Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi born on 24 June 1987 is an Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team. He serves as the captain of his country's national football team. By the age of 21, Messi had received Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations. The following year, in 2009, he won his first Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. He followed this up by winning the inaugural FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2010, and 2012. He also won the 2010–11 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. At the age of 24, Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer in all official club competitions. At age 25, Messi became the youngest player to score 200 La Liga goals.

Commonly rated by commentators, coaches and colleagues as the best footballer in the world and as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, Messi is the first football player in history to win four FIFA/Ballons d'Or – all of which he won consecutively – as well as the first to win three European Golden Shoe awards. Messi has won six La Ligas, two Copas del Rey, five Supercopas de España, three UEFA Champions Leagues, two Super Cups and two Club World Cups. In March 2012, Messi made Champions League history by becoming the first player to score five goals in one match. He also matched José Altafini's record of 14 goals in a single Champions League season. Messi became the first player to top-score in four successive Champions League campaigns. Messi set the European record for most goals scored in a season during the 2011–12 seasons, with 73 goals. In the same season, he set the current goal scoring record in a single La Liga season, scoring 50 goals. On 16 February 2013, Messi scored his 300th Barcelona goal. On 30 March 2013, Messi scored in his 19th consecutive La Liga game, becoming the first footballer in history to net in consecutive matches against every team in the league.

Messi was the top scorer of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship with six goals. In 2006, he became the youngest Argentine to play in the FIFA World Cup and he won a runners-up medal at the Copa América tournament the following year, in which he was elected young player of the tournament. In 2008, he won his first international honor, an Olympic gold medal, with the Argentina Olympic football team. Sportsperson has rated Lionel Messi as the second-most marketable athlete in the world. His playing style and stature have drawn comparisons to compatriot Diego Maradona, who himself declared Messi his "successor".

Often referred to as an Argentinian-Spanish player, this crossover was brought into sharp focus when in 2004; Lionel was offered the chance to play for the Spanish national U-20 team. He declined the offer given his Argentinian heritage, and was given the opportunity to play for Argentina's U-20 team in a friendly match against Paraguay in June 2004. Messi scored once against Paraguay and twice in friendly against Uruguay in July 2004. In 2005 he was part of a team that finished third in 2005 South American Youth Championship in Colombia. He won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands with the team and won the Golden Ball and the Golden Shoe, scoring in the last four of Argentina's matches and netting a total of six for the tournament.

He made his full international debut on 17 August 2005 against Hungary at the age of 18. He was substituted on during the 63rd minute, but was sent off on the 65th minute because the referee, Markus Merk, claimed that Messi had allegedly elbowed defender Vilmos Vanczák, who was tugging Messi's shirt. The decision was contentious and Maradona even claimed the decision was pre-meditated. Messi was later reportedly found weeping in the changing rooms after the decision. Messi returned to the team on 3 September in Argentina's 1–0 World Cup qualifier away defeat to Paraguay. Ahead of the match he had said "This is a re-debut. The first one was a bit short." He then started his first game for Argentina against Peru, in which he was able to win a crucial penalty for Argentina; after the match Pekerman described Messi as "a jewel". He scored his first goal for Argentina in a friendly match against Croatia on 1 March 2006.  

Source: Wikipedia

Ten greatest athletes in Cincinnati sports history

Cincinnati is unquestionably a baseball town to the core thanks to the Reds. The city had its split second with professional basketball thanks to the Royals. The 1980s were constant a stage of domination for football because of the Bengals.

Throughout Cincinnati history, there have been some inspirational names to bring the set on fire as the face of Cincinnati sports.

The following names are listed alphabetically and are some of the most significant figures to forever elegance the city of Cincinnati as professional sports players. Their statistics are frequently a debatable point. Rather, their collision on the city as a whole during their stay is more significant.

Ken Anderson (Bengals, 1971-86) 

Anderson is one of the most critical figures in Cincinnati sports history, not only because he holds a variety of Bengals records, such as career passing yards (32,838) and touchdowns (197), but also for the 16 years he was one of the leaders of the team. He took the Bengals to Super Bowl XVI. Despite coming up short, Anderson remains one of the most important players the franchise has ever seen.

