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Amid all the rumors of David Villa potentially playing for numerous wealthy teams across Europe, Villa expressed this past week that he never sees himself leaving the Mestalla. According to his words to the Spanish press, “I was told I should leave Valencia for the good of the club, soon after that everything changed and from that moment on I never saw myself leaving.”
In addition, he said on the Valencia club website, “My situation depends on the decision of the club. They have decided that I am to stay and I am happy about the goals I have for the start of this season.”
These statements are not quite the passionate remarks of a player who would openly pledge his allegiance for the rest of his career to one team. He insists that he is happy to stay with Valencia, but his comments reek of corporate speak. Because Valencia found themselves in dire financial straits, selling David Villa, their most valuable asset, would make the most business sense. With the infusion of money from now majority shareholder Vicente Soriano and his consortium, Valencia does not need to sell Villa; moreover, keeping a transcendent player now makes more business and team sense because his play on the pitch will likely lead to team success, and Soriano will take advantage of his popularity in jerseys and other paraphernalia sales. Valencia is not in the position that Manchester United is in where they could afford to sell their best player and still be a top European team. If Valencia sells David Villa, even if he demands a €45 million or higher, Valencia does not have quite the cachet of a Manchester United or a Real Madrid or a Barcelona, and attracting a top transfer target will be tough.
Valencia jerked him around for the past six months and yet he says he wants to stay. Could it be that David Villa merely wants to show his gratitude to the team and its fans that spring boarded his career from a promising forward to an international superstar? It very well could be. He has not been known to demand transfers or create distractions within the team. Despite these credentials, supporters anger over players burning them by saying they will stay forever and then leaving six months later. Kaká, Gareth Barry, and others are some examples of these “loyal” players. For the David Villa’s and the Kaká’s of the world, they have to walk a fine line when these circumstances arrive. If they do not swear their loyalty to their teams, the media will wildly speculate on their future whereabouts. If they make the pledge and then transfer to another club, the supporters and the press vilify them as liars and moneygrubbers. There are very few players like Ryan Giggs, Paolo Maldini, and Raúl left in football, so the idea that David Villa is one of these unique players is unlikely in this cynical world. Now that Vicente Soriano returned and renewed a sense of direction to Valencia, he should do all he can to keep David Villa so that loyalty is not a question.

Valencia Needs To Make David Villa Loyal To Club - World Soccer Talk

Valencia Needs To Make David Villa Loyal To Club

I’m a keep it real, I couldn’t&nbsp;come up with anything original and amusing to write for the intro, so let’s get straight to the Team Of The Week.&nbsp; Remember that the TOW played matches and/or made headlines during the calendar week of March 16 – 22.
The winner is: 
Valencia Club de Fútbol
The team known as Los Che snapped a 6 game winless streak with their big road 1-0 win over Racing Santander. Juan Mata scored the game winner in the 77th minute to secure the 3 points for Valencia.&nbsp; The win moved Valencia into 6th place and back into a European spot.
Los Che have the talent to compete for a Champions League spot but inconsistent play and financial difficulties have led to a disappointing and underachieving season.&nbsp; However, this win could be the boost Valencia needs to re-establish their place amongst the elite of Spanish football.
For their important road win against an always tough Racing Santander, Valencia Club de Fútbol is the Week 28 La Liga Team Of The Week.

