubt it to be honest, but World Cup 2010 could be the stage where he starts to put forward his credentials.

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Lionel Messi Secrets and Facts

By Raul Guerridos

South Africa World Cup 2010 is around the corner and fans from all over the world can't wait to watch current soccer stars go head-to-head during the much anticipated tournament. On June 11th 2010, South Africa the host country will kick-off the tournament against Mexico which will be the first game of group A which is composed by South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, and France. Although millions of fans are expected to watch the opening ceremony, many more are expected to be glued to the TV on June 12th which is the day Argentina will play its first game of the tournament against Nigeria. The reason for the increase in viewers is not because this is a classic, but because of Argentina's young star Lionel Messi.

At merely 22 years old, Lionel Messi has been named the best soccer player in the planet already and has won championships with his current team Barcelona FC.

Lionel Messi is a small mid-fielder with heart of a lion. He is only 5 feet 7 inches making his ball handling skills and noticeable lower body strength a sight for sore eyes for the hard-core soccer fans. His soccer skills are so impressive that has been compared to the Argentinean legend Diego Maradona. Messi moved to Europe with his family at an early age, and his soccer skills were developed by Barcelona FC. In the 2004-2005 Spanish soccer league (La Liga) Messi was the youngest player to debut in a team in La Liga and the youngest to score a goal in an official game in La Liga.

Although the Argentinean national soccer team struggled to qualify for this summers World Cup, all eyes will be on this team because its heart and soul is named Lionel Messi.

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The Italian National Soccer Team

By Brad J. Barrett

Italy are second only to Brazil when it comes to success in the FIFA World Cup, and the current side secured qualification to the 2010 tournament in South Africa on October 10th 2009 with a draw against the Irish Republic. They will be defending the crown they won in Germany in 2006.

Italy has won the World Cup four times and has given the entire soccer world some of the finest moments international soccer has ever seen.

Under the leadership of legendary manager Vittorio Pozzo the Italian national side won the first two World Cup competitions in which they competed, 1934 and 1938, so it is not unheard of for a side to successfully defend their World Cup title as the current side hopes to. They also won the tournament in 1982.

The most capped player in the history of the Italian national team is still a member of the current team. Fabio Cannavaro of Juventus will be almost 37 years old in June 2010, and has received a record 132 caps since making his debut on an international level in 1997. He was the captain of the victorious 2006 squad.

In fact many of the players from the victorious 2006 side are expected to return to World Cup action in 2010. The average age for the current Italian team members is higher than many other nations, with just 4 of the 22 players who are regular team members under the age of 25.

After the 2006 World Cup, manager Marcello Lippi decided not to renew his contract and retire from soccer management. However, under the management of his replacement, Roberto Donadini, the side faltered, failing to make it out of the quarterfinals at the 2008 European Championships. After that disappointing result, Donadini was fired and Lippi coaxed out of retirement to rebuild team morale in time for 2010, a feat he seems to have achieved rather well if their qualifying campaign is any result.

For the 2010 Cup, Italy was drawn into Group F with Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia. This particular group shapes up to be one of the easiest groups of the eight first-round groups, and Italy clearly has to be the favorite to finish in the top two and advance to the second round.

Brad Barrett is the founder of SoccerTools.com, a resource for all soccer fans with a current blog on US, English and World Cup soccer and reviews and information on how to buy soccer equipment such as [http://www.soccertools.com/World-Cup-2010-Jerseys/]World Cup jerseys, soccer balls and [http://www.soccertools.com/]soccer goalkeeper gloves.

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FIFA World Cup 2010 - Team Profile - Brazil

FIFA World Cup 2010 - Team Profile - Brazil
By Suresh Iyer

Brazil are the only team to have figured in every World Cup final from the time the event began, in 1930. In this year's edition, the five times champions are arguably placed in the toughest group G, along with Ronaldo-led Portugal, Drogba inspired Ivory Coast, and North Korea.

Brazil will aim to head their group, so as to meet the second team from group H, most likely, Chile. They will be tested by Ronaldo-led Portugal, and should they fail the test, will probably have to face Spain, in the second round. Incidentally, European champions Spain are the bookmakers' favourite at this world cup, and Brazil could face the prospect of an early exit. Assuming that the South Americans do head their group, and meet Chile, their strongest challenge is likely to be the Netherlands, in the quarter final, possibly followed by England in the semi-final.

