Ronaldo, the orginal one, announced today he will retire on December 31st 2011. One of the best players to ever play the game of football, Ronaldo will definitely be missed by everyone. The forward just renewed his contract with Brazil’s Corinthians for another year and the plan after that is to become an international ambassador for Timão (as a Corinthians fan, I say that with great pride!).

Ronaldo has beaten the odds several times. The two severe knee injuries made everyone wonder if he could ever come back to football. He came back, in great style. His fat period got everyone talking about how he would not be coming anywhere near a football pitch ever again. Yet, he comes to Corinthians and starts scoring beautiful goals like there’s no tomorrow.

The guy is 33 now. And helping Corinthians get its first ever Libertadores title. He also hopes to have a chance to play his 5th World Cup in June in South Africa. Hard to happen, and he knows it. But no one will ever forget how amazing Ronaldo was and the huge part he will always have in football history.

Seriously, I cannot believe this guy. Is the World Cup really the only thing that motivates him to do what he just did yesterday? Whatever it is… I like it. Watch below all the goals from AC Milan 4 – 0 Siena.

It was an inevitable train of thought followed by the English journalists the day after Michael Owen’s hat-trick gave United a Champions League win over Wolfsburg.

“Owen to the World Cup???” was the resulting tagline. With all the hype in the aftermath of an encouraging World Cup draw for England, many three lions fans are drooling in anticipation at what could be a successful campaign in South Africa next summer.

But when talking about England, the Michael Owen conundrum is never far away. So often a first choice, his fall from grace and injury woes while at Newcastle have seen him portrayed as a shadow of his former self.

With that in mind a free transfer to Manchester United in the close season was the perfect move for him. He won’t play all the time, yes, but given his fitness worries he can’t anyway. But when he is on the field he is playing at the highest level with some of the best players in the world. So if he does the business, it must put him in contention.

Seven goals in eight starts is a healthy manipulation of the stats (sub appearances dilute the scoring record somewhat). However, despite the odd minor niggle, Owen has not found himself under the surgeon’s knife this season, something that was all too familiar at St James’ Park.

I wonder if last Friday’s draw, with all the showbiz and hype, re-focused Owen on his task in hand: the Premier League with United and the World Cup with England.

If he continues the way he has so far this season (he is on course to score 18+ goals) I think there should be no question about his inclusion in Fabio Capello’s squad. Not perhaps as a starter, but with so much reliance on Wayne Rooney and not a lot else in the England striking department, an in-form Michael Owen is a pretty formidable trick to have up your sleeve when you need to change a game.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Owen will upset the World Cup 2010 odds and return to the national squad in time for next summer. I just feel that, if fit, he has too much talent to ignore. It would also be a dream come true for Owen himself, as that is all it was when he departed relegated Newcastle last May.

Sao Paulo’s goalie closed the season with another goal. it was his 85th (87th, given that FIFA does not count 2 goals). This time, the victim was Sport.

There used to be 30… now the contestants for the Ballon D’Or, France Football Magazine annual award, are down to 10. The winner (as well as the 10 player shortlist) is selected by many European journalists and will be announced tomorrow, December 1st. Cristiano Ronaldo took it last year and I find it hard he will get it again but you never know. A little bird told me Messi is the one to take it this year.

The lucky 10 are:

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United and Real Madrid)
Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire, Chelsea)
Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon, Barcelona and Inter Milan)
Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Inter Milan and Barcelona)
Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona)
Kaka (Brazil, Milan Milan and Real Madrid)
Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)
Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United)
Xavi (Spain, Barcelona)

The ex- Brazil international shows what he really needs to recover from injuries. One of the most pathetic moments of his career. More than taking care of your socks when France is kicking out of the World Cup:

Dunga announced today the players who will play the last 2 matches of the year (against England and Oman). And he had a few surprises. Given that he decided not to call players from Brazilian clubs (and therefore was unable to call Adriano and Diego Tardelli), he called forward Hulk. But he wasn’t the only surprise. Liverpool’s Fabio Aurelio (finally) and Lyon’s Michel Bastos got their calls.

More than friendlies, these 2 matches are the final tests for Dunga before the World Cup. Brazil has only 2 matches scheduled before the cup, and by that, Dunga should have the squad already chosen.

