FIFA Ballon d'Or Ceremony- Date, Time and Live channels

FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland will host the grand ceremony today with the participation of former and current players of the footballing world. To bestow upon players awards based on their contribution to the sport. Including the biggest accolade of Ballon d'Or to the best player of the year. Here are the timings and the official channels of Live telecast of the event.

Ballon d'Or Gala begins at-
17:30 UK Time
12:30 ET
16:00 GMT
9:30 IST

Live Broadcast on-
Euro Sports (European Countries & UK)
Fox Sports (USA)
Sky Sports 1 HD (UK)
Star Sports 4, HD (Asian countries)
FIFA Official Youtube channel- https://www.youtube.com/fifa

The three nominees for Ballon d'Or were announced in November itself. As usual the dynamic duo's rivalry continues, since both Messi and Ronaldo have been nominated. While a new entry to the list was made by the 23 year old Brazilian, Neymar Jr.

Messi and Neymar, who are part of the formidable Barcelona front alongside Luis Suarez have had a splendid year with the club winning five big titles in the very year of 2015. The Argentine contributing 48 goals will the witty Brazilian forward making his mark with 41 goals.

On the other hand, Ronaldo had a rather unsteady year with Real Madrid slagging behind their arch-nemesis Barcelona. But the score sheet of this Portuguese forward makes him a very strong contender with a total of 54 goals.

Even though varying rumors have been making rounds that Messi will be the winner, it is only time that could tell.

Will it be Ronaldo's yelp?

Or Messi's magic suit?

Or a new rule will be set by the young & charismatic Neymar?



 

FC Barcelona Presents Their 5 Trophies To Camp Nou

On Wednesday, FC Barcelona played the last match of year 2015 against Real Betis, but it was an historic occasion.

Prior to the match, Barca presented to Camp Nou the five trophies won through the year 2015. These titles are: La Liga cup, Copa Del Rey, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World cup.

The players of Betis gave a guard of honour stand to the Blaugrana as the stepped out to the pitch.

It was also the 500th appearance of the Argentine forward Lionel Messi for FC Barcelona.

All in all the club had a phenomenal year with a total of 180 goals, of which 137 goals were scored by the three forwards- Messi(48), Suarez(48) and Neymar(41).

And on this note, I wish all Footballing fans a very happy and victorious NEW YEAR. May life's pitch treat you with opportunities and assist you in scoring all your goals and adding on to your personal trophies. Have a very sporty 2016!


La Liga winners 2015

FIFA Club World Cup winners 2015

UEFA Super Cup 2015

UEFA Champions League winners 2015

Copa Del Rey winners 2015

 

A Sweet Victory For FC Barcelona, One That Would Leave A Sour Taste For Real Madrid

FC Barcelona's 4-0 victory over La Liga rival Real Madrid during the El Clasico on Saturday was quite entertaining and the social media had it's fun with it.

A minute silence was observed in memory of the Paris attacks

On Saturday, at Santiago Bernabeu, the home team got thrashed by the visitors as Luis Suarez scored twice and Neymar and Iniesta also added goals.


Los Blanco's strategy fell apart when Suarez scored in the 10th minute. Their defences were weak and goalkeeper Keylor Navas was left helpless.

Along with Suarez, Neymar and Iniesta added to the scoreboard

Barcelona dominated the possession throughout the game. The Brazilian Forward Neymar who has had an outstanding performance in absence of Messi was the second to score at 38th minute.

The second half was inaugurated by the Benitez band with multiple attemps to get the game back, but Barca goalkeeper Claudio Bravo did a splendid job in tackling those shots. The Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta was the next to score at 53rd minute.

The Uruguayan then put the game out of R.Madrid's reach by gaining a goal at the 73 minute. With this victory the Catalonian club has a 6-points lead over the Los Merengues.

FC Barcelona Coach Luis Enrique and Real Madrid Coach Rafa Benitez post match

Lossing the game against their eternal rivals has now opened rumors of Coach Rafa Benitez possibly getting sacked. Whether it was his tactics that failed the team or the lack of team effort is still a matter of speculation.

Barca forward Lionel Messi being defended by the French defender Raphael Varane 

Another highlight of the night was that Barca forward Lionel Messi though began the game on bench was brought in at 57th minute.

The last few minutes Real Madrid had to play with ten men as midfielder Isco got sent away for a bad tackle on Neymar.

Chilean goalkeeper gets Ronaldo's classic shot to the face

The hero of the night was undoubtedly the Chilean goalkeeper Bravo who was stretch and pushed to his limits yet came out unfathomed.

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvuzdgyo0GQ

Post match the fans had their fun by trolling Real Madrid on Twitter and other social media site, they are kind of brutal. Some of the images are displayed below.

 

"Watch me Whip Whip, Watch me Nae Nae" was the message Neymar had for his critics

After facing a shocking 2-1 defeat against Sevilla pre-international break, FC Barcelona are back with a bang as Neymar scores four goals.

