The following are the final players that are in the running for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. Good luck to everyone nominated!!

Andrei Arshavin (Russia, Arsenal)

Karim Benzema (France, Lyon/Real Madrid)

Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United/Real Madrid)

Diego (Brazil, Werder Bremen/Juventus Turin)

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea)

Ryan Giggs (Wales, Manchester United)

Edin Dzeko (Bosnia, Wolfsburg)

Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, FC Barcelona/Inter Milan)

Cesc Fabregas (Spain, Arsenal)

Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool)

Diego Forlan (Uruguay, Atletico Madrid)

Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool)

Yoann Gourcuff (France, Bordeaux)

Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United)

Thierry Henry (France, FC Barcelona)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Inter Milan/FC Barcelona)

Iniesta (Spain, FC Barcelona)

Julio Cesar (Brazil, Inter Milan)

Kaka (Brazil, Milan AC/Real Madrid)

Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea)

Nemanja Vidic (Serbia, Manchester United)

Maicon (Brazil, Inter Milan)

Lionel Messi (Argentina, FC Barcelona)

Luis Fabiano (Brazil, Sevilla)

Franck Ribery (France, Bayern Munich)

John Terry (England, Chelsea)

David Villa (Spain, Valencia)

Xavi (Spain, FC Barcelona)

Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast, FC Barcelona)

Former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham says he wishes he could have spent his entire career at Old Trafford.
The 34-year-old made 265 league appearances for the Red Devils from 1993-2003, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League.

Beckham’s relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson gradually deteriorated after a famous incident in February 2003 with Ferguson kicking a boot at Beckham in the changing room that left the midfielder needing stitches above his eye.

He departed for Real Madrid just five months later, spending four years in Spain before joining LA Galaxy and later AC Milan on loan.
But the England winger has confessed that, ideally, he would have chosen to see out his playing days in a United shirt.

“I always said that if I’d had my choice, I would never have left Manchester United because that was where I always wanted to start my career and finish it,” he told the Daily Mail. “Then I had to look at it in a different way. I’d been there over 10 years and been really successful and had amazing times and made so many great friends.”

And England’s record appearance holder for an outfield player with 114 caps revealed that the Old Trafford atmosphere remains the best he has experienced in his career.

“Every time I’ve played at Old Trafford, whether for United, Real Madrid or England, the fans have been the best I’ve ever had,” he said. “Everyone knows that’s what got me through what happened against Argentina, with my friends, my family and the manager. I will never forget that. In my eyes they are the best in the world, without a doubt.”

Danke to our friends at Four Four Two for the story. :)

Lionel Messi, a key figure in FC Barcelona's march to UEFA Champions League glory last season, has more to celebrate after collecting the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year prize at the UEFA Club Football Awards in Monaco. The Argentinian international was also selected as Best Forward while team-mate Xavi Hernández took the Best Midfielder trophy. Manchester United FC's Edwin van der Sar was nominated Best Goalkeeper and Chelsea FC captain John Terry completed the honors list as he received his third Best Defender gong from Paolo Maldini.

Messi had scored Barcelona's second goal – his ninth of the 2008/09 competition – in the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United in Rome, as the Catalan side became the first Spanish team to lift the Liga, Copa del Rey and European Champion Clubs' Cup titles in one season. If the headed goal from Messi that capped his sensational campaign was a collector's item, his presence on the scoresheet was more predictable: the 22-year-old struck 38 goals in all competitions last term.

Messi succeeds Cristiano Ronaldo as the Club Footballer of the Year and is the second Argentinian international to land the prize after Fernando Redondo in 2000. "It is an enormous joy to be able to receive such an important award as this," he said. "And it's also a pleasure to be able to thank all the people who voted for me and who decided I should get this award."

Draw Results

Mike Ashley’s sports shop chain has issued an apology after one of its employees allowed a Manchester United fan to have customised printing mocking the Hillsborough victims on the back of his replica shirt. Colm Jackson had the slogan ‘YSB 96 NOT ENOUGH’ printed at the Sports Direct in the Arndale Centre, in Manchester.

Images of the shirt were uploaded to Jackson’s Facebook profile causing outrage on Liverpool fan sites. The photos were removed by Facebook after a series of complaints, and now Sports Direct have apologized after it became clear they were responsible for the printing.