La Liga Team Of The Week - Jornada 28 - World Soccer Talk

La Liga Team Of The Week – Jornada 28

<a href="http:\/\/www.laligatalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/fernando-morena.jpg" title="Fernando Morena"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="http:\/\/www.laligatalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/fernando-morena.jpg" title="Fernando Morena"></a></figure></div>
Little About Morena… 
With grit and determination Fernando Morena became one of the greatest goalscorers in South American football history. 
One of Peñarol’s greatest stars came to this world on February 2nd, 1952. Born in Punta Gorda, Uruguay Fernando Morena Belora would become one of the greatest players in the rich history of the Uruguayan giants. His temperament, goal scoring knack, and ability to generate space made him one of the great goalscorers in South American football very much in the same mold as his childhood idol José Sanfilippo. Morena is currently the all-time leading scorer in Uruguayan football history as well as the 2nd leading scorer in the history of the Copa Libertadores behind another Peñarol idol, Alberto Spencer. 
From the time he was a young boy, his obsession for the game would take him to the summit of the football world, much to the dislike of his family. When he was six years old and attending the Colegio Maturana, he wore the legendary aurinegro, despite his family being rabid Nacional fans. “I was a huge Nacional fan growing up, but that changed when I started playing for River Plate. Then I started to have feelings for Peñarol afterwards,” said Morena. 
Youth stage 
At age 11, he was brought in to Baby Defensor where he would score 54 goals. He would begin making waves at the youth level and he would capture the eye of Argentine side Vélez Sarsfield, but would reject the move. 
He would end up at Grupo América where he would end up being brought in by his family’s greatest club. Despite shining with El Bolso there was something that was missing and he was not able to make the click that would unleash his complete potential at the youth level. 
He would head over to Racing and then to River Plate where he would start in the fifth division. At the darsenero, he was brought up slowly and would show his goalscoring prowess, thus making him a star in Uruguay. In his three seasons at River Plate, he scored 27 goals in 48 matches. During this time, Morena would end up earning his first cap with the Uruguayan national team in 1971. He would make his debut against Chile on October 27th, 1971 and would score in his debut. He would then make the big leap to super stardom. 
Peñarol won the battle of wills against Nacional and signed Nando in 1973 and thus began one of the greatest goalscoring streaks in the history of the game in South American football history. During his first stint with the manya he averaged well over a goal a game. He was the leading goalscorer in Uruguayan football for the six years he was there. 
In 1979, Morena signs with Madrid minnows Rayo Vallecano. Morena would shine on a team that would not be able to survive relegation. He would put up gaudy numbers for Rayo and caught the attention of Spanish powerhouse Valencia who looked for a player to step for the oft-injured Mario Kempes who at the time suffered a shoulder injury. That dream attacking duo would last very little as Kempes would head back to Argentina to play for River Plate half way through the season. Even though he would win the Spanish Super Cup with the Ches, he would be their leading scorer, and would fight for the league title until the final week of the season the club was starting to fall apart administratively and he decided to head back to Peñarol for a second stint. 
Who Said Sequels Were Bad? 
Morena would play with Peñarol another three seasons and they would be just as memorable for the manya as his first. 
He would win two more scoring titles and league titles, but this time he would also add a Copa Libertadores title and an Intercontinental Cup to his resume. The 1982 Copa Lib was one of the most memorable finishes in tournament history. After a scoreless first leg in Montevideo against Chilean side Cobreloa, things looked like they were going for a third and deciding match in Buenos Aires (which was the designated neutral site). With second left in the match, Morena would score the eventual title-clincher for el Carbonero. It was to be the club’ s fourth Libertadores title and their first since 1966.
Later on that year, Peñarol would also defeat Nottingham Forest in the Intercontinental Cup. 
He would end up making a cameo move to Boca Juniors where he would only take part in seven matches and cross the River Plate once again for a third and final stint with his beloved aurinegro. 
Records 
Fernando Morena holds every single scoring record in Charrúa football even having walked away from the game 25 years ago. He scored 667 goals in his illustrious career. He is the all-time leading scorer in Uruguayan football (235) and holds the single season record for goals (36). He also has the record for goals scored in a single game (7) 
Honors 
Peñarol 
 Leading goalscorer Uruguayan league (1973-78, 1982) 
Uruguayan League Champion (1973-75, 77-78, 81-82) 
Copa Libertadores Champion (1982) 
Intercontinental Champion (1982) 
Liga Mayor Champion (1978) 
Valencia 
Spanish Supercopa (1980/81) 
Copa de Oro (1982) 
For my Spanish speaking friends, you can listen to the interview here. 
[display_podcast]<a href="http:\/\/www.laligatalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/fernando-morena.jpg" title="Fernando Morena"></a>