Johnny Bench (Reds, 1967-83) 

Bench spent 17 years as a member of the Reds and is arguably the greatest catcher to ever grace a baseball field. He was a critical component of The Big Red Machine in the 1970s and brought home two MVP Awards to Cincinnati. His impact on the game and city is felt to this day.

Boomer Esiason (Bengals, 1984-92, 1997) 

Boomer led the Bengals through their most successful stretch as a franchise and took the team to Super Bowl XXIII. Like Anderson, Esiason failed in the big game, but, arguably, no one had a bigger presence for the team over the course of his 134 games.

Barry Larkin (Reds, 1986-2004)

Larkin was a local boy from Moeller High School who was easily one of the most loved members of the Reds for the duration of his career with the team. He played 19 years and was arguably the best shortstop in the game from 1990 through 2000. Larkin led the Reds to a World Series title in 1990 and brought an MVP trophy to Cincinnati in 1995.

Joe Morgan (Reds, 1972-79) 

Yes, Morgan spent just eight of his 22 years in MLB with the Reds. That doesn't mean much here. Morgan is one of the most recognizable faces in Cincinnati history, probably in part because he went to the All-Star game each year with the team, won back-to-back MVP Awards in 1975 and 1976, won a Gold Glove five out of eight times, and helped the Reds win two World Series championships.

Anthony Munoz (Bengals, 1980-92)

Munoz is the greatest offensive lineman in NFL history and the Bengals' only member of the Hall of Fame. He made 11 consecutive Pro Bowls back when the accomplishment meant something and played 183 games while leading the team through the wildly successful '80s.

Tony Perez (Reds, 1964-76, 84-86) 

Perez was the heart and soul of The Big Red Machine as the team went to four World Series in seven years (1970-76), winning two. After Perez was traded and replaced at first base in Cincinnati, The Big Red Machine was never the same.

Oscar Robertson (Royals, 1960-70) 

Big O had a highly successful college run with the Cincinnati Bearcats, averaging a ridiculous 33.8 points per game. He was then drafted by the Royals, and he continued his dominance for 10 years, earning rookie of the year, an MVP, and 10 All-Star game nods. He is the most important basketball figure in Cincinnati history.

Frank Robinson (Reds, 1956-65)

This one has to sting a bit. Robinson spent 10 years with the Reds before being shipped to Baltimore because general manager Bill DeWitt decided Robinson was too old at the age of 30 (he went on to win the AL Triple Crown and MVP the following year). Robinson's years with the Reds were outstanding, including an MVP Award and his only Gold Glove. He entered the Hall of Fame as an Oriole.

Pete Rose (Reds, 1963-78, 1984-86) 

Pete is the hometown hero for Cincinnati. He grew up in the city, played high-school ball in the city, and went on to become the hit king with 4,256 hits. He played 24 seasons and was named an All-Star 17 times. He won two Gold Gloves, an MVP Award and two World Series. He's one of the most iconic players in the history of any sport and easily the most important player in Cincinnati history.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

I will make history with Messi': Neymar sends out warning to defenders around the world

If defenders across the world didn’t fear the combination of Neymar and Lionel Messi already, they should be now after the Brazilian signaled his intent to form an historic affiliation with his new Barcelona team-mate.

The South Americans are two of the most brilliant players on earth and Neymar's £48million entrance at the Nou Camp add yet another jewel to Barcelona's already star-studded line-up. Fabio Capello believes the signing of the 21-year-old will make Barca relentless and those thoughts are echoed by the young striker.

Neymar said 'I hope it will] be a partnership to make history,’ 'we have everything for that to happen and it's an honour, a dream come true, to play alongside the best in the world and that is what persuaded me choose my European team.'

Lionel Messi has won the Ballon D'Or four times while Neymar's newest great compliment was the Golden ball at this summer's Confederations Cup. The talented striker was linked with a move away from Brazil for a number of seasons and he admits that, having lastly agreed a five-year contract, it was difficult to leave his homeland.

'I had a great story with Santos,' he said. 'But now I have a new club, a new life and everything is focused on Barcelona.'

Source: dailymail

BBC must take action over sexist sports coverage, says Maria Miller

Culture secretary Maria Miller has attacked the BBC in excess of its sexist Wimbledon exposure, and said that she is to refuse the Open golf championship since it is being held at the Muirfield club, which refuses to confess women members.

