Messi wins 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi became the inaugural winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or at a glittering award ceremony in Zurich on Monday.

Argentina star Messi was selected ahead of Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta, who both won the World Cup with Spain last summer.

Messi, 23, scored an astonishing 60 goals for club and country in 2010 and is regarded by many as the most gifted player of his generation.

The FIFA Ballon d'Or was created following the merging of France Football magazine's European Footballer of the Year prize with the FIFA World Player of the Year gong.

As such, it is awarded based on votes cast by journalists from around the world and coaches and captains of national teams.

Messi was the holder of both titles and therefore joins former Brazil strikers Ronaldo and Rivaldo and France legend Zinedine Zidane as a multiple winner of the latter accolade.

Alfredo Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ronaldo are the only other men to win the Ballon d'Or more than once.

Messi also became the first player to be awarded the prize in a World Cup year without having won the tournament for the first time since 1994 (when non-Europeans were ineligible).

Jose Mourinho was named Coach of the Year ahead of World Cup-winning Spain boss Vicente del Bosque and Barcelona's Pep Guardiola for leading Inter Milan to an unprecedented Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia treble.

There was disappointment for Glentoran's Matty Burrows in the Goal of the Year prize, with his jaw-dropping backheeled volley against Portadown losing out to Hamit Altintop's relatively mundane volley for Turkey against Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, tearful Brazil great Marta won a record fifth successive Women's Player of the Year award.

Award list in full:

Men's Player of the Year: Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina).

Women's Player of the Year: Marta (FC Gold Pride, Santos and Brazil).

Men's Coach of the Year: Jose Mourinho (Inter Milan and Real Madrid).

Women's Coach of the Year: Silvia Neid (Germany).

World XI: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid and Spain); Maicon (Inter Milan and Brazil), Gerard Pique (Barcelona and Spain), Lucio (Inter Milan and Brazil), Carles Puyol (Barcelona and Spain); Andres Iniesta (Barcelona and Spain), Xavi (Barcelona and Spain), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan and Holland); Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid and Portugal), David Villa (Barcelona and Spain), Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina).

Puskas Award (Goal of the Year): Hamit Altintop (Kazakhstan vs Turkey).

Fair Play Award: Haiti Women Under-17s.

Presidential Award: Desmond Tutu.

Top 5 best Premier League Buys

The January transfer window opens in just over a week - we take a look at some of the best ever Premier League buys.

By Marcus Chhan

There have been so many great buys made over the years by Premier League clubs, but to qualify as a 'best buy' the player needs to have two things going for them.

The player needs to have (a) largely contributed to the club's success during their time their, and (b) was a value for money signing.

I also limited myself to mentioning any club just once - otherwise it might start looking like a Manchester United / Arsenal only list.

Eric Cantona
From: Leeds United to Manchester United
When: 1992
How Much? £1.2million

Manchester United, under Sir Alex Ferguson, has made more than a few great signings over the years. In fact, you could argue that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's transfer from Molde in 1996 for £1.5million was more of a bargain than Eric Cantona's £1.2million in 1992. The transfer market was a very different beast by the time 1996 came around and £1.5million - considered a fair amount in 1992 - was peanuts four years later.

However, in terms of the success factor, the Frenchman cannot be compared to any other Fergie signing. He was the catalyst for a United empire which continues to win trophies over 18 years later.

Thierry Henry
From: Juventus to Arsenal
When: 1999
How Much? £10.5million

OK, I'll admit that £10.5million isn't exactly cheap, but weighed up against what the player brought to the club - Thierry Henry has to get a mention. Arsenal's best ever player in my book, so £10.5million is a bargain here.

Henry's true potential was never fully realised until he joined Arsene Wenger's revolution at Highbury where the titles and success would follow soon after. His pace was frightening and he made a fool out of more than a few Premiership goalkeepers during his time, including French compatriot Fabian Barthez (not once but twice).

Wenger's signing of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona also ranks up there as well, but the Spaniard needs to deliver the Premier League crown before he can be considered greater than Henry.

The £7million signing of Marc Overmars from Ajax in 1997 was a pretty darn good deal as well given the club got the best out of him and then flogged him to Barcelona for triple the price he was bought for.

Sammi Hyypia
From: Willem II to Liverpool
When: 1999
How Much? £2.6million

It's almost unbelievable to think that the player who was the rock in Liverpool's defence during their historic cup winning treble was signed on the recommendation of a TV cameraman. Sammi Hyypia eventually became captain of Liverpool during his time at Anfield and has been voted among the top 50 greatest players ever at the club.