Interview- Fernando Morena - World Soccer Talk

Interview- Fernando Morena

<a href="http:\/\/www.bundesligatalk.com/impossible-is-nothing-adidas-video-for-kahns-farewell/76/oliver-kahn-farewell/" rel="attachment wp-att-77" title="Oliver Kahn Farewell"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="http:\/\/www.bundesligatalk.com/impossible-is-nothing-adidas-video-for-kahns-farewell/76/oliver-kahn-farewell/" rel="attachment wp-att-77" title="Oliver Kahn Farewell"></a></figure></div>
As you may know former longtime Germany and Bayern no. 1 Oliver Kahn had his testimonial exactly a week ago in Munich. The match, between Bayern and Germany, ended 1-1, but the score was less important than the man honored that night. His accomplishments are legion and well-known, including, perhaps most impressively, being the only goalkeeper to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
To commemorate his career Adidas released this video to coincide with that match. It is featured as part of its “Impossible is Nothing” series , but is produced in a much more serious tone (in keeping with Kahn’s character) than other “Impossible is Nothing” commercials. Nothing particularly new or shocking is revealed, it’s just a well-made tribute to one of the all-time greats.
[display_podcast]
For those of you not conversant in German (I imagine that’s why you’re here in the first place and not reading some fine piece of excellent sports journalism auf deutsch) I’ve provided a little transcript to go along with the video. So, in the words of the man himself:
<blockquote>I didn’t actually approach the ball the first time with my feet, but instead I picked it up right away. Yeah, something could come of me and the ball. Talent is a gift you’re given in life, but it’s useless if you’re not willing, in spite of everything, to work hard.
[Milan on May 23, 2001, the Champions League final. A penalty shootout is needed to settle the 1-1 stalemate. Amedeo Carboni, Valencia’s Italian left fullback, has the opportunity to put Valencia ahead 3-2…]
Kaaaahn! It’s not in! Unbelievable!
Becoming the national team goalkeeper was a marathon task for me. I only became the regular keeper in goal for the German national team at age 28 and by then others already quit playing soccer. I’ve always needed a long, long time in order to reach my goals. Success is what’s important to me. And for me that counts even more than, and I’ll say this in quotes, to be “sympathetic” or “immortal” or to be “the tragic hero”.
It was a long, long path and I always needed lots of perseverance. But that’s just how we are. Being a goalkeeper naturally also implies a bit of craziness.</blockquote>

Impossible is Nothing: Adidas’ Video for Kahn’s Farewell - World Soccer Talk

Impossible is Nothing: Adidas’ Video for Kahn’s Farewell

<a href="http:\/\/www.bundesligatalk.com/hamburg-captain-van-der-vaart-transfers-to-real-madrid/49/rafael-van-der-vaart/" rel="attachment wp-att-50" title="Rafael van der Vaart"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="http:\/\/www.bundesligatalk.com/hamburg-captain-van-der-vaart-transfers-to-real-madrid/49/rafael-van-der-vaart/" rel="attachment wp-att-50" title="Rafael van der Vaart"></a></figure></div>It’s finally official, Rafael van der Vaart the Netherlands midfielder and Hamburg’s captain is on his way to Real Madrid pending the results of a medical. The Bundesliga’s own version of the Ronaldo affair has come an end. Although the clubs themselves have not released the details regarding the transfer fee, reports in the German media estimate it at an initial 13 million Euros. This fee would increase to 15 million depending on how successful the Spanish champions are over the next several seasons.
Hamburg’s website has a <a href="http:\/\/www3.hsv.de/index.php?id=24046" title="Rafael van der Vaart Interview in German" target="_blank">farewell interview</a> available. Unfortunately it’s only in German. Just in case the club does not provide an English version of its own the interview has been (quickly) translated* below:
Hsv.de: Rafael, last night Hamburg and Real Madrid agreed to your transfer. You will sign a five-year contract with the Spanish record champions. How are you feeling right now and how happy are you that things have finally cleared up?
Van der Vaart: I’m doing well. The transfer was agreed upon late in the night. It took a long time and was uncertain for quite a while, but now everything’s cleared up. I’m happy about that, but also a bit sad. It was a nice time. As I come back here, see everything once more and have to say my goodbyes, well, that’s a strange feeling.
Hsv.de: You always stressed that your dream was to play for a club like Real Madrid. What kind of expectations do you have of Spain?
Van der Vaart: I hope that everything works out like it did with the transfer to Hamburg. You have to realize that it’s a completely different team. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world and the fulfillment of a dream of mine. I would like to play many games and be important to the team in Madrid. That naturally depends on both my own performance and the success of the club. I’m looking forward to it.
Hsv.de: You were quite stressed the past few days. Has that now changed?
Van der Vaart: I’m still stressed. So many new things are hitting me. I’m flying to Madrid this same day, tomorrow is the medical and official unveiling. These are all nice things, but naturally I’m anxious.
Hsv.de: Over the weekend at the Emirates Cup you were able to observe your new teammates up close. Had you already had contact with them, specifically with your Dutch colleagues and have they already begun clowning around with you in London?
Van der Vaart: Naturally I spoke often about [transferring] with Wesley Sneijder, for example, but it’s something else when you meet up in the stadium. They already had some fun: come over here or go into our dressing room. But I was still a Hamburg player and so behaved like one. I knew that the clubs were in negotiations.
Hsv.de: Bernd Hoffman proved himself to be an uncomprimising negotiator. How did you experience the back and forth over the last several days?
Van der Vaart: It was exciting. It was my absolute dream and a big career goal of mine to go to Real. Hoffman, naturally and like we all know, negotiated uncompromisingly. But Hamburg also earned its money.
Hsv.de: You weren’t in the starting lineup at the Emirates Cup. Many fans were angered by this decision. Can you explain this?
Van der Vaart: It was a joint decision with the trainer [Martin Jol]. I had so much going through my mind. In that condition you aren’t able to help the team. Naturally people will ask, “why does he want to go, why to Real?” But anyone looking in his heart [knows] it’s a dream to play for a club like that.
Hsv.de: You can look back on three wonderful and successful years at HSV. What are you going to take from this time?
Van der Vaart: It was, without question, a super time. It was the best decision of my footballing career to come to Hamburg. I experienced three wonderful years, received a lot of love, enjoyed many beautiful moments. There were highs and lows, but the fans were always there, that was the best. A single look into the stadium and you know that.
Hsv.de: Your wife felt quite comfortable in Hamburg as well. In addition, your son was born here. Are they both going with you to Madrid?
Van der Vaart: They both are coming along tonight. Sylvie will come back in a few days, because she has to return to work. But they’re both moving to Madrid in order to support me.
Hsv.de: Now it’s time to say farewell. Are you leaving with mixed feelings and is there anything else that you’d like to say to the fans?
Van der Vaart: It pains me to move away as well. Especially when I think of the fans. They always supported me even during the bad times, especially during the Valencia affair. I had goosebumps every time I played here. When you leave of course it’s easy to say, “Hamburg will always stay in my heart,” but it’s honestly so and will remain that way. I think Hamburg and I will meet again, maybe as a trainer or as a player, but in any case as a fan. I can only say thanks for everything!
Hsv.de: We would also like to thank you and wish you and your family good luck in your travels.
* – I replaced HSV with Hamburg throughout and made some other minor edits.

