Ronaldinho calling it quits...

Brazilian super-star Ronaldinho has announced at a press conference in Rio de Janiero, Brazil that he will be hanging up his boots for the national team after the Confederations Cup, and the World Cup.  The World Cup, which is going to be held in is home country Brazil, starts in June. Ronaldinho is quoted as saying, " I'm trying to motivate myself to have to a successful run in both tournaments to end my cycle with the national team", reported SporTV from Brazil.

 

Ronaldinho said that he wants to win the World Cup, in which Brazil will play host. Also stating that nothing is left for him to win with the national team because he's won, "all the possible championships with the Selecao." (Brazilian National Team nickname.)

 

Already called up twice to serve his national team by head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Athletico Minieros player has had 2 great performances against the friendlies played against England, and most recently Bolivia.  Whether or not Ronaldinho will call it quits or not after these tournaments, one thing can be said for sure, when the day comes for this maestro of the beautiful game, the world will miss a magician of soccer. With many soccer greats and personal heroes of mine calling it quits over the years, Ronaldinho stands as one of the last remaining greats that I grew up watching along side my child-hood and all time favorite Ronaldo. He's one of the last remaining legends I idolized in the sport. Ronaldinho, Beckham, and Thierry Henry are the last remaining that I admire, all still playing, but running out of fumes. Sooner or later, all good things come to an end... Unfortunately.

 

Ronaldinho with the Selecao has won a World Cup back in 2002, Copa America in 1999, and the Confederations Cup in 2005. To win another World Cup in his home Country would be the perfect icing on the cake, and a fine way to say goodbye to the national team.  How do you soccer fans feel about this news?  Comment below.

Messi vs. Machine

Messi vs. Machine (courtesy of YouTube)

 

 

Funny video, Messi going up against a Robotic goal-keeper. Who wins? Comment below...

Bayern Munich: Bundesliga Champions

The mighty Bundesliga Champions are Bayern Munich. They sealed the season, with a 1-0 win over Frankfurt, that came from a beautiful back-heel from Bastian Schweinsteiger. What's even more impressive is the speed at which they won. Winning the title with six matches left on the schedule. Bayern completely dominated this season in the Bundesliga, dropping only 2 points in road games, clearly Munich started all guns' blazing this season. Many aspects came into play to fulfill this great feat. The offense got bulked up, but the defense is what really solidified the team and made them a strong threat throughout the season. Signings such as, Claudio Pizarro and Javi Martinez (defensively) have been outstanding for the already star-studded line-up. One special stand-out signing is Dante.

The defense was so strong, that Manuel Neuer was quoted as saying that sometimes, he went many minutes not seeing any action on his goal, that he would ask a near by ball-boy for a ball, just to touch a football. Another record that Bayern could break is least goals allowed in a season. Currently at 13 goals, the current record is 21 currently held by... You guessed it, non other than Bayern Munich with a total of 21 goals back in the 07-08 season. With six matches left and the team's strong defense, the record looks more than accomplished. On top of that the Bavarians still have the opportunity to complete a "Treble" with the current inclusions in the German Cup and the Champions League (the later in which they play Juventus in the return leg against Juventus.) Bayern really is quite a side, and their squad is only going to get stronger next season when Pep Guardiola takes over the Bavarian squad.