Soccer Latest Highlights

Barcelona have been crowned world champions for the first time ever after 120 truly scintillating minutes of epic football. After going a goal behind, Pedro equalised with just a minute to go, and Messi scored the title-winning goal in extra time.

If there is one team that deserved this, then that team was FC Barcelona. Once again they had to come from behind, once again they did that by playing consistent, patient and frankly outstanding football. They were vastly superior to the gritty Argentinian outfit and also had to deal with some bizarre refereeing decisions. For Estudiantes, it was a matter of taking the lead through Boselli and then hanging onto their lead at whatever cost.

And they almost got what they wanted. But then in the 89th minute Pedro did what the injured Iniesta did against Chelsea and equalised just when it looked like the dream could be over. The tension was unbearable as the game went into extra time, but Barça looked as solid as ever and stayed faithful to the football that has achieved so much this year. The Argentinians were tiring more and more, and finally it was their compatriot Leo Messi who grabbed the winner, with his chest! And that was it. Barça have finally won their first ever Clubs World Cup, and an unrepeatable 2009 is over in which the club has won all six of the titles in play. It is impossible to have asked for more!

Balanced opening

The game started with both sides testing each other. The first chance fell to Estudiantes, the second to Barça, and then Xavi squandered a chance when he was through on the keeper. From then on, it was an evenly matched affair, and that was all thanks to the permissiveness of the referee, who seemed far readier to penalise Barça’s free kicks, and following a series of tough challenges on Leo Messi, even had the audacity to book him for diving.

Referee and Boselli

This was the game Estudiantes wanted. It was a stop-start affair, and Barça couldn’t get things flowing the way they like. It was a hard-hitting encounter, and Estudiantes clearly weren’t in Abu Dhabi to play beautiful football. With the game-plan based almost entirely on counter attacks, their three centre backs certainly managed to thwart most of Barcelona’s plans. And to typify the way things were going, a delightful Barça move ended with Albil clearly bringing down Xavi. A red card and a penalty seemed the obvious solution, but the referee preferred to award a goal kick.

Five minutes later, Estudiantes went on a rare break, and a cross from the left from Díaz was met by Boselli, who beat both Puyol and Abidal to the ball. The leading goalscorer in the Copa Libertadores may have been a few inches offside, but there was nothing Valdés could do about his header.

Danger down the left

Like in the semi final against Atlante, there was plenty of time to react. Guardiola maintained the calm, but did send on Pedro in place of Keita to gain some movement down the wings and take some of the physicality out of midfield. There was already enough of that thanks to the Argentinians, while Barça needed to get the game flowing the way they like. The improvements came. Henry and Ibrahimovic constantly found themselves in dangerous positions, but the goal just didn’t want to come.

Pedro seals the miracle

It was a non-stop onslaught on the ‘Pincharrata’ goal. Guardiola even moved Piqué into an attacking position, thus providing an alternative to Ibrahimovic, who just wasn’t having his day. And it was the centre back who managed to get his head onto the ball to send it towards Perdo, who never fails from that position. Just when it had looked like Barcelona were going to suffer a cruel and undeserved defeat, Pedro was there to take the game into extra time.

Jeffren makes ground

Touré and Jeffren had already come on for Busquets and Henry when the goal was scored, and both contributed to the continuation of a game in which Barça dominated possession in extraordinary fashion. Meanwhile, Estudiantes were clearly demoralised, but more importantly, physically exhausted. The way Jeffren had Clemente beaten for pace was creating chance after chance, but after 105 minutes, it was still 1-1.

The best team wins

The Argentinians were clearly hoping to run down the clock and chance their luck in a penalty shoot-out. Barça don’t play football that way. They only like to win by showing that they are the better team. And they did, and all thanks to the best player in the world. Alves crossed from the right, and there was Messi to send the ball goalward with his chest, or perhaps better put, with his heart, the ball striking him just where the crest of his beloved club appears on the famous Barça shirt. It was one of the most beautiful moments in the entire history of this incredible club. The crowning moment for a team that has rewritten the history books.


Author: Barcelona Offical site, Roger Bogunya

King Of The World

The Blaugrana meet Estudiantes in a bid not only to complete the best year ever contested by a club side, but also to become Europe's third consecutive winners, following in the footsteps of AC Milan and Manchester United.

Barca last competed in this contest in 2006 when they fell against Internacional of Brazil. That was a bitter disappointment, and perhaps the beginning of the end of the Frank Rijkaard era. Fans will hope that things will change under Pep Guardiola.

