Messi and Ronaldo, No Match to Maradona's Greatness

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has been compared to the Argentinian legend 'El Diego' throughout their career. Messi has been brought up as the natural heir to Maradona's throne, while Ronaldo has always maintained the view that he is above all in the world. As far as I am concerned these comparisons are futile and I have stated the same many times earlier. By comparing Maradona to Messi or Ronaldo we are doing a great injustice to the greatness of Maradona and at the same time we are also putting unwanted pressure in these two upcoming stars.

The recent showing of these two geniuses in International Matches serves as the perfect example of why we should not compare them to the Legend. At this moment Argentina and Portugal lies in very precarious position in their respective qualifier group. Argentina is dearly holding on to the fourth position but Portugal looks very lost in their attempt to go to South Africa. As far as I am concerned there is a higher chance of Argentina qualifying than Portugal; but there is an equal chance of both countries missing on him. It will be a determental for the World Cup success to have both Ronaldo and Messi missing.

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Maradona in Deep Trouble; Will Harry Redknapp Take Notice ?

Diego Maradona's term as Argenita's coach ran into deep trouble after his side lost a vital home encounter against arch-rivals Brazil. Brazil defeated Maradona's boy by a score of 3-1 in Rosario. Argentina lies in fourth place at this moment, but Columbia and Ecuador lies just two points behind. Argentina can ill-afford to draw a single of their last three matches now, let alone lose. Argentina's task is made much harder by the fact that they will be travelling to Paraguay and Uruguay for these matches. They will be facing Paraguay on Wednesday and Maradona cannot afford to get his selections wrong there. Messi was the best Argentinian player on the field but was constantly kept under check by a Brazilian defense. Argentinian defense practically looked non-existent and the midfield is struggling in the lack of a creative midfielder. Maradona's only option now looks like using Messi in the midfield to create some moves and having Aguero, Milito and Tevez in the front to finish of those moves. With Heinze in it will be disastrous to use a three man defense. Meanwhile Dani Alves came in as a substiute in the second half.

Spain comfortably won their match against Belgium. Spain put five goals past a hapless Belgium side. Pique, Puyol, Xavi and Busquets all started the game for Spain. Pique scored once while Valencian pair of David Silva and David Villa scored twice to complete the rout. The new Barca boy Zlatan Ibrahmovic scored a vital injury time winner to defeat Hungary at Budapest's Ferenc Puskas stadium. Sweden lies third in the group behind Denmark and Hungary but above Portugal. But the best player of yesterday's qualifier was Giovanni Dos Santos. Dos Santos scored a screamer and created two goals in Mexico 3-0 victory against Costa Rica. Dos Santos has been in great form recently especially in the Gold Cup but is destined to be cast aside by Harry Redknaap for Totenham Hotspur in the bench. Harry Redknaap looks in no mood in using this talented youngster and it is yet to be seen how he will get through these times.

FC Barcelona vs Gijon 3-0 Highlights

How Significant is Barca's Super Cup Victories?

FC Barcelona has added two more silverware with the victories at domestic and European super cup. Some claim this as two more trophies to an already silverware packed last season, whereas some sees this as two more trophies to a bright looking this season; It all depends on how you view it. Last season FC Barcelona comfortably won the Champions League, La Liga and Copa Del Rey title. That made the possibility of competing for six trophies this season. Already we have grabbed two out of the six, but the significance of these two has to be questioned. I have earlier written in a post that a Super Cup victory will not be hailed as a great result but definitely a lose would have asked questioned about the squad and the club. No one in the press or footballing fraternity is going to go over-board with Barca's triump at Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

Barca's season will never be termed as a success if they failed to add to these two trophies. Technically this season we have already won trophies but alone they have no value. If we manage to get hold of a couple of trophies then these triumphs will be hailed as great ones otherwise it will remain as a futile testimony of how well we began this season. And that is precisely it is. These two Super Cups triumphs were essential for Barca to start the season at the right note. The victory against Shaktar showed Europe and Spain that the squad has not lost the grit which took them trough last season. This will be a definitive adavantage for Barca especially after the mega purchases made by Real Madrid. The pressure will be heavily on Real Madrid who has to start their campaign in the right note. So in the final look, these two triumphs has no significance when stood alone but with some more triumphs this will greatly emphasise our season's success.

FC Barcelona Wins UEFA Super Cup

FC Bracelona - 1, Shaktar Donetsk - 0

FC Barcelona won the UEFA Super cup for the third time in history with a 1-0 victory over Shaktar at the Louis II stadium in Monaco. A late Pedro Rodriguez strike in the second half o the extra time was the difference between the two sides. FC Barcelona went with a line-up as I predicted to the build up of the match. Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Pique and Abidal formed the defense; Xavi, Toure and Keita were present in midfield; Henry, Ibra and Messi formed the attacking troika. From the beginning it was clear that Shaktar was taking an ultra defensive approach. Barca started the match very slowly and there was no pace in the build up. This suited Shaktar well and they held firm without creating much of chances. Throughout the first half and upto half way in the second half, the match was very boring. It was so boring that you can confidently take a nap without missing any action, as there were none. In that time there were only three shots on target from both sides.

Once the Half way mark was over in the second half the match started to liven up. Messi was the first one to test Shaktar goal keeper after some fancy footwork and then Henry tested him with a shot from outside the box. Pedro was brought in the second half but never created any special moments. Once Bojan came in there were some nice moments when he paired with Messi. In the extra time, it was evident that the defense of both the sides were tired. Valdes had to intervene twice to cut out danger and there were some desperate defending from Puyol. But still Barca looked the only side capable of scoring on the night. Then in the 116th minute of the game Pedro scored the winner with a great finish after some great build up with Messi. Pedro squared the ball to Messi and moved in; Messi place the ball into the centre of box inviting Pedro through the defenders legs and Pedro obliged with a great finish. Many may argue the best Barca player was Messi; but for me the best Barca player on the pitch was our Captain Carlos Puyol. He had a great time in defense winning tackles after tackles and cutting of every Shaktar chances.