Should We Believe this?

I've been reading all day on various football sites that Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has said that the pursuit of Christiano Ronaldo is over "forever". This should signal the end to this saga right? I do not think so. The simple fact is that elite European clubs should not be trusted with their words because one day their presidents or directors say the chase is over and then when reelection comes along they promise their fans that big-name signings like Ronaldo will be theirs. So I find it very hard to trust any of these guys. That being said, it may be possible that the chase is over on Real's side of things, but do you think that it is over for Ronaldo? I doubt it.

Even though I think that Manchester United is a better side than Real Madrid at the current moment. I believe that Ronaldo's heart is not totally in Manchester. His goal celebrations have been more subdued and he does not seem his old self on the field. I have been starting to wonder when is he going to start sabotaging his stay in Manchester. I believe that he is one of those types that could possibly do something like that. He can start getting underneath players skins and more importantly Sir Alex's. I do think that some of his teammates already do not trust him. Alex doesn't really care about that but once he starts undermining the captain of the ship, it's something the legendary manager will not take too kindly to. Ask Ruud Van Nistlerooy and Roy Keane about that. So I have been wondering, when is he going to start doing the Manny Ramirez? Will he start complaining about his knees being hurt in the middle of winter? Or going half-speed in important games? I do not know, but I can certainly see it.

So do I believe that this saga is completely over? Absolutely not, because C. Ronaldo still (in my opinion) has his heart set on going to Real Madrid and by all means he will do whatever he can to get there.

Why Does Capello keep on picking Beckham?

There has been much debate on newspapers and talk shows about why David Beckham continues to be picked for the English National Team. While Michael Owen has been getting overlooked for a spot. Fabio Capello’s rationale of why Owen cannot make the team is that he is on a Newcastle team that is struggling in the English Premier League. I cannot defend that because David Beckham is on the worst team in the MLS, a third tier league among the leagues in the World. I believe I have an idea why Capello continues to pick Beckham in his national team and it falls closely in line with their days at Real Madrid.

I remember when David Beckham signed his 5 year/$250 million MLS contract in the winter of 2007 while he was on the Real Madrid side managed by Fabio Capello. When this happened, Capello shunned Beckham and told him that he would never play for his Real Madrid side again. At that time, Beckham became a practice player for Real Madrid. Madrid began to struggle during this period and it looked like Capello wasn’t doing a good enough job as coach and it would be another trophyless season for Los Merengues. Then around springtime, Fabio Capello saw that David Beckham was improving his play among the reserves. Beckham could have easily taken his foot off the pedal and coasted along, but Don Fabio and Beckham's teammates saw the improvements that Beckham was making and Capello decided to let Beckham back in the first team side. After his return, Real made a run all the way to the Primera Liga title and Beckham was an instrumental part of the side winning their first trophy since 03.

I do think that Fabio sees Beckham as an important part of his England side, and I think he does owe Beckham for his services when they both were in Real. Do I think it is right? No, but I do think it is an logical reason while the ageing icon is still in the side. However Fabio is not a stupid man, he is not going to pick Beckham unless he is playing first-team football in Europe during the MLS break. That is why Becks is desperate to go back to Europe. The fact that the LA Galaxy continues to be the worst team in the MLS also helps Beckham's decision to possibly return to Europe.

Who is the World's Best? Candidate 3

Wesley Sneijder: Similar style to fellow Dutch player, Van der Vaart, Sneijder is yet another player who does not possess the athleticism and physical attributes that most players have, but again, like Xavi, Van der Vaart, and Iniesta, he is a highly intelligent technical player, who can also strike the ball solidly from any position. Real Madrid’s designated freekick taker, Sneijder is deadly anywhere inside or around the box no matter how far he is from the target. To come into Spain’s La Liga and win the player of the year during his first year is nothing short of spectacular, especially coming from an ‘inferior league’ like the Erdivisie. Sneijder is also a great team player that sacrifices himself defensively, making him a complete player. Sneijder’s diligent work rate with his national team and club combined with his innate talent has transformed him into the star he is today.

A preseason injury has kept one of the best players in the world sidelined this season so far. Much is expected of the Dutch maestro when he returns to the Real line-up alongside fellow Holland teammate, Van der Vaart. Sneijder is another of those players who lacks a real weakness worth noting, though his injury could prove to be costly for his great progress.