Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts

Monday, 6 June 2016

THE GREATEST ATHLETE EVER!

"I AM THE GREATEST!"

Muhammed Ali has died, aged 74. The boxer formerly known as Cassius Clay died early Saturday morning after being briefly placed on life support.

He fought Parkinson's disease for 34 years. Ali was a master of something every entrepreneur should be doing everyday - the art of self motivation, self belief and super confidence.

Muhammed Ali believed he was the greatest boxer ever, before and after him. He said, "I am the greatest!" It didn't matter to him who the opponent was or will be, he predicted at which rounds he would knock-out his opponents.

He out-practiced them, outperformed them and struck fear into their hearts BEFORE the day of the fight. The most important point is that he backed up his words with action.

His Popular Quotes....

Top 5 Premier League Playmakers

Playmaker definition: A player whose role is to create scoring opportunities for his or her team-mates

Here are the five players who created the most opportunities for their team-mates to score during the 2012-13 Premier League season:

Leighton Baines (Everton) – 116 Chances Created

The Everton left-back spent a lot of his season in the opposition half, creating more chances than any other player in the Premier League this season. Nearly half of these came from set pieces however, with Baines ranking sixth overall for chances created in open play. Not to doubt the full-back’s abilities, he did rank tenth overall in final third pass completions.

David Silva (Manchester City) – 104 Chances Created

Manchester City’s diminutive playmaker David Silva was the only other player to set up shots on more than 100 occasions for team mates this season. A tricky player to stop in and around the penalty area, the Spanish World Cup and European Championship winner terrorised defences this season, finishing with a total of 8 assists.

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) – 96 Chances Created
During his debut season in the Premier League, Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla was one of four players to record double figures for both goals and assists. His 1,035 completed passes in the final third was in a league of its own too, whilst the 96 chances create for team mates puts him third on this list. A two-footed player who delivered a good set piece for the Gunners and was a key player in their attack last season.

Juan Mata (Chelsea) – 95 Chances Created

A strong candidate for PFA Player of the Year, a lot of Chelsea’s positive attacking play came through the feet of Juan Mata. Whilst team mate Eden Hazard ranked highly in the assists chart, Mata was busy pulling the strings and sliding passes into the path of his team-mates. The Spaniard led the league in assists (12) – 8 from open play.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) – 93 Chances Created

The Liverpool skipper helped his team through a few tough games early in the season whilst the Reds were adapting to life under their third manager in 24 months. The arrival of Philippe Coutinho during the winter transfer window took some of the attention off Gerrard but he led the club in chances created come the end of the season. 37 of these were from set pieces.

Were there any players who you thought would have made the list? Get involved in the comments section below.

For a full list of 2012-13 Premier League passing statistics, please visit:
http://www.barriesview.com/2013/05/2012-13-premier-league-passing-stats

Friday, 24 May 2013

Premier League's Best XI So Far for the 2012-13 Season

The 2012-13 Premier League season is shaping up to be spectacular, but who are the players who have made it so?
Manchester United and Manchester City seem destined to battle it out for the title yet again. Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Everton and West Brom are all vying for those coveted Champions League places. Then we have the likes of Swansea City and Norwich City who have entertained their way into everybody's hearts with their contrasting blends of football.
Behind it all are the players.
Who have been the very best Premier League players this term?
Who deserves their place in a Premier League XI?
Does Michu warrant a starting berth over Wayne Rooney? Has Luis Suarez been the best striker in the league? And where have all the Arsenal players gone?
Read on as Bleacher Report picks the Premier League's Best XI so far...

Honourable Mentions

As always there are more than a few players who failed to make the cut.
Some didn't make it because there have been better players this season, some didn't make it because they have been inconsistent, and some didn't make it because they just couldn't fit into the system and formation.
Here are a few honourable mentions that would grace any Premier League XI this season.

Goalkeeper
Jussi Jaaskelainen (West Ham): The Hammers' 'keeper has been in fine form this term, making an impressive 78 saves from 18 matches whilst keeping six clean sheets.
Petr Cech (Chelsea): This season has been something of a return to form for the giant Czech goalkeeper. Despite the Blues' defensive frailties he has kept seven clean sheets and has featured in every single Premier League game.