Hamburg Captain van der Vaart transfers to Real Madrid - World Soccer Talk

Hamburg Captain van der Vaart transfers to Real Madrid

Valencia is an estrange team. They never have calm. We can compare its recent history with a rollercoaster. They have been twice La Liga winners (01/02 and 03/04) just some years ago and this season they have been on the verge to be relegated. They are always having internal problems with its direction staff, something that is a big problem when you have behind ones of the most passionate supporters all over the country but, at the same time, probably the most demanding ones. They don’t need so much to start complaining but this year they have reasons to do it.&nbsp;
We open this week newspapers and we see Koeman, former Valencia coach, saying: “Joaquín had a 30 Euros performance” (remember Joaquín was bought for 30 millions). He also says that “it was a mistake coming to Valencia”. I agree. He is so bad to train los ches. He arrived here with Valencia in fourth position and left it bordering relegation. As you know, his first decision was putting aside Albelda, Angulo y Cañizares, a curious way of doing things. &nbsp;
Although Koeman has been a problem for Valencia, the main one is its chairman and, at the same time, owner. It is true that El Larguero, the main radio sport program (with great influences in this country), has launched a campaign against Juan Soler. But the problem is that he deserved it. He has destroyed a team prepared to win La Liga, dismissing employees when he was angry, signing estranges players for too much money (Banega, Fernandes…) and taking unbelievable decisions as the one of the three captains, that everybody think was his idea.&nbsp;
The city of Valencia doesn’t deserve this man. Now is not the president (he has delegated this function in Agustin Morera who, at least, seems to be a more logical person), but he still have the real power, so we can say Valencia FC is still in danger. Marcelino (sensational former Racing’s manager), for example, said “no” to Valencia because of its strange future project. After Albelda, Angulo and Cañizares probably this summer will leave the club Silva, Joaquín and Villa. Too much talent lost, I think.&nbsp;
For the best of the city of Valencia, but also for the best o Spanish football (that definitely needs Valencia again at the top) we hope Soler leave the club soon, so we can see again Valencia where its supporters deserve to be. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Giant’s illness has a proper name - World Soccer Talk

Giant’s illness has a proper name

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