FIFA Soccer 2008 - Who Will Be On The Cover?

FIFA Soccer 2008 - Who Will Be On The Cover?

Every year it’s the same. Who will we see on the cover of FIFA Soccer/Football this year?

I’ve previously covered the announcement of FIFA 2008 or FIFA Soccer 2008 as it will be known in the US. Now more details have surfaced.

Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Barcolona’s Ronaldinho will headline a global lineup of superstar athletes to be featured on the front packs of FIFA Soccer 2008. Ronaldinho will be the center-piece of global packaging and marketing campaigns. He will also be placed on FIFA 2008 covers alongside star players from select teams around the world.

This means there will be a specific cover for selected countries. So who will it be? Well, the following list is the confirmed names.

The players appearing on the cover of FIFA Soccer 2008 in North America and the United Kingdom will be revealed next month. I’m not sure who it will be yet, but a guess could be Freddy Adu from Real Salt Lake and David Beckham from…well..LA Galaxy.

Now the goodness doesn’t stop here. EA also revealed that many of the players who will be appearing on its FIFA Soccer 2008 covers are participating in state-of-the-art body motion capture at a private facility in Barcelona, Spain. Cover stars Ronaldinho, Klose, Ramos, Barnetta, and Ivanschitz are being motion captured for the EA SPORTS FIFA videogame development team. The body movements, individual moves and playing style of each player is being captured, digitized and will become the life-like movement of the virtual players in future versions of EA’s FIFA Soccer games.

“We are proud to call some of the world’s best soccer athletes our partners. The access, guidance and insight they give us means that FIFA Soccer 08 will create a next gen experience that not only