On the Sunday that just passed, Barcelona took on Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp and posted a convincing 3-0 display. The goal scorers for the day were Deco, Messi and Xavi. It was a great match to watch and I want to point out that the team played in a professional manner displaying what team work really is, that’s why we saw three different scorers. Moving on, there were notable opportunities for both Ronaldinho and Henry, but weren’t able to finish their respective moves. You can see highlights of the goals below. (The commentary here is freaking hilarious, I was laughing so much :D)

Ronnie Does Well

Ronaldinho came into this match with the media on his back as talked about in the earlier post. I felt as though against Atletico, he had shrugged off the criticisms and dished out some great moves and passes to help out his team mates. The best example would have to be his assist to Leo Messi. I hope he keeps playing this way and does even better next time he plays which is this coming Sunday against Villareal. On a personal note, I will probably be updating this blog once a week because of the new training that I have undertaken which is going well so far, however, the blog has been suffering as a result. I hope to rectify this later on with some exciting new plans, training tips and advice I want to blog about.

First of all I want to acknowledge the impressive 4-1 win Barcelona posted away to Levante, and what’s even more impressive is that the somewhat new recruit Thierry Henry, posted his first hat trick for the club. Leo Messi also posted a goal in the match with an outstanding individual effort to use his speed to get past the defender and slot the ball home. Henry’s goals were critical to Barcelona and in their pursuit of the La Liga and I particuarly loved his second goal (55 seconds in video) where he calmly slotted the ball past the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net. You can see all the match highlights below.

Football and Nightlife

I bring this topic up because when you get older and socialising becomes a much more attractive way to spend your weekend, alcohol and late nights become part of the equation. Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t have a social life, go out with friends and have a good time. However, what I am saying is that being a footballer brings with it professionalism and responsibility. Responsibility towards your own body, which you need to take care of and treat with respect and that means no smoke, no alcohol and no drugs. It may seem obvious but you’d be surprised to see that many professional athletes take part in recreational drug and alcohol abuse, leaving the footballer in bad shape for the next day. He still has all the skills and talent he has built up from day one, however, their part in the team will lack and with that lack comes consequences like substitutions and even getting kicked off the team.

Ronaldinho Getting Clubbed By Media

Unfortunately, the media have been targeting Ronaldinho lately because of the nightlife he engages in, accusing him of spending too much time in the Barcelona nightclubs. What’s more is the media have also been questioning the legitimacy of the calf strain he picked up, which has cost him three games altogether. Both manager Frank Rijkaard and Club President Joan Laporta have defended the Brazillian saying:

He is suffering because he is injured, the therapy is to help him and ensure he does not feel apart. We need to be together. I have not spoken to him about his private life because it is a question for the dressing room. The players know how far they can go in their private lives.

Ronaldinho Back In The Squad

Both Ron and Marquez have been named in the squad for the upcoming UEFA Champions League game against Stuttgart and I hope that Ronnie can prove the media wrong with a spectacular performance. I feel as though having the media there hassling players does not do the game of football any good. With so much pressure some will crack and some will perform and we hope Ronaldinho will be the latter. Barca play their game on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on which part of the world you’re from and I’ll bring you my insights from that game shortly after. Until then, let me leave you with some words of advice:

Go out with your friends, have a good time. But be responsible and know where to draw the line, because sooner or later you will be in the public eye and what you do will affect kids who will lookup to you. Be the very best player you can be and it all starts with your attitude to this privilege of being a footballer.

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