Classic Ron and Un-Classico Ronnie

As I watched Manchester United's last weekend match against Everton, followed by the el classico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, I could not help but marvel at Ronaldo's brilliance at United and lament the fall of Ronaldinho at Barcelona. As a fan of both United and Barcelona, I want both my clubs to perform well. When Barcelona was winning trophies until just more than a year back, I was hoping United would follow suit.

When United was setting the Premiership on fire last season, I also had to witness the demise of the Catalan club. Will I ever see these two majestic clubs of Europe win their domestic titles in the same season? I guess not, considering the way the Catalan club is witnessing a downturn in its fortunes.

Ronaldo has already scored 17 times this season for United, while Ronnie has hardly made a significant contribution for Barca. I was aghast to say the least, seeing the latter's abject performance in Barca's home loss against Real Madrid.

Just more than 2 years back, Ronnie was given a standing ovation by Real fans for his virtuoso performance at the Santiago Bernabeau. Even last season, he scored about 21 goals for the club. But, what happened to that old Ronnie?

Did all that adulation get to his head? It is rumored that he missed more than 50 percent of the club's training session last season and that he was given preferential treatment by everyone at the club. No doubt, Ronnie was instrumental for Barca's revival but it is far more difficult to keep your act together at the highest level and in that aspect, he would do well to take cue from United legends such as Giggs and Scholes, who continue to perform at the highest level even after several Premiership titles.

On the other hand, Ronaldo is a star on the rise. However, he just has to take one look at the path taken by Ronnie and avoid that path at all costs. He is at a terrific club, surrounded by legends such as Giggs, Neville, and Scholes.

If Ronnie's arrogance was his downfall, Ron's might be his attraction to glamour and a constant craving for attention, reasons why he might quit United in a couple of seasons and head toward Real Madrid.

United would loathe to lose Ron when that time comes, but then no player is greater than the club, a fact being demonstrated by Ronnie at Barcelona.

Red Devils - At Home at Anfield

Tevez Scores at 'Home' Anfield

Anfield is turning out to be another home ground for ManUtd who have not been beaten here since 2001 in the Premier League. Tevez scored the winner for ManUtd last night just before half-time, for a 1-0 win for the Red Devils.

It was a scrappy affair with Liverpool having the majority of the possession but hardly creating any chances. The couple of chances to score were from Van der Saar's blunders. Thankfully, Anderson and Evra were at hand to stuff out the danger.

It was a solid performance from ManUtd. Particularly, the midfield was superb with Anderson overshadowing Gerrard, and Hargreaves as always, a rock in front of the defence. Rio too had a great game and never gave an inch of space to Torres. My men-of-the match would definitely be Anderson and Hargreaves.

Anderson overshadowed StevieG

ManUtd are second in the league, a point behind Arsenal, who won an exciting but violent encounter with Chelsea. Gallas put one over his old team and scored the only goal of the match, thanks to a Cech mistake at a corner.

Meanwhile in La Liga, the stage is all set for a pulsating encounter at the Nou Camp between Barcelona and Real Madrid next weekend. Barca are 4 points behind Real but are in good form thanks to Eto'o's return from injury. Messi's injury means he will be out for 4 weeks but I think Ronaldinho will make it to the starting eleven for the El Classico, after being left out on the bench numerous times this season.

Btw, there is a rumour that Fergie might see this as an opportunity to bring Ronnie to ManUtd, after failing to complete the deal in 2003. But the question is do we really need fat Ronnie at ManUtd?

Henry to Barca

After the heart-break of losing the La Liga title to arch rivals Real Madrid on the last day, it was just the sort of encouraging news that Barca fans were waiting for. Although this signing would put the future of Eto'o into doubt, football fans around the world would be eager to see how some of the best attacking players in the world - Ronaldinho, Henry, Eto'o and Messi, link up. How will this transfer affect some of the clubs in Europe, we will have to wait and watch. Some random thoughts...

1. Arsenal were struggling to make it to the top four for the past two seasons and with Henry's departure and Wenger's future in doubt, it would seem Arsenal's title hopes are out even before the start of the new season.

2. Would Wenger too depart this season? He is supposed to be a man of integrity and he doesn't want to quit before his contract ends next season. However, with the departure of Henry, he knows he has to sign a world-class player to fill the void. Moreover with the departure of David Dein, he has lost a crucial ally in the Arsenal boardroom.

