Soccer Superstars

Hi guys wassup! I am a 15 yrs old boy who is just crazy about soccer and wants to share it on this blog. So lets talk about some of the great soccer superstars who makes our adernalin pumping high. So, lets get started.....
Fernando Torres:

Fernando Torres

Torres playing for Liverpool
Personal information
Full name	Fernando José Torres Sanz[1]
Date of birth	20 March 1984 (1984-03-20) (age 26)[2]
Place of birth	Fuenlabrada, Spain
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[3]
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Liverpool
Number	9
Youth career
1995–2001	Atlético Madrid
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2001–2007	Atlético Madrid	214	(82)
2007–	Liverpool	79	(56)
National team‡
2000	Spain U15	1	(0)
2001	Spain U16	9	(11)
2001	Spain U17	4	(1)
2001	Spain U18	1	(1)
2002	Spain U19	5	(6)
2002–2003	Spain U21	10	(3)
2003–	Spain	80	(24)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:53, 11 July 2010 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:53, 11 July 2010 (UTC) Fernando José Torres Sanz (Spanish pronunciation: [ferˈnando ˈtores]; born 20 March 1984), nicknamed El Niño (The Kid in Spanish),[4] is a Spanish footballer who plays for Premier League club Liverpool and the Spain national team as a striker. Torres started his career with Atlético Madrid, progressing through their youth system. He made his first team debut in 2001 and finished his career with the club having scored 75 goals in 174 La Liga appearances. Prior to his La Liga debut, Torres played two seasons in the Segunda División, making 40 appearances and scoring seven goals. He joined Liverpool in 2007, after signing for a club record transfer fee. He marked his first season at Anfield by being Liverpool's first player, since Robbie Fowler in 1995–96, to score more than 20 league goals in a season. Torres became the fastest player in Liverpool history to score 50 league goals after scoring against Aston Villa in December 2009. He is also a Spanish international and made his debut for the country against Portugal in 2003. He has since participated in four major tournaments, UEFA Euro 2004, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He did not score a goal at UEFA Euro 2004, but he scored three at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Torres scored twice at UEFA Euro 2008, which included the winning goal for Spain in their 1–0 win over Germany in the Final. He won the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain, despite himself not scoring any goals. Early career Born in Fuenlabrada, Community of Madrid,[5] Torres became interested in football as a child and joined his first team, Parque 84, at the age of five.[2] His father José worked during Torres' childhood, and his mother Flori traveled daily with him to training sessions.[6] His grandfather was not a passionate football fan, but took pride in being an Atlético Madrid supporter, and Torres inherited his love for the club.[2] Torres started playing football as a goalkeeper, the position his brother played in.[7] When he was seven years old, however, he started playing regularly as a striker in an indoor league for the neighborhood club, Mario's Holland,[2] using the characters from the anime Captain Tsubasa as inspiration.[8] Three years later, aged 10, he progressed to an 11-side team, Rayo 13.[9] He scored 55 goals in a season and was one of three Rayo 13 players to earn a trial with Atlético.[9] He impressed the scouts and joined the club's youth system at the age of 11 in 1995.[9] Club career Atlético Madrid After progressing through the ranks, Torres won his first important youth title in 1998.[9] Atlético sent an under-15 team to compete in the Nike Cup, in Spain and Europe, to play against youth teams from other clubs; Atlético won the tournament.[9][10] He was later voted the best player in Europe for the age group.[10] In 1999, at the age of 15, Torres signed his first professional contract with Atlético.[9] He spent his first year playing in the youth team and moved onto the participating in the Honor Division when he was 16.[11] The 2000–01 season had started badly, as Torres suffered from a cracked shinbone which kept him out until December.[11] Torres trained with the first team to get prepared for pre-season, but eventually made his debut for the team on 27 May 2001, at Vicente Calderón, against CD Leganés.[11] A week later, he scored his first goal for the club against Albacete Balompié and the season finished with Atlético narrowly missing out on promotion to La Liga.[11] Torres arguing with the referee during a match with Atlético Madrid Atlético were promoted to La Liga at the end of the 2001–02 season, although Torres did not perform well in the season, as he netted only six times in 36 appearances in the Segunda División.[12] Torres' first season in La Liga, 2002–03, was better, however, as he scored 13 goals in 29 appearances, with Atlético finishing in 11th place.[12][11] In the 2003–04 season, his second in La Liga, Torres made further strides, scoring 19 league goals in 35 appearances,[12] meaning he finished as joint third highest scorer in the league.[13] At the age of 19, Torres was named Atlético's captain.[10] Atlético narrowly missed out on qualification for the UEFA Cup, but by finishing in seventh place in the 2003–04 season, they qualified for the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup, giving Torres a first taste of a competition at the European level.[14] He scored two goals in the two fourth round matches against OFK Beograd, with one coming in each leg.[14] Atlético reached the Final, but lost 3–1 on a penalty shootout to Villarreal CF following a 2–2 draw on aggregate.[14] FA Premier League champions Chelsea were believed to be interested in signing Torres in 2005, but Atlético president Enrique Cerezo said that they had "no chance" of signing him.[15] Cerezo later said in January 2006 that the club were willing to listen to offers for Torres, and Torres claimed Newcastle United had made a bid to sign him in March.[16][17] He stated after the 2006 FIFA World Cup that he had turned down an offer to join Chelsea at the end of the 2005–06 season.[18] Torres scored 14 league goals in the 2006–07 season.[12] The English media reported that he was the main transfer target of Liverpool,[19] but Cerezo stated "We've received no offer from Liverpool or any other club or player".[20] However, a few days later, new reports suggested Atlético had agreed a deal with Liverpool for Torres; the fee was rumored to be £25 million with Luis García moving to Atletico in a separate transfer deal.[21] On 30 June, Atlético announced a deal to sign Diego Forlán from Villarreal, in what was seen as a move to replace Torres before his departure became official.[22] On 2 July, it was reported that Torres had cut short a vacation to fly back to Madrid to finalise the move to Liverpool.[23] The following day, Torres passed a medical for Liverpool's Melwood training ground.[24] He held a press conference in Madrid on 4 July to bid farewell to the Atlético fans, before completing his move to Liverpool on a six-year contract.[24] The transfer fee was the highest in Liverpool's history.[22] In March 2008, manager Rafael Benítez stated in an interview with The Times that Torres was acquired for around £20 million, although this figure takes into account García's move to Atlético.[25] Liverpool 2007–08 season Torres playing for Liverpool against Middlesbrough on 23 February 2008, during which he scored a hat-trick Torres made his competitive debut for Liverpool against Aston Villa in a 2–1 win on 11 August 2007.[26] He made his first appearance in the UEFA Champions League four days later in a 1–0 victory over Toulouse, after coming on as a 79th minute substitute.[27] His first Premier League goal came on his Anfield debut on 19 August, in the 16th minute in a 1–1 draw against Chelsea.[28] His first hat-trick came in a 4–2 victory over Reading in the League Cup in September, with all of his goals coming in the second half.[29] His first goals in the Champions League came on his third appearance in the competition as Liverpool beat Porto 4–1, as he scored twice.[30] He was named Premier League Player of the Month for February,[31] during which he scored four goals in two league appearances, including a hat-trick against Middlesbrough on 23 February 2008.[32] This hat-trick and another in a 4–0 victory over West Ham United on 5 March 2008 meant he became the first Liverpool player since Jack Balmer in November 1946 to score a hat-trick in successive home matches.[33] Later in March, after he scored a 47th minute header against Reading at Anfield, becoming the first Liverpool player since Robbie Fowler in the 1995–96 season campaign to score 20 league goals in a season.[34] In April, he scored another Champions League goal, this time against Arsenal in the quarter-final second leg, as Liverpool advanced to the semi-final.[35] This goal took him onto 29 goals for the 2007–08 season in all competitions, eclipsing Liverpool favourite Michael Owen's personal record for goals in a season.[32][36] On 11 April 2008, it was announced Torres had made a six man shortlist for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award,[37] which was eventually won by Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United.[38] The Spanish international was also nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year Award, which was won by Cesc Fàbregas of Arsenal and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.[38] In May, he finished second to Ronaldo for the FWA Footballer of the Year award.[39] On 4 May 2008, Torres scored a 57th minute winner against Manchester City, which equalled the consecutive Anfield league goal record of eight games set by Roger Hunt.[40] After scoring his 24th league goal in the final game of the season, a 2–0 win against Tottenham Hotspur, he set a new record for the most prolific foreign goal scorer ever in a debut season in England, eclipsing Ruud van Nistelrooy's 23 goals.[32][41] He ended the season in joint second place with Emmanuel Adebayor in the race for the Premier League golden boot.[42] Torres was subject to media speculation that Chelsea were willing pay £50 million to sign him but Torres responded by saying it would be "many years" before he left Liverpool.[43][44] Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks also negated the idea of a transfer, saying he would not allow Torres to leave the club at any price.[45] 2008–09 season Torres made a promising start to the 2008–09 Premier League season, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 away win against Sunderland.[46] He suffered what was later confirmed as a hamstring tear in a 0–0 draw against Aston Villa, which would keep him out for two to three weeks.[47] Torres made his return in a 2–1 victory against Marseille in the Champions League and went on to score two goals in the Merseyside derby against Everton on 27 September to give Liverpool a 2–0 win.[48][49] He followed this up with another two goals the following weekend against Manchester City in a 3–2 win away at the City of Manchester Stadium as Liverpool came back from a two goal deficit.[50] The first of these was the thousandth Liverpool goal to be scored in the Premier League.[51] Torres picked up a hamstring injury during a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier, meaning he was likely to miss three games for Liverpool.[52] On 22 October, Liverpool played Torres' former club Atlético in the Champions League at the Vicente Calderón, but his injury meant he missed out on the game.[53] The Atlético president, Enrique Cerezo, had given him a VIP invitation to watch the game, but he declined this to recover his rehabilitation from injury in Merseyside.[54] He was named in the FIFPro World XI team for the 2007–08 season on 27 October.[55] Torres during Liverpool's 3–2 victory against Manchester City on 5 October 2008, in which he scored two goals Torres made his return for Liverpool after coming on as a 72nd minute substitute in a 3–0 victory against West Bromwich Albion.[56] He said he would be interested in returning to former club Atlético eventually, saying "I don't know if I will retire there, but I would like to go back and finish some things that are left to do."[57] He was ruled out of action for two to three weeks following Liverpool's 1–0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League in November, where he picked up a hamstring strain,[58] which was later extended to at least four weeks by specialists.[59] He was named on the shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in December,[60] and eventually came in third place behind Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.