Maria Miller has written a scornful letter to Tony Hall, the director general of the BBC, demanding to know "any further action is likely to be taken" over Wimbledon commentator John Inver dale’s sexist comments.

Inver dale provoked outrage when he said that women's champion Marion Bartoli was "never going to be a looker, you'll never be a Sharapova so you have to be scrappy and fight?", prompting more than 700 complaints to the BBC.

Maria Miller, who is also minister for women and equalities, said that she is particularly concerned about the BBC incident as she has identified increased coverage of women's sport as a top priority.

"It is therefore a matter of some concern to me that any comment on the looks and stature of a female athlete could be made in the context of one of the UK's, and indeed the world's, sporting calendar," she said in a letter sent to the corporation last week.

She said that the BBC had not gone far enough with Inverdale's apologies, both on-air and in a letter to Bartoli, and that she wanted to see more action.

"I would be grateful for an update on any further action that is likely to be taken following these complaints, and whether there may be positive steps that the BBC could take in the future to ensure that the perception of and commentary on female athletes, and women's sport generally, are as positive and inclusive as possible."

Miller and Hugh Robertson, the sports minister, intend to boycott the Open golf championship because of the Edinburgh club's refusal to admit women members.

Inverdale is to anchor the BBC's coverage of the event.

A government aide said that the good work of the London Olympics, which has seen an estimated 1 million more women playing sport as a result, is threatened by the BBC's attitude and actions such as the continued support of sexism in golf.

"There are still national sporting events being held at clubs that refuse to allow women members and BBC journalists referring to women in a sexist and derogatory fashion at a highlight of the British sporting calendar," said a source close to Miller. "The culture secretary is clear that this is a problem which can't be ignored."

Miller's letter was copied into Lord Patten, the chairman of the BBC Trust.

In the last year Miller has hosted several round tables with broadcasters about how to improve the coverage of women's sport.

The BBC has increased its output in this area, most recently broadcasting the women's Euro 2013 football tournament.

To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@guardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".

Source: Guardian

Real Madrid Tops The World's Most Valuable Sports Teams

Real Madrid has been a giant of European soccer for the past century, racking up a record 32 La Liga titles and nine UEFA Champions League trophies. The club’s success has fueled a global following and attracted superstar players over the last 20 years like Raul, Ronaldo, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid can add one more trophy to its case: It is now the world’s most valuable sports franchise, worth $3.3 billion, surpassing former No. 1 Manchester United. Los Blancos have the highest revenues of any team in sports ($650 million during the 2011-12 season), and revenues are up 62% over the last three years. Madrid’s operating income (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and player trading) of $134 million is second only to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys among sports teams.

The revenue spigot isn’t shutting off anytime soon. The club extended its kit supply deal with Adidas last year in a pact worth $42 million a year. Madrid inked its largest sponsorship deal ever this spring with Emirates. The deal to put the Dubai-based airline’s name on the team’s shirts is worth $39 million annually for five years starting next season. Madrid is planning a $320 million renovation to its stadium, Santiago Bernabeu, which could add $60 million a year to revenues by 2018.

While Real Madrid is the most valuable team in sports, don’t expect its owner to cash in. The team is run by billionaire Spanish construction mogul Florentino Perez, who serves as president. But the club is owned by its 93,000 members, who pay $195 annually. Members get discounts on tickets and merchandise. The only thing comparable in the U.S. among major sports teams is the Green Bay Packers, which is owned by its 364,000 shareholders.

United ranks second with a value of $3.17 billion. The club launched an initial offering to the public in August and the stock is up 23% since then. Fans cheered United’s record 20th English Premier League title this year, while investors are excited about soaring sponsorship revenues. The Red Devils signed a seven-year, $559 million shirt sponsorship deal last year with Chevrolet. The team inked a naming rights pact for its training facility with insurer Aon in April. The deal is expected to net United more than $200 million over eight years. The club has 32 official sponsors in total. The Glazer family, who control United, also own the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which ranks No. 28 with a worth of $1.03 billion. The Glazers are the only family to own two of the top 50 franchises.

Source: Forbes