Defenders
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea): The Blues defender is enjoying his best-ever season and much of that is down to his move to right-back. From here the Serbian defender has contributed four goals and seven assists to join his seven clean sheets.
Glen Johnson (Liverpool): Like Ivanovic, Johnson's best contributions have been in the opposition half, where he has one Premier League goal and three assists. However, his overall good play means he merits an honourable mention at the very least.
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur): Vertonghen has slotted right into the Spurs defence like a veteran. Whether he is deployed at left-back or centre-half, the Belgian defender has been one of the Premier League's most outstanding players.
Patrice Evra (Manchester United): From a position where many were questioning his worth, Evra has enjoyed his most productive season in years. Scoring three goals, captaining the side and commanding the defence, the French star could very well be in the final XI come the season's end.
Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa): The 23-year-old Irish international has endured a trial by fire for Villa this season but has come out of it with a growing reputation. Comfortable playing numerous formations or styles, Clark has a big future ahead.

Midfielders
Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur): There is no doubt about it: the one Premier League player capable of reaching the heights of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is none other than Bale. Once again he has been the epicentre of all that is good about Spurs and continues to shine.
Yaya Toure (Manchester City): It says much about Yaya Toure that this has been his worst season so far and he is still one of the league's best players, by far.
Anthony Pilkington (Norwich City): If Pilkington can keep his early-season form up, he has a great future in the game. Comfortable on either foot and on either wing, he is almost unique in the Premier League.
Steven Pienaar (Everton): Ever wondered why the Toffees are doing so well this season? Think no further than their playmaker supreme Steven Pienaar.
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal): The Spaniard has been one of the Gunners' best players by far this term. From his deep-lying position in midfield he protects the defence and initiates most of their forward forays.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): No doubt about it, Gerrard has lost a yard of pace and is no longer the huge threat he once was. However, he still controls midfield with a vice-like grip and has scored four goals while contributing seven assists. Even in his downward slide he is more effective than most midfielders in the league.

Forwards
Luis Suarez (Liverpool): The Uruguayan striker is in the form of his life and has scored 11 goals in 17 matches for the Reds. He is the centre of their universe, and despite a recent win without him, one shudders to think what would happen to them if he was lost to injury or sold.
Carlos Tevez (Manchester City): Tevez started the season on fire with three goals in his first three games. Fourteen games later and that total sits at seven, but his contribution outside the box has been nothing less than stellar.
Demba Ba (Newcastle United): It says much about how important Ba is to the Magpies' cause when you realise that he has scored 11 of their 20 goals this season.

Read more of this news here

Thursday, 23 May 2013

Arsenal Must Target These Ten Big-Name Players

Ten Big-Name Players Arsenal Must Target This Summer If They Don't Want To Finish In 4th Position Again!

The following are Top Ten realistic big-name signings that could help make the Emirates Stadium side title challengers again, and compete the crown with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

10. Victor Valdes (Barcelona)

The long-serving Barcelona shot-stopper has announced his intention to leave the club this summer, saying he wants a new challenge and expressing a particular fondness for English football. What better opportunity then for Arsenal to upgrade on Wojciech Szczesny? The Polish ‘keeper has had a disappointing season and doesn't look like fulfilling his potential at the Emirates Stadium since his breakthrough a couple of seasons ago. If Arsenal choose to compete with the likes of Manchester United and PSG for Valdes, they will be adding a three-time European champion and six-time La Liga winner to their ranks, which is just the kind of experience they need in a squad consisting mostly of young players or of players who haven’t ever won anything.

Although he is 31 and would certainly command high wages, he could still be a bargain for the Gunners with just a year remaining on his current contract at the Nou Camp, and that experience and extra bit of quality to make game-changing saves at important times could be enough to make the difference over the course of a season.

9. Gokhan Inler (Napoli)

The Swiss midfielder has been one of the best and most consistent performers in Serie A for the last six years since he joined Udinese from FC Zurich. Now 28-years-old, he is a key player for Napoli, and helped guide them to second place in Serie A this season with his tough tackling and battling displays in the middle of the park, as well as providing six goals and two assists.

It could be a summer of exits at the club, with star striker Edinson Cavani wanted by the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, and manager Walter Pazzarri possibly leaving to take over at Inter Milan. Inler has been linked with Arsenal before, and now may be a good time for the Gunners to move for him as Napoli undergo a series of changes in this transfer window. He would be expensive, but he’d be an immediate starter in this current Arsenal team, providing more protection to the back four than the likes of Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey, who have been played somewhat out of position this season.

8. Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund)

This latest prospect coming out of Germany is another player who could fill the defensive midfield void at Arsenal left by the departing Alex Song last summer. The 22-year-old has established himself as a key member of Borussia Dortmund’s team and has all the attributes to be a fine player for almost any top club. Manchester United and Barcelona have shown an interest in him, but Arsenal have also been linked with a £22million bid, which is just the kind of ambition they need to show this summer.

Ilkay Gundogan would slot right in to the Arsenal team and could be their midfield enforcer for many years to come, and what a boost it would be for the club’s fans to know they beat other big teams to his signature – just the kind of lift they need after eight years without silverware.

7. Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle)

With Newcastle performing below expectation this season, it is no surprise to see star midfielder Yohan Cabaye being linked with a move away. Arsenal have been linked with him several times now since he moved to the Premier League and quickly showed he could take his fine form with Lille to the English game. Manchester United are also interested in the Frenchman as they eye a long term replacement for the retiring Paul Scholes, but Arsenal could also do with a player like Cabaye to take the pressure off main playmaker Santi Cazorla. The 27-year-old is also an experienced France international who could give the Gunners something a bit different with his excellent long range shots and free kicks, putting an end to this current crop of players’ obsession with trying to walk the ball into the net.

Cabaye would cost around £20million, but he belongs at a bigger club and would surely jump at the chance to link up with Arsene Wenger and play in a team that would suit his technical playing style perfectly. One potential problem is his fitness, which has seen him miss a lot of this season, though he has still managed six goals and two assists in 26 league games for Alan Pardew’s side, adding to his five goals and nine assists from the season before. If Wenger fails to land Cabaye, there are several other high profile players at Newcastle who might feel they want to leave the club for bigger things this summer, such as Hatem Ben Arfa, Tim Krul and Papiss Cisse.

Real Madrid Plot £29m Bid for Chelsea Star...

Bernabeu side see Stamford Bridge defender as ideal Pepe replacement.

Real Madrid are reportedly preparing a summer bid for Chelsea defender David Luiz according to the Daily Express.

The Bernabeu side are readying moves to conduct a major clear-out and will look to Luiz to replace Pepe, who has been left out of Jose Mourinho’s starting eleven in recent weeks and is seemingly a player who’s Real Madrid future is still tenuous regardless of the ‘Special One’s’ imminent departure.

The 26 year old Stamford Bridge favourite has had an excellent season this term and is surely not a player the Blues would be looking to lose this summer but a lot could well depend on probable incoming boss Mourinho, who may have other potential targets lined up.

This source claims Real Madrid would have to fork out near on £30m to sign the Brazilian, who has excelled both at the centre of the Chelsea defence as well as when used in a defensive midfield role, which may actually be a better fit for a player of Luiz’s talents.

Chelsea paid Benfica £22m for Luiz back in January 2011 and after a shaky start to his career at the West London side the rangy performer, who is adept and pushing the play forward though perhaps still a little lax in postional terms, has become a pivotal member of the Roman Abramovich’s squad.

Luiz made a massive 56 starts in all competitions for Chelsea last term.

Thursday, 16 May 2013

THE TOP 10 HIGHEST EARNING ATHLETES

In my previous post I brought you the top 20 paid athletes and promised to post a recent list for the current year, here and now Sports Illustrated just released its list of the highest-earning athletes for the past year 2012 - 2013.

Floyd Mayweather is No. 1 for the second-straight year.

Here's the top-10 when you combine US and international athletes:

Floyd Mayweather Jr. — $90 million
LeBron James — $56.5 million
David Beckham — $48.3 million
Drew Brees — $47.8 million
Kobe Bryant — $46.8 million
Roger Federer — $43.3 million
Fernando Alonso — $42 million
Tiger Woods — $40.8 million
Phil Mickelson — $39.5 million
Cristiano Ronaldo — $35.2 million

The top 10 for just US-based athletes:

Floyd Mayweather Jr. — $90 million
LeBron James — $56.5 million
Drew Brees — $47.8 million
Kobe Bryant — $46.8 million
Tiger Woods — $40.8 million
Phil Mickelson — $39.5 million
Derrick Rose —$33. 4 million
Peyton Manning — $31 million
Alex Rodriguez — $29.9 million
Zach Greinke — $29 million

