Thursday, 19 September 2013

Top 11 Football Bromances

A bromance can be described as "the complicated love and affection shared by two straight males" and the guys on this list show that it can be beautiful.
Sometimes, though, it can go a little too far *cough*Pique*cough*.

Here are my eleven favourite bromances, in no particular order (as always):

Song to listen to while reading this article: Queen's 'You're My Best Friend'

David Villa + Cesc Fabregas



I think this is a wonderful bromance for many reasons. David is like an older brother (on and off the pitch) and he not only offers friendship but also advice. He also helped Cesc transfer to Barca.
The bromance also helped on the field, with Cesc frequently seen trying to pick David up with a nice pass in front of goal, and when he gets the pass it usually results in a goal.

Sadly, this 'mance had to end, due to David's transfer to Atletico.

'Fabrilla' as the bromance is often called probably can't wait for international duty, at least then they get to see each other.




Francesco Totti + Daniele De Rossi




"Totti is a treasure for Roma. He's loved by all, and is decisive on the pitch. I have great desire to show this as well."
That is what Dani thinks of Francesco. They've played together for years, and I'm sure Totti's the only person who can make him smile on the field. 

It does go both ways though, during the previous transfer window when there was a possibility of De Rossi leaving Roma, Totti basically begged him to stay  (after he wished him a happy 30th birthday).

A bromance built on mutual respect and understanding. 


Mario Götze + Marco Reus



This is one bromance that no one can ever doubt. Such a bromance that they even did a GQ cover shoot together. 

Yup.

'Götzeus', much like 'Fabrilla' also had to end when one player was transferred  Mario left Dortmund, and Marco, for their biggest rivals, Bayern Munich. Everyone has heard that Marco was very emotional after his best friend left, and absolutely no one thought it could be a lie.

At least they still get to rip apart defences when playing for the German NT though, so Götzeus could live on.

Don't Stop Believing.



David Beckham + Gary Neville



A friendship like theirs is inevitable.
They've played together for so many years that they were bound to become attached to each other. 

You know how you can see how much someone loves another person when they talk about them? Whenever they talk about each other you can feel it. It's heartwarming and inspiring that they could remain close friends after all this time. Especially since a lack of loyalty is something which many people are criticising the beautiful game for.

If you don't believe me about the love, you can read this article to see what I'm trying to conveying.


Xavi + Andres Iniesta



"We’ve been together for years and understand each other well. He’s the best friend that I have on the pitch. We almost never have to talk."
These two.
I am willing to go out on a limb and say that this bromance is the reason for at least 90% of Barca's glory in the past few years. Xavi is the master of the pass and Iniesta is the master of dribbling. Put them together and  you have a partnership that could probably even make QPR win the Premier League. 
They're just that great. 


Frank Lampard + John Terry




John and Frank have been playing together for years. Their respect is something which is always visible when they're on the same pitch, whether it's for Chelsea or for the English NT. 
The love is there.

Frank is the one who took it upon himself to console his captain after his hilarious unfortunate penalty miss against United in the Champions League final a few years ago. 

John loves Frank so much that he would never even try to flirt with his wife, and for John, that means so much. It's a give and take bromance, the way it should always be. 



Cristiano Ronaldo + Miguel Veloso



I'll say what everyone is thinking here. Yes, this is the most handsome bromance in the history of bromances. Much like many footballing friendships, they played together for the same youth team and then the senior team before parting ways. 
Even though Miguel is based in Russia and Cristiano is earning his money in Spain, they still remain great friends. The true extent of their friendship can be seen whenever the Portuguese NT play. 

I bet they even help each other with their hair.

Fabulous.



Mesut Özil + Sergio Ramos



As a massive fan of Mesut, Madrid and Ramos, I love this bromance almost as much as they love each other. From The Wizard of Öz wearing Sergio's cap to Sergio having one of Mesut's custom seat covers in his own car... these guys are experiencing a bromance on a whole other level.

This is also the first bromance that features members who are not from the same country. With The King of Assists not being able to speak English or Spanish fluently and Ramos being just able to get by with his English, I actually have NO IDEA as to how they communicate.

This bromance has also become involuntarily long-distance now, due to Mesut's arrival at Arsene's Arsenal. Everyone was quite emotional because of his departure, especially Mesut and Sergio. These tweets tell their story better than I will ever be able to:



Sergio actually tweeted a link to a bromance video. YOU JUST DON'T DO THINGS LIKE THAT.





Iker Casillas + David Beckham



I know it makes very little sense to have someone on this list twice, but this is just a friendship that no one can ignore. Unlimited respect and love for each other on and off the pitch AND they play like little kids on the training ground. 

After all this time, 'Becksillas' is still very much alive (much to Gary Neville's displeasure).




Jose Mourinho + Marco Materazzi



The first (and only) bromance on this list to include a player and a manager.
During Mou's time at Inter, the two players grew very close. To this day they still have much respect and love for each other, with Marco even dropping hints that he'd love it if Mourinho would allow him to work as his assistant  at Chelsea. 

D'awww.

Also, when Mourinho left, this happened: 



This is almost as sad as Brian's Song, but it is also something that only a few people will truly understand.


Zlatan Ibrahimovic + Gerard Pique



This is where things get weird.
Pique, like Sergio, is known for getting attached to many players, but no bromance has gone this far. 