FC Barcelona forward Neymar Jr was at the top of his game

Neymar who's form was much in question since magic man Messi being out of action, has stepped up his game and scored 4 out of 5 goals for FC Barcelona against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday night. The match ended 5-2 as Neymar brought the game home with his outstanding performance.

The night at Camp Nou was kick started by Rayo with an early goal at 14th minute by Javi Guerra, but the lead didn't last long as Neymar scored two back to back penalty at 22nd and 32nd minute.

Javi Guerra celebrates along with Rayo teammates

The two goals were penalties rewarded to Neymar after being tripped by Rayo player Diego Llorente. The Brazilian scored his first with a shot to the left corner of the net while sending the goalkeeper the other way. 

Neymar takes a spot-on penalty

Barcelona would have had the game from the beginning if Ivan Rakitic who raced past the Rayo players only to met Rayo goalkeeper Tono who blocked the shot.

Both sides had multiple opportunities to score and equalise but goalkeepers Bravo and Tono were put to work and had some splendid saves through the game.

The second half started with Rayo trying to gain back the match, but the Brazilian Forward striked yet again with two goals with in a minutes span.

At 69th minute, Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez made his way to the goal but was denied by the goalkeeper with a poor clearance. The rebound was picked up by none other than Neymar who registered his hat-trick for the night.

Neymar celebrates his hat-trick with a groove

A minute later, Suarez assisted Neymar to his fourth. The Brazilian then sent a cross from the left-hand side for Suarez who sent the volley in for a fifth one for Barcelona at 77th minute.

FC Barcelona forward Luis Suarez celebrates a well-deserved goal

The night hadn't ended till Jozabed scored a compensatory goal at 86th minute for Rayo, taking their count for goals to two.

Barcelona talisman Messi and Midfielder Iniesta were surely missed but Neymar did seem to rise to the occasion. It seems like the special diet that the Brazilian boy was put on during the international break surely did payoff!

Watch Highlights:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdrD30EKWIc

Post-match Neymar applauded the efforts of his teammates

Neymar cherished his victory by taking the game ball

Neymar celebrating his goal with fellow forward Suarez

Neymar celebrating his first goal with Suarez

 

Xavi Lashed Out Says, "It Leaves A Bad Taste In Mouth" Over Iker Casillas Exit

 Former Spain teammate Xavi Hernandez has condemned Real Madrid for failing to give the Captain and Goalkeeper Iker Casillas a deserved farewell.

Iker Casillas breaks down at the press conference in Bernabeu

Casillas who has been a part of Real Madrid team for 15 years, since his joining in 1990, was left to sit alone in the press conference held to announce his exit to join Porto.

The 34 year old was tearful and choked up several times as he read the farewell note after 16 glorious seasons at Bernabeu.

The club saw criticism from both fans and other players, fans gathered outside the club stadium in Madrid and chanted for president Florentino Perez to quit.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez

In response Real Madrid gave a official farewell to Casillas the next day on Monday. Fans gathered in huge number and bid goodbye to the now Porto goalkeeper with chants and ovations.

The treatment of Spain goalkeeper was exactly opposite to the farewell that his Spanish teammate Xavi, who joined Qatar club Al-Sadd, received from his former club FC Barcelona after playing 17 seasons.

Thus, Xavi expressed his discontent and spoke to Spanish daily La Vanguardia on Tuesday that Casillas is a "good person" and deserves to be treated better.


Iker Casillas and his Spain teammate Xavi Hernandez

Xavi said, "I look at Iker and I have the feeling that lately he is playing under pressure, as if he has to prove what a great keeper he is in every match, without the joy he always had.

"In recent years I have seen that he is not enjoying himself like before. He even seems bitter and I think everyone in this country should think about this.

"It cannot be that people neglect to value everything they have done for their sport and instead focus on their defects, sometimes with malicious intent."   

Casillas, who had one year left on his contract, won three Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles with Real and holds the record for Spanish caps (162), winning two European Championships and the World Cup.

An Emotional farewell for both Iker Casillas and fans

 Xavi drew a comparison with Gianluigi Buffon, the Italy and Juvetus goalkeeper, stating that at 37 he still enjoys every match he plays.

The Al-Sadd player further added, "That's why it leaves a bad taste what is happening with him now".

The former Barcelona player mentioned his best wishes to Casillas, "He is going to Porto and I am sure he will be welcomed as a hero. Away from here they will appreciate him more."

Iker Casillas posed with the trophies he had haul during his time at Real Madrid

Iker Casillas Trophies:
5 La Liga (2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2012)
3 Champions League (2000, 2002, 2014)
2 European Championship (2008, 2012)
2 Copa del Rey (2011, 2014)
1 World Cup (2010)
1 Club World Cup (2014)

"Above all, more so than being remembered as a good or bad goalkeeper, I hope that I’m remembered for being a good person."

-Iker Casillas, Former Real Madrid Goalkeeper



Former Real Madrid player Mesut Ozil sends his best wishes

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo sends his wished via Twitter 



David Beckham took on Instagram to wish his former Real teammate