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[Zacked]

Messi scores goal of this century

Video - <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x1rhji" target="_blank">http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x1rhji</a>

Barca Star Emulates Idol Maradona



Madrid: There’s Maradona written all over Lionel Messi. He once even had the words — Hand of God — inscribed on his boots. Like Maradona, a scrawny Messi needed to be administered growth hormones. Now, he even has a goal that’s a replica of the master’s Goal of The Century, scored against England in the 1986 World Cup. The 19-year-old Argentine dribbled from inside his own half to score Barcelona’s second goal in a 5-2 semi-final first leg victory over Getafe in the King’s Cup on Wednesday. Coincidentally, the Getafe manager Bernd Schuster was a former Barcelona teammate of Maradona’s in the early 80s.
   Messi agreed his goal was ‘‘similar to Diego’s’’ but added he could ‘‘never be compared’’ with Maradona. The Messi magic began with a pass from Xavi in his own half. “I saw the space and went for it as I always do. I saw Samuel (Eto’o) was in a good position to do a one-two as I neared the area but with two defenders nearby, so I took it on myself,” he explained.
   “Diego has always backed me and I hope he gets well soon. The whole of Argentina wants him back well again because we miss him,” Messi said of the genius who is being treated in a Buenos Aires hospital for alcohol abuse and other ills.
   Former international Jorge Valdano, who played with Maradona against England in 1986, highlighted differences in the two goals. ‘‘Diego played with pauses and acceleration. Messi’s was down to breakneck speed and acceleration,’’ Valdano was quoted as saying by El Pais. ‘‘It’s impossible not to compare Messi’s goal with Maradona’s, but the comparison doesn’t turn Messi into Maradona.’’ AGENCIES

[Zacked]

this is another view of the goal... just awesome

<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x1r3sj" target="_blank">http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x1r3sj</a>

[TheWall]

Awesome goal. Thanks for posting the stuff. Messi is simbly sensational. Barca's hit the jack pot with this kid.

And he finishes with his right unlike Diego who still went with his left. But if had missed that awfully narrow angle tap in, Eto would have killed him

[TheChowmeinWarrior]

 

[pieterSAN]

Amazing skill to hold the ball on that run....the guy chasing him could not keep up with him!!

[justforkix]

And he is only 19

 

[keep-it-cool]

unbelievable!

i m vijayan would have been proud

[Zacked]

20/04/2007 10.43
 

Messi Will Take My Place In Football - Maradona
 
The fame of the Lionel Messi goal has reached Diego Maradona, the legend himself putting the debate to bed, declaring he has no doubts that the teenager will take his place in football.
 

 
zoom - galleria  "I am very satisfied with the fabulous goal of Lionel," began Maradona.

"I already know the name of the player who will take my place in Argentine football: that name is Lionel Messi," he continued.

"He is talent in its purest state.

"Lionel was born to be a footballer. He should note that.

"Only those who have started out on the streets can keep the ball stuck to his foot like that.

"The valour, the self-confidence, and the ambition is all innate in him.

"We are presented with a boy who will make history in our sport.

"Lionel, I am your biggest fan, and I hope that good health accompanies you, and allows us to continue admiring your football."

 

[devanu.roy]

Messi is not just sensational . . . . . . . .  i am sure he has become a legend at the age of 19

[Zacked]

Video of Messi as a Youngster..
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/KBm4tAHKHCk&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/KBm4tAHKHCk&rel=0</a>

and his recent HatTrick Vs Real Madrid
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/5K6PS545hjo&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/5K6PS545hjo&rel=0</a>

[kban1]

Here is the frame by frame split screen comparison with Maradona's goal

<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x1r5c9" target="_blank">http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x1r5c9</a>

[feverpitch]

Return leg: 0-4

http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-6625401,00.html

Barca's Cup exit has press predicting the end of an era

By Mark Elkington



MADRID, May 11 (Reuters) - The newspapers made uncomfortable reading for Barcelona's players on Friday after the Primera Liga leaders lost 4-0 away to modest Getafe to miss out on a place in the King's Cup final.

"Azulgrana disaster" said daily El Mundo, while the front page of daily Sport said: "Failure. This smells like the end of an era."

Barca had held a 5-2 lead from the semi-final, first leg but their opponents, who kept repeating the phrase 'miracles are possible' throughout the week, were roared on to a memorable and unlikely victory.

Two goals from Daniel Guiza and one apiece from Francisco Casquero and Angel Vivar Dorado were thoroughly deserved and left Frank Rijkaard's side looking ragged, impotent and in danger of ending the season without any silverware at all.

Catalan daily La Vanguardia wrote: "Absolutely shameful. It was an inexcusable, inexplicable and embarrassing shipwreck.

"After being demolished in the European Super Cup, surprised in the World Club championship and overcome in the Champions League, Barca threw another title in the bin in a pathetic and self-destructive manner."

Barcelona still top the league by two points from Real Madrid, with five games remaining, but their stuttering form strikes a strong contrast with Real's title challenge.

Their surging arch-rivals have closed on them with just one defeat in 12 games threatening to deny Barca a third consecutive league title.

DEJA VU

There is a sense of deja vu about Barca's decline from the all-conquering heroes of last season, when their problems are compared with those that led to the collapse of Florentino Perez's 'Galactico' project at Real.

Press reports of ego-driven dressing room divisions, punishing promotional tours in the pre-season, and more recently a midweek trip to play a friendly in Egypt and a complacency on and off the pitch all look familiar.

They will need to pick themselves up quickly with a win at home against relegation-threatened Real Betis on Sunday, if they are not to lose out on the league title as well.

The future of Rijkaard and some of the club's leading players will be very much under the spotlight in the run in to the end of the season.

La Vanguardia said: "The fallout from this heavy blow is difficult to predict."

After a night of revelry, Getafe will be able to contemplate a first ever trip into European competition.

With final rivals Sevilla holding third place in the league and unlikely to slip out of the top four, they could afford to lose and still earn a place in the UEFA Cup, as Sevilla look set to secure a Champions League place.

Whether Schuster will still be there to lead them for next season remains to be seen, as Thursday night's heroics added to his burgeoning reputation.

[keep-it-cool]

What??

Wow ... cant believe it ... did not even realise this match was being played.

Is Barca going the Real Madrid way??

[feverpitch]

A goal scored by Maicon, the Brazil/Internazionale right wing back against Paraguay in the Pre-Olympic Games [South America], that has also been compared to the Maradona strike against England in 86.

[youtube=425,350]PphPjCKOBs8[/youtube]

[keep-it-cool]

Good one .. but not as good as the Messi or Maradona ones