So what ca we make of today’s call? Diego is out – no matter how well his doing at Juventus. He really blew up his chances. As it is the case with Anderson (thank God). Unless something terrific happens, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo are out as well. As i see it, Pato will have to wait for his first world cup too. Unlike all these names, Nilmar seems to have a ticket for South Africa.

Talking about the team, it’s obvious that the left-back is the position which is completely open. If Fabio Aurelio and Michel Bastos deliver it well, they may be going to South Africa. More than that, it seems that Dunga is looking for side-backs who can also play in the midfield (as it happens with Daniel Alves in the right). Or he may choose midfielders who can play as sidebacks, as it’s the case with Spartak’s Alex. In that case, if he decides to take a natural left-back and Alex, we have a spot open for another midfielder or forward. This may be the reason why he took Carlos Eduardo from Hoffenheim to be tested. It remains to be seen.

As for Julio Baptista, there’s no mystery: Dunga trusts him.

The complete roster:

GOALKEEPERS:
Julio César (Inter de Milão)
Doni (Roma)

SIDEBACKS:
Maicon (Inter de Milão)
Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
Michel Bastos (Lyon)
Fábio Aurélio (Liverpool)

CENTERBACKS:
Luisão (Benfica)
Juan (Roma)
Naldo (Werder Bremen)
Lúcio (Inter de Milão)

MIDFIELDERS:
Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos)
Josué (Wolfsburg)
Ramires (Benfica)
Felipe Melo (Juventus)
Julio Baptista (Roma)
Kaká (Real Madrid)
Elano (Galatasaray)
Alex (Spartak Moscou)
Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim)
Lucas (Liverpool)

FORWARDS:
Luis Fabiano (Sevilla)
Nilmar (Villarreal)
Hulk (Porto)
Robinho (Manchester City)

After 14 months, Rogerio Ceni, the goalie with more goals scored in the history of football, scored again. Goal number 84 (86- but FIFA does not count 2 scored in friendlies) was the winning goal in the derby against Santos. Sao Paulo won 4-3. It was the first goal after the serious injury the goalie had earlier this year.

This is a bit late, but necessary. Brazil lost the final of the U20, but the result was just a detail (besides the fact that young Brazilian squads always lose to African nations). The real question is: what can we expect of those players in the future?

Possibly, 1 or 2 will be adult World Cup material (in my opinion, one of them will be Giuliano). Another 2 or 3 will be very good players in Brazil (Paulo Henrique is a guess). About 4 or 5 will play in known markets in Europe. And another 3 or 4 will play for big Brazilian clubs not as protagonists. But here is the real information:

More than a third will (around 8 ) will be either in the border of the first and second division in Brazil (sometimes even lower), or playing in alternative markets around the globe.

How do I know all this? Besides the gut feeling that there must be something wrong when the main names of a national team is Alex Teixeira and Alan Kardec (who I thought was in his late 20’s), some quick research helps.

Using words of your middle school teach, “the best way to predict the future is to look at the past”. So took a look at the 2003 and 2005 squads. And the reason for that is that players of these 2 squads should be approaching or on the top of their careers.

In 2003, Brazil took the title in the UAE. The squad had the following players – their clubs at the time in parenthesis:

1 Fernando Henrique (Fluminense): Still at Flu. On the bench due to poor performances, he is watching his club going to second division.

2 Daniel Alves (Bahia): Fundamental name at Barcelona and packing to South Africa 2010.

3 Alcides (Vitória): After a spell at Santos and several unsuccessful ones at big European sides (Chelsea, Benfica, PSV Eindhoven), he finds himself at Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine).

4 Adaílton (Vitória): Several injuries and a lot of bench time at Santos.

5 Carlos Alberto (Figueirense): He wasn’t U20 at the time, as later he was suspended in Brazil for faking his age. Left Corinthians for the delight of the fans, and now has the chance of winning the Brazilian title with Atlético-MG.

6 Coelho (Corinthians): Same as above. The only difference is that he is watching from the bench.

7 Daniel Carvalho (Inter): Very promising player, he was called by Dunga in the beginning of his work ahead of the national team. Blew up the chances, and now plays at CSKA.

8 Dudu Cearense (Vitória): Greek champion at Olympiakos.

9 Andrezinho (Flamengo): He is always between the bench and the pitch at Inter, and eventually scores for the side of Porto Alegre through free-kicks.

