barcelona
Barcelona's interest in Brazilian Superstar Neymar is obvious. The Brazilian almost completed a deal to move to Barcelona last year, but claimed that he was not prepared to move to a big club.
As 2012 starts to wind down, the conversation for the Ballon D'Or has commenced. On October 30, a shortlist of 23 players will be placed into contention for the prestigious award handed out to the greatest player in the world. While many would like to throw in players like Iker Casillas and Andres Iniesta into the conversation for their incredible years, there are only two players in contention for this award: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
And in light of Sunday's Clasico the choice between the two is even more difficult.
Messi has had the edge over the last few years as Barcelona has been the supreme squad in European soccer, but Ronaldo may be having the best year of his career.
Barcelona drew with Real Madrid 2-2 in the first game this season in which the Catalonians did not win.
The day that has been long awaited has finally arrived: Barcelona and Real Madrid are ready to renew their rivalry as both squads head into Sunday's match in top form.
The Clasico is upon us as this Sunday as Real Madrid and Barcelona take each other in the first official match of the 2012-13 season. They played earlier in the season in the Spanish super cup and split two one goal decisions, but Real Madrid won the Cup after scoring more away goals than their rivals. As we head into the Sunday bout, we will preview the two sides at every position to determine which squad has been better and has a greater chance at winning going into Sunday's match.
We will now look at the Forwards.
The Clasico is upon us as this Sunday as Real Madrid and Barcelona take each other in the first official match of the 2012-13 season. They played earlier in the season in the Spanish super cup and split two one goal decisions, but Real Madrid won the Cup after scoring more away goals than their rivals. As we head into the Sunday bout, we will preview the two sides at every position to determine which squad has been better and has a greater chance at winning going into Sunday's match.
Today we will compare the team's midfielders.
The Clasico is upon us as this Sunday as Real Madrid and Barcelona take each other in the first official match of the 2012-13 season. They played earlier in the season in the Spanish super cup and split two one goal decisions, but Real Madrid won the Cup after scoring more away goals than their rivals. As we head into the Sunday bout, we will preview the two sides at every position to determine which squad has been better and has a greater chance at winning going into Sunday's match.
Today we will compare the team's defenders.
The Clasico is upon us as this Sunday as Real Madrid and Barcelona take each other in the first official match of the 2012-13 season. They played earlier in the season in the Spanish super cup and split two one goal decisions, but Real Madrid won the Cup after scoring more away goals than their rivals. As we head into the Sunday bout, we will preview the two sides at every position to determine which squad has been better and has a greater chance at winning going into Sunday's match.
Today we will compare the two top keepers in this match.
Barcelona continued its strong play with a 2-0 win over Benfica in the second game of the Champions League and is now atop Group G.
Another wrinkle in the Lionel Messi or Crisitiano Ronaldo debate has been added after the Argentine was awarded the Onze d'Or for the fourth straight year.
Barcelona became the only team in the First Division of the Spanish League to win its first three games after a 1-0 win over a struggling Valencia. Barca won their first match 5-1 over Real Sociedad two weeks ago before dropping Osasuna 2-1 last weekend.pic
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta edged out Messi and Ronaldo to win the 2012 UEFA best player in Europe award.
The last time Real Madrid entered a La Liga season as defending champions was in 2009. During the last three seasons, they have watched as their hated rivals from Barcelona took the prize time and again.
The big question for Los Merengues is whether they can repeat as champions? Last season they achieved the feat with a healthy lead over second place Barcelona, but this season may however be far more difficult to achieve the status of champions as their rivals will finally be healthy and made a plethora of moves over the summer to improve. Here is a look at Real Madrid prior to the start of the season.
Who is better: Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?
The debate over which of these dynamic superstars is the greatest soccer player in the world has raged on for years with each man giving his own supporters reasons to believe that he is the better of the two.
But one man has already made up his mind. That man is Usain Bolt and he has declared that Cristiano Ronaldo is the greater of the two players.