3. Henry loves the limelight. So do Ronnie and the outspoken Eto'o. Will there be ego clashes that could possibly threaten Barca's season? Will Rijkaard stay and be able to have control over his superstars?

4. Henry is 30 now. Does he still have it in him to prove himself like Van Nistelrooy did, in a different league?

5. I am no fan of Henry but I am a fan of Van Nistelrooy. I am no fan of Real Madrid but I love Barca. I am in a huge dilemma!

What's On Their Mind?

Jose - I am ze special one. My players are ze special ones. Need 100 million pounds to get more special ones.

Roman - Ahh...Jose is demanding more funds. I think I may have to return to my money laundering days soon.

Obi Mikel - What have I done? I should ask for a new contract and more money to get over my mistake of leaving ManU.

Wenger - Need to get more players and strengthen my squad for next zeason. I heard there are a couple of promising 14-year olds in Ghana...must get them.

Owen - Newcastle is a big club and I should be loyal to them. Who am I kidding? Fergie, Jose, Rafa...someone please put me out of my misery.

Tevez - Qué el infierno que estoy haciendo en WestHam? Debo ir a Chelsea y ganar más efectivo y participar en las orgías de JohnT y de Lamps.

Southgate - How can I put the blame on Cristiano Ronaldo for Boro's disappointing season?

Ballack - Should I get another Maybach with my last week's wages?

Ronaldinho - Who says I am not hungry anymore? I never skip my lunch or dinner. I never say no to a free lunch. And in fact, I have regular snacks throughout the day.

Becks - Should I quit football and take a shot at Hollywood?

Ruud - The ball is Cristiano Ronaldo and the net is Fergie.

Essien - I should learn not to put my big foot inside my mouth. And, I should learn Math.

Big Sam - So many test messages from Fergie! Should change my number.

Fergie - Must find Big Sam.

Pick of the Week

I have not been able to update my blog for a long time...my apologies for that. The past couple of weeks have seen some great action across Europe. Some of the goals that really caught my eye and ranked accordingly are these...

1. Nakamura's awesome freekick, giving Celtic a win over ManU. One of the best freekicks I have ever seen. Just unstoppable!

2. Ronaldinho can't seem to stop scoring lately, his incredible overhead kick goal hit the final nail over Villareal's coffin.

3. Jermaine Defoe scored a peach of a goal, bamboozling the Wigan defenders. This guy is a terrific but underrated striker and needs to start more regularly for Tottenham.

4. Saha did a Ronaldinho over Chelsea, taking a shot from a tight angle and scoring a wonderful goal with his great left foot. Pity, it wasn't the winning goal!

5. Blackburn's Tugay is well-known for his long range kicks, so it was no surprise when he hit that stunning strike from nearly 30 yards. What a volley!!!!!

There's a rumor that Cannavaro is certain to land the prize of BalloonD'Or or the European player of the year, followed by Buffon and Henry. I feel Eto'o deserves that honour more than anyone else. His wonderful scoring record last season both in Spain and in Europe was the main catalyst in Barca doing a double. No doubt, Cannavaro was incredible at that World Cup but that alone does not make him more worthy than Eto'o.
My Pick would be Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Deco, Henry, Kaka...in that order.

Ruud and Ronnie to the Rescue

In the La Liga, Ruud scored 4 goals in Real's away win over Osasuna, while Ronaldinho scored 2 and set up another in Barca's 3-1 home win over Zaragoza. It's good to see my favorite players leading the race for the 'pichichi' with 8 goals, although I am not too happy Real is getting too much for a bargain price of 10 million pounds. But, with the galacticos era over at Real Madrid and that fool of a president Perez out, my antagonism towards Real has diminished to a certain extent. And, Ronnie was at his inpirational best yet again, rescuing his team from a goal down to a morale-boosting victory.

Now, it brings us to the question....who is the world' s best striker/forward at present?

Shevchenko
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Henry


For me, it has to be Ruud simply because he has proven time and again that he can go to any club and score at will. Unlike Shevchenko, who seems to struggle at Chelsea, not something expected from someone regarded as the best striker in the world by many pundits not long ago. Henry has been terrific for Arsenal over many seasons but then we would never know if he can be the same prolific striker if he was at a different club. What do you think?