The top 10 for just international athletes:

David Beckham — $48.3 million
Roger Federer — $43.3 million
Fernando Alonso — $42 million
Cristiano Ronaldo — $35.2 million
Lionel Messi — $35.1 million
Manny Pacquiao — $35 million
Rory McIlRoy — $33.3 million
Samuel Eto'o — $30.2 million
Maria Sharapova — $25.5 million
Rafael Nadal — $24.9 million

Here's the breakdown by sport in the US top 50: MLB (25), NBA (13), NFL (8), PGA (2), Boxing (1), Nascar (1)

I'll continue to bring you the latest, stay with this blog to get informed, hit the comment box for your disagreement, comments...

20 HIGHEST PAID ATHLETES {2}

Following my previous post, these are the pictures of the top 20 highest paid athletes.

Values calculated June 2012
In my next post, you'll get the LATEST!

Rank	Name	Pay	Salary/Winnings	Endorsements	Sport
1	Floyd Mayweather	$85 M	$85 M	$0 M	Boxing
2	Manny Pacquiao	$62 M	$56 M	$6 M	Boxing
3	Tiger Woods	$59.4 M	$4.4 M	$55 M	Golf
4	LeBron James	$53 M	$13 M	$40 M	Basketball
5	Roger Federer	$52.7 M	$7.7 M	$45 M	Tennis
6	Kobe Bryant	$52.3 M	$20.3 M	$32 M	Basketball
7	Phil Mickelson	$47.8 M	$4.8 M	$43 M	Golf
8	David Beckham	$46 M	$9 M	$37 M	Soccer
9	Cristiano Ronaldo	$42.5 M	$20.5 M	$22 M	Soccer
10	Peyton Manning	$42.4 M	$32.4 M	$10 M	Football
11	Lionel Messi	$39 M	$20 M	$19 M	Soccer
12	Haloti Ngata	$37.3 M	$37.1 M	$0.2 M	Football
13	Larry Fitzgerald	$36.8 M	$35.3 M	$1.5 M	Football
14	Ndamukong Suh	$36 M	$35.5 M	$0.5 M	Football
15	Charles Johnson	$34.4 M	$34.3 M	$0.1 M	Football
16	Rafael Nadal	$33.2 M	$8.2 M	$25 M	Tennis
16	Mario Williams	$33.2 M	$32.9 M	$0.3 M	Football
18	Alex Rodriguez	$33 M	$31 M	$2 M	Baseball
19	Fernando Alonso	$32 M	$29 M	$3 M	Racing
20	Valentino Rossi	$30 M	$17 M	$13 M	Motorcycle
20	Michael Schumacher	$30 M	$20 M	$10 M	Racing

20 World’s Top-Earning Athletes

The World’s Top-Earning Athletes - Worlds Richest Athletes: See How Much They Make...

Who are the highest paid athletes? According to Forbes, Floyd Mayweather tops the list of 100 highest-paid athletes in the world between 2011-2012, losing out Tiger Woods who has been hailed by Forbes as the highest earning athlete from 2001-2011. Woods landed in the third rank with total earnings of $59.4 million. Mayweather got a huge payday amounting to a total of $85 million for his fights against Victor Ortiz with $40 million and Miguel Cotto with $45 million. He is part of the 4 biggest non-heavyweight pay-per-view events throughout the boxing history. He owns the Mayweather Promotions which he uses to promote his fight thereby increasing his earnings substantially.
The total earnings of the athletes are derived from their bonuses, salaries, appearance fees, prize money, endorsement and licensing from June 2011 to June 2012. According to Forbes, the 100 highest-paid athletes made a combined $2.6 billion in the past 12 months. The athlete’s agent’s fees and taxes were not deducted from their earnings.

