David Beckham is leaving Real Madrid and joining Major League Soccer for a deal reportedly worth as much as $250 million over a period of 5 years. That’s $50 million a year!

But is he worth it? King Kaufman thinks so

He’ll certainly score tons of goals in the MLS, which is practically tailor-made for his chief skill, scoring on dead balls. He’ll put fannies in seats in MLS’s group of soccer-only stadiums — the best idea the league has had. And he’ll put the league in the headlines, on the highlight shows and in the bar-stool conversations in a way teenage sensation Freddy Adu has not done. But his long-term contribution to MLS may be his ability to attract other international superstars to what is seen internationally as a minor league, a place world-class players can go to play out the string at the end of their careers.[Link]

It’s an interesting point about international superstars joining MLS. I don’t see it happening too often. Also, what Bekham brings to the table is much bigger than his football skills, in fact, quite clearly the premium is mostly for his non-field exploits. How many other footballers possess the same charisma?

At least, Kaufman does a nice job of putting Beckham’s salary into perspective.

I like to bring these dollar numbers down to my reality by dividing them by an amount of time so small I can recognize them as an actual amount of money. So if Beckham were working 40 hours a week year-round, he’d be making $192,307.69 a day, or $24,038.46 an hour. If you decided to hire him right when you started reading this sentence, and you read about as fast as I do, and then you decided to fire him when you got to the period, you’d owe him $66.77.

That’s a lot of money.

Update-N. Ram takes a break from batting for the Communists and ruminates on Beckham’s transfer. He does actually make some sense. Hint!

..We switch back to our original template.  Considering our readership of about ten, three is pretty popular.

Btw, only Prince and Pollock stand between India and a famous victory. They are the last recognised batsmen South Africa has and if India can get even one of the two, victory will be virtually assured. But I don’t know, even if India needs just one wicket to win, I still  feel that we are going to mess it up. Surprisingly, I never feel the same when India is chasing. In fact, I feel quite the opposite, that we will manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Is it just me or the Indian Cricket team has managed to make even the most die hard fan cynical? But I swear, If we don’t win this one, I wil never follow Cricket again.

Only about the hundreth time I have promised that to myself…

On another side-note, the judgment in the Jessica Lal case is supposed to be delivered today. Much news to look forward to when I wake up tomorrow.

Update- As India edges close to victory, Manu Sharma has been convicted. Laloo ji seems to have escaped yet again.

So you thought you could knock down Materazzi with a headbutt. Well, think again. He is now armed with a weapon which ensures that he wont be knocked down again. Ever

Enjoy!

Immense amount of nonsense was generated when Zidane headbutted Materazzi during the world cup final. As it usually happens in such cases, the world has moved on, the players are doing great, infact making a lot more money and people can afford to look back and smile.

That’s how life is!

..Because Ronaldinho was too busy making love to his girlfirend!(via)

The Sun quotes his girlfriend..

..coach had banned WAGS from the team’s hotel but we couldn’t bear to be apart. So, nearly every night he would come to my hotel room and we would make love all night. Sometimes we didn’t even make it into the room, we would make love there and then in the corridor.

Now, now. I have never been a great fan of coaches banning players from having sex during important tournaments. Makes no real sense to me. But I would say whole night before an important game might be a little too much. But this does neatly ties with this.

He is as much a performer in the bedroom as he is on the football pitch,”

By the look of it, the dude did all the performing in the bedroom, he was pretty much invisible on the field. So, can we perform well only in one field at a time? Don’t know, perhaps some dude will do some research on this, if there is something, do let me know.

errr…last week the Boss said that I am doing a great job, at work I mean.

heh!

As expected, the infamous Zidane head-butting incident has overshadowed the Italian victory at the world cup. Tells me, there is still some justice left in the world. heh! So why did Zidane do it?

BBC  reports

He told me Materazzi said something very serious to him but he wouldn’t tell me what,” agent Alain Migliaccio told BBC Five Live Sport.

There has been varying speculation as to what exactly was said to him, some claim he was called a terrorist because of his Algerian background (and he is a Muslim) while others claim his mother was insulted. Whatever might be the truth, it is clear a player like Zidane wont do something so stupid unless the provocation was really grave.

The counterargument to which is that whatever the provocation, Zidane should have played along. Now I accept that head-butting is totally unacceptable, but I find this argument absolutely preposterous. How many of us would take personal or racial abuse and walk away smiling because something important is at stake? Come on, just because he possesses skills few ever will, is he not a human? Also, why should racism  be accepted as part of the game? Why should a player be expected to put up with it just because he belongs to a particular group?

