The Top 100 Goals of 2011
2012 is flourishing, but it’s not too late to look back on the best goals from last year. Messi is on the list. Ronaldo too. But you already knew that. Some brilliant golazos you might not have seen are on here too.
Highly recommended hidden gems: Hernán Barcos’ exquisite dribbling for Liga de Quito (#94), Nikica Jelavic’s bicycle kick for Rangers (#91), Julio Gómez with another bicycle in the U-17 World Cup (#87), Pa Modou Kah coming out of nowhere with a thunderbolt of a strike (#62), Gualberto Mojica’s one-two to back of the net strike (#55), Lisandro López’s textbook bicycle kick for Arsenal de Sarandi (#21), and Cleiton Xavier’s surreal touch for Metalist Kharkiv (#10).
What was the best goal of 2011 in your opinion?
FC Barcelona vs. Brazil in 1999 - The Full Match
The beginning of the week is never enjoyable, but let’s lessen the dosage of suffering with a glorious find on Youtube. 1999 was FC Barcelona’s centenary year and the whole season was quite the celebration of everything FC Barcelona. The highlight of the season (apart from winning the league title) was a friendly match on the 28th of April against the boys from Brazil who finished 2nd in the 1998 World Cup.
Ronaldo (the original) and Romario were making their return to the Camp Nou, but all eyes were on FC Barcelona maestro Rivaldo. Before the game, Rivaldo said he was happy to wear the Blaugrana jersey, but country won over club and Rivaldo played for his homeland. Legends were aplenty, as Figo (before the Real Madrid transfer) put on a show. Pep Guardiola started the match, but was subbed off at half time. Who subbed him off? Well, a certain young Catalan midfielder named Xavi. The match ended 2-2, and it was a real spectacle for all involved. (Full line-ups listed in the description of the video)
The Clásico of the future on Pro Evolution Soccer 2022?
It’s already kind of getting to us. I know, I know, Real Madrid vs Barcelona isn’t until Saturday, but study breaks are already being filled with mock Clásicos on FIFA 12. I’m sure hundreds of millions of digital Clásicos will be played, this week alone. That’s why when I saw this, my jaw kind of dropped. It was probably around a 3.5 out of 10 on the jaw-dropping scale, if my ratings are in accordance with the stereotypical Russian judge in the Olympics.
Anyway, remember the Second Leg of the Champions League semi-final that ended 1-1 at the Camp Nou? Well, Gökhan Karadayi decided to Pro Evo-ize it in a video he entitled “Pro Evolution 2022.” I found myself searching eagerly for the ‘triangle button’ on my computer, mainly so Xavi would actually play a through ball. Konami, EA, the bar has been set. Anyway, AFR will be formally relaunching in a week (12/12), so mark it in your calendar!
Through Ryu’s Lens - Ligue 1 - PSG vs. Lille, Parc des Princes
Christmas time in Paris does not promise good football. Though PSG were in the spirit of the holidays, as was the weather, the match ended in a nil-nil stalemate despite the best efforts from Edin Hazard and Javier Pastore to break the deadlock. (You can interact with Ryu on twitter @Toksuede)
Help Us Compile the “Best of Football Writing in 2011: AFR and Beyond” List
A year is a long, long time. Tomorrow we’ll be posting the “Best of Football Writing in 2011: AFR and Beyond” list. We haven’t done this before, but we figure if we’re going to do it, we might as well do it right. We’re 50 brilliant pieces deep at the moment, but a few perspectives can only go so far. If there was a piece of writing on AFR or elsewhere that you loved this year, please send it our way on twitter or via email (contact@afootballreport.com). We’re after pieces that hold a sort of timeless value. In the meantime, feel free to lose yourself in our archives. (photo taken by Ryu Voelkel)
Catalunya’s Annual Match. Professionals from six clubs playing for their heritage.
Victor Valdés: “You will be unstoppable”
Xavi: “You make the difference”
Gerard Piqué: “The superstars are you”
Carles Puyol: “We play for you”
Andreu Fontas: “We are your selection”
Joan Verdu: “We’ll wait at the stadium”
Cesc: “For many years I have waited to play in this game”
Álvaro Vázquez: “You have already won”
Johan Cruyff is the manager, striving for Total Football. Tunisia is the opponent. Beyond FC Barcelona and Espanyol, Gimnástic Tarragona, CF Girona, CE Sabadell, and AS Roma will be represented in the match. This is about playing for the people of Catalunya, and isn’t it a welcome novelty during La Liga’s winter break? [more info and photos]
Darren Fletcher, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, Fabio da Silva and Nani of Manchester United in action during a first team training session, ahead of their UEFA Champions League Group C match against Benfica
Chameleon by Tboggi
Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