At just £2.6million in 1999, the Finland international was a steal for the Reds. That same year Christian Vieri moved from Lazio to Inter Milan for £32 million.

Alan Shearer
From: Southampton to Blackburn Rovers
When: 1992
How Much? £3.6million

Alan Shearer's £3.6million was a pretty hefty price tag way back in 1992, but he fired Blackburn Rovers to their only ever Premiership title. His scoring record is second to none - 112 league goals for Rovers in 138 appearances.

Shearer was also sold to Newcastle United at a profit which ups his bargain factor.

Gianfranco Zola
From: Parma to Chelsea
When: 1996
How Much? £4.5million

The Italian led Chelsea to trophies before they were the richest kid on the block - and he did it with style and a smile. I am no Chelsea fan, but there's hard to find any fault about Gianfranco Zola and the way that he played the game.

He scored 80 goals for Chelsea in 312 games - some of them simply magic as well.

Special mention: Kevin Davies
From: Southampton to Bolton Wanderers
When: 2003
How Much? Free

I still can't get over how well Bolton Wanderers have performed this season. Their skipper Kevin Davies joined for nothing seven years ago and he continues to lead the line for them superbly. Davies also got his first (last?) England cap this season as well.

If they qualify for the Europa League next season, it would've been some effort.

source: espnstar.com

Man United ready for New Year

"Man United ready for New Year"

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher says the side is ready to carry its recent good form into 2011.

After a slow start to the campaign, United have picked up steam through the season with a 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn followed by a fighting 1-0 win over Arsenal.

They currently stand two points clear of the Gunners with a game in hand and will play Sunderland at home on Boxing Day. The Black Cats are dangerous opponents, having taken Chelsea apart in a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge, but Fletcher is confident the Red Devils can maintain their recent run.

In comments quoted by The Daily Mirror, he said:"We will kick on in the New Year.

"We will certainly be physically ready for the challenges ahead.

"The performance of the team and individual performance levels are rising.

"As a general rule it's important you do your base work early on and then kick on after Christmas."

On paper, United's next four games look eminently visible. After Sunderland, Sir Alex Ferguson's men play Birmingham (away), West Brom (away) and Stoke City (home) before a visit to White Hart Lane on January 16.

Given the topsy-turvy nature of this season though, they certainly won't be taking anything for granted.

Merry Christmas Everyone

From thepropertizer team

Arsenal Vs Manchester United

Ferguson: Arsenal are stronger

Sir Alex Ferguson has labelled Arsenal a more aggressive side than they were last year.

The Manchester United manager is preparing for another showdown with Arsene Wenger's men at Old Trafford on Monday night knowing a place at the top of the Barclays Premier League is the prize for the winner.

It promises to be a fascinating duel, not least because neither side has been on top form over a consistent period this term despite securing the top two places.

Arsenal have lost three times on home soil while United have been held to seven draws in an unbeaten 15-match start to the campaign.

Yet Monday should suit both sides as Ferguson's team have reserved their best performances for Old Trafford, while Arsenal head north on the back of five away wins on the trot, a record which, according to the United boss, has been achieved by mixing some steel to the finesse Wenger's teams are so renowned for.

The United manager still sees the same passing style. It is just that Wenger is trying to incorporate a more robust approach, as they used to do when Tony Adams was in his pomp.

"I think they'll still try to play the attractive football Arsene believes in, but there's definitely been a slight change" Ferguson told www.manutd.com.

"The general shape of the team has been far more mature and aggressive this year.

"They're top of the league - that's a sure indication that they are better than they were last year and they'll have a chance.

"They were very difficult to beat in the days of Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira and the three at the back - Keown, Adams and Bould.

"That brought them great success and I think that this team is showing that kind of maturity now."

Ferguson does not believe the fixture with Arsenal has lost any of its gloss since the emergence of Chelsea as a title-winning force.

"The games, particularly four or five years ago, were so important because both of us were challenging for league titles," he said.

"Chelsea have now come in and it's been ourselves and Chelsea over the last five years.

"Nonetheless, it's Manchester United against Arsenal and the history of both teams always guarantees a match of intensity and a lot of the time, controversy.

"I think Monday night's game will be more or less the same because the pride and history of both clubs determine that."

Champions League Tuesday Review

Tottenham qualified for the last 16 as Group A winners in their maiden Champions League season.

Tottenham, whose three goals came courtesy of a freak Peter Wisgerhof own goal and two from England striker Jermain Defoe on his first start in the competition, closed with 11 points as well as 18 goals.