Mark Foot writes in Guardian

If the account is true, Materazzi would be guilty of an offence in this country: racially aggravated disorderly conduct, on the basis of abuse of someone because of their nationality. Why should footballers put up with racist abuse or racially aggravated insults without protection? If it is crime off the pitch, why (if indeed it has happened) should Matterazi feel he can insult the best player in the world for his nationality?

It surprises me that while Zidane is being accused of all crimes short of committing a murder, no questions are being raised for  Materazzi. And what about this dude? Just see this video of his fouls, this guy is no angel as he is suddenly pretending to be but a player who commits the most dangerous and obnoxious fouls. 

Yes. I am tired of all those ”diasgraced”, ”ashamed”, ‘’street thug” and even ”animal” which are being used to describe this most sublime of  players and most humble of humans. Yes, all those who dive around, tackle dangerously and pass racist comments are honorable, only this guy is a disgrace! What the hell! And all those who think that Zidane should have been denied the Golden ball only because of this, what are you guys thinking? Zidane was one of the 28 players to be red carded in this world cup, it was not that he knocked of someone’s balls!

But the idiots will go on

Claude Droussent in  L’Equipe link

But to explain to tens of millions around the world how you could have let yourself go and headbutt Marco Materazzi, 10 minutes from the end of extra-time. “What should we tell our children and all those for whom you have become an example for ever?” he asked, concluding, “How could that happen to a man like you?”

Sigh! I just wish if this guy has any kids, they will bludgeon him to death. I mean, for all of Zidane’s achievements, his rise from the slums to the top of the footballing world, his undoubted genius, this guy thinks the head-butting  is the only example Zidane has set? Btw, someone should tell this moron, who in the rest of world gave a fuck if France won or lost. It was about Zidane and nothing else.

But then one has not know about hypocrisy till one runs into an Englishman

It didn’t look like Materazzi had done anything – so for Zidane to go and do something as stupid as that, in a game of this size in front of hundreds of millions of people watching is incredible.

Yes, from the same guys who were shamelessly defending Ronnie’s stomping because he was pushed around. Double standards anyone? And of course, Zidane is a nutcase that he would without any apparent provocation, head-butt a player in a world cup final!

Look, I am not making the case that what Zidane did was not wrong but FIFA should examine the provocation behind it and if racist comments were passed, adequate punishment should be given to the players concerned. Finally, all those ranting about Zidane’s legacy and such should just shut up, his legacy is much bigger than a one moment of madness. Only those who have not appreciated  his true genius can make such claims.

I close with this gorgeous comment from JaiArjun’s blog

 But did you see that head-butt? If you have to end your career with a head-butt, this is the perfect way to do it. It was as graceful and effective and beautiful as everything else the man has done in his entire career. Marco is a hulking six-footer and he went down like a tree

By jove, that was a gorgeous headbutt!  Look the entire point behind geniuses like Zidane is not goals they score and the passes they create, of course they are important but what stays in mind is the perfection which marks their every step. Can anyone imagine a more perfect head-butt? That was quintessential Zidane, grace, power and maximum result with minimal effort.

Zidane is God and at least for this blogger will always remain so.

You shall be sorely missed!

Update: According to this report, Zidane was called the ‘’son of a terrorist whore”. To which Materazzi claim is that he does not even know what the word terrorist mean. Such innocence.

Curtains have been drawn on the greatest show on Earth and Italy has been crowned the world cup champions. I can’t claim I am disappointed because though I was rooting for France mainly due to Zidane, it is the result I expected. However, from second half onwards, France were clearly the better team, they created at least 3 clear chances while I cannot recall even one Italian attack which looked even mildly threatening. Even Henry who has sleepwalked through most of the tournament finally showed his class with a few searing runs.  However France could not find the final pass, when theyidid they  ran into a wall called Buffon.  Finally it came down to penalty kicks, which is a lottery at best and Italy held on to their nerves to win. Interestingly, the goalkeepers had little role to play in the penalty kicks and both looked equally clueless.