#1. Floyd Mayweather

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $85 million Salary/winnings: $85 million
Endorsements: $0
Sport: Boxing , Age: 35

#2. Manny Pacquaio

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $62 million
Salary/winnings: $56 million
Endorsements: $6 million (Monster Energy, Hennessy, Nike, Hewlett-Packard)
Sport: Boxing , Age: 33

#3. Tiger Woods

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $59.4 million
Salary/winnings: $4.4 million
Endorsements: $55 million (Nike)
Sport: Golf, Age: 36
Net Worth: $500 million – As of September 2010, according to Forbes

#4. LeBron James

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $53 million
Salary/winnings: $13 million
Endorsements: $40 million ( Nike, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, State Farm and others)
Sport: Basketball, Age: 27

#5. Roger Federer

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $52.7 million
Salary/winnings: $7.7 million
Endorsements: $45 million (Nike, Rolex, Wilson, Credit Suisse)
Sport: Tennis, Age: 30

#6. Kobe Bryant

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $52.3 million
Salary/winnings: $20.3 million
Endorsements: $32 million
Sport: Basketball, Age: 33

#7. Phil Mickelson

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $47.8 million
Salary/winnings: $4.8 million
Endorsements: $43 million (Callaway, Barclay’s, KPMG, Exxon, Rolex, Amgen/Pfizer)
Sport: Golf, Age: 41

#8. David Beckham

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $46 million
Salary/winnings: $9 million
Endorsements: $37 million (Burger King, Sainsbury’s, Samsung)
Net Worth: £160 million ($260m) – As of April 2012, according to the Sunday Times Rich List
Sport: Football, Age:37

#9 Cristiano Ronaldo

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $42.5 million
Salary/winnings: $20.5 million
Endorsements: $22 million (Nike, Castrol, Konami and others)
Sport: Football, Age: 27

#10 Peyton Manning

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $42.4 million
Salary/winnings: $32.4 million
Endorsements: $10 million (Reebok, Sony, Wheaties, DirecTV, Gatorade, Papa John’s)
Sport: Football (NFL) , Age: 36

#11. Lionel Messi

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $39 million
Salary/winnings: $20 million
Endorsements: $19 million (PepsiCo, Herbalife, EA Sports, Cherry, Audemars Piguet, Dolce & Gabanna and others)
Sport: Football, Age: 24

#12 Haloti Ngata

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $37.3 million
Salary/winnings: $37.1 million
Endorsements: $200,000
Sport: Football (NFL)

#13 Larry Fitzgerald

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $36.8 million
Salary/winnings: $35.3 million
Endorsements: $1.5 million (Nike, EAS, University of Phoenix, AT&T and others)
Sport: Football (NFL)

#14 Ndamukong Suh

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $36 million
Salary/winnings: $35.5 million
Endorsements: $500,000
Sport: Football (NFL)

#15 Charles Johnson

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $34.4 million
Salary/winnings: $34.3 million
Endorsements: $100,000
Sport: Football (NFL)

#16= Rafael Nadal

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $33.2 million
Salary/winnings: $8.2 million
Endorsements: $25 million ( Nike, Babolat, Kia Motors, Richard Mille and Bacardi)
Sport: Tennis, Age: 26

#16= Mario Williams

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $33.2 million
Salary/winnings: $32.9 million
Endorsements: $250,000
Sport: Football (NFL)

#18. Alex Rodriguez

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $33 million
Salary/winnings: $31 million
Endorsements: $2 million (Nike, Rawlings, Topps and Vita Coco)
Sport: Baseball, Age: 36

#19 Fernando Alonso

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $32 million
Salary/winnings: $29 million
Endorsements: $3 million
Sport: Race Car (Formula One)

#20= Valentino Rossi

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $30 million
Salary/winnings: $17 million
Endorsements: $13 million
Sport: Motorcycle racing

#20= Michael Schumacher

Total Earnings between June 2011 to June 2012: $30 million
Salary/winnings: $20 million
Endorsements: $10 million
Sport: Race Car (Formula One)

Tuesday, 30 April 2013

5 AMAZING FOOTBALL FACTS!

Are you a football fan, then this 5 AMAZING FOOTBALL FACTS OF THE DAY is for you...

1. Wales made it to the 1958 World Cup quarter-final without winning a match in the group stages.

2. Stamford Bridge was originally offered to Fulham, who turned it down. Cottage.

3. New Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas is the youngest ever manager to win a European competition, when he lifted the Europa League in 2011.

4. There is a golden statue of David Beckham in a Buddhist temple in Thailand, Asia. Olympic.

5. Alex Ferguson, when managing Aberdeen, once fined John Hewitt for overtaking him in his car.

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