Twente responded through Roberto Rosales, Nacer Chadli and Denny Landzaat to take third spot and a Europa League berth.

Inter Milan, meanwhile, slipped up in dramatic fashion against Werder Bremen.

A first-half header from Sebastien Prodl combined with a glorious volley from former Inter man Marko Arnautovic and a sharp strike from substitute Claudio Pizarro after the break earned Bremen their first win in the group.

It could have been even more emphatic for the Germans who hit the post and the bar as they carved open the defending champions in the second half.

FC Copenhagen stormed into the knockout stage with a 3-1 defeat of Panathinaikos apart at the Parken.

Martin Vingaard put the hosts ahead in the 26th minute and from then on they were dominant, with a 50th-minute penalty from Jesper Gronkjaer and Djibril Cisse's own goal wrapping up the points, before Cedric Kante netted late on for Pana.

The result ensured Copenhagen advanced from Group D in second place, though Barcelona's win over Rubin Kazan meant they would have gone through regardless.

A largely second-string Barca consigned Rubin to a place in the Europa League after securing a 2-0 win at the Nou Camp.

Andreu Fontas' deflected second-half effort and a late Victor Vazquez strike earned already-qualified Barca their fourth win in Group D.

Manchester United lost their perfect Champions League defensive record to Valencia but still managed to claim top spot in Group C thanks to Anderson's second-half equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

Pablo Hernandez rifled the visitors in front after half an hour before Brazilian Anderson notched just his second Red Devils goal after 62 minutes.

Kenny Miller scored his 19th goal of the season but third-placed Rangers could only conclude their campaign with a draw against Bursaspor in the Ataturk stadium.

The Ibrox striker broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when he lashed a left-footed shot from 12 yards past Yavuz Ozkam, however, the Scottish champions were forced to defend for most of the second half and in the 79th minute Sercan Yildirim stabbed the ball past Allan McGregor to give the Turkish club their first point.

Schalke secured top spot in Group B with a 2-1 victory away to hapless Benfica.

Having already sealed their passage to the knockout stage thanks to a 3-0 win over Lyon a fortnight ago, goals by Jose Manuel Jurado and Benedikt Howedes, before Luisao's consolation, gave them the win required to qualify as winners.

Benfica made the Europa League anyway after Hapoel Tel Aviv succumbed to a late Alexandre Lacazette equaliser to draw 2-2 with the Ligue 1 side.

After an entertaining but goalless first half Lisandro Lopez and Ben Sahar traded goals within a minute of each other around the hour mark before Eran Zahavi made it 2-1 to the visitors.

That would have been enough for third place and a parachute into the last 32 of the Europa League, but Lacazette popped up late on.

"Real and Barca better than United"

Valencia coach Unai Emery does not believe Manchester United are quite at the same level as Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Emery takes his side to Old Trafford on Tuesday looking for a win that would not only mean the United defence had been breached for the first time in this season's Champions League but would allow Valencia to leapfrog their opponents to claim top spot in Group C.

Yet, even if they fail in that quest, Emery does not feel Valencia will be meeting the side who should be regarded as favourites to conquer Europe at Wembley next May.

"Real and Barcelona are the best two club sides in the world," he said.

"Manchester United are almost level with them but I think they are just behind."

As Valencia cannot be paired with Real, who defeated them at the weekend, or Barca in the first knockout round, it could be argued United have the greater incentive to achieve a positive result.

Emery is not so sure.

With David Silva sent to attend the game and cheer on the club he joined as a 14-year-old and spent a decade with before joining Manchester City for £24million last summer, Emery feels Valencia have a wider motive.

"At the start of the Champions League we had two aims," he revealed.

"First, we wanted to qualify, which we have achieved. Secondly, we wanted to win the group.

"There are many reasons for doing that. For us it is not about wanting to avoid certain opponents.

"We want to show to the rest of Europe that we can produce a top performance at a big club.

"There are so many good teams in this competition. We want to get a result that will make other teams take notice of us and stand us in good stead for the remainder of the tournament."

Goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez had been a doubt with a calf injury.

However, Sanchez has travelled, which Emery views as a major positive and the former Tottenham man should start.

Russia,Qatar win 2018 & 2022 World Cups

Friday, December 3, 2010
Source: Reuters

Image © AFP
Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani (L), Fifa President Joseph Blatter (C) and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov pose with the World Cup following the announcement that Russia and Qatar will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on December 2, 2010 at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich.