Barring a 2-1 defeat by Bolivia, Brazil had an excellent campaign en route to qualifying for the 2010 finals. The 2009 Confederation Cup was the icing. Coach Dunga who is yet to announce the final squad of 23, has an embarrassment of riches, to choose from, with the likes of Luis Fabiano and Robinho in the forward line, Kaka and Luis Ramires in midfield, and Julio Cesar in goal. That a midfielder of the calibre of Ronaldinho is not assured of a place in Dunga's team is sufficient proof of Brazil's strength.

Can you blame Brazil's army of fans for licking their lips in anticipation?

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Suresh Iyer is an avid sports fan and blogger. His new blog on sports is fast becoming popular, as it is backed by comprehensive knowledge and research.

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Why You Need to Watch the 2010 World Cup

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=M_James]M James

If you're looking forward to the 2010 World Cup then you'll be getting behind your team, planning World Cup parties and generally getting excited about this most prestigious of sporting events. Even if you're not a keen football fan, you're still likely to get swept along, and take at least a passing interest.

Here's why you need to watch the 2010 World Cup.

1. There will be lots to interest you even if you're not a football fan. As the tournament is in South Africa, there's bound to be lots of amazing scenery, wildlife and other events to see before the game.

2. If you are a football fan, but you're country didn't qualify, you'll be able to watch lots of exciting players to watch, and speculate as to which players will sign for new clubs. Who will your team sign?

3. Because the time difference isn't too great, you'll be able to watch lots of matches without having to stay up late or get up early. You shouldn't need to take much time off work so that you can watch your team. This makes a change from the 2002 World Cup that was held in South Korea and Japan, and had a huge time difference.

4. There are lots of teams to support if your country didn't qualify. Perhaps you'll choose a neighbouring country, or one of the favourites for the tournament. Maybe you'll choose to support a nation based on a player who plays for your team, or on their kit.

5. There's always a nation that are plucky underdogs and do better than expected. Perhaps you'll want them to do well, or maybe they're in your country's group and you won't want them to do well.

6. This year should see the best viewing quality yet. With bigger screens and better quality TVs and improved HD streams, you'll be able to watch the games with more clarity and in more detail than ever before.

7. By going to your local bar, instead of staying at home, you'll experience lots of camaraderie, and make new friends, and enjoy the football even more.

8. If you're well organised, you can spend more time with friends and family watching the game at your local bar. Perhaps you'll also take some holiday at this time, and make the most of the World Cup.

9. You'll want to get behind your nation and support them. Perhaps the World Cup draw for the knockout stages will bring up old rivalries, or perhaps there will be some contentious decision that.

10. This year's World Cup should be best sporting event ever, and will be watched by millions of people worldwide. Because the event is in South Africa, the whole continent will have an added interest in the World Cup this year, and will inspire many people, all over the world, to start playing football.

Now you know more about why you should watch the 2010 World Cup, why not get yourself organised and watch it with your friends in your local bar?

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South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup - The Rainbow Country!

By Alejandro Guevara Onofre

The Host Country

In 1992 and 1993 the national team participated in the World Cup elimination round for Africa, but it lost to Nigeria. Subsequently, SA made its World Cup debut at the XVI FIFA World Cup in Paris in the late 1990s.  It all started when in August 1997, South Africa beat Congo, 1-0, and advanced to the 1998 World Cup. In the first round, it finished third in its group, behind France (host country) and Denmark. The squad lost to France, later world champ, 0-3. Then, it tied with Denmark (1-1) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2-2). The men's soccer team, under the leadership of Clive Barker, finished 24th, ahead of Scotland, Bulgaria, South Korea, Japan and the United States of America.

Country Profile: South Africa

SA lies in southern Africa and surrounded by Namibia, Zimbabwe (known as Rhodesia until 1980), and Botswana to the north, by Mozambique and the Kingdom of Swaziland to the east, by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. On the other side, the tiny country of Lesotho is located within South Africa.

The Republic of South Africa covers an area of 471,009 square miles. Unlike several nations in the world, it holds three capitals: Cape Town (legislative), Pretoria (administrative), and Bloemfontein (judicial). SA has a population of approximately 49 million. Politically, the nation is a constitutional democracy.

On the economic side, it has one of the most important mineral resources on Earth. Since the 1960s, SA is the world's biggest producer of gold. As a result, it is sub-Saharan Africa's most-developed country. In recent years, the nation has hosted many world-class events, including the Pan African Games.

World Cup Tradition

Soccer is one of the country's most popular sports. By 1996, the South African squad upset Tunisia and won the African Cup of Nations. At the beginning, SA, host country, was a heavy favorite in the event. They won the event by scoring 11 goals, with only 3 scored against them. The next year, the nation qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and finished 18th. Later, it was runner-up at the African Tournament in 1998, ranked behind Egypt. That year SA also competed at the 1998 World Cup. Four years on, they placed 17th in the global tournament in South Korea and Japan, outpacing Portugal, Russia and France. In the first round, the national squad dramatically lost to Spain (3-2). However, the South African squad beat Slovenia (1-0) and tied with Paraguay (2-2).