A Sports Direct spokesman said: “Sports Direct has been notified that an extremely offensive and wholly inappropriate football shirt was printed at one of its stores. The store assistant printed this unknowingly and has been deeply shocked upon being notified of the significance of this and the upset caused. Sports Direct has taken immediate action and changed the administration policy for printing football shirts across its store network. With immediate effect, it will only allow printing of current football players names and numbers on football shirts. Sports Direct has contacted Facebook to request the urgent withdrawal of this deeply offensive image from the individual’s Facebook page, and is very apologetic for this spiteful and abusive shirt.”

Manchester United had also vowed to revoke Jackson’s season ticket, but had since found out he was not a season ticket holder.

Manchester United have confirmed they have accepted a bid from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo's future at United has been the subject of constant speculation, with Real having trailed his signature for the last three summers.

Real president Florentino Perez has made no secret of the fact that he would like to lure Ronaldo to El Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spanish titans have now agreed an £80million offer for the Portuguese ace and United have given the World Player of the Year permission to talk to the capital club.

Ronaldo will head to the Spanish capital to hold discussions with Real and undergo a medical.

Real have already snapped up Brazilian superstar Kaka in a world-record deal, but a move for Ronaldo would significantly eclipse that figure.

"Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid," read a club statement.

"At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.

"Matters are expected to be concluded by 30th June. The club will not comment until further notice."

Real confirmed the news in a brief statement on their website, adding that they hoped to finalise matters as soon as possible.

"Real Madrid confirm they have made an offer to Manchester United for the acquisition of the rights of the player Cristiano Ronaldo. The club hope to reach an agreement with the player in the next few days."

The news is bound to be greeted with some scepticism by United fans, who have repeatedly been told no deal had been agreed for the sale of FIFA's World Player of the Year in the face of regular statements from Spain the former Sporting Lisbon star was bound for the Bernabeu.

It was even suggested Ronaldo would be due a £20million compensation fee from Real if the deal did not go through by June 30, the date United now state themselves as when they expect matters to be concluded.

It now remains to be seen where the transfer fee could be reinvested in a squad that almost, but not quite, proved good enough to win back-to-back Champions League trophies, in addition to a hat-trick of Premier League titles.

The name of Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery is bound to crop up as a potential replacement, although the 27-year-old seems overpriced at the £40million figure being bandied about in some quarters, with Wigan's Antonio Valencia also in the frame.

Ferguson will certainly be making plans already to ensure his new faces are on board before United head to Asia for their pre-season tour.

Amid the frenzy over Ronaldo's impending departure, it is bound to be asked whether the current debt hanging over United of almost £700million has played any part in the decision to accept Real's huge bid.

*story spotted on www.skysports.com*

Hey everyone! I know that this is a tad late, but meh... Anyway, Sebi and I have been working on some categories for the end of the year/summer awards. In this post, you can nominate anyone you think is fitting to win. The final vote will come at a later date. :D

So, here are the categories!!

• Player of the Year
• Goal of the Year
• Team of the Year
• 12th Man of the Year
• Manager of the Year
• Kit of the Year
• WAG of the Year
• Powercouple of the Year
• Hunk of the Year (As voted by the females of the site)
• Match of the Year
• Transfer of the Year

Here are the dud categories

• Worst player of the Year
• Flop Team of the Year
• Managerial Flop of the Year
• Not-so-lovely Kit of the Year
• Scandal WAG of the Year
• Horror Couple of the Year
• Horror Hair-do of the Year
• Horror Off the Pitch Fashion of the Year

So, there you go!! Please help us vote. We want YOUR input because this blog is about pleasing you guys, the FANS!!

I would like to do the end of the season award post by either the end of June or beginning of July, so please help us!!

You guys are amazing!

Rules

• You may only vote 1 time
• ALL major leagues are covered
• If things start to get out of hand, voting will end and I (Kristen) will select the winners. :)

Hello everyone! Happy Tuesday! Sorry for not updating the blog. I have been very busy with STEP testing and also jumping for joy because of some family things that are happening for Easter! Also, because of some personal things involving a loved one. :( Anyway, here you all go! :D

So, I want to give a big thank you to the girls at Kickette for this spot. :)

Why I have a pic of Spongebob here? You will never believe me!

Victoria Beckham has been added to the cast list for an episode of Spongebob Squarepants. She has been casted to play a "posh, English princess." According to a source close to Beckham, "Network bosses have been in touch with her ever since, offering her more work."

Celebs on shows such as Spongebob are not rare. Such names as Johnny Depp, Alton Brown, Angelina Jolie, Jack Black, and Scarlett Johansson have all appeared on Spongebob.

When asked about the Beckham brood, the source also said, "Her sons Romeo, Brooklyn and Cruz are sure to be thrilled with their mom’s latest Sponge Bob gig."