[61] Torres returned to action on 3 January 2009 as a substitute with a goal in the 2–0 win over Preston North End; his first in the FA Cup.[62] He scored two late goals for Liverpool to secure a 2–0 victory over Chelsea on 1 February.[63] Despite having spent a year and a half at the club, Torres was chosen as number 50 in The Times's list of "The 50 greatest Liverpool players", reinforcing the impact he had made at Liverpool in such a short period of time.[64] Torres faced his old rivals Real Madrid on 10 March in the Champions League last 16 and due to an ankle injury, he had a painkilling injecting before the game to enable him to play.[65] He scored the first goal of the game, which ended as a 4–0 victory, meaning Liverpool progressed to the quarter-finals 5–0 on aggregate.[66] Four days later he lined up against Manchester United at Old Trafford and he scored the equaliser in a game that finished as a 4–1 victory.[67] He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the second season running in April 2009.[68] Torres scored his 50th goal for Liverpool on 24 May against Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the 2008–09 season, which was his 84th appearance.[69] 2009–10 season Following the end of the season, he agreed a new contract with Liverpool,[70] which he signed on 14 August.[71] By signing this contract, Liverpool increased his wage to £110,000 a week and included the option of a one-year extension after its expiry in 2013.[72] Torres scored two goals in a 3–2 win over West Ham United on 19 September 2009, a result that took Liverpool to third in the Premier League.[73] A week later he scored his first hat-trick of the 2009–10 Premier League season in a 6–1 victory over Hull City at Anfield.[74] He was named Premier League Player of the Month for September, after scoring five goals during the month and becoming the Premier League's top goalscorer.[75] On 25 October, he scored the first goal in a 2–0 victory for Liverpool over Manchester United,[76] after which Benítez praised Torres' performance, saying "We were waiting for that final pass. When it came we knew he would score."[77] Torres was named in the FIFPro World XI for the second successive season in December.[78] His stoppage-time winning goal against Aston Villa on 29 December 2009 made him the fastest Liverpool player ever to score 50 league goals.[79] He was substituted on 65 minutes in a 1–1 draw with Birmingham City on 4 April 2010, which Benítez justified by saying Torres was "exhausted".[80] It was announced on 18 April that Torres would miss the rest of the season to undergo knee surgery.[81] This meant that Torres finished the season with 22 goals in 32 games in all competitions.[82] 2010–11 season Following his appointment as Liverpool manager, Roy Hodgson stated Torres would not be sold by the club, saying "He is not for sale and we don't welcome any offers for him. We want to keep him."[83] International career Torres celebrating victory with Spain at UEFA Euro 2008 In February 2001, Torres won the Algarve Tournament with the Spain national under-16 team.[84] The under-16s took part in the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship in May, which they also won, with Torres scoring the only goal in the Final, as well as finishing as the tournament's leading scorer, and was also named the player of the tournament.[10][12] In September 2001, Torres represented the under-17 team at the 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Championship, but the team failed to progress through the group stage.[12] In July 2002, he won the 2002 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship with the under-19 team and was again the only goalscorer in the Final.[10] Also, he finished as top scorer and was named player of the tournament.[12] "We complement each other very well. We get on well on the pitch and very well off it too. We're a good partnership. We both chase down defenders, put pressure on and fight to create chances for each other." –David Villa speaking about Torres.[85] Torres made his debut for the senior Spanish national team on 6 September 2003 in a friendly against Portugal.[12] His first goal for Spain came against Italy on 28 April 2004.[12] He was selected for the Spanish squad for UEFA Euro 2004.[12] After appearing as a late substitute in Spain's first two group games, he started for the deciding game against Portugal.[12] Spain were losing 1–0 and, towards the end of the game, he hit the post.[12] He scored seven goals in 11 appearances in qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup,[86] making him Spain's top scorer for qualification, including a vital two goals against Belgium and his first international hat-trick against San Marino.[12] At his first ever appearance in a FIFA World Cup finals at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Torres scored the final goal in a 4–0 victory over Ukraine with a volley.[87] In the second group match, Torres scored twice against Tunisia, first in the 76th minute to take Spain 2–1 into the lead, and then again from a penalty kick in the 90th.[88] With three goals, he finished the tournament as Spain's top scorer along with fellow striker David Villa.[89] He was called up for Spain's UEFA Euro 2008 squad,[90] where he set up Villa to score Spain's first goal of the tournament in the first game in the group stage against Russia.[91] Torres came under criticism for apparently refusing to shake the hand of Spanish manager, Luis Aragonés, after being substituted.[92] He subsequently denied being angry with the coaching, saying that he was actually "irritated with himself".[92] He scored his first goal of the tournament in Spain's next game, a 2–1 win over Sweden.[93] Torres scored the winner and was named the man of the match in the Final against Germany in a 1–0 victory.[94][95] He said "It's just a dream come true. This is my first title and I hope it's the first of many. Victory in a Euro, it is almost as big as a World Cup. We are used to watching finals on television, but today we were here and we won. My job is to score goals. I want to win more titles and be the most important player in Europe and the world."[96] He was later named as a striker along with his striking partner Villa in the Team of the Tournament.[97] Torres made his 60th appearance for Spain in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification victory over Turkey on 28 March 2009, becoming the youngest player to reach this milestone.[98] He was named in Spain's team for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June.[99] He scored his second hat-trick for Spain after 17 minutes into a Confederations Cup game against New Zealand on 14 June,[100] thus recording the fastest hat-trick by a player for Spain.[101] He played for Spain as they were defeated 2–0 by the United States in the semi-final,[102] as well as the third-place play-off, which Spain won 3–2 against South Africa after extra time.[103] Torres was selected for Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad and came on as a substitute on 61 minutes in their opening game, a 1–0 defeat to Switzerland.[104][105] He started the next two games against Honduras and Chile and although his performances in the group stage were described as below-par, he received backing from manager Vicente del Bosque.[106] Torres came on as a substitute on 105 minutes in the Final as Spain won the FIFA World Cup for the first time following a 1–0 victory over the Netherlands on 11 July 2010.[107] Personal life Torres married Olalla Domínguez Liste, with whom he had been in a relationship since 2001, on 27 May 2009 in El Escorial, Madrid.[108][109] It was revealed in February 2009 that the couple were expecting a baby,[110] which they later confirmed to be a girl.[111] Olalla gave birth to a daughter, Nora, on 8 July 2009 at the Hospital La Rosaleda Compostelan, in Santiago de Compostela.[112] In 2009, it was reported that Torres has a personal fortune of £14 million.[113] He features in the video for "Ya Nada Volverá A Ser Como Antes" by Spanish pop rock group El Canto del Loco,[114] whose singer, Dani Martín, shares a strong friendship with the footballer.[115] He makes a cameo appearance in the 2005 comedy film Torrente 3: El protector.[116] In 2009, he released an autobiography entitled Torres: El Niño: My Story.[117] Career statistics Club As of 8 April 2010. Club Season League[A] Cup League Cup Europe Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Atlético Madrid 2000–01[118][119] 4 1 2 0 - - 0 0 6 1 2001–02[120][121] 36 6 1 1 - - 0 0 37 7 2002–03[122][123] 29 13 2 1 - - 3 0 31 14 2003–04[124][125] 35 19 5 2 - - 3 0 40 21 2004–05[126][127][128] 38 16 6 2 - - 5 2 49 20 2005–06[129][130] 36 13 4 0 - - 0 0 40 13 2006–07[131][132] 36 14 4 1 - - 0 0 40 15 Spain 214 82 24 7 - - 11 2 249 91 Liverpool 2007–08[133] 33 24 1 0 1 3 11 6 46 33 2008–09[134] 24 14 3 1 2 0 9 2 38 17 2009–10[82] 22 18 2 0 0 0 8 4 32 22 England 79 56 6 1 3 3 28 12 116 72 Career totals 293 138 30 8 3 3 39 14 365 163 International appearances As of 11 July 2010. National team Season Friendly Competitive Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Spain 2003–04[135] 5 1 5 0 10 1 2004–05[136] 4 1 6 1 10 2 2005–06[136] 6 1 9 9 15 10 2006–07[137] 2 0 6 1 8 1 2007–08[137] 5 0 7 3 12 3 2008–09[138] 2 2 10 3 12 5 2009–10[138] 3 2 7 0 10 2 2010–11[138] 0 0 3 0 3 0 Career total 27 7 53 17 80 24 International goals As of 8 June 2010.[135][136][137][138] [show]# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 28 April 2004 Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy Italy 0–1 1–1 Friendly 2. 10 February 2005 Estadio Mediterraneo, Almería, Spain San Marino 2–0 5–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 3. 26 March 2005 Estadio El Helmántico, Salamanca, Spain China PR 1–0 3–0 Friendly 4. 8 October 2005 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium Belgium 0–1 0–2 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 5. 8 October 2005 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium Belgium 0–2 0–2 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 6. 12 October 2005 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy San Marino 0–2 0–6 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 7. 12 October 2005 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy San Marino 0–5 0–6 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 8. 12 October 2005 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy San Marino 0–6 0–6 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 9. 12 November 2005 Vicente Calderón, Madrid, Spain Slovakia 3–1 5–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 10. 7 June 2006 Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland Croatia 2–1 2–1 Friendly 11. 14 June 2006 Zentralstadion, Leipzig, Germany Ukraine 4–0 4–0 2006 FIFA World Cup 12. 19 June 2006 Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart, Germany Tunisia 2–1 3–1 2006 FIFA World Cup 13. 19 June 2006 Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart, Germany Tunisia 3–1 3–1 2006 FIFA World Cup 14. 2 September 2006 Estadio Nuevo Vivero, Badajoz, Spain Liechtenstein 1–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualification 15. 12 September 2007 Estadio Carlos Tartiere, Oviedo, Spain Latvia 2–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2008 qualification 16. 14 June 2008 Tivoli Neu, Innsbruck, Austria Sweden 0–1 1–2 UEFA Euro 2008 17. 29 June 2008 Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria Germany 0–1 0–1 UEFA Euro 2008 18. 19 November 2008 El Madrigal, Villarreal, Spain Chile 2–0 3–0 Friendly 19. 9 June 2009 Tofik Bakhramov, Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan 0–6 0–6 Friendly 20. 14 June 2009 Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa New Zealand 0–1 0–5 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup 21. 14 June 2009 Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa New Zealand 0–2 0–5 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup 22. 14 June 2009 Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa New Zealand 0–3 0–5 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup 23. 12 August 2009 Philip II Arena, Skopje, Macedonia Macedonia 2–1 2–3 Friendly 24. 