27 August 1977 - Deco Is Delivered

On 27 August 1977, Anderson Luís de Souza, better known as Deco, was born in São Bernando do Campo, Brazil. A star for Porto, Barcelona, Chelsea, and the Portuguese national team, the midfielder was named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year for the 2003-04 season.



He started his professional career in 1996 with Brazilian club Corinthians, but did not stay long, moving to Portugal in 1997. He signed with Benfica, but went out on loan immediately to Alverca (1997-98) and Salgueiros (1998-99) before finally settling with Porto in 1999. He stayed there for five a half seasons, winning three league titles (1999, 2003, 2004), three Portuguese Cups (2000, 2001, 2003), the 2003 UEFA Cup, and the 2004 Champions League.



His time in Portugal led him to become a citizen and play for the Portuguese national team after he was not selected for Brazil. He went on to make 75 appearances for Portugal between 2003 and 2010.



When Porto manager José Mourinho left for Chelsea in 2004, Deco was rumored to follow him, but instead signed a four-year deal with Barcelona. There, he continued his winning ways, adding two La Liga titles (2005, 2006) and another Champions League trophy to his silverware collection.



In 2008, he finally moved to Chelsea to play for new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. Although the club was successful, winning two FA Cups (2009, 2010) and the Premier League (2010), Deco was unsettled and unhappy in London. In 2010, he moved back to Brazil to play for his current club, Fluminense.

20 August 2003 - Ronaldo Goes International

On 20 August 2003, winger Cristiano Ronaldo made his first appearance for Portugal in a 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan.



Only 18 years old, he was clearly a star in the making for the national team, having already played 25 times for Portugal's youth teams and scoring 11 goals. And, just ten days before his senior international debut, he completed a high-profile move from Sporting to Manchester United.



The match itself was an inauspicious friendly, with the only goal coming from Portuguese midfielder Simão Sabrosa in the 65th minute. It was a lucky bounce, as Kazakhstan defender Ihor Soloshenko's attempted clearance hit Sabrosa in the chest and deflected into the goal. But Ronaldo became a regular starter for the Selecção, helping them reach the Euro 2004 final and fourth place in the 2006 World Cup.



In 2007, Ronaldo claimed the captain's armband for Portugal, leading them to the Euro 2008 quarterfinals and the 2010 World Cup Round of 16. He currently ranks sixth on the team's all-time appearances list with 82 and fifth on their all-time scoring list with 27 goals.



Since that first appearance, Portugal and Kazakhstan have played twice in Euro qualifiers. Ronaldo scored a goal in each match as Portugal won both times.

24 June 2004 - Ricardo Rises To The Occasion

On 24 June 2004, goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira was the hero of the day, first saving a kick from England's Darius Vassell in a penalty shootout, then converting the next kick to send Portugal through to the Euro 2004 semifinals.

Playing before a crowd of 65,000 at Lisbon's Estádio da Luz, England led for most of the match thanks to a 3rd-minute goal from striker Michael Owen. But in the 83rd minute, substitute striker Hélder Postiga equalized for the hosts to send the match into extra time. There, the two teams traded goals from Rui Costa (110') and Frank Lampard (115') to force a decision by penalty shootout.

The first kick was taken by England's David Beckham, who, in a shocking miss, sent the ball well over the bar (later reports claimed he had slipped a bit on the sandy pitch). But England were handed a reprieve five kicks later as Rui Costa also drove his shot over. After six kicks each, the teams were level at 5-5. Darius Vassell then stepped up to the spot for England, having come on as a first-half substitute for an injured Wayne Rooney.

Vassell fired the ball to Ricardo's left, but the keeper--who had inexplicably removed his gloves before the kick--guessed correctly and pushed it away. He then stepped up to take his own attempt and confidently blasted it to the right of England keeper David James and into the bottom corner. Portugal won 2-2 (6-5) and advanced, making it all the way to the Final where they lost to Greece.

Ricardo and Portugal beat England again in a penalty shootout during the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup, winning 0-0 (1-3).

23 February 1930 - I Wish He Had Stuck To Football

On 23 February 1930, midfielder Alexandre Villaplane captained France for the first time. He would later lead them in the 1930 World Cup before his execution in 1944 for collaborating with the Nazis.

Born in French Algeria in 1905, Villaplane was the first player from North Africa to play for Les Bleus when he received his first cap in 1926, a 4-3 victory over Belgium. He played in eighteen more matches before captaining the national team for the first time in his twentieth appearance, a 2-0 friendly loss to Portugal. Both of Portugal's goals were scored by 22-year old José Manuel Soares, a dynamic young forward regarded by many as one of Portugal's best-ever players. Unfortunately, he died the following year from food poisoning.

Villaplane suffered a tragic end of his own. After the 1930 World Cup--he was the captain for all three of France's matches--he lasted only five more years in football as match-fixing scandals and poor training habits drove him out of the sport.