The 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup was scheduled for South Africa. Before a crowd of 40,000 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, the host country lost to Spain 3-2 (and finished fourth). During the preliminary round, they had defeated New Zealand ( winners of the 2008 Oceania Football Confederation) and tied with Iraq (winners of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup). That year, the national team came in 15th place in the FIFA U-20 World Championship in Egypt.

In an effort to improve its game, SA is working hard with Carlos Alberto Parreira, one of the world's best coaches. In the past, SA had worked with several foreign coaches: Theodore Dimitru (Romania), Philippe Troussier (France), and Carlos Queiroz (Mozambique), as well as Joel Santana (Brazil) and Stuart Baxter (United Kingdom).

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Freelance writer. Alejandro is author of a host of articles/essays about over 220 countries and dependencies (and American States as well), from ecology, history, tourism and national heroes to Olympic sports, foreign relations, and wildlife. In addition, he has published some books on women's rights, among them "History of the Women in America" and "Famous Americans."

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?South-Africa-2010-FIFA-World-Cup---The-Rainbow-Country!&id=3604741] South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup - The Rainbow Country!

South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup - All About France!

By Alejandro Guevara Onofre

The Road to South Africa!

France's national soccer team captivated many thousands of fans in the world during the 1998 when they earned the global tournament. For the first time, the national team won the World Cup. Led by its star Zinedine Zidane, the Europeans beat Brazil 3-0 in the final. They had never reached the final of the World Cup that its rival had won four times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994).On the other side, many people hailed the team's achievement as one of the greatest sporting moments in French history. Aside from Mr Zidane, France has produced great football players such as Just Fontaine, Michel Platini, Manuel Amoros, Luis Fernández, Jean Tigana, Eric Cantona, and Alain Giresse. At the same time, there are a few world-class coaches: Henri Michel, Jean-Michel Cavalli, and Philippe Troussier.

Country Profile: France

The Republic of France is located in Western Europe. It is bordered by eight countries: Spain and Andorra to the south, Monaco, Italy, Switzerland and Germany to the east, Luxembourg and Belgium to the north. It covers 211, 200 square miles (more than twice the size of Nevada, US). Over 65 million people live in France. Paris is the capital city. The country's other cities include Lyon, Marseilles, and Lille. Economically, it has long been among the world's most industrialized nations. On the other side, France is very famous for its notable women, from Joan of Arc to Madame Marie Curie and Marie-Jose Perec, scientists, gastronomy, multiethnic society, and tourism. Annually, over 70 million foreign visitors came to France's palaces, fashion boutiques, museums, galleries and luxury restaurants. This country is home to the UNESCO. Finally, France is the birthplace of Jules Rimet, one of the architects of the FIFA World Cup.

World Cup Tradition

The European nation made its World Championship debut in the early 1930 when it participated in the first global event. Subsequently the men's soccer team competed in Rome'34. Between July 4 and 19 July 1938, the III World Cup was held in Paris, where the host country came in eighth place. From the 1950s to 1970s, the European republic appeared in the 1954, 1958, 1966 and 1978 events. By the early 80s, the national team came in fourth place, after Italy, West Germany and Poland. Meanwhile, it finished fifth at the Games of the XIX Olympiad in the United Mexican States.

The biggest surprise of the 1984 Olympic Games was France. The national team was all but unbeatable in the event and picked up a gold medal for the first time, at the expense of Brazil and Yugoslavia (now Serbia). Meanwhile, they provided one of the most interesting moments of the Olympics when they defeated Brazil. As a result, they were one of the favorites to win the 1986 World Championship in Mexico City, along with Brazil and Argentina. During that event, France, lead by Michel Platini, placed third, outpacing Brazil and England. In spite of these gains, between 1990 and 1994, it could not qualify for the global tournament. In that time, Paris was awarded the 1998 World Cup. On July, 12 1998, France defeated Brazil team 3-0 and became the sixth host country to win the men's football World Championship. It won all seven of their matches. In the first round, they beat South Africa (3-0), Saudi Arabia (4-0), and Denmark (2-1). In the next round, it defeated Paraguay 1-0 and Italy (4-3). With a victory over Croatia (2-1) in the semi-finals, France qualified for the finals for the first time.