8 June 2010 Estadio de La Condomina, Murcia, Spain Poland 5–0 6–0 Friendly Honours Atlético Madrid Segunda División: 2001–02[139] International UEFA European under-16 Championship: 2001[139] UEFA European under-19 Championship: 2002[139] UEFA European Championship: 2008[139] FIFA World Cup: 2010 Individual Nike Cup top scorer: 1999[139] Algarve Tournament Player of the Tournament: 2001[139] Algarve Tournament top scorer: 2001[139] UEFA European under-16 Championship Player of the Tournament: 2001[139] UEFA European under-16 Championship top scorer: 2001[139] UEFA European under-19 Championship Player of the Tournament: 2002[139] UEFA European under-19 Championship top scorer: 2002[139] UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2008[97] Liverpool top scorer: 2007–08[133] FIFPro World XI: 2008,[55] 2009[78] PFA Team of the Year: 2007–08,[38] 2008–09[68] Premier League Player of the Month: February 2008,[31] September 2009[75] Footnotes A. ^ The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in La Liga, Segunda División and Premier League. Cristiano Ronaldo: Cristiano Ronaldo Personal information Full name Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro Date of birth 5 February 1985 (1985-02-05) (age 25) Place of birth Funchal, Madeira, Portugal Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] Playing position Winger Forward Club information Current club Real Madrid Number 9 Youth career 1993–1995 Andorinha 1995–1997 Nacional 1997–2001 Sporting CP Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 2001–2003 Sporting CP 25 (3) 2003–2009 Manchester United 196 (84) 2009– Real Madrid 29 (26) National team‡ 2001–2002 Portugal U17 9 (6) 2003 Portugal U20 5 (1) 2002–2003 Portugal U21 6 (3) 2004 Portugal U23 3 (1) 2003– Portugal 76 (23) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:14, 16 May 2010 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19:38, 29 June 2010 (UTC) Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, (Portuguese pronunciation: [kɾɨʃtiˈɐnu ʁuˈnaɫdu]; born 5 February 1985),[2] commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or a forward for Spanish club Real Madrid and serves as captain of the Portuguese national team. Ronaldo currently holds the distinction of being the most expensive player in football history after being transferred from Manchester United to Real Madrid in a transfer deal worth £80 million (€94m, US$132m). In addition, his contract with Real Madrid, in which he is to be paid £11 million per year over the following six years, makes him the highest paid football player in the world.[3] Ronaldo began his career as a youth player for Andorinha, where he played for two years, then moved to Nacional. In 1997, he made a move to Portuguese giants Sporting CP. Ronaldo's precocious talent caught the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and he signed the 18-year-old for £12.24 million in 2003. The following season, Ronaldo won his first club honour, the FA Cup, and reached the Euro 2004 final with Portugal, in which tournament he scored his first international goal. In 2008, Ronaldo won the Champions League with United, and was named player of the tournament. He was named the FIFPro World Player of the Year[4] and the FIFA World Player of the Year, in addition to becoming Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or winner in 40 years.[5] Three-time Ballon d'Or winner Johan Cruyff said in an interview on 2 April 2008, "Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law, who were two brilliant and great players in the history of United. Club career Early career At the age of eight, Ronaldo played for amateur team Andorinha, where his father was the kit man. In 1995, Ronaldo signed with local club Nacional, and, after a title-winning campaign, he went on a three-day trial with Sporting CP, who subsequently signed him for an undisclosed sum.[9] Sporting CP Ronaldo joined Sporting's other youth players who trained at the Academia Sporting, the club's football academy, in Alcochete. He became the only player ever to play for Sporting's U-16, U-17, U-18, B-team, and first team, all within one season.[10] He scored two goals in his Sporting debut against Moreirense, while featuring for Portugal in the 2002 European Under-17 Championship.[11] When he was 15, Ronaldo was diagnosed with a racing heart, a condition that might have forced him to give up playing football. The Sporting staff were made aware of the condition and Ronaldo's mother gave her authorisation for him to go into hospital. While there, he had an operation in which a laser was used to cauterise the area of his heart that was causing the problem. The surgery took place in the morning and Ronaldo was discharged from hospital by the end of the afternoon; he resumed training only a few days later.[12] He was first spotted by then-Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier at the age of 16, but Liverpool declined to take him on because they decided he was too young and needed some time to develop his skills.[13] However, he came to the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2003, when Sporting defeated United 3–1 in the inauguration of the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. Ronaldo's performance impressed the Manchester United players, who urged Ferguson to sign him.[14] Manchester United 2003–2005 Ronaldo with Manchester United Ronaldo became Manchester United's first-ever Portuguese player when he signed for £12.24 million after the 2002–03 season.[15] He requested the number 28 (his number at Sporting), as he did not want the pressure of living up to the expectation linked to the number 7 shirt, which had previously been worn by players such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, and David Beckham. "After I joined, the manager asked me what number I'd like. I said 28. But Ferguson said 'No, you're going to have No. 7,' and the famous shirt was an extra source of motivation. I was forced to live up to such an honour."[16] Ronaldo made his team debut as a 60th-minute substitute in a 4–0 home victory over Bolton Wanderers. He scored his first goal for Manchester United with a free kick in a 3–0 win over Portsmouth on 1 November 2003. He scored United's 1000th Premier League goal on 29 October 2005 in a 4–1 loss to Middlesbrough.[17] He scored ten goals in all competitions, and fans voted him to his first FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year award in 2005. 2006–2007 Ronaldo with United during their 2006–2007 season. In November and December 2006, Ronaldo received consecutive Barclays Player of the Month honours, becoming only the third player in Premier League history to do so after Dennis Bergkamp in 1997 and Robbie Fowler in 1996.[18][19] He scored his 50th Manchester United goal against city rivals Manchester City on 5 May 2007 as United claimed their first Premier League title in four years, and he was voted into his second consecutive FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year award at the end of the year. Despite rumours circulating in March 2007 that Real Madrid were willing to pay an unprecedented €80 million (£54 million) for Ronaldo,[20] he signed a five-year, £120,000-a-week (£31 million total) extension with United on 13 April, making him the highest-paid player in team history.[21][22] Ronaldo amassed a host of personal awards for the season. He won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards, joining Andy Gray (in 1977) as the only players to receive this honour.[23] In April, he completed the treble by winning the PFA Fans' Player of the Year. Ronaldo was also one of eight Manchester United players named in the 2006–07 PFA Premier League Team of the Year. 2007–2008 Ronaldo (centre) and Rio Ferdinand celebrating a goal Ronaldo's 2007–08 season began with a red card for a headbutt on Portsmouth player Richard Hughes during United's second match of the season, for which he was punished with a three-match ban.[24] Ronaldo said he had "learned a lot" from the experience and would not let players "provoke" him in the future.[25] After scoring the only goal in a Champions League away match against Sporting, Ronaldo also scored the injury-time winner in the return fixture as Manchester United topped their Champions League group.[26] He finished as the runner-up to Kaká for the 2007 Ballon d'Or,[27] and was third in the running for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, behind Kaká and Lionel Messi.[28] Ronaldo scored his first hat trick for Manchester United in a 6–0 win against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on 12 January 2008, bringing Manchester United up to the top of the Premier League table.[29] He scored his twenty-third league goal of the season in a 2–0 win against Reading, equalling his entire total for the 2006–07 season.[30] During a 1–1 Champions League first knockout round draw against Lyon on 20 February, an unidentified Lyon supporter continuously aimed a green laser at Ronaldo and United teammate Nani, prompting an investigation by UEFA.[31] One month later, Lyon were fined CHF5,000 (£2,427) for the incident.[32] On 19 March 2008, Ronaldo captained United for the first time in his career in a home win over Bolton, scoring both goals in the 2–0 victory.[33] The second of the goals was his 33rd of the campaign, which set a new club single-season scoring record by a midfielder and thus topped George Best's forty-year-old total of 32 goals in the 1967–68 season.[34] Ronaldo scored another brace in a 4–0 win over Aston Villa on 29 March, which at the time gave him 35 goals in 37 domestic and European matches as both a starter and substitute. Ronaldo's scoring streak was rewarded with his becoming the first winger to win the 2007–08 European Golden Shoe, finishing eight points ahead of Mallorca's Dani Güiza.[35] In the 2007–08 Champions League final on 21 May against league rivals Chelsea, Ronaldo scored the opening goal after 26 minutes, which was negated by a Chelsea equaliser in the 45th minute as the match ended 1–1 after extra time. His misfire in the penalty shoot-out put Chelsea in position to win the trophy, but John Terry shot wide right after slipping on the pitch surface, and Manchester United emerged victorious 6–5 on penalties. Ronaldo was named the UEFA Fans' Man of the Match,[36] and wrapped up the campaign with a career-high 42 goals in all competitions, falling four short of Denis Law's team-record mark of 46 in the 1963–64 season. 2008–2009 On 5 June 2008, Sky Sports reported that Ronaldo had expressed an interest in moving to Real Madrid if they offered him the same amount of money the team had allegedly promised him earlier in the year.[37] Manchester United filed a tampering complaint with FIFA on 9 June over Madrid's alleged pursuit of Ronaldo, but FIFA declined to take any action.[38][39] Speculation that a transfer would happen continued until 6 August, when Ronaldo confirmed that he would stay at Manchester for at least another year.[40] Ronaldo underwent ankle surgery at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam on 7 July.[41] He returned to action on 17 September in United's UEFA Champions League goalless group-stage draw with Villarreal as a substitute for Park Ji-Sung,[42] and scored his first overall goal of the season in a 3–1 League Cup third round win over Middlesbrough on 24 September. In a 5–0 win over Stoke City on 15 November 2008, Ronaldo scored his 100th and 101st goals in all competitions for Manchester United, both from free kicks.[43] The goals also meant that Ronaldo had now scored against each of the other 19 teams in the Premier League at the time.[44] On 2 December, Ronaldo became Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or recipient since George Best in 1968. He finished with 446 points, 165 ahead of runner-up Lionel Messi.[45] He was awarded the Silver Ball after finishing with two goals as United won the Club World Cup on 19 December.[46] On 8 January 2009, Ronaldo was uninjured in a single-car accident in which he wrote off his Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano in a tunnel along the A538 near Manchester Airport. A breathalyzer test he gave to police officers at the scene was negative, and he attended training later that morning.[47] Four days later, he became the first Premier League player ever to be named the FIFA World Player of the Year, in addition to being the first Portuguese player to win the award since Luís Figo in 2001.[48] Ronaldo scored his first Champions League goal of the season, and first since the final against Chelsea, in a 2–0 victory over Internazionale that sent United into the quarter-finals.[49] In the second leg against Porto, Ronaldo scored a 40-yard game-winning goal as United advanced to the semi-finals. He later called it the best goal he had ever scored.[50][51] Ronaldo participated in his second consecutive Champions League final, but made little impact in United's 2–0 loss to Barcelona. He finished with 53 appearances in all competitions, which was four higher than the previous year, but scored sixteen fewer goals (26) than his career-best total of 42 from the previous season. On 11 June, Manchester United accepted an unconditional offer of £80 million from Real Madrid for Ronaldo after it was revealed that he again had expressed his desire to leave the club.[52] It was confirmed by a representative of the Glazer family that the sale was fully condoned by Ferguson.