During World War II, Villaplane became an SS officer, becoming known for his opportunistic and brutal methods, including several alleged murders. After the liberation of France from Nazi occupation, Villaplane was caught, tried, and then shot on 26 December 1944.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal vs Argentina Friendly (9 February 2011)Pictures & Video

The tango team won with 2-1 over Portugal, and it was Angel di Maria who score the first in less than 15 minutes of the match, thanks to Messi's assist.

Ronaldo scored 7 minutes later, and the score remain 1-1 until the match nearly come to an end. One of Portugal player made a foul inside the penalty box, and caused a penalty kick for Argentina. And of course, Messi became the executor, which led them to victory.

 CR Goal Video

Argentina vs Portugal Tickets Were Sold Out !!

Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will finally meet on the pitch, but this time they came to support a different team. A few days ago, Messi did an interview for Swiss television, and regarding his duel with Cris, he only said shortly," I have nothing to say. I just hope to perform a nice show for the fans. I always enjoy to play football."

There's no doubt, the duel between them have boost the ticket salesment. Yesterday, 33,000 tickets were sold out, and few minutes later, they have to add more tickets to resale. The price was €400, and today the price could increased to €600.

The match will be seen in five continents and there are 250 journalists from 16 countries, such as Australia, Japan, India, Indonesia, Russia, Spain, Germany, France, Brazil, etc. Messi and Ronaldo will play for 90 minutes, depends on the condition.

Sergio Batista praised Messi ", For me, Messi is the best."

" I respect his statement, but I don't agree with Mourinho".
"I think Messi is outshined Ronaldo. Leo is talented, and skilled. Cristiano hits the ball very well, he's strong and fast. Although for me Messi is better."

Cristiano Ronaldo Training Pictures With Portugal (8 Feb 2011)

Second day of training with Portugal. The first 15 minutes open for the press, and followed with press conference. Too bad CR didn't do a press conference this time.

Cristiano Ronaldo Arrived At Geneva For Portugal Friendly (7 Feb 2011)

Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at Geneva-Cointrin airport Monday morning, two days before the friendly match between Argentina and Portugal, along with Carvalho.


There were only a few fans welcomed their favorite Argentine and Portugal football stars, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, and Angel di Maria. If Messi came earlier on Sunday, CR came on Monday, shortly after Angel di Maria appeared in the arrival hall.

The Argentina team trains behind closed doors, while Portugal is expected to train at 17:00 at Stadium Meyrin, publicly. Everybody wants a piece of Ronaldo, to see him working on his kicks.
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Argentina vs Portugal Friendly Moved To Geneva

After being cancelled from the previous venue at Arsenal Emirates Stadium, Argentina and Portugal friendly match is still on. However, the match will be remove from London to Switzerland, and Geneva is the exact place. The date is still February 9th.

It was already confirmed by the company World Eleven and its representative Guillermo TOFONI. Hopefully nothing will change again, as we are all eager to see the first time Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo meet up on an International match.

Cristiano Ronaldo Goal Unfairly Overruled By the Reff

Cristiano Ronaldo made the most brilliant play of the night, which ended in a goal, but it was overruled unfairly by the reff.  "Even a blind man can see that it was a goal, the ball went a foot into the goal," claimed Ronaldo.

 "I do not know if it's coincidence or not, but my best goals in the selection have been canceled"
According to the jury, it was canceled because Nani was offside.
Well, we're Not so sure about it ...

But anyway, the Portuguese Captain was very pleased with the victory: "We've shown that we have a good team. No miracles, just made things right. We must give credit to the coach, Paulo Bento and the players."

Cristiano Ronaldo Pictures in Portugal vs Spain Friendly Match (17 November 2010)

For more pictures, just go to GALLERY pictures on the top right bar

Cristiano Ronaldo Training Pictures With Portugal (16 Nov 2010)

Last training session before friendly match vs Spain. CR got a new haircut, which I don't like it very much. Check it out....

Cristiano Ronaldo Training Pictures With Portugal Team (15 Nov 2010)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo joking around with his team-mates during training session in Monday, (15/11) in Oeiras, outside Lisbon. They will play in a friendly with Spain team on Wednesday (17/11)

Cristiano Ronaldo Achieved the "Non Smoker of The Year" title

Last month, to mark the Year of the Lung, the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology (SPP) started the campaign with Cristiano Ronaldo as the face ambassador for awareness and prevention of respiratory diseases.

And today (16/11), Ronaldo will be crowned as "Non Smoker of the Year" in a ceremony that will be held in Porto, by the Assistant Secretary of State for Health, and President of the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology. 

The Real Madrid forward is considered as a clear example of how important it is to breathe and achieve the life goals that we possesses.

Read Also :

How Cristiano Ronaldo Spends His Money in Luxurious Style

Cristiano Ronaldo Pictures - Iceland vs Portugal (1-3) Euro 2012 Qualifier

Freekick goal from the Captain !!! YAYY!! Check out for  more pictures from Ronaldo HERE
And watch the video of the GOAL HERE

Cristiano Ronaldo Training Pictures with Portugal (11 Oct 2010)

Training pictures yesterday.....