The football blog for fans of all clubs
The heavyweight battle of the season so far took place on Saturday as first hosted second with Inter travelling to Napoli. Both teams were looking to lay down a marker and secure themselves as title favourites. While the game ended scoreless, it was a surprisingly exciting affair with Napoli’s front three unable to break down […]
Valencia have gone somewhat under the La Liga radar this season. After finishing a lowly twelfth last season, they now sit in second, one of only three teams still unbeaten in La Liga and one point above current champions, Real Madrid. Having been regarded as one of the biggest clubs in Spain historically, Valencia have […]
Orlando City and the footballing world were dealt some bad news this week when their one of their star players, Kaka, told the team he would not be renewing his contact at the end of the season. Then came the news that the Ballon D’or winner revealed he now feels only pain at the end […]
One of the many aspects of football which makes it such a unique sport, is its ability to bring communities, cities and countries to a standstill. There is no better example of football’s power to simultaneously bring people together yet divide them than a derby. A city cannot be called a city until it has […]
Now, before anyone comments “but, but, Diego Simeone wasn’t a legendary player”, “but, but, Diego Simeone spent half of his career in Italy” – I know. However, we here at Legends of La Liga (by ‘we’ I mean me) thought it would be remiss not to include managers as well as players who have made […]
Spain’s triumph at Euro 2012 was significant in more ways than one. It was the third major European trophy in a row, after victory at Euro 2008, then a first World Cup in 2010. The trio of trophies signified an era of Spanish domination, playing irresistible, scintillating football, and widely considered one of the finest […]
In recent years, Italy has suffered when it comes to European football. Sure, Juventus have competed for the title however, have finished runner up twice in three seasons. The unspectacular but consistent performance of Italian clubs reaching the knockout stages of European competitions means Serie A have been given an extra place in Europe from […]
Our first goalkeeper to be inducted into the Legends of La Liga, Iker Casillas is known as one of the best goalkeepers of all time, and certainly one of the most entertaining. Winning near enough every major trophy there is to win at the top level, and every individual accolade possible, Casillas was, and still […]
For all the hype around AC Milan’s transfers this season, one of their most important players just celebrated his own little milestone. Giacomo ‘Jack’ Bonaventura reached 100 games for Milan, and it was rightly celebrated in front of the San Siro crowd, recognising a popular and perhaps overlooked player. The event was marked before Milan’s […]
Following his recall to the Spanish national team at the age of 35, our next nominee for ‘Legends of La Liga’ is the evergreen David Villa. True to his nickname ‘El Guaje’ (The Kid), Villa has preserved the energy from his younger years and the lethal finishing that made him such a clinical striker in […]
Gareth Bale put in another solid performance in Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over APOEL in the Champions League, as the winger continues his return to form from injury last season. Playing a key role in all three goals, it was the kind of performance that would’ve given Bale a confidence boost after a slow start […]
Everyone loves an underdog. It’s why Leicester City’s triumph was so popular and why Dodgeball was (and still is) such a good movie. In football, there is few better sights than seeing a major upset, usually in cup tournaments, when a smaller team topples a giant. That’s why the story of newly promoted Serie A […]
Following his man-of-the-match performance against Italy this week, Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez, thankfully known as Isco, has all but completed his rise to prominence. After three seasons, mainly on the bench at Real Madrid, there was growing worry that the boy who shone at Malaga would never step out of the shadow of the Real […]
When talking about a rags to riches story, there are few better than the tale of Brazilian forward and talisman, Rivaldo. Born on April 19 1972 in Recife, Rivaldo suffered a haunting childhood of poverty in the Brazilian favelas. He grew up malnourished, causing missing teeth, poor skin and bow-legs, visible throughout his playing career […]
In June, Paolo Maldini made his professional tennis debut on the ATP Challenger Tour in Italy, aged 49. He and his partner lost a doubles match in straight sets, 6-1 6-1. However, it proved what we already know from Maldini’s football career, he has the mentality of a true champion. To have conquered one sport […]
The man who has never skipped a leg day in his life. Roberto Carlos was one of the best and most popular wing backs in the history of not just Spanish football, but world football. From his rocket free-kicks to his bursting forward runs, Roberto Carlos’ impact on football can still be seen by the […]
Juventus will kick off yet another Serie A title campaign at home against Cagliari this Saturday. To be precise, their sixth title defence in succession. To most clubs, this would be seen as domestic domination and a sign of an inherently successful club. However, Juventus have finished as Champions League runners-up twice in the last […]
There are few better ways to kick off the new football season than a competitive game between Barcelona and Real Madrid. A full-house at the Camp Nou set the perfect stage for the first leg of the Supercopa de España. A Cristiano Ronaldo wonder goal, red cards and Sergio Busquets being kicked about the park, […]
Following PSG splashing ridiculous amounts of cash with Neymar, Real Madrid are evidently keen not to be out-done if Isco’s new contract is anything to go by. The midfielder has signed a new five-year deal at the Spanish capital but for once, it’s not the wages that are the most interesting part. Isco will make […]
So, it actually happened. The €222 million move for Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain was completed and was officially unveiled on Friday. Despite the ridiculous fee and underlying reasons behind the transfer, Neymar has to be respected for his achievements at Barcelona. 186 games and 105 goals, two La Liga titles and a Champions League, he […]