[53] When Ronaldo had eventually completed his transfer to Real, he expressed his gratitude towards Ferguson for helping him develop as a player, saying, "He's been my father in sport, one of the most important factors and most influential in my career."[54] Real Madrid Ronaldo and Real Madrid against Diego Forlán and city rivals Atletico Madrid On 26 June 2009, Real Madrid confirmed that Ronaldo would join the club on 1 July 2009, after agreeing terms and signing a six-year contract.[55] Ronaldo's contract is worth €11 million per year[3] and it has a €1 billion buy-out clause.[56] He was presented to the world media as a Real Madrid player on 6 July,[57] where he was handed the number 9 jersey.[58] The shirt was presented to him by Madrid legend Alfredo di Stéfano.[59] Ronaldo was welcomed by 80,000 fans at his presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, surpassing Diego Maradona's record of 75,000 fans when he was presented in Italy, after he was transferred from Barcelona to Napoli in 1984.[60] Ronaldo made his Madrid debut on 21 July in a 1–0 win over Shamrock Rovers. His first goal came one week later on a penalty in Madrid's 4–2 LDU Quito.[61] On 29 August, Ronaldo capped his La Liga debut with a goal, scoring Real's second from the penalty spot in a 3–2 home win against Deportivo La Coruña.[62] On 15 September, Ronaldo scored his first Champions League goals, both on free kicks, against Zürich in a 5–2 win.[63] He broke a Madrid club record when he scored in a league match against Villarreal and thus became the first ever player to score in his first four La Liga appearances.[64] An ankle injury suffered on 10 October, while Ronaldo was on international duty with Portugal against Hungary,[65] kept him out until 25 November, which in turn caused him to miss both of Madrid's Champions League group stage matches against Milan. Ronaldo made his first post-injury start in a 1–0 El Clásico defeat to Barcelona on 29 November. On 6 December, he was sent off for the first time in his Madrid career in Madrid's 4–2 victory against Almería, a match which also saw him miss a penalty. He was carded first for removing his shirt during a goal celebration, then for kicking out at an opponent three minutes later.[66] International career Ronaldo playing against Brazil Ronaldo earned his first cap for Portugal in a 1–0 victory against Kazakhstan on 20 August 2003.[67] He was called up for Euro 2004,[68] scoring in a 2–1 group stage loss to eventual champions Greece[69] and in a 2–1 semi-final win over the Netherlands.[70] He was named in the team of the tournament despite finishing with only two goals.[71] That same year, he also represented Portugal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.[72][73] 2006 World Cup Ronaldo was the second-highest scorer in FIFA World Cup qualification in the European zone with seven goals,[71] and scored his first World Cup goal against Iran with a penalty kick.[74] During a quarter-final match against England on 1 July 2006, Ronaldo's United teammate Wayne Rooney was sent off for stamping on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho. The English media speculated that Ronaldo had influenced referee Horacio Elizondo's decision by aggressively complaining, after which he was seen in replays winking at the Portuguese bench following Rooney's dismissal. After the match, Ronaldo insisted that Rooney was a friend and that he was not pushing for Rooney to be sent off.[75] On 4 July, Elizondo clarified that the red card was due to Rooney's infraction and not the fracas between Rooney and Ronaldo that followed.[76] The angry reaction from the English press caused Ronaldo to consider leaving United,[77] and he allegedly told Spanish sports daily Marca that he wished to move to Real Madrid.[78] In response to the speculation, Ferguson sent Portuguese assistant manager Carlos Queiroz to speak to Ronaldo in attempt to change his mind, a sentiment that was shared by Rooney.[79][80] Ronaldo stayed, and signed his new five-year extension in April 2007.[81] Ronaldo was booed during Portugal's semi-final defeat to France,[82] and missed out on the competition's Best Young Player award due to a negative e-mail campaign from England fans.[83] Though the online vote only affected the nomination process, FIFA's Technical Study Group awarded the honour to Germany's Lukas Podolski, citing Ronaldo's behaviour as a factor in the decision.[84] Post-World Cup One day after his 22nd birthday, Ronaldo captained Portugal for the first time in a friendly against Brazil on 6 February 2007.[85] This move was in honour of Portuguese Football Federation president Carlos Silva, who had died two days earlier. Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari explained, "Mr. Silva asked me to make [Ronaldo] captain as a gesture... [he] is too young to be captain, but Mr. Silva asked me, and now he is no longer with us."[86] Ronaldo scored eight goals in Portugal's UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign,[87] behind Poland's Ebi Smolarek, but finished with only one goal in the tournament as Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Germany.[88][89] When Carlos Queiroz was named Portugal's new coach in July 2008,[90] he appointed Ronaldo as team captain.[91] 2010 World Cup On 15 June 2010, in Portugal's opening 2010 FIFA World Cup match against Côte d'Ivoire, Ronaldo was tackled by right-back Guy Demel, which led to an argument and both being booked. The next day, Portugal contacted FIFA to suggest that Ronaldo's yellow card be rescinded since he was "pulled into" the confrontation after having already moved away from the spot where he was tackled, but the appeal was rejected.[92] Ronaldo failed to make an impact in the World Cup; after going scoreless in the qualifiers, his only goal came in Portugal's 7-0 group stage thrashing of North Korea on 21 June,[93] which marked his first international goal in sixteen months.[94] Portugal were ultimately eliminated by Spain in the round of sixteen. International goals Cristiano Ronaldo: International goals # Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 12 June 2004 Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal Greece 1–2 1–2 UEFA Euro 2004 2 30 June 2004 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal Netherlands 2–0 2–1 UEFA Euro 2004 3 4 September 2004 Skonto stadions, Riga, Latvia Latvia 0–1 0–2 World Cup 2006 Qualifying 4 8 September 2004 Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal Estonia 1–0 4–0 World Cup 2006 Qualifying 5 13 October 2004 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal Russia 2–0 7–1 World Cup 2006 Qualifying 6 13 October 2004 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal Russia 4–0 7–1 World Cup 2006 Qualifying 7 17 November 2004 Stade Josy Barthel, Luxemburg City, Luxembourg Luxembourg 0–2 0–5 World Cup 2006 Qualifying 8 4 June 2005 Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal Slovakia 2–0 2–0 World Cup 2006 Qualifying 9 8 June 2005 A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia Estonia 0–1 0–1 World Cup 2006 Qualifying 10 1 March 2006 LTU Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany Saudi Arabia 0–1 0–3 Friendly 11 1 March 2006 LTU Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany Saudi Arabia 0–3 0–3 Friendly 12 17 June 2006 Waldstadion, Frankfurt, Germany Iran 2–0 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup 13 7 October 2006 Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal Azerbaijan 1–0 3–0 Euro 2008 Qualifying 14 7 October 2006 Estádio do Bessa, Porto, Portugal Azerbaijan 3–0 3–0 Euro 2008 Qualifying 15 15 November 2006 Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Kazakhstan 2–0 3–0 Euro 2008 Qualifying 16 24 March 2007 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal Belgium 2–0 4–0 Euro 2008 Qualifying 17 24 March 2007 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal Belgium 4–0 4–0 Euro 2008 Qualifying 18 22 August 2007 Hanrapetakan Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia Armenia 1–1 1–1 Euro 2008 Qualifying 19 8 September 2007 Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal Poland 2–1 2–2 Euro 2008 Qualifying 20 17 October 2007 Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan 0–2 1–2 Euro 2008 Qualifying 21 11 June 2008 Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland Czech Republic 1–2 1–3 UEFA Euro 2008 22 11 February 2009 Estádio Algarve, Faro, Portugal Finland 1–0 1–0 Friendly 23 21 June 2010 Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa Korea DPR 6–0 7–0 2010 FIFA World Cup Career statistics Club Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other1 Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Sporting CP 2002–03 25 3 3 2 – 3 0 0 0 31 5 Total 25 3 3 2 – 3 0 0 0 31 5 Manchester United 2003–04 29 4 5 2 1 0 5 0 0 0 40 6 2004–05 33 5 7 4 2 0 8 0 0 0 50 9 2005–06 33 9 2 0 4 2 8 1 0 0 47 12 2006–07 34 17 7 3 1 0 11 3 0 0 53 23 2007–08 34 31 3 3 0 0 11 8 1 0 49 42 2008–09 33 18 2 1 4 2 12 4 2 1 53 26 Total 196 84 26 13 12 4 55 16 3 1 292 118 Real Madrid 2009–10 29 26 0 0 – 6 7 0 0 35 33 Total 29 26 0 0 – 6 7 0 0 35 33 Career total 250 113 29 15 12 4 64 23 3 1 358 156 Statistics accurate as of match played 16 May 2010[95] 1Includes other competitive competitions, including the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Supercopa de España. International National team Year Apps Goals Portugal 2003 2 0 2004 16 7 2005 10 2 2006 14 6 2007 10 5 2008 8 1 2009 7 1 2010 9 1 Total 76 23 As of 29 June 2010.[96] Honours Club Manchester United Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09 FA Cup: 2003–04 League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09 FA Community Shield: 2007 UEFA Champions League: 2007–08 FIFA Club World Cup: 2008 Individual UEFA Euro 2004 Team of the Tournament Bravo Award: 2004 FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06 Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 2006–07 UEFA Team of the Year: 2003–04, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09 Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 2003-04, 2006-07, 2007-08 FIFPro World XI: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09 PFA Young Player of the Year: 2006–07 PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2006–07, 2007-08 PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08 PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09 FWA Footballer of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08 Premier League Player of the Season: 2006–07, 2007–08 Premier League Player of the Month: November 2006, December 2006, January 2008, March 2008 Premier League Golden Boot: 2007–08 Barclays Merit Award: 2007–08 European Golden Shoe: 2007–08 UEFA Club Forward of the Year (1): 2007–08 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2007–08 FIFPro World Player of the Year: 2007–08 Ballon d'Or: 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year: 2008 FIFA Ferenc Puskás Award: 2009 Onze d'Or: 2008 World Soccer Player of the Year: 2008 Orders Officer of the Order of Infante Dom Henrique Medal of Merit, Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa (House of Braganza)[97] Personal life Ronaldo's father, José Dinis Aveiro, died of alcoholism at age 52 when Ronaldo was 20. Ronaldo has claimed not to drink alcohol as a result, and has received libel damages over a Daily Mirror that reported him drinking heavily in a nightclub while recovering from an injury in July 2008.[98] Ronaldo's autobiography, titled Moments, was published in December 2007.[99] Along with one of his sisters, Ronaldo opened a fashion boutique under the name "CR7" (his initials and old Manchester United shirt number).[100] There are currently two CR7 store locations, both of which are in Portugal; one in Lisbon and the other in Madeira. In support of the victims of the 2010 Madeira flood, Ronaldo is to play in a charity match in Madeira between the Portuguese Liga club Porto and players from Madeiran based Portuguese Liga clubs Marítimo and Nacional.[101] On 9 June 2010, Madame Tussauds London unveiled Ronaldo's waxwork as part of the build-up to the World Cup. Ronaldo joins fellow footballers Steven Gerrard, Pelé and David Beckham at the events venue.[102] Ronaldo announced that he had become a father on 3 July 2010. His official Facebook and Twitter pages reference the birth of his son and request privacy.[103] The child, who was born to an anonymous American mother,[104] Lionel Messi: Lionel Messi Personal information Full name Lionel Andrés Messi[1][2] Date of birth 24 June 1987 (1987-06-24) (age 23) Place of birth Rosario, Argentina Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)[1] Playing position Striker / Winger Club information Current club Barcelona Number 10 Youth career 1995–2000 Newell's Old Boys 2000–2004 Barcelona Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 2004–2005 Barcelona B 5 (0) 2004– Barcelona 144 (88) National team‡ 2005 Argentina U20 7 (6) 2008 Argentina U23 5 (2) 2005– Argentina 49 (13) Honours[show] Competitor for Argentina Men's Football Gold 2008 Beijing Team Competition * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16 May 2010. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16:46, 3 July 2010 (UTC) Lionel Andrés Messi (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi]; born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team. Considered one of the best football players of his generation[3][4][5] and frequently cited as the world's best contemporary player,[6] Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21 and won both by the age of 22.[6][7][8][9] His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to Diego Maradona, who himself declared Messi his "successor".[10][11] Messi began playing football at a young age and his potential was quickly identified by Barcelona. He left Rosario-based Newell's Old Boys's youth team in 2000 and moved with his family to Europe, as Barcelona offered treatment for his growth hormone deficiency. Making his debut in the 2004–05 season, he broke his team record for the youngest footballer to score a league goal. Major honours soon followed as Barcelona won La Liga in Messi's debut season, and won a double of the league and Champions League in 2006. His breakthrough season was in the 2006–07 season; he became a first team regular, scoring a hat-trick in El Clásico and finishing with 14 goals in 26 league games. Perhaps his most successful season was the 2008–09 season, in which Messi scored 38 goals to play an integral part in a treble-winning campaign. In the following 2009–10 campaign, Messi scored 47 goals in all competitions, equalling Ronaldo's record total for Barcelona. Messi was the top scorer of the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship with six goals, including two in the final game. Shortly thereafter, he became an established member of Argentina's senior international team. 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 2008, in Beijing, he won his first international honour, an Olympic gold medal, with the Argentina Olympic football team Early life Messi was born on 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, to parents Jorge Horacio Messi (born 1958), a factory worker, and Celia María Cuccittini, a part-time cleaner.[12][13][14] His paternal family originates from the Italian city of Ancona, where his ancestor, Angelo Messi, emigrated to Argentina in 1883.[15][16] He has two older brothers named Rodrigo and Matías as well as a sister named Maria Sol.[17] At the age of five, Messi started playing football for Grandoli, a local club coached by his father Jorge.[18] In 1995, Messi switched to Newell's Old Boys who were based in his home city Rosario.[18] At the age of 11, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency.[19] Primera División club River Plate showed interest in Messi's progress, but did not have enough money to pay for treatment for his condition as it cost $900 a month.[14] Carles Rexach, the sporting director of Barcelona, had been made aware of his talent as Messi had relatives in Lleida, Catalonia, and Messi and his father were able to arrange a trial.[14] Barcelona signed him after watching him play,[20] offering to pay for the medical bills if he was willing to move to Spain.[18] His family moved to Europe and he started in the club's youth teams.[20] He has two cousins also involved in football; Maxi and Emanuel Biancucchi.[21][22] Club career Barcelona Messi made his official debut for the first team in a friendly match against Porto on 16 November 2003 (at 16 years and 145 days).[23][24] Less than a year later, Frank Rijkaard let him make his league debut against Espanyol on 16 October 2004 (at 17 years and 114 days), becoming the third-youngest player ever to play for Barcelona. When he scored his first senior goal for the club against Albacete on 1 May 2005, Messi was 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old, becoming the youngest to ever score in a La Liga game for Barcelona[25] until 2007 when Bojan Krkić broke this record, scoring from a Messi assist.[26] Messi said about his ex-coach Rijkaard: "I'll never forget the fact that he launched my career, that he had confidence in me while I was only sixteen or seventeen."[27] 2005–06 season The Maradona and Pele polemics will end. Diego Maradona, on the consequences if Messi won the 2010 World Cup[28] On 16 September, for the second time in three months, Barcelona announced an update to Messi's contract; this time it was improved to pay him as a first team member and extended until June 2014.[18] Messi obtained Spanish citizenship on 26 September 2005[29] and was finally able to make his debut in the season's Spanish First Division. Messi's first home outing in the Champions League came on 27 September against Italian club Udinese.[23] Fans at Barcelona's stadium, the Camp Nou, gave Messi a standing ovation upon his substitution, as his composure on the ball and passing combinations with Ronaldinho had paid dividends for Barcelona.[30] Messi netted six goals in 17 league appearances, and scored one Champions League goal in six. His season ended prematurely on 7 March 2006, however, when he suffered a muscle tear in his right thigh during the second leg of the second round Champions League tie against Chelsea.[31] Rijkaard's Barcelona ended the season as champions of Spain and Europe.[32][33] 2006–07 season Messi in a match against Rangers in 2007 In the 2006–07 season, Messi established himself as a regular first team player, scoring 14 times in 26 matches.[34] On 12 November, in the game against Real Zaragoza, Messi suffered a broken metatarsal, ruling him out for three months.[35][36] Messi recuperated from his injury in Argentina, and his return to action came against Racing Santander on 11 February,[37] where he came on as a second-half substitute. On 11 March, El Clásico saw Messi in top form, scoring a hat-trick to earn 10-man Barcelona a 3–3 draw, equalising three times, with the final equaliser coming in injury time.[38] In doing so he became the first player since Iván Zamorano (for Real Madrid in the 1994–95 season) to score a hat-trick in El Clásico.[39] Messi is also the youngest player ever to have scored in this fixture. Towards the end of the season he began finding the net more often; 11 of his 14 league goals for the season came from the last 13 games.[40] Messi shortly before scoring a goal against Getafe Messi also proved the "new Maradona" tag was not all hype, by nearly replicating Maradona's most famous goals in the space of the single season.[41] On 18 April 2007, he scored two goals during a Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe, one of which was very similar to Maradona's famous goal against England at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, known as the Goal of the Century.[42] The world's sports press drew comparisons with Maradona, and the Spanish press labelled Messi as "Messidona".[43] He ran about the same distance, 62 metres (203 ft), beat the same number of players (six, including the goalkeeper), scored from a very similar position, and ran towards the corner flag just as Maradona did in Mexico 21 years before.[41] In a press conference after the game, Messi's team-mate Deco said: "It was the best goal I have ever seen in my life."[44] Against Espanyol Messi also scored a goal which was remarkably similar to Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal against England in the World Cup quarter-finals. Messi launched himself at the ball and connected with his hand to guide the ball past the goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.[45] Despite protests by Espanyol players and replays showing it was clear handball, the goal stood.[45] 2007–08 season Messi takes Barcelona to 2–0 against Sevilla at Camp Nou on 22 September 2007 During the 2007–08 season, Messi scored five goals in a week leading Barcelona to the top four in La Liga. On 19 September he scored once as Barcelona defeated Lyon 3–0 at home in a Champions League match.[46] He scored two goals against Sevilla on 22 September[47] and then on 26 September, Messi scored another two goals in a 4–1 victory over Real Zaragoza.[48] On 27 February, Messi played in his 100th official match for Barcelona against Valencia.[49] Messi was nominated for a FIFPro World XI Player Award under the category of Forward.[50] A poll conducted in the online edition of the Spanish newspaper Marca had him as the best player in the world with 77 percent of the vote.[51] Columnists from Barcelona-based newspapers El Mundo Deportivo and Sport stated that the Ballon d'Or should be given to Messi, a view supported by Franz Beckenbauer.[52] Football personalities such as Francesco Totti have declared that they consider Messi to be one of the current best footballers in the world.[53] Messi was sidelined for six weeks following an injury on 4 March when he suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh during a Champions League match against Celtic. It was the fourth time in three seasons that Messi suffered this type of injury.[54] 2008–09 season Messi in a match against Deportivo La Coruña Upon Ronaldinho's departure from the club, Messi inherited his number 10 jersey.[55] On 1 October 2008, during a Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, Messi scored two goals during the last seven minutes, after coming on as a substitute for Thierry Henry, to turn a 1–0 deficit to a 2–1 victory for Barcelona.[56] The next league game was versus Atlético Madrid, a match billed as a friendly battle between Messi and his good friend Sergio Agüero.[57] Messi scored a goal from a free kick and assisted another as Barça went on to win the match 6–1.[58] Messi netted another impressive brace against Sevilla scoring a volley from 23 metres (25 yd) and then dribbling round the goalkeeper and scoring from a tight angle for the other.[59] On 13 December 2008, during the first Clásico of the season, Messi scored the second goal in Barcelona's 2–0 win over Real Madrid.[60] He was also named second in the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year awards with 678 points.[8] Messi scored his first hat-trick of 2009 in a Copa del Rey tie against Atlético Madrid which Barcelona won 3–1.[61] Messi scored another important double on 1 February 2009, coming on as a second half substitute to help Barcelona defeat Racing Santander 1–2 after being 1–0 down. The second of the two strikes was Barcelona's 5000th league goal.[62] In the 28th round of La Liga, Messi scored his 30th goal of the season in all competitions, helping his team to a 6–0 victory over Málaga in the process.[63] On 8 April 2009, he scored twice against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, setting a personal record of eight goals in the competition.[64] On 18 April, Messi notched his 20th league goal of the season in a 1–0 win at Getafe, allowing Barcelona to maintain their six-point advantage at the top of the league table over Real Madrid.[65] As Barcelona's season was drawing to a close, Messi scored twice (his 35th and 36th goals in all competitions) to cap a 6–2 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu[66] in what was Real's heaviest defeat since 1930.[67] After scoring each goal, he ran towards the fans and the cameras lifting up his Barcelona jersey and showing another T-shirt that read Síndrome X Fràgil, Catalan for Fragile X Syndrome, to show his support for children who suffer from the affliction.[68] Messi was involved in the build-up to Andrés Iniesta's injury time goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final to send Barcelona through to face Manchester United in the final. He won his first Copa del Rey on 13 May, scoring one goal and assisting another two, in a 4–1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.[69] He helped his team win the double by winning La Liga. On 27 May he helped Barcelona win the Champions League by scoring a second goal in the 70th minute giving Barcelona a two goal lead; he also became the top scorer in the Champions League, the youngest in the tournament's history, with nine goals.[70] Messi also won the UEFA Club Forward of the Year: and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year rounding off a spectacular year in Europe.[71] This victory meant Barcelona had won the Copa del Rey, La Liga and Champions League in the one season,[72] and was the first time a Spanish club had ever won the treble.