RAFA SAYS THAT FERGIE IS SCARED

Yes, all my Manchester United readers, you read that correctly. According to our friends at Goal.com, Rafa has taken this feud to another level.

"It is not mind games, I think it maybe is that he is a little bit scared [of us]," Benitez told reporters at a press conference today. "I do not have a problem with United. Clearly one of us, either Chelsea or us, will end up focusing just on the Premier League after this. I think Sir Alex will be supporting Liverpool in this tie because he knows we are the bigger threat now. If we continue in the Champions League maybe he will think we will tire. If we are not in this competition then he knows that we will be a [bigger] threat in the Premier League. If Chelsea are not in the competition, then he knows they will then be a threat also in the league. But he will lose anyway, whoever goes out, because they will still be a big threat to United. You have to prepare well for every single Premier League game, it is tough (to be in the Champions League as well). So he will clearly be supporting us tomorrow and next week. I would like to be worried about both competitions, it means we will continue to be successful. We just concentrate on our team, while he likes to talk too much about other teams."

Benitez also reacted unconcernedly to United's stunning weekend victory over Aston Villa, stating,

"We knew there would be situations like this, with us one point ahead, or one point behind. And everyone knows five minutes [of injury time] at Old Trafford is a very long time. I watched the game, but once United scored their second you felt they would win the game. He [Ferguson] is in the driving seat now and in a better position, but there is still a long way to go and we have confidence. We are pushing them and we will push them until the end."

Meanwhile, Liverpool have to face the Champions League challenge posed by Chelsea, resurgent in recent weeks under the wily and well-seasoned management of Guus Hiddink, who visit Anfield on Wednesday night for the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

The Spaniard would not be drawn on what he felt the outcome might be, preferring instead to highlight the likely closeness fothe contest.

"It is not a good time for either of us to be playing the other. It is a big challenge for both teams. They have a good team with experience and a manager with experience. This game is 50-50," he explained. I have great respect for a massive club and a very good team. We are both playing in big competitions. We are both big teams. We have beaten them twice this season in the league, it will give us confidence, but this is a different competition and it will be down to just one or two mistakes."

We will have to see if Alex comes out with something tomorrow, so that is it for now. More to come later.  

Our friends from Kickette have reported the following:

Congratulations are in order for Wayne and Coleen Rooney, who are expecting their first child in September.

Coleen is reported to be about three months pregnant. 

The tabloids have already started labeling recent photos saying Col is showing a baby bump, but we’re quite sure at this stage the bubba is really only about the size of Coleen’s earring in this photo. 

Bookies have placed 25/1 odds on the baby being named “Waynetta”.   

This is exciting news, yes? Goodness knows we’re getting the tizzies just thinking about the variety of summer maternity fashion Coleen will be sporting.  When will she retire the platform stilettos? Will she switch to wedges and then give in to flats? Will her much adored Uggs become her choice of footwear during the last stages?

These are crucial WAG style decisions and we need to know which direction Coleen will take.  Yes, need to know. Not want. Need.

Here’s wishing Coleen a safe and happy pregnancy. Well done, Wayne!

Thank you again to the girls at Kickette!!

Hello everyone! Once again, I would like to thank all of my amazing readers for making my last post a featured one (it's a new record for me...) hahah Less than an hour. Anywho, for this post.

The "Big 4" have released their possible new kits for next season. Here is what I think of them.

First up, Arsenal

Hmm, I really don't know what to think of this one. I like the colors, but I don't think that I am digging the fact that they have green kits... I just don't know yet. Maybe I will warm up to it when I see Aaron and Robin playing in the rain with it on. ;)

Score: 7/10

Next, Chelsea

I love the colors! I always have liked the colors of their kits, but I think that I would stick to the black ones. :) Also, the whole ribbing and whatnot, get rid of it. It's UGLY!

Score: 6/10

Next, Liverpool

I LOVE IT! Awesome! I love it! It somewhat resembles the Germany kit. I will have to make sure to add that to the shopping cart.

Score: 10/10

FINALLY, THE UGLY! Manchester United.

Manchester United has a different shirt sponsor for next season. They got rid of AIG. So, brace yourself.

Home Kit...

I like the whole retro look, and I am sure that Cuntiano can pull this one off, but I doubt that the Rooney or Berba can....

Verdict: 6/10

Away Kit

Oh dear god... the whole lace up thing is HIDEOUS! I don't think that even Ronny and Rooney wouldn't want to be seen in this.

Verdict: 2/10

So, what do you think?

Thank you Daily Mail for the pics. :)