ZURICH (Reuters) - Russia won the right to put on the 2018 World Cup and Qatar will stage the 2022 finals, both first-time hosts, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Thursday.

FIFA's executive committee voted for the two winning bids after a fierce lobbying campaign which saw world political leaders and top sports personalities gather in Zurich to press their case for one of the most prestigious and lucrative prizes in global sport.

Russia was granted the 2018 finals, beating the challenge of three other European bidders, England and the joint bids of Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal.

Qatar took the honours for 2022 over rivals Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Blatter said: "We go to new lands. Never has the World Cup been in Russia and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East and Arabic world have been waiting for a long time so I'm a happy president when we talk about the development of football."

Russia deputy prime minister Igor Shuvalov, whose delegation whooped with delight on the announcement, said: "You have entrusted us with the FIFA World Cup for 2018 and I just can promise, we all can promise, you will never regret it. Let us make history together."

Qatar bid chief Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani told the FIFA executive: "Thank you for backing us and expanding the game. You will be proud of us and you will be proud of the Middle East"

The voting process took place against a highly charged background after British media outlets made allegations of corruption against a number of FIFA's executive committee members.

The executive committee, reduced to 22 after two were suspended over the allegations, voted in secret. No details of the counts were made available by FIFA but bid member Gary Lineker told Reuters England had gone out in the first round of voting for 2018.

It was the first time FIFA had carried out a vote for two World Cup finals at the same time.

Footie News

Saturday 4th December 2010

Hey all , We were thinking of starting of some sports column for all you Propertizers. For now we are starting off some football news and updates for all you footie fans. p.s i'm a huge footie fan of MAN UTD :P . Hope you guys enjoy it :)

Evans leading United axe list

Jonny Evans heads the queue of Manchester United youngsters heading for the doldrums after their Carling cup disaster.

Evans, Gabriel Obertan, Federico Macheda, Fabio Da Silva and Bebe are all in danger of being Old Trafford outcasts after inept displays during West Ham's 4-0 thrashing of the Red Devils at Upton Park.

According to a report in English broadsheet the Mirror, United deputy head coach Mike Phelan has warned that the future of several players are on the line after their shocking defeat, which ranks as Sir Alex Ferguson's biggest loss for almost a decade

It is now likely that the marginalized group mentioned will not get much playing time as the Red Devils challenge for the remaining domestic and European honours, with only injuries and suspensions likely to hand them starting places.

Despite Chris Smalling's and Javier Hernandez's substandard performances on Wednesday, the pair are seemingly safe and secure especially since they only joined the club this summer.

However, United's coaching staff are alarmed by the poor displays of centreback Evans, who endured a wretched evening after Hammers forward Carlton Cole got the better of him to score twice.

Ferguson, who hailed Evans as "the future of Manchester United" after the Northern Ireland international returned from a loan spell at Sunderland and impressed immensely last campaign, hauled off the defender with 18 minutes to go to prevent further embarrassment for him.

Though Ferguson as always refused to lambast his players in the public domain, United's second in command Phelan did not hold back.

"Some of the defending was naïve," said Phelan. "There are lessons to be learned from the defending point of view with individual players and hopefully they will take something from that.

"You can learn from defeats and we need them to learn quickly. They are quality players but they are young and they are going to make mistakes.

"It's how they deal with those mistakes and how they react. So we'll be looking in the next few days to see what character they've got and whether they can step up to the plate next time."

Whilst experienced players such as John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs and Anderson were also in the firing line against West Ham, the younger crop are far more likely to suffer the consequences.

Despite Macheda's explosive debut against Aston Villa when he bagged the winner in the 2008/2009 season, he has not scored when starting a game.

The likes of Obertan, Fabio and Bebe have all also failed to shine so far this season.

Ex-United defender Viv Anderson, now an MUTV pundit, also gave his take following the club's worst defeat since a 4-0 League Cup loss at Arsenal in November 2001.

"The goals conceded were shocking," said Anderson. "The one where Evans gets turned was a really bad goal for any defender to concede. They will have to learn very quickly.

"It was a hard night. It was a learning curve for these young lads and I don't think they are quite up to the task as everyone seemed to think they were.

"The manager put his trust in six or seven 20 to 21-year-olds, thinking they were good enough to get a result, and it didn't work.

"It's backfired on him [Fergie], you could see that in his face. He's going to have to really think about the younger lads because they obviously can't match up to his or this club's expectations."

from espnstar.com

Ryan T.