10 Nilmar (Inter): The Villareal forward is ready for the 2010 World Cup.

11 Dagoberto (Atlético-PR): He is a regular starter at São Paulo, but never repeated the performances he had at the time he played the U20 World Cup.

12 Jefferson (Botafogo): Had transfers to unknown sides such as Trabzonspor and Konyaspor before returning to Botafogo. The goalie is fighting relegation with his club, but is the most reliable keeper Bota had in many years.

13 Kléber (São Paulo): The ex-Dinamo Kiev returned to Brazil and became an idol at Palmeiras. Nowadays, he is one of the names of Cruzeiro, where he lost the final of 2009 Copa Libertadores.

14 Adriano (Coritiba): Regular for Sevilla and missed the chances Dunga gave him.

15 Juninho (Atlético-MG): Since then, his career is in free fall. He is fighting relegation for third division of Brasileiro with Bahia.

16 Jardel (Cruzeiro): Another case of a career that never happened. Plays for Estrela Amadora from Portugal.

17 Gabriel (Ponte Preta): Failed pretty much everywhere (Palmeiras, Fluminese and the football of Israel). Now, he fights relegation to second division of Brasileiro with Sport.

18 Renato Silva (Goiás): Regular starter for São Paulo.

19 Fernandinho (Atlético-PR): Plays for Shakhtar Donetsk.

20 Andrey (Grêmio): Played for many clubs (even in Romania), and now is on the bench for Cruzeiro.

In the 2005, Brazil ended in third and had the following team:

GOALKEEPERS
Renan (Internacional): Played the 08 Olympics and moved to Valencia. Now, is on loan to Xerez, and still dreams (with very little chances) of going to South Africa.

Bruno (São Paulo): In 06, he was in an serious car accident which left him quadriplegic.

Diego (Atlético-MG): Plays for Almeria, and watched the 08 Olympics from the bench.

SIDEBACKS
Rafinha (Coritiba): Got an transfer to Schalke 04, and played the 08 Olympics.

Fábio Santos (São Paulo): After winning the 05 Copa Libertadores and club World Cup for Sao Paulo from the bench, played for Kashima Antlers, Cruzeiro, Monaco, Santos and Grêmio. Never made one fan of all these clubs happy
.
Filipe (Ajax): Plays for La Coruña since 2006, and last season was chosen by UEFA as the best left-back from La Liga. Still dreams of a spot in the 2010 World Cup.

CENTER-BACKS
Leonardo (Santos): Plays for Shakhtar Donetsk.

Edcarlos (São Paulo): Same story as Fabio Santos. The only difference is the the victims were Benfica and Fluminense fans. Fights against relegation to serie B in the Brasileiro.

João Leonardo (Guarani): Never played for big clubs and now is at Barueri.

Gladstone (Cruzeiro): Played for Juventus, Verena, returned to Cruzeiro, Sporting and Palmeiras. Today, is in the relegation zone of Brasileiro with Náutico.

MIDFIELDERS:

Roberto (Guarani): Great talent who never played for a big club. Had spells Celta de Vigo, Salamanca, Racing, Leixões and now is at Marítimo from Portugal.

Diego Souza (Fluminense): Best player of the 09 Brasileiro. Dreams with the title for Palmeiras and a ticket to South Africa.

Arouca (Fluminense): On the bench of São Paulo.

Evandro (Atlético-PR): Played for several clubs in Brazil, and fights for the Brazilian title with Atlético-MG.

Renato (Atlético-MG): Played without much success for Corinthians, Vasco and Maccabi Haifi. At Botafogo (his current club), he just wants to stay in first division.

Ernane (Bahia): Plays for the small side of Cabofriense from Rio.

Fellype Gabriel: Plays for Portuguesa,where he hopes to return to the first division of Brasileiro.

FORWARDS

Rafael Sobis (Internacional): Was the main name of the 06 Copa Libertadores title of Inter. Had chances with Dunga in the beginning of his work, but decided to make money at Al-Jazira.

Quirino (Atlético-MG): Explores alternative markets. Played for 2 years in Sweden at Djurgarden-SUE, and now is at Consadole Sapporo from Japan.

Bobô (Corinthians): Left Corinthians for the happiness of the fans. Plays for Besiktas from Turkey, and got even a call to the friendly Brazil – Ireland.

Diego Tardelli (São Paulo): Current top scorer of Brasileiro and dreams of South Africa.