Of course what this world cup final would be rememberd for Zidane headbutting Materazzi and being sent off. What a sad end to what was really a  fairytale campaign, Zidane at age 34 coming out of international retirement to help France qualify for the world cup final. Then after initially struggling, turning in a majestic performance against Brazil. Even in the semifinals, he helped France beat Portugal by one of his trademarks penalty shots. The stage was all set for the final turn to this fairytale, if only Zidane could carry France to another World Cup triumph. He started off promisingly, converting a penalty with his characteristic nonchalance. Though he did not dominate the game, he was always a threat, best exemplified by that header which brought off a stunning save from Buffon. Alas, that was last contribution Zidane made, few minutes later in a moment of madness he headbutted Materazzi and was justifiably shown the red card. No one knows what provoked Zidane though according to the French coach he was frustrated at being repeatedly fouled. That does not justify Zidane’s action, and his act probably cost France the world cup. However, let that not stop us from applauding one of the true giants of the game who with his sublime skills has left an indelible mark on the beautiful game. No other player in the last 20 years has come close to matching Zidane’s ball control, his passing and ability to out think the opponents. He has been one of the true masters of the game, and Football would be poorer for his departure.

Among all this hoopla spare a thought for poor Trazeguet. He is not the first player to have missed an important penalty nor he would be the last. Unfortunately, today he was the only one to miss his, when his shot agonizingly  hit the cross bar.  While one player can never be blamed for a loss, ultimately it was his inability to score from the spot kick that separated France from Jules Rimet trophy. It is a burden he will carry for the rest of his life, and it would take enormous strength of the character to get over this. Football is a beautiful game but a most cruel one too. One only had to look at dazed Trazeguet, walking around the field, agony written large on his face to understand how cruel it can get.

It has not been the greatest world cup ever though we have benn privileged to watch some stunning games.  It has been a would cup as the great Michel Platini says dominated by coaches rather than players. Still, it has been an exciting one month  and we have seen some great talents for the future, Ribery and Podolski to name just two. It has also seen the final exit of few of the  greats, apart from Zidane himself, Figo, Pauleta and Roberto Carlos have taken the final bow.

A word about Italy, the new world cup champions. Coming on the back of the scandal sweeping the Italian league, the players have displayed remarkable courage and commitment to win this world cup. Perhaps, after all the dust has settled down, this world cup would be remembered for the heroics of Italian defense, especially Buffon and their inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro. They have proved beyond doubt that an impregnable defense can win the world cup. Congratulations to them!

All right, enough said! Four more years and the greatest  show on Earth will be back.

I have switched sides. I want Portugal to win their World Cup semifinal against France. This change of heart has been brought about by the realization that I have some magical powers which can influence the fate of the teams I support.

See, what  is common between Brazil, Argentina and Germany? That they have lost at this world cup and I had wanted all of them to win! The Germany-Italy match was particularly gratifying as far as my-support-ensures-defeat theory goes. I could ‘’see no way Italy could win this one” while another football aficionado seconded me by calling it a ”no-brainer”, a third  one who had a great tournament as far as predictions go was still drowning his sorrows in beer, when I last checked.

The most noteworthy thing is that these teams have lost fair and square. They were not done in by an odd goal against the run of play but were clearly outplayed by their opponents. Even in the last Germany-Italy match, Germans was ouclassed in extra time. So me supporting them not only causes them to lose but also to play badly in that particular game. A double whammy, no?

There is another reason for supporting Portugal. If they go on to play against Italy, it will be a fascinating game between two teams who have taken the art of ”diving’ to a different level. Imagine Ronaldo and Totti going for a ball, before anyone even reaches there, they will be rolling on the ground claiming a foul. Though Totti was somewhat restrained yesterday, he did show glimpses of his amazing ’skills’.  So there.

All right. Enough said…Go Portugal. Please don’t prove my powers wrong. Please…..

Stand back Ann Coulter, George Bush, Pat Buchanan…(insert your favorite idiot here) couretsy Patrix, I have discovered the biggest idiot this side of the Atlantic.

 Ladies(yes,both of you) and gentlemen, I present Marc Fischer who is proud to be known as America's most prominent Soccer Football hater….in an interview with a German media, Fischer explains why he and his fellow Americans(sic) dislike Soccer Football so much.

I simply consider it a sport that is fun fofir kids to play, but lacks the complexity and drama that make for a great spectator sport

Hahahah. Seriously, just hahaha. Soccer football does not have drama and complexity. Yes sure, what about those who us who die 10 times in a match when our favorite team is playing? Have you ever seen a Soccer Football match in your whole freaking life? No, not in a stadium, people with mental age of less than 5 are not allowed unescorted in stadiums, but do try to catch it on T.V. And yes, that is the short form for television, in case you cant figure it out, you clueless moron.

