Martino: City won't want to face Barcelona

The Blaugrana boss believes the English giants will not be happy about being drawn against this side in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino insists Manchester City will be upset after drawing his side in the last 16 of the Champions League in February.

The Premier League side have been unstoppable on home turf all season, winning all eight of their domestic matches and scoring a total of 16 goals against Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham.

Martino will take his side to the Etihad Stadium for the first leg of the tie in February, but still claims that it should be City who should be more concerned.

"There were six outcomes and we drew Manchester City," The Argentinian told reporters

"You've got to play whoever you get but they will not want to play against Barcelona. They are important opponents with very good players, but we will go there to win.

"The most important thing is to arrive at their stadium in good shape and play well."

And Martino also said he was looking forward to pitting his managerial wits against former Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini.

"It will be very interesting to have a game against a Pellegrini side as I think he is one of the best coaches in the world."


Courtesy: John Baines

Source: http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/221/champions-league/2013/12/16/4483399/martino-city-wont-want-to-face-barcelona?ICID=HP_HN_2

ICC Twenty20 Rankings

Team	Matches	Points	Rating
Sri Lanka	24	2570	129
India	19	1843	123
South Africa	29	2418	123
Pakistan	40	3638	121
West Indies	22	2041	120
England	28	2357	112
Australia	26	2047	102
New Zealand	27	2139	102
Ireland	14	783	87
Bangladesh	15	791	72
Afghanistan	14	908	70
Netherlands	12	508	56
Scotland	13	545	50
Zimbabwe	16	553	46
Kenya	17	633	42
Canada	8	11	2

ICC Test Rankings, 2013

Team	Matches	Points	Rating
South Africa	27	3531	131
India	33	3920	119
England	38	4407	116
Pakistan	25	2538	102
Australia	33	3318	101
West Indies	25	2366	95
Sri Lanka	26	2295	88
New Zealand	30	2243	75
Zimbabwe	11	372	34
Bangladesh	16	285	18

ICC ODI Ranking, 2013

Team	Matches	Points	Rating
India	58	6967	120
Australia	42	4808	114
England	42	4671	111
Sri Lanka	51	5605	110
South Africa	44	4825	110
Pakistan	53	5279	100
West Indies	44	3958	90
New Zealand	34	2899	85
Bangladesh	26	2165	83
Zimbabwe	26	1439	55
Ireland	11	423	38
Netherlands	7	88	13
Kenya	4	40	10

Ballon d'Or not important - Ronaldo

The 28-year-old Portuguese says it would not be "the end of the world" if he does not win this year's edition of the award and has voiced his happiness with life in Spain.

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that winning the Ballon d'Or is not the most important thing in a footballer's career.

The Portuguese has scooped the award once - in 2008, for his title-winning exploits at Manchester United - but has repeatedly come off second best to Lionel Messi in recent years.

Ronaldo is the favourite to regain the prize this year but the 28-year-old insists that he is not overly concerned with individual accolades.

"The Ballon d'Or is not the most important thing in a footballer's career," the Blancos forward told beIN Sport. "There are many more years.

"It is important for many players and I can understand that, but it's just an individual trophy.

"Of course, it would be nice to win but it would not be the end of the world otherwise. Moreover, great players who deserved it have never won it."

Ronaldo pledged his future to Madrid earlier this season by signing a contract that runs until 2018 and he says he very comfortable in the Spanish capital, though he stopped short of saying he would definitely retire at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"This is my house, my home, I feel good. I love the fans, I love the staff and I have everything I need here," he continued.

"That's why I signed a new contract. I don't know where I'll end my career but I am happy here for now."


Courtesy: Enis Koylu

Source: http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/3870/fifa-ballon-dor/2013/12/09/4465910/ballon-dor-not-the-most-important-thing-ronaldo?ICID=HP_HN_2