For Estudiantes, this tournament is old hat, at least in its former incarnation. The Intercontinental Cup saw the La Plata side win against Manchester United in the notorious 1968 final, before losing the two subsequent finals.

All in all, it's a fitting end to what has been so far an intriguing tournament - the first to be hosted in the UAE. Here's hoping that the final is suitably exciting.


FORM GUIDE

Barcelona

WON 3-1 (n) Atlante (Club World Cup, Dec 16)
WON 1-0 (h) Espanyol (Liga, Dec 12)
WON 2-1 (a) Dynamo Kyiv (Champions League, Dec 9)
WON 3-1 (a) Deportivo (Liga, Dec 5)
WON 2-0 (a) Xerez (Liga, Dec 2)

Estudiantes

WON 2-1 (n) Pohang Steelers (Club World Cup, Dec 15)
DREW 0-0 (h) Chacarita Juniors (Apertura, Dec 3)
DREW 1-1 (a) River Plate (Apertura, Nov 28)
LOST 1-0 (h) Colon (Apertura, Nov 25)
WON 3-1 (h) Tigre (Apertura, Nov 20)


TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Andres Iniesta is out of the final after sustaining an injury against Atlante in the semi-final. Yaya Toure may enter the lineup in his stead, alongside Sergio Busquets. Xavi will provide the invention to Messi, 'Ibra' and Pedro - or perhaps Henry - further forward.

Probable Starting XI: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal; Toure Yaya, Sergio Busquets, Xavi; Messi, Ibrahimovic, Pedro.

Estudiantes

Marcelo Carrusca is a long-term absentee up front, while Nunez may drop to the bench as Estudiantes look to shore up the wide areas.

Probable Starting XI: Albil; Rodriguez, Cellay, Desabato, Diaz, Re; Brana; Veron, Benitez, Perez; Boselli.


PLAYERS TO WATCH



Barcelona
Lionel Messi. A hero to Argentines as much as he is to Barca fans, there will still be no love lost between Estudiantes and the little forward. Fresh from winning the Ballon d'Or, he has a great chance to cement his place in history.

Estudiantes
Juan Sebastian Veron is the most recognisable player to non-Argentine spectators, and there's a good reason for that. The former Manchester United man still has it despite his advanced age, and will be key to unlocking the Barca defence.


PREDICTION

As in the semi-final, Barca may start slowly, but will eventually lift their sixth trophy of the year, despite spirited opposition from the 'rat stabbers'.

Barcelona 3-1 Estudiantes


Author: Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com

LONDON: David Beckham's grandfather died on Wednesday, his agent said, but the England midfielder is expected to stay in South Africa where he is helping sell England's bid for the 2018 World Cup.
"His grandfather passed away this morning, but we ask everyone to respect the family's privacy at this time," his spokesman Simon Oliveira said.

Joseph West, 83, who died after battling a serious illness, was very close to Beckham and is credited with having had a formative influence on the star player's early career, reports said.

A friend of the player said that unless the funeral takes place in the next couple of days, Beckham is expected to continue his schedule in South Africa.

"His grandfather would have wanted him to continue to fulfil his duty to his country," the friend said.

Beckham is the key in selling England's struggling bid for the 2018 World Cup, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday.
Blatter met Beckham in Cape Town ahead of England's presentation this week of its bid credentials to the world's media and football's powerbrokers.

Beckham, who hopes to be in Fabio Capello's squad for the 2010 World Cup, has taken on the role of official ambassador for England's bid in an attempt to convince Fifa executives to award them a first World Cup since 1966.

Beckham, one of the few players to score in three World Cups, will take part in today's draw for next year's competition.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was announced today as the winner of the prestigious 2009 Ballon d'Or accolade with a record 473 points total, over double the tally of second placed Cristiano Ronaldo.

Since January the outstanding forward has demonstrated beyond doubt why he is considered the best player in European football. It doesn't matter whether it's Manchester United in the Champions League final or Numancia in La Liga in January, the Argentinian football mastermind is consistently on hand to deliver goals or assists and it is little wonder that Barcelona have won everything in sight with Messi leading the line and his selection for this award has been wholly justified.