In America, interest in soccer is very high for children under 10 and then drops off gradually as kids get older, and by the time Americans reach adulthood

This is worrisome Fischer boy. What  do you do to your kids? It tells me they start normally but as they grow up something happens somewhere. Do figure it out.

We tend not to be interested in sports that attract hooligans and riots. In America, spectator sports tend to be family events, with a wholesome emphasis on community. People go out to a ballgame with children or with friends and the game is but one piece of a larger communal event, with cookouts, music, and cheering

Boy oh boy! This Fischer boy has not only never watched a soccer football game in his life, he has never watched any American game too. Family oriented, with beer drinking, open cursing, chair throwing, fist fights and all that. Yes, not every American sport game is dominated by hooligans, the same Fischer boy is good for soccer football.BTW, you just mentioned that kids in US do play soccer football, apparently they all play it on their computers as it is not a family sport.

And while you are at it. Consider this, most of the popular American sports are contact sports touching on brutality. Hockey? The American sports might hold the clue to the famous American aggro. I mean decide  what you want? On one hand soccerfootball is accused of being a game for sissies, unfit for the All American hero, on the hand charges of hooliganism, not  a family sport and such. What?

Baseball is the only sport in which statistics over the course of more than a century of play can be compared directly, allowing fans to know instantly how today's players rate against those of decades ago.

No, you idiot, we go to soccerfootball games to watch players in action, the breathtaking acts of dribbling, those curling freekicks, those slides, you calculate your statistics, we will watch the action. And yes, if stats are all that interests you, go for Cricket. You can spend the rest of your useless life pouring over those them.

Baseball is very much a game of mathematics–of angles and percentages—and of intricate strategy.

Dude, considering the mathematical skills of an average American…..need I say more?

Soccer, by comparison, is a blunt instrument, a simple game that depends more on stamina and strength than on the eye-hand coordination, mental gamesmanship and unique combination of grace and power that baseball demands

Yes, I must concede you are right about hand eye coordination bit since no one except goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball. I am a little surprised Fischer boy, tells me you did watch a few soccerfootball game, you could not have figured it out in one game, could you have? Simple game? With 22 players spread all over the park, constantly moving around, you are require the brains, strength, stamina and perfect coordination. And you know what? That simplicity is the beauty of soccerfootball. Watch the second goal which Argentinians scored yesterday and you will understand what I mean.

Soccer's popularity in much of the world is sadly tied up with the most disturbing face of nationalism, and so when Americans see soccer fans waving national flags and chanting vile slogans against other nations, we are reminded of the horrors of terrorism and the unfortunate abuse of sports by terrorists and by nations

Soccer and terrorism? What next WMD's in soccer football fields? Reminds me, ask the other clueless freak to check out the soccer football fields in Iraq. And you know what else is associated with terrorism? Air, water, the works. You know why? Because soccer football is played all over the world, at the last count over 180 of them. You can associate almost everything with them because they constitute the WORLD. Gotcha?

Oh! the last time I checked a baseball game, all the spectators were rooting;may the best team win, it freaked me out so much, a soccer football terrorist you know, I almost spat out my beer at them. Pah!

The game simply doesn't work on television because the field is so enormous that the players appear to be tiny. Fans therefore cannot form powerful emotional connections with their play.

I mean seriously, how stupid can one get? Connections? What kind of connections? Mind? Matter? Emotional?

BTW, which Television you use? I mean on my T.V, I can perfectly make out the players, ah, maybe a wardrobe malfunction may not be so clear…

It's very nice for soccer-loving countries to have their little tournament, but to call it the World Cup is rather arrogant and overblown

Dear moron, first, I was a little perplexed by this observation. Then through the comment section I discovered it is so because India and China, two of the largest countries do not figure in it. Thank you for discovering us, all 2.3 billion of us. BTW, if you are still poring over that map, we are in Asia. A little to the left, now you see us.

We are touched by your concern, we really are. But you know what, this is soccer football finals.  Now, since world series and such has only two countries playing in them, you have never faced this little problem. But a lot of potential terrorists play soccerfootball. So, if we are not there its because we are simply not good enough to be there. Ok?

 And yes, do mark us out carefully on the map, I may not be around to help you next time!

P.s Patrix does a fine job of fisking this article here. Like him, I pass on the baton.

p.s And no, its not Soccer, its football. Anyone who calls it soccer in the comments section will be banned.

p.p.s For those of you who are surprised by the rather stronger language, I feel Fisher's piece was deliberately provoking.