Meet Patricia Carlucho. She is one of Uruguay's rising stars, at age 25 she has a long road ahead. Professional dancer, fitness instructor. Another beauty from El Rio de La Plata....
The Santiago Bernabéu will be giving their greatest idol one of the greatest ovations ever as Raúl González Blanco will say farewell to the Real Madrid faithful ...
David Villa has signed with FC Barcelona this week and much speculation has begun with regards to the other star strikers on Pep Guardiola’s team. Many saw Villa’s arrival as the end of Ibrahimovic with the Catalan giant, but Barcelona president Joan Laporta has publicly commented that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not up for sale and will remain with Barcelona.
The Swedish international netted in 16 goals for the blaugrana this season, sixth best in La Liga in 2009-2010 and the second highest on the team only behind Pichichi winner Lionel Messi. It’s kind of hard to believe Guardiola will want to release such a high caliber forward despite some recent criticism Ibrahimovic has received for his performances.
Zlatan arrived to Barcelona last season in a deal that cost the two-time defending La Liga champions nearly $56.5 million dollars plus Samuel Eto’o. Ibrahimovic has four years remaining on his current contract with Barcelona.
With regards to the rumors and various reports surrounding With regards to the rumors and various reports surrounding Thierry Henry’s move to the New York Red Bulls, Henry made it clear that he will not decide on where he will play next season until after the World Cup. Therefore, Henry’s move to the MLS is on stand-by. Tití has one year left on his contract with Barcelona.
Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a brace against Villarreal (AP)
The biggest question coming into week 35 was how Barcelona would recover from their midweek shortcomings against Inter in the Champions League semis. They were also facing one of the hottest home teams in La Liga in Villarreal.
Well that answer came quickly and often as Barcelona showed everyone why they are the best road team in La Liga hands down. They will also try to improve their home record (tops in La Liga as well) as they host Tenerife midweek. The ball is now in Real Madrid's court as they will face a tough Osasuna side on Sunday and then head to the Ono Estadi in a match that could decide La Liga.
Lionel Messi continued with his trend of responding when needed. He continued his trend of not being shut out in more than three consecutive matches. The Argentine international earned yet another brace and saw his goal total reach 29 for the season.
Xavi scored one of the best goals of the weekend with his freekick and Bojan Krkic proved once again his worth in the starting lineup as he scored yet once again in La Liga. His performance as of late has started to put Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the bench and possibly out of Catalunya as many speculators are starting to mention the Big Swede's exit as David Villa is in the cards for the Blaugrana.
David Villa was not a factor at Cornellà-El Prat against one of the toughest home teams around. Instead the big man, Nikola Zigic was the difference maker as Los Che have almost assured themselves of a Champions League spot next season after their win in Catalunya 2-0. With Sevilla playing on Sunday, Valencia could find themselves anywhere eight points clear of Sevilla with nine points left to dispute. There should be a likely easy match for the Andalusians as Los Colchoneros will take a reprieve as they prepare for their Europa League final in Hamburg against Fulham.
Relegation race
If the race for the title is red-hot, then what adjectives can be used to describe the race to stave off relegation. Valladolid had a solid chance to make a serious move, but failed to do so as they played to a scoreless draw against Getafe. Xerez is still dreaming with a chance to stay in the top flight after they beat Alméria 2-1 thanks to an dramatic injury time goal by Bermejo.
Tenerife is now starting to give Málaga, Racing, and Zaragoza nightmares. They were able to beat Racing at home 2-1 and put the Montañeses in the thick of the relagation race. The bad news for the boys from the Canary Islands is that they will head to the Camp Nou on Tuesday. Zaragoza were able to maintain their distance as they got an important victory over a Deportivo side that has been in free fall since early March.
Miguel Ángel Lotina's side is now winless in their last ten matches and haven't scored a goal in 449 minutes.
For those Ibrahimovic supporters, you have finally gotten your first dose of what he has to offer in big games. When the deal went down, George and I mentioned that Ibrahimovic was not a big-game player. Part of what he was brought to do was score in those games and he will have to surpass the player he was replacing.
Samuel Eto'o is not a gamer, he is a big game hunter. Catalan eyes will have their peripheral vision focused on what their former Pichichi is doing on the other side of the Mediterranean.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was slammed by both Spanish and Italian media already after his pallid performance in the European Supercup. He showed next to nothing against a Shakhtar Donetsk side that was very defensive and took Barca almost to penalties. Ibrahimovic was not counted on and Pedro eventually would give more points to the Barca youth side.
You know that somewhere in Milan, where Samuel Eto'o is living, he must be giggling. He will forever be a Blaugrana. He will always be happy if and when Barca win another title from now to the end of time.
Feeling? Well Guardiola might have the medal, but he is starting to realize what he no longer has.
Kissing jerseys has become part of the entire marketing ploy in player transfers. We all know they don't mean their allegiance to a club when they do that. It's the equivalent of declaring eternal love to woman when everyone knows all you can offer is a one night stand.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Inter Milan's Swedish hitman had a big night on Monday 2 days after the Nerazzurri's surprising 3-1 loss to Atalanta. Ibra won the award as the 2007-08 Serie A Footballer of the Year at The Oscars Del Calcio ceremony. Inter's goal scoring assassin beat out Juventus' icon Alessandro Del Piero for the award. Ibrahimovic also won the award for the Best Foreign Player of the Serie A and Goal of the Year. The big Swede was huge in securing Inter's 3rd consecutive Scudetto despite missing parts of the 07-08 season with a recurring knee injury. Nerazzurri fans love him for his brave display on the last day of the 07-08 season when he scored 2 goals in a 2-0 victory versus Parma that clinched the Scudetto for Inter by 3 points over runner-up AS Roma.
Other award winners include:
Alessandro Del Piero - Best Italian Player
Il Capocannonieri of the 07-08 season scored a surprising 21 goals in leading Juventus to a 3rd place finish and was at the forefront of repairing La Vecchia Signora's image in the wake of the match fixing scandal.
Gianluigi Buffon - Juventus - Best Goalkeeper Unquestionably one of the Top 5 keepers in the world and the safety net of a defense that was the 2nd stingiest in the 07-08 season.
Giorgio Chiellini - Juventus - Best Defender The 24-year old is Italy's next great defender and has secured a regular spot in center defense for The Azzurri and is Fabio Cannavaro's permanent replacement.
Marek Hamsik - Napoli - Best Young Player The 21-year old Slovakian international midfielder is Napoli's leading goal scorer this season along with Argentine striker German Denis and his reputation is growing as one of the most dangerous attacking players in Italy.
Cesare Prandelli - Fiorentina - Best Coach Prandelli led I Viola to an unexpected 4th place finish in 07-08 ahead of AC Milan and an exciting run to the UEFA Cup semifinals.
David Villa has signed with FC Barcelona this week and much speculation has begun with regards to the other star strikers on Pep Guardiola’s 
