David Villa Interview after Super Cup '11

Sorry, my 8 years of Spanish have not helped me too much since I can barely translate this video. But it's worth to watch just to see how cute he is.......... but seriously. The interviewer first talks about the Liga strike, David talks about the press conference in Madrid, all players are with the AFE and supporting it. Then she brings up Cesc...Villa says the team is happy for him and his debut. He didn't have any trouble with the team because he practically knows everyone. "What happened at the end?" "There was a rough foul on Cesc as you saw, then something happened on the bench, but we must forget it and enjoy the cup." Any one is welcome to add to the translation :)

Cesc Still Defends Arsenal

Just because he is home, doesn't mean he is completely over Arsenal. Cesc Fabregas is still sticking up for his former club, even after winning the European Super Cup today, when he tweeted, "And all I can remember in this moment is in what AFC has done for me in my career. Always in my heart." right after they won the match 2-0 over Porto. 

Cesc has been defending the club, stadium and fans of Arsenal, especially after Nasri claimed Arsenal fans weren't "as passionate as Man City's", Cesc came back saying, "I think you should ask the proper fans who pay every year for season tickets."

"I have never felt at home as I was at Highbury [Arsenal's old stadium] at any other stadium in the world. Highbury was a special thing that I don't think will happen any more, but Arsenal have to make the Emirates their own home now and with their own cabinet of trophies to start all over again," he also was quoted saying "I'm very happy for Arsenal and their fans because they deserve to be in the Champions League." It is totally ok for Fabregas to be standing up for Arsenal, his past club of 8 years, just like David Villa is to Valencia, how Andrea Pirlo is to AC Milan, how Zlatan was to Barc-wait, maybe not him...but how any person would be with a good experience to the club. Praise for past clubs is normal; plus it settles the fans nerves/makes them feel that the player didn't just "leave" them and still cares.

David Villa's Goal v Real Madrid

Winner of Goal of the Week on footytube, David Villa's goal made everyone scream. Including commentator Ray Hudson. 

$$$ Highest Paid Footballers $$$

Here is a list of the top 10 most spoiled-er, I mean, the world's top 10 highest paid soccer players. [via Fox Sports] - notice most have had time at Barcelona :)

10 - Samuel Eto'o - forward for Internazionale from Cameroon - played for Barcelona from 2004-2009 scoring 108 goals in 145 appearances, gets around $15M a year

9 - Frank Lampard - midfielder  for Chelsea FC since 2001 from England. Makes over $11M (+$6M) per season.

8 - Zlatan Ibrahimovic - forward for AC Milan from Sweden - makes around $17M/year - played at Barcelona from 2009-2011 (scored 16 goals in 29 appearances) and was on loan last season; now officially at Milan. 

7 - Wayne Rooney - forward for Manchester United (since 2004) from England - making about €20.7m (£18m) but easily could make top 3 with all his sponsors (varies year-to-year). 

6 - Thierry Henry - forward for the New York Red Bulls (USA - MLS) from France - makes around $21M/year - played for Barcelona from 2007-2010 and scored 35 goals in 80 appearances. 

5 - Ronaldinho - forward for Flamengo from Brazil - taking home around $24/year - played for Barcelona from 2003-2008 and scored 70 goals in 145 appearances. 

4 - Ricardo Kaka - midfielder for Real Madrid from Brazil - $25M/year - should play for Barcelona.

3 - Leo Messi - forward for Barcelona from Argentina - $32M/year - played for Barca B from 2004-2005 scoring 6 goals in 22 appearances and currently at Barcelona first team since 2004 scoring 119 goals in 177 appearances. 

2 - Cristiano Ronaldo - forward for Real Madrid from Portugal - making around $38M/year - he is the face of Nike.

1 - David Beckham - forward for the LA Galaxy (USA - MLS) - makes around $40M/year - has been included in the England squad since 1996, has recently been loaded out to AC Milan but spent the majority of his career at Manchester United (1993-2003) scoring 62 goals in 265 appearances. 

Read original article here

Welcome Home, Cesc Fabregas

Will Barcelona have Cesc in T-5 hours?

Usually press conferences aren't good news. They are a pain to put on and PR people hate them. Tomorrow, Arsene Wenger is said to have a PC at 9am (England time), most likely about the two transfer sagas of the summer (Fabregas/Nasri). According to a periodista de FCB on Twitter, Barcelona and Arsenal made an agreement on Cesc's transfer earlier today. His contract will be 5 years at a $56 million value, if the deal is official.

I think Arsenal will give up their fight because of a certain "code of ethics"; they all know Cesc wants to return home, it would be wrong to not grant his wish to leave. Once this mess is sorted out, both teams can finally put full focus on the new season, although things seem to be getting worse for AFC with added injuries every week and little transfer deals in. Arsenal fans who consider burning jerseys...don't do it. You had him for a good chunk of time and if your a true fan of his be happy he is getting what he has wanted for a good while. It has nothing to do with Arsenal, but all Barcelona.