I feel as though I shouldn't say anything. This photo says it all:



I hope Shakira never sees this photo.








If I missed out on any bromances that you feel should be on this list, comment and let me know.
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Sunday, 1 September 2013

Top 11 Goal Celebrations

Celebrations are a wonderful thing.
They not only allow you to see how much a goal means to the scorer, but they can also serve as talking points (you can even blog about them)! They also help to ensure that spectators will remember the goal forever.
Or at least until the player scores another, better goal with a better celebration.

Below are my Top 11 (in no particular order).

Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Calma'


Clinical finish? Check
Perfect assist? Check
Celebration that not only silences The Camp Nou but also humiliates Barca? Check, Check, Check and Check.

As a Madrid fan, I believe this is one of the greatest celebrations I will ever see.

While the celebration itself might be quite simple, the reasons and emotions behind it are what make it brilliant. Before this match, Barcelona were viewed as unbeatable. If any team visited the Camp Nou and drew a game, they would be happy.
Madrid beat them at their home and secured the league title in the process.
The reason for the 'Calma' is because Barcelona had just drawn level and looked destined to come from behind to win, until this goal, that is. This goal was Ronaldo's way of reminding Madridistas that he was still there, and he was not to be consider a 'choker' anymore.


Mario Balotelli's 'Hulk'


No one can blame 'Super Mario' for celebrating this way.
Not only did he score a beautiful goal, timing his run perfectly to beat the offside trap, but he scored against a tournament favourite. Before the game, his agent said that Balo would score a hat-trick against Germany, after this as his second, everyone thought it was a possibility. 
This celebration is so outlandish, so unexpected and so loved that it even inspired hundreds of memes. 


Miroslav Klose's 'Flip'


Klose's flip celebration is one which has been seen so many times, but it never gets old. While he may be performing it much less due to his ageing, whenever it makes an appearance, it always gets the crowd going. I hope I'll get to see much more of it some day. I mean, how often does a 1.8m tall guy do flips the way he does?


The 'Ai Se Eu Te Pego'


This celebration has been done by so many players that it was even added to FIFA and PES games. Players from all over the world have used this dance to celebrate their goals and I just wish I could see more. It's a fun dance, even though its meaning is a bit weird when you consider that the players are doing the dance while facing each other.

It's still awesome though! Just watch the video below and you'll see what I mean by 'all over the world'.



Bas Savage's 'Studded Moonwalk'



Yes, that photo is from FIFA 13.
I had to use the photo above because I couldn't find a photo of Bas Savage doing the Moonwalk that had a good enough resolution.
You might think it can't be done, How can someone Moonwalk with studded boots on?
Don't worry, seeing is believing:



Peter Crouch's 'Robotic Stick Insect'


He's over 2 metres tall. I hope you weren't expecting him to be doing acrobatic moves.
I love it when celebrations are unexpected and while he might look like an extra-awkward stick insect, he does have some extra smooth dance moves.*




*sort of. 


Wayne Rooney's 'Hug Me' 


Wayne has only performed this celebration once (I think), and while it may look ridiculous, I think no one has the right to criticise it. 
He did just score one of the most beautiful goals of all-time, after all.


Eric Cantona's 'Kneel Before The King' 



Never known to one of the more modest footballers, Cantona's celebration after his goal against Sunderland in 1996 sums up Cantona as a footballer perfectly.
The near-flawless technique, the trickery, the clinical finishing, the cockiness, the collar and the magic.

That is Cantona.



Mario Balotelli's 'Why Always Me?' 


I'd sum up the Beauty of Balotelli with three words. "Football's Kanye West."

He's always going do things which make you think that he is the most arrogant person to ever breathe, but sometimes he'll just do something so amazing that will make you believe everything he says about himself. Even if it's just for ninety minutes.

This celebration took place during a Manchester Derby after Mario calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net. With a vacant expression on his face, he lifted up his jersey to reveal the words 'Why Always Me?' printed on his undershirt. 

True Lad.


Bafana Bafana's 'Diski Dance'




After Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the first goal of the 2010 World Cup, I'm sure everyone expected something 'meh.' like a fist-pump or knee-slide. Instead, we were treated to some of the freshest moves most of us have probably ever seen. 
Team celebrations are always wonderful, it shows great chemistry and lovely teamwork, so how can anyone not love the dance?



Cristiano Ronaldo's 'LOOK AT MAH THIGH'



Well, LOOK AT IT.

While many people think Ronaldo was just being vain when he did this celebration, people who know the actual story just view it as Cristiano showing his fun side. 
CR7 did this celebration after scoring a powerful goal from quite a distance. After scoring, he turned towards the bench and revealed his thigh and pointing to it. 
The reason for this is that he was teasing Antonio Adán, Madrid's substitute keeper, before Iker (is it too soon for this joke? Sorry). He teased Antonio because he rarely works on his legs in the gym due to laziness and Ronaldo did it to show him was exercise can do.

Poking fun and thighs, ah, Cristiano.



Not so vain anymore, right?





If I missed any celebrations, you can let me know.
I'm not claiming that this is a definitive list, these are just my 11 favourite celebrations.
Also, I know the quality of some of the clips aren't exactly crisp, but something doesn't have to be HD to be beautiful. The idea always counts for more.
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