The men's soccer team was runner up in the 18th World Cup in Germany. This tournament was the 13rd World Cup in which it has participated. Last year France became one of the 32 national teams to qualify for the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Freelance writer. Alejandro is author of a host of articles/essays about over 220 countries and dependencies (and American States as well), from ecology, history, tourism and national heroes to Olympic sports, foreign relations, and wildlife. In addition, he has published some books on women's rights, among them "History of the Women in America" and "Famous Americans."

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South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup - All About Paraguay!

By Alejandro Guevara Onofre

The Road to South Africa 2010!

From an Olympic perspective, Paraguay is a unique nation in the Western Hemisphere. Why? This landlocked nation is famous for its competitive athletes. Against all odds, by 1987, the Paraguayan tennis team made world headlines when they, led by Victor Manuel Pecci, defeated the United States 3-2. That day was very special for the South American country. But Paraguay has had other greatest performances in sport. Without the economic power of many Olympic nations, the FIFA 2010 World Cup will be the fourth appearance in the World Cup for Paraguay, a record in the world's developing countries. Since then this Spanish-speaking nation has been home to many top soccer players, including Casimiro Avalos, Jose Luis Chilavert, Roberto Cabanas and Julio Cesar Romero.

Country Profile: Paraguay

Paraguay is a Spanish-speaking nation located in the heart of South America. This landlocked country has an area of 157,000 square miles (406,752 km) and surrounded by Bolivia to the north, by Brazil to the west, by Argentina to the east. With more than six million people, Paraguay - about the size of California-- is among the most sparsely populated countries in the Western Hemisphere. At the same time, it is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the region. Meanwhile, Asuncion is home to the country's capital city. By the early 1810s, Paraguay became one of the first independent nations of the world. Historically, the Latin American republic was a dictatorship until 1989 when the nation's ruler Alfredo Stroessner was overthrown by Andres Rodriguez.

World Cup Tradition

The FIFA recognized Paraguay as a member in 1925. In 1922 and 1929, Paraguay was runner up in the South American Tournaments in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Buenos Aires (Argentina). In the next year, by mid-1930, Paraguay was one of 13 countries to make its World Cup debut in Montevideo, Uruguay's capital. In this event, it finished eight, outpacing Romania, Belgium and Mexico. In the latter part of the 20th century, the men's football team competed at the IV World Cup in Brazil. Meanwhile, it became South American champion in 1953. Between June 3 and June 29, 1958, Paraguay ranked 12th in the global tournament in Stockholm (Sweden).

On July 27, 1965 in Luque (Paraguay), was born Jose Luis Chilavert, one of Latin America's top athletes in the 1990s. During that period of time, he had a great career as goalkeeper. He played for Velez Sarfield (Argentina), Zaragoza (Spain) and other foreign teams. Under the leadership of Chilavert, one of the nation's three most popular idols, along with Pecci and Augusto Roa Bastos (novelist), Velez Sarfield won many international titles, including the Copa Libertadores (1994), the Copa Interamericana (1994), the Intercontinental Cup (1994), and the Supercopa Sudamericana (1996). In 1995, 1997 and 1998, he was named as the world's best goalkeeper by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

By the late 1970s, the men's soccer team placed second in the Youth South American Tournament. Subsequently, it ranked among the top seven teams in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Tokyo, Japan. This team was the nucleus of the country's team for the Mexico 1986 FIFA World Cup.

At the FIFA 1986 World Cup in Mexico, the men's football squad qualified for the semi-finals and was one of the thirteen best teams on Earth. In the years that followed, by 1992, the men's soccer team qualified for the Barcelona Summer Olympics, where it finished eighth, ahead of America, Kuwait, Colombia, among other teams. In Spain, Paraguay was one of two teams that made its Olympic debut.

By the end of the 20th century, the men's football team took part in the global tournament and placed 14th. During that event in France, they beat Nigeria (3-1) and tied with Bulgaria (0-0) and Spain (0-0). In the next round, the hosts beat Paraguay 1-0.

By the early 2000s, the country, with a team that had been together over the years, picked up the ticket for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. During the course of the decade, it finished a surprise second at the 28th Summer Olympics in Greece, the nation's first Olympic medal. Subsequently, the South American nation qualified for the 2006 global tournament in Germany and placed 18th, ahead of Poland and Croatia. In 2009, the men's football squad, won the right to participate in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Freelance writer. Alejandro is author of a host of articles/essays about over 220 countries and dependencies (and American States as well), from ecology, history, tourism and national heroes to Olympic sports, foreign relations, and wildlife. In addition, he has published some books on women's rights, among them "History of the Women in America" and "Famous Americans."

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