[73] 2009–10 season "Once he's on the run, Messi is unstoppable. He's the only player who can change direction at such a pace." "He is the best player in the world by some distance. He's (like) a PlayStation. He can take advantage of every mistake we make." Arsène Wenger after Barcelona won 4–1 against Arsenal.[74][75] Messi in action during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between Barcelona and Manchester City at Camp Nou Messi during 2009 FIFA Club World Cup. After winning the 2009 UEFA Super Cup, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola asserted that Messi was probably the best player he had ever seen.[76] On 18 September, Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona, running until 2016 and with a buy-out clause of €250 million included, making Messi, along with Zlatan Ibrahimović, the highest paid players in La Liga, with earnings of around €9.5 million yearly.[77][78] Four days later, on 22 September, Messi scored two goals and assisted another in Barça's 4–1 win over Racing Santander in La Liga.[79] He scored his first European goal of the season on 29 September in a 2–0 win over Dynamo Kyiv,[80] and then took his goal tally to six goals in seven games in La Liga with a strike during a 6–1 routing of Real Zaragoza at Camp Nou.[81][82] Messi was named winner of the 2009 Ballon d'Or on 1 December 2009, beating runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo by largest ever margin of 473 to 233.[83][84][85] Afterwards, France Football magazine quoted Messi as saying: "I dedicate it to my family. They were always present when I needed them and sometimes felt even stronger emotions than me."[86] On 19 December, Messi scored the winner in the final of the 2009 Club World Cup against Estudiantes in Abu Dhabi, giving the club their sixth title of the year.[87] Two days later, he was given the FIFA World Player of the Year award; beating Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Kaká and Andrés Iniesta to the award. This was the first time he had won the award, and he became the first Argentinean to ever receive this honour.[88] On 10 January 2010, Messi scored his first hat-trick in 2010 and his first hat-trick of the season against Tenerife in the 0–5 victory,[89] and on 17 January he scored his 100th goal for the club in the 4–0 victory over Sevilla.[90] Messi then started an impressive run scoring 11 goals in five games. First he scored on the 84th minute against Málaga for a 2–1 win,[91] then he scored two goals against Almería in a 2–2 tie.[92] He continued his spree with an impressive week where he scored eight goals; he started by scoring a hat-trick against Valencia in a 3–0 home win,[93] then he scored two goals against Stuttgart, in a 4–0 win that secured Barcelona's qualification to the quarterfinals of the Champions League,[94] and finally he scored another hat-trick against Zaragoza in a 4–2 away win,[95] becoming the first Barcelona player to score back-to-back hat-tricks in La Liga.[96] He played his 200th official match for Barcelona against Osasuna on 24 March 2010.[97] On 6 April 2010, for the first time in Messi's career he scored four goals in a single match, netting the lot in a 4–1 home win over Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.[98][99][100] This also saw him overtake Rivaldo as Barcelona's all time greatest scorer in the competition.[101] On 10 April, Messi scored his 40th goal of the season when he netted the first goal in a 2–0 away win against title-rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico.[102] On 1 May, Messi played his 50th game of the season and scored two goals on a 4–1 away win against Villarreal.[103] Just three days later, on 4 May, Messi scored two goals in another 4–1 win at home against Tenerife.[104] Messi scored his 32nd goal of the La Liga season on 8 May, during an away win against Sevilla,[105] and in the final match against Valladolid, he scored two goals in the second half to tie Ronaldo's club record of 34 goals in a single league season, set in 1996–97,[106][107] and to finish four goals behind the all-time record held by Telmo Zarra.[108] He was named La Liga player of the year for the second year in a row on 3 June 2010.[109] International career In June 2004, he debuted for Argentina, playing in an under-20 friendly match against Paraguay.[110] In 2005 he was part of a team that won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands. There, he won the Golden Ball and the Golden Shoe,[111] 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, found he had headbutted defender Vilmos Vanczák, who was tugging Messi's shirt. The decision was contentious and Maradona even claimed the decision was pre-meditated.[112][113] 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."[114] He then started his first game for Argentina against Peru; after the match Pekerman described Messi as "a jewel".[115] On 28 March 2009, in a World Cup Qualifier against Venezuela, Messi wore the number 10 jersey for the first time with Argentina. This match was the first official match for Diego Maradona as the Argentina manager. Argentina won the match 4–0 with Messi opening the scoring.[116] 2006 World Cup The injury that kept Messi from playing for two months at the end of the 2005–06 season jeopardised his presence in the 2006 World Cup. Nevertheless, Messi was selected in the Argentina squad for the tournament on 15 May 2006. He also played in the final match before the World Cup against the Argentine U-20 team for 15 minutes and a friendly match against Angola from the 64th minute.[117][118] He witnessed Argentina's opening match victory against Ivory Coast from the substitute's bench.[119] In the next match against Serbia and Montenegro, Messi became the youngest player to represent Argentina at a World Cup when he came on as a substitute for Maxi Rodríguez in the 74th minute. He assisted Hernán Crespo's goal within minutes of entering the game and also scored the final goal in the 6–0 victory, making him the youngest scorer in the tournament and the sixth youngest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup.[120] Messi started in Argentina's following 0–0 draw against the Netherlands.[121] In the following game against Mexico, Messi came on as a substitute in the 84th minute, with the score tied at 1–1. He appeared to score a goal, but it was ruled offside with Argentina needing a late goal in extra time to proceed.[122][123] Coach José Pekerman left Messi on the bench during the quarter-final match against Germany, which they lost 4–2 on a penalty shootout.[124] 2007 Copa América Messi at the 2007 Copa América Messi played his first game in the 2007 Copa América on 29 June 2007, when Argentina defeated United States 4–1 in the first game. In this game, he showed his capabilities as a playmaker. He set up a goal for fellow striker Hernán Crespo and had numerous shots on target. Tevez came on as a substitute for Messi in the 79th minute and scored minutes later.[125] His second game was against Colombia, in which he won a penalty that Crespo converted to tie the game at 1–1. He also played a part in Argentina's second goal as he was fouled outside the box, which allowed Juan Roman Riquelme to score from a freekick, and increase Argentina's lead to 3–1. The final score of the game was 4–2 in Argentina's favor and guaranteed them a spot in the tournament's quarterfinals.[126] In the third game, against Paraguay the coach rested Messi having already qualified for the quarter-finals. He came off the bench in place of Esteban Cambiasso in the 64th minute, with the score at 0–0. In the 79th minute, he assisted a goal for Javier Mascherano.[127] In the quarter-finals, as Argentina faced Peru, Messi scored the second goal of the game, from a Riquelme pass in a 4–0 win.[128] During the semi-final match against Mexico, Messi scored a lob over Oswaldo Sánchez to see Argentina through to the final with a 3–0 win.[129] Argentina went on to lose 3–0 to Brazil in the final.[130] 2008 Summer Olympics Messi in the semi-final against Brazil at the 2008 Olympics Having barred Messi from playing for Argentina in the 2008 Olympics,[131] Barcelona agreed to release him after he held talks with newly appointed coach Josep Guardiola.[132] He joined the Argentina squad and scored the first goal in a 2–1 victory over Ivory Coast.[132] He then scored the opening goal and assisted Ángel Di María in the second to help his side to a 2–1 extra-time win against the Netherlands.[133] He also featured in Argentina's match against rivals Brazil, in which Argentina took a 3–0 victory, thus advancing to the final.[134] In the gold medal match, Messi again assisted Di María for the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Nigeria.[135] 2010 World Cup Messi played the entire game on Argentina's opening match 1–0 victory against Nigeria. He had several opportunities to score but was repeatedly denied by Vincent Enyeama.[136] Messi started in Argentina's following 4–1 win against Korea Republic; he participated in all of the goals of his team and helped Gonzalo Higuaín score a hat-trick.[137] On the third and last group stage match Messi captained during Argentina's 2-0 win over Greece, again being the centrepoint of Argentina's play and was voted man of the match.[138] At the Round of 16 he assisted Carlos Tévez for the first goal in a 3–1 win against Mexico. The referee awarded that goal even though it was a clear offside.[139] The World Cup ended for Argentina with a 4-0 loss against Germany.[140] Outside football Personal life Messi was at one stage romantically linked to Macarena Lemos, also from his hometown of Rosario. He is said to have been introduced to her by the girl's father when he returned to Rosario to recover from his injury a few days before the start of the 2006 World Cup.[141][142] He has in the past also been linked to the Argentine glamour model Luciana Salazar.[143][144] In January 2009 he told "Hat Trick Barça", a programme on Canal 33: "I have a girlfriend and she is living in Argentina, I am relaxed and happy".[144] He was seen with the girl, Antonella Roccuzzo,[145] at a carnival in Sitges after the Barcelona-Espanyol derby. Roccuzzo is a fellow native of Rosario.[146] They plan to wed near the end of 2010. [145] Charity In 2007 Messi established Fundacion Leo Messi, a charity supporting access to education and health care for vulnerable children.[147][148] In an fansite interview, Messi said: “Being a bit famous now gives me the opportunity to help people who really need it, especially children."[149] In response to Messi’s own childhood medical difficulties, the Leo Messi Foundation supports Argentine children diagnosed with medical conditions by offering treatment in Spain and covering the transport, hospital and recuperation costs.[150] Messi’s foundation is supported by his own fundraising activity with additional assistance from Herbalife. On 11 March 2010 Messi was announced as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.[151] Messi’s UNICEF ambassador activities are aimed at supporting children’s rights. Messi is supported in this by FC Barcelona, who also have a strong association with UNICEF.[152] Media He is featured on the front cover of the video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and is also involved in promotional campaigns for the game.[153][154] Messi, along with Fernando Torres,[155] is the face of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010, and was also involved in the motion capturing and the trailer.[156][157][158] Messi is sponsored by the German sportswear company Adidas and features in their television advertisements.[159] In June 2010, Messi also signed a 3 year deal with Herbalife[160] which further supports the Leo Messi Foundation. Career statistics As of 16 May 2010.