The Argentine forward began the year in typically brilliant style with a hat-trick away to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their fifth round of their Copa del Rey tie at the Vicente Calderon. It was to prove the beginning of a magnificent seven game winning streak for Barca, with the inspirational Messi contributing an amazing total of nine goals and four assists in an unrivalled display of individual endeavour.
Five days after the disposal of Atletico, the magicial Messi came to the Blaugrana's rescue in Pamplona with a late goal against Osasuna as the Catalan giants secured a vital 3-2 win in the Primera Liga and he followed that up with the opener against Deportivo La Coruna as a 5-0 rout at Camp Nou signalled the intent of the would-be champions.

Messi ended January with a brace against Numancia and at the beginning of February underpinned his status as Barca talisman at El Sardinero. With Racing Santander leading 1-0 the Argentine star came off the bench on the hour mark, equalised five minutes later and bagged an 80th minute winner as Barca maintained the winning rhythm. The goal run came to an end in the following game but Messi was still on hand to provide two assists as they overcame Sporting Gijon with a 3-1 win.

Having displayed his undeniable individual supremacy on the domestic scene Messi produced another masterclass for Barca in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich and ensured that they marched into the semi's with relative ease.



A rampant Barcelona put the Bavarian giants to the sword in 43 minutes of sheer footballing masterclass which cemented Pep Guardiola's team's place as the best side in Europe. Lionel Messi illuminated the contest with two superbly taken individual efforts and also assisted Samuel Eto'o to ensure that the tie was beyond all doubt long before the second leg in Germany.

May was to prove the crucial month for the Argentinian as the season-long display of graft, guile, craft and cunning from the Catalan's resulted in an historic season in Spanish football.

Firsty Messi and Barca went to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid in the crucial Clasico. The young forward was nothing short of genius on the night, making Thierry Henry's equaliser before adding two himself in the infamous 6-2 rout of Los Merengues which virtually ensured that title number one in their three trophy triumph was complete.

Even when the Blaugrana looked dead and buried at Stamford Bridge in the dying minutes of their semi final against Chelsea it was the impudent Argentinian who laid the ball off to Andres Iniesta before he broke Blues hearts with that stunning leveller.

The Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao cemented Barca's place in history. The mercurial Messi, inevitably, was on the scoresheet and also provided yet another assist in the 4-1 rout.



And the Champions League final in Rome was surely Messi's finest moment, tormenting the Manchester United rearguard before eventually leaping high to power Xavi's 70th cross past Edwin Van der Sar to cap a fine performance as the Blaugrana completed an unprecedented, glorious treble.

Messi contested 51 games for Barca last season, scoring 38 goals and assisting in 18 more, proving himself as the true team player as well as a superb individual.

So far this term, the 22-year-old has continued where he left off with 11 goals and five assists to his name already in just 18 appearances, including two goals in the Super Copa win over Athletic Bilbao and the assist for Pedro against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco. At this rate who'd bet against him repeating this Ballon d'Or success in 12 months time?

Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina has won the Ballon d'Or 2009 award, making him the first player from his country to be crowned World Footballer of the Year.

The 22-year-old has now occupied all of the top three places, having debuted in third in 2007 before rising to second last year.

Furthermore, Messi has won by the greatest margin ever recorded in the history of this venerable competition. Out of a possible 480 points, Lionel scored 473 - a new record, and far ahead of the man in second place, namely last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese managed 233 points.

In winning the prize, awarded by France Football following voting by a panel of journalists from across the world, Messi becomes the youngest Ballon d'Or winner since Michael Owen's win as a 21-year-old in 2001.

In a year that Barcelona won an historic treble of the Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, it seemed inconceivable that a player without the Blaugrana shirt would receive the award.

Barca midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi were also shortlised, but Messi was considered favourite by virtually every observer.

As such it was no surprise when he was confirmed as the winner late on Monday evening.

Teammate Xavi, meanwhile, is said to have ended up in third place.

From an initial shortlist of thirty, ten players were announced last week as the finalists, with Messi's name looming large among those of the likes of Dider Drogba and Wayne Rooney.

However, it was the former Newell's Old Boys youth who prevailed in the end.

Timing

Although the final result was not to be announced until 02:00 CET on Tuesday December 1st, reports of Messi's victory emerged in the French online press over an hour before the appointed time.

Furthermore, minutes after 01:00 CET, a message from the France Football profile on social networking website Facebook appeared announcing Messi as the winner, only to disappear seconds later.

Messi, who will be presented with his award on Sunday evening at a gala event in Paris, becomes the first registered Argentine to win the Ballon d'Or since its creation. Buenos Aires-born Juventus legend Omar Sivori triumphed in 1961, but at the time he was a registered Italian.