[161] Club Season League Cup[nb 1] Europe[nb 2] Club World Cup Total Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Barcelona 2004–05 7 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 — 9 1 0 2005–06 17 6 3 2 1 0 6 1 1 — 25 8 4 2006–07 26 14 2 4 2 1 6 1 0 0 0 0 36 17 3 2007–08 28 10 12 3 0 0 9 6 1 — 40 16 13 2008–09 31 23 11 8 6 2 12 9 5 — 51 38 18 2009–10 35 34 13 4 3 0 12 8 1 2 2 0 53 47 14 Career totals 144 88 41 22 12 3 46 25 8 2 2 0 214 127 52 International goals Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 1 March 2006 St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland Croatia 2–3 Loss Friendly 2 16 June 2006 WM-Stadion Gelsenkirchen, Gelsenkirchen, Germany Serbia and Montenegro 6–0 Win 2006 World Cup 3 5 June 2007 Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain Algeria 4–3 Win Friendly 4 5 June 2007 Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain Algeria 4–3 Win Friendly 5 8 July 2007 Metropolitano de Fútbol de Lara, Barquisimeto, Venezuela Peru 4–0 Win 2007 Copa América 6 11 July 2007 Polideportivo Cachamay, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela Mexico 3–0 Win 2007 Copa América 7 16 October 2007 José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo, Venezuela Venezuela 2–0 Win 2010 World Cup qualification 8 20 November 2007 Estadio El Campín, Bogotá, Colombia Colombia 1–2 Loss 2010 World Cup qualification 9 4 June 2008 Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, United States Mexico 4–1 Win Friendly 10 11 October 2008 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina Uruguay 2–1 Win 2010 World Cup qualification 11 11 February 2009 Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France France 2–0 Win Friendly 12 28 March 2009 Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina Venezuela 4–0 Win 2010 World Cup qualification 13 14 November 2009 Vicente Calderón Stadium, Madrid, Spain Spain 1–2 Loss Friendly Honours Barcelona La Liga: 4 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 Copa del Rey: 1 2009 Supercopa de España: 3 2005, 2006, 2009 UEFA Champions League: 2 2006, 2009 UEFA Super Cup: 1 2009 FIFA Club World Cup: 1 2009 Argentina FIFA U-20 World Cup: 1 2005 Olympic Gold Medal: 1 2008 Individual FIFA World Player of the Year: 1 2009 FIFA Team of the Year: 2 2008, 2009 European Footballer of the Year: 1 2009 U-21 European Footballer of the Year: 1 2007 Onze d'Or: 1 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament: 1 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup top goalscorer: 1 2005 Copa América Young Player of the Tournament: 1 2007 La Liga Player of the Year: 1 2009 La Liga Forward of the Year: 1 2009 La Liga Foreign Player of the Year: 3 2007, 2009, 2010 La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year: 3 2007, 2009, 2010 La Liga top goalscorer: 1 2010 FC Barcelona top goalscorer: 2 2009, 2010 European Golden Shoe: 1 2010 UEFA Champions League Player of the Year: 1 2009 UEFA Champions League Forward of the Year: 1 2009 UEFA Champions League top goalscorer: 2 2009, 2010 UEFA Champions League Final Fan's Man of the Match: 1 2009 UEFA Team of the Year: 2 2008, 2009 FIFPro World Player of the Year: 1 2009 FIFPro World Young Player of the Year: 3 2006, 2007, 2008 FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year: 2 2007, 2008 FIFPro World XI: 3 2007, 2008, 2009 World Soccer Player of the Year: 1 2009 World Soccer Young Player of the Year: 3 2006, 2007, 2008 FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 1 2009 Player of the Year of Argentina: 4 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 Wayne Rooney: Wayne Rooney Rooney playing for Manchester United Personal information Full name Wayne Mark Rooney Date of birth 24 October 1985 (1985-10-24) (age 24) Place of birth Croxteth, Liverpool, England Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Playing position Striker Club information Current club Manchester United Number 10 Youth career 1996–2002 Everton Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 2002–2004 Everton 67 (15) 2004– Manchester United 189 (91) National team‡ 2003– England 64 (25) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:28, 5 July 2010 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16:20, 27 June 2010 (UTC) Wayne Mark Rooney (born 24 October 1985) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team. Aged 10, Rooney joined the youth team of Everton, for whom he made his professional debut in 2002. He spent two seasons at the Merseyside club, before moving to Manchester United for £25.6 million in the 2004 summer transfer window. Since then, he has won the Premier League three times, the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League and two League Cups. He has also been awarded the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year in 2009–10. Rooney made his England debut in 2003 and, at UEFA Euro 2004, he briefly became the competition's youngest goalscorer. He is frequently selected for the England squad and also featured at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. As of July 2010, he has won 65 international caps. Early life Rooney was born in Croxteth, Liverpool to Thomas Wayne and Jeanette Marie Rooney (née Morrey).[1] He is of Irish[2][3] descent and was brought up Catholic in Croxteth with younger brothers Graeme and John;[4][5] all three attended De La Salle School. He grew up supporting his local club Everton; his childhood hero was Duncan Ferguson.[6] Club career Everton Rooney began playing for Liverpool Schoolboys and at the age of 10 was signed on schoolboy terms by Everton F.C.[7] After scoring in an FA Youth Cup match, he revealed a T-shirt under his jersey that read, "Once a Blue, always a Blue."[8] Since he was under 17 at the time and therefore ineligible for a professional contract, he was playing for £80 a week and living with his family on one of the country's most deprived council estates. On 19 October 2002, five days before his 17th birthday, Rooney scored a match-winning goal against reigning league champions Arsenal; in addition to ending Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run,[9] it made Rooney the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, a record that has since been surpassed twice; first by James Milner and then by James Vaughan. He was named BBC Sports' 2002 Young Personality of the Year. At the end of the 2003–04 season, citing Everton's inability to challenge for European competition (they had finished seventh the previous season and only just missed out on a UEFA Cup place, but in 2003–04, finishing in 17th place, had narrowly avoided relegation), Rooney requested a transfer that Everton refused to oblige unless the transfer fee was in excess of £50 million. A three-year, £12,000-a-week contract offer from the club was snubbed by Rooney's agent in August 2004, leaving Manchester United and Newcastle United to compete for his signature. The Times reported that Newcastle were close to signing Rooney for £18.5 million, as confirmed by Rooney's agent, but Manchester United ultimately won the bidding war and Rooney signed at the end of the month after a £25.6 million deal with Everton was reached.[10] It was the highest fee paid for a player aged under 20; Rooney was still only 18 years old when he left Everton.[11] Manchester United Since 2004 Rooney playing for Manchester United Rooney made his United debut on 28 September 2004 in a 6–2 Champions League group stage win over Fenerbahçe, scoring a hat-trick and laying on an assist.[12] However, his first season at Old Trafford ended without winning a trophy as United could only manage a third place finish in the league (having been champions or runners-up on all but two previous occasions since 1992) and failed to progress to the last eight of the UEFA Champions League. United had more success in the cup competitions, but were edged out of the League Cup in the semi finals by a Chelsea side who also won the Premier League title that season, and a goalless draw with Arsenal in the FA Cup final was followed by a penalty shoot-out defeat. However, Rooney was United's top league scorer that season with 11 goals, and was credited with the PFA Young Player of the Year award.[13] In September 2005, Rooney was sent off in a UEFA Champions League clash with Villarreal of Spain (which ended in a goalless draw) for sarcastically clapping the referee who had booked him for an unintentional foul on an opponent.[14] His first trophy with United came in the 2006 League Cup, and he was also named man of the match after scoring twice in United's 4–0 win over Wigan Athletic in the final. In the Premier League, however, an erratic start to the season left title glory looking unlikely for United and their title hopes were ended in late April when they lost 3–0 at home to champions Chelsea and had to settle for second place. Rooney's goalscoring further improved in the 2005–06 season, as he managed 16 goals in 36 Premier League games. Rooney was sent off in an Amsterdam Tournament match against Porto on 4 August 2006 after hitting Porto defender Pepe with an elbow.[15] He was punished with a three-match ban by the FA, following their receipt of a 23-page report from referee Ruud Bossen that explained his decision.[16] Rooney wrote a letter of protest to the FA, citing the lack of punishment handed down to other players who were sent off in friendlies. He also threatened to withdraw the FA's permission to use his image rights if they did not revoke the ban, but the FA had no power to make such a decision.[17] During the first half of the 2006–07 season, Rooney ended a ten-game scoreless streak with a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers,[18] and he signed a two-year contract extension the next month that tied him to United until 2012. By the end of April, a combination of two goals in an 8–3 aggregate quarter-final win over Roma and two more in a 3–2 semi-final first leg victory over AC Milan[19] brought Rooney's total goal amount to 23 in all competitions and tied him with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo for the team goalscoring lead. By the end of that season, he had scored 14 league goals.[20] Rooney collected his first Premier League title winner's medal at the end of the 2006–07 season, but has yet to pick up an FA Cup winner's medal; he had to settle for a runners-up medal in the 2007 FA Cup Final. On 12 August 2007, Rooney fractured his left metatarsal in United's opening-day goalless draw against Reading;[21] he had suffered the same injury to his right foot in 2004.[22] After being sidelined for six weeks, he returned for United's 1–0 Champions League group stage win over Roma on 2 October, scoring the match's only goal. However, barely a month into his return, Rooney injured his ankle during a training session on 9 November, and missed an additional two weeks. His first match back was against Fulham on 3 December, in which he played 70 minutes.[23][dead link] Rooney missed a total of ten games and finished the 2007–08 season with 18 goals (12 of them in the league), as United clinched both the Premier League and the Champions League, in which they defeated league rivals Chelsea in the competition's first-ever all-English final. On 4 October 2008 in an away win over Blackburn Rovers, Rooney became the youngest player in league history to make 200 appearances.[24] On 14 January after scoring what turned out to be the only goal 54 seconds into the 1–0 win over Wigan Athletic, Rooney limped off with a hamstring ailment in the eighth minute. His replacement, Carlos Tévez, was injured himself shortly after entering the game, but stayed on.[25] Rooney was out for three weeks, missing one match apiece in the League Cup and FA Cup, along with four Premier League matches.[26] On 25 April 2009, Rooney scored his final league goals of the season against Tottenham. United scored 5 goals in an emphatic second half display to come from 2–0 down winning the game 5–2. Rooney grabbed two goals, set up two and provided the assist that led to the penalty for United's first goal.[27] Rooney ended the season with 20 goals in all competitions, behind Ronaldo as leading United scorer for the season. Once again, he managed 12 goals in the league. 2009–10 Rooney's start to the new campaign got off to great scoring ways, grabbing a goal in the 90th minute of the 2009 Community Shield, though United lost the game to Chelsea on penalties. He then scored the only goal of the opening game of the 2009–10 season against Birmingham City, taking his overall United tally to 99.[28] He failed to score in the next game, a historic 1–0 defeat to the hands of newly-promoted Burnley at Turf Moor. On 22 August 2009, he became the 20th Manchester United player to have scored over 100 goals for the club, finding the net twice in a 5–0 away win at Wigan Athletic, a game which also saw Michael Owen notch his first goal for United.[29] Rooney in a November 2009 match against Everton. On 29 August 2009, United played Arsenal at Old Trafford. Rooney scored the equaliser from the penalty spot after Andrei Arshavin had put the Gunners ahead. The game finished 2–1 to Manchester United after Abou Diaby scored an own goal.[30] Five days later Rooney commented on his penalty against Arsenal: "Everyone who watches me play knows I am an honest player, I play the game as honestly as I can. If the referee gives a penalty there is nothing you can do."[31] On 28 November 2009, Rooney scored his first hat-trick for three years in a 4–1 away victory against Portsmouth, with two of them being penalties.[32] On 27 December 2009, he was awarded Man of the Match against Hull. He was involved in all the goals scored in the game, hitting the opener and then giving away the ball for Hull's equalizing penalty. He then forced Andy Dawson into conceding an own goal and then set up Dimitar Berbatov for United's third goal which gave them a 3–1 victory.[33] On 30 December 2009, three days on from their victory over Hull, he grabbed another goal in United's 5–0 thrashing of Wigan in their final game of the decade.[34] On 23 January 2010, Rooney scored all four goals in Manchester United's 4–0 win over Hull City; three of the goals came in the last 10 minutes of the match. This was the first time in his career that he bagged four in one match.[35] On 27 January 2010, he continued his great scoring run by heading the winner in the second minute of stoppage time against derby rivals Manchester City. This gave United a 4–3 aggregate win, taking them into the final, it was his first League Cup goal since netting two in the 2006 final.[36] On 31 January 2010, Rooney scored his 100th Premier League goal in a 3–1 win over Arsenal for the first time in the league at the Emirates, notably his first Premier League goal also came against Arsenal.[37] On 16 February 2010, Rooney hit his first European goals of the season, scoring two headers in the 3–2 away win against A.C. Milan in their first ever win against them at the San Siro.[38] On 28 February 2010, he scored another header against Aston Villa (his fifth consecutive headed goal in a row) which resulted in Manchester United winning the Carling Cup final 2–1.[39] In the second leg of United's European tie against AC Milan, Rooney scored a brace in a resounding 4–0 home victory, taking his tally of goals this season to 30.[40] He then added 2 more to his tally just 5 days later at Old Trafford, in a 3–0 win over Fulham.[41] On 30 March 2010, during United's Champions League Quarter-final first leg defeat against Bayern Munich (at Munich's Allianz Arena), Rooney crumpled when he twisted his ankle in the last minute.[42] There were fears that he had received serious ligament damage or even a broken ankle, but it was announced that the injury was only slight ligament damage, and that he would be out for 2 to 3 weeks,[43] missing United's crunch match with Chelsea and the return leg against Munich next week.[43] The team list for second leg of the Champions League Quarter-final yielded a massive surprise when Rooney was given a starting place in the United lineup.[44] Despite a 3–0 lead by the 41st minute, Munich snatched 2 goals back (with United forced down to 10 men after Rafael Da Silva was sent-off). Rooney was substituted after re-damaging his ankle. Manchester United, although they won the second leg 3–2, exited from the Champions League on the away goals rule.[44] On 25 April 2010, Rooney was named the 2010 PFA Players' Player of the Year.[45] International career Rooney playing for England Rooney became the youngest player to play for England when he earned his first cap in a friendly against Australia on 12 February 2003 at seventeen, the same age in which he also became the youngest player to score an England goal. Arsenal youngster Theo Walcott broke Rooney's appearance record by 36 days in June 2006. His first tournament action was at Euro 2004, in which he became the youngest scorer in competition history on 17 June 2004, when he scored twice against Switzerland; however, this record was topped by Swiss midfielder Johan Vonlanthen four days later. Rooney suffered an injury in the quarterfinal match against Portugal and England were eliminated on penalties. Following a foot injury in an April 2006 Premier League match, Rooney faced a race to fitness for the 2006 World Cup. England attempted to hasten his recovery with the use of an oxygen tent, which allowed Rooney to enter a group match against Trinidad and Tobago and start the next match against Sweden. However, he never got back into game shape and went scoreless as England bowed out in the quarterfinals, again on penalty kicks. Rooney was red-carded in the 62nd minute of the quarterfinal for stamping on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho as both attempted to gain possession of the ball, an incident that occurred right in front of referee Horacio Elizondo. Rooney's United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo openly protested his actions, and was in turn shoved by Rooney. Elizondo sent Rooney off, after which Ronaldo was seen winking at the Portugal bench. Rooney denied intentionally targeting Carvalho in a statement on 3 July, adding, "I bear no ill feeling to Cristiano but I'm disappointed that he chose to get involved. I suppose I do, though, have to remember that on that particular occasion we were not teammates."[46] Elizondo confirmed the next day that Rooney was dismissed solely for the infraction on Carvalho.[47] Rooney was fined CHF5,000 for the incident.[48]. During the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, after England drew with Algeria, the England players were booed off the pitch by supporters. Rooney made a comment as he left the pitch to television cameras saying, "Nice to see your home fans boo you, that's loyal supporters".[49] He has since apologised for the comment,[50] made during a lacklustre tournament for England who were eliminated in the second round. Personal life Family Rooney met his wife, Coleen Rooney (née McLoughlin), while both were in their final year of secondary school. They married on 12 June 2008 after six years of dating, during which Rooney admitted to soliciting prostitution in Liverpool in 2004. '"I was young and stupid. It was at a time when I was very young and immature and before I had settled down with Coleen."[51] He has a tattoo of the words "Just Enough Education To Perform", the title of an album by his favorite band, the Stereophonics; Coleen arranged for the group to play at their wedding reception.[52] The wedding ran into some controversy with the Catholic Church. The couple held a religious ceremony at La Cervara, a converted monastery near Genoa, despite being warned by the local bishop's office against the plan. The bishop's office told the Rooneys that La Cervara is deconsecrated and not suitable for a wedding. It suggested a different church, five miles away. Nevertheless, the couple ignored the advice and Father Edward Quinn, their local priest from Croxteth, presided over a ceremony in which rings were exchanged.[53] In April 2006, he was awarded £100,000 in libel damages from tabloids The Sun and News of the World, who had claimed that he had assaulted Coleen in a nightclub. Rooney donated the money to charity.[54] The Rooneys reside in a £4.25 million mansion in the village of Prestbury, Cheshire,[55] which was built by a company owned by Dawn Ward, the wife of former Sheffield United striker Ashley Ward.[56] He also owns property in Port Charlotte, Florida.[57] While Rooney was house hunting in Cheshire after signing with Manchester United, he spotted a pub sign that read "Admiral Rodney", which he misread as "Admiral Rooney." He nonetheless considered it a positive omen for his future home.[58] Rooney owns a French mastiff dog, which was reportedly bought for £1,250.[59] Rooney's wife Coleen announced on 7 April 2009 that the couple were expecting their first baby, due in October 2009.[60] Coleen gave birth to their son, Kai Wayne Rooney, on 2 November 2009.[61] Commercial interests Rooney has endorsement deals with Nike,[62] Nokia,[63] Ford, Asda,[64] and Coca-Cola.[65] He has appeared on five straight UK-version covers of Electronic Arts' FIFA series from FIFA 06 (2005) to FIFA 10 (2009).[66] On 9 March 2006, Rooney signed the largest sports book deal in publishing history with HarperCollins,[67] who granted him a £5 million advance plus royalties for a minimum of five books to be published over a twelve-year period. The first, My Story So Far, an autobiography ghostwritten by Hunter Davies, was published after the World Cup. The second publication, The Official Wayne Rooney Annual, was aimed at the teenage market and edited by football journalist Chris Hunt. In July 2006, Rooney's lawyers went to the United Nations' World Intellectual Property Organisation to gain ownership of the Internet domain names waynerooney.com and waynerooney.co.uk, both of which Welsh actor Huw Marshall registered in 2002.[68] Three months later, the WIPO awarded Rooney the rights to waynerooney.com.[69] Paul Stretford controversy In July 2002, while Rooney was with Everton, agent Paul Stretford encouraged Rooney and his parents to enter the player into an eight-year contract with Proactive Sports Management. However, Rooney was already with another representation firm at the time, while Stretford's transaction went unreported to the FA, and he was thus charged with improper conduct. Stretford alleged in his October 2004 trial that he had secretly recorded boxing promoter John Hyland (an associate of Rooney's first agent) and two other men threatening and attempting to blackmail him for an undisclosed percentage of Rooney's earnings.[70] Stretford's case collapsed due to evidence that conflicted with his insistence that he had not signed Rooney, and on 9 July 2008, he was found guilty of "making of false and/or misleading witness statements to police, and giving false and/or misleading testimony."[70] In addition, the contract to which Stretford had signed Rooney was two years longer than the limit allowed by the FA. Stretford was fined £300,000 and banned from working as a football agent for eighteen months, a verdict he promptly appealed.[70] David Moyes On 1 September 2006, Everton manager David Moyes sued Rooney for libel after the tabloid newspaper The Daily Mail published excerpts from Rooney's 2006 autobiography that accused the manager of leaking Rooney's reasons for leaving the club to the press.[71] The case was settled out of court for £500,000 on 3 June 2008, and Rooney apologized to Moyes for "false claims" he had made in the book regarding the matter.[72] Career statistics Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other[73] Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Everton 2002–03 33 6 1 0 3 2 – 0 0 37 8 2003–04 34 9 3 0 3 0 – 0 0 40 9 Total 67 15 4 0 6 2 – 0 0 77 17 Manchester United 2004–05 29 11 6 3 2 0 6 3 0 0 43 17 2005–06 36 16 3 0 4 2 5 1 0 0 48 19 2006–07 35 14 7 5 1 0 12 4 0 0 55 23 2007–08 27 12 4 2 0 0 11 4 1 0 43 18 2008–09 30 12 2 1 1 0 13 4 3 3 49 20 2009–10 32 26 1 0 3 2 7 5 1 1 44 34 Total 189 91 23 11 11 4 54 21 5 4 282 131 Career total 256 106 27 11 17 6 54 21 5 4 359 148 Statistics accurate as of match played 9 May 2010[74] International goals [show]Wayne Rooney international goals 1 6 September 2003 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Macedonia 2–1 Win Euro 2004 qualifying 2 10 September 2003 Manchester, England Liechtenstein 2–0 Win Euro 2004 qualifying 3 16 November 2003 Manchester, England Denmark 3–2 Loss Friendly 4 5 June 2004 Manchester, England Iceland 6–1 Win Friendly 5 6 17 June 2004 Coimbra, Portugal Switzerland 3–0 Win Euro 2004 group stage 7 8 21 June 2004 Lisbon, Portugal Croatia 4–2 Win Euro 2004 group stage 9 10 17 August 2005 Copenhagen, Denmark Denmark 4–1 Loss Friendly 11 12 November 2005 Geneva, Switzerland Argentina 3–2 Win Friendly 12 15 November 2006 Amsterdam, Netherlands Netherlands 1–1 Draw Friendly 13 13 October 2007 London, England Estonia 3–0 Win Euro 2008 qualifying 14 17 October 2007 Moscow, Russia Russia 2–1 Loss Euro 2008 qualifying 15 10 September 2008 Zagreb, Croatia Croatia 4–1 Win 2010 World Cup qualifying 16 12 October 2008 London, England Kazakhstan 5–1 Win 2010 World Cup qualifying 17 18 15 October 2008 Minsk, Belarus Belarus 3–1 Win 2010 World Cup qualifying 19 20 28 March 2009 London, England Slovakia 4–0 Win Friendly 21 22 6 June 2009 Almaty, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan 4–0 Win 2010 World Cup qualifying 23 10 June 2009 London, England Andorra 6–0 Win 2010 World Cup qualifying 24 25 9 September 2009 London, England Croatia 5–1 Win 2010 World Cup qualifying Honours Club Manchester United Premier League (3): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09 Community Shield (1): 2007 League Cup (2): 2005–06, 2009–10 UEFA Champions League (1): 2007–08 FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008 Individual BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year (1): 2002 Bravo Award (1): 2003 UEFA Euro 2004 Team of the Tournament FIFPro World Young Player of the Year (1): 2004–05 Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year (2): 2005–06, 2009–10 FWA Footballer of the Year (1): 2009–10 PFA Players' Player of the Year (1): 2009–10 PFA Young Player of the Year (2): 2004–05, 2005–06 PFA Fans' Player of the Year (2): 2005–06, 2009–10 PFA Premier League Team of the Year (2): 2005–06, 2009–10 FA Premier League Player of the Month (5): February 2005, December 2005, March 2006, October 2007, January 2010 Barclays Player of the Season (1): 2009–10 FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball (1): 2008 England Player of the Year (2): 2008, 2009 Thats all guys cant wait for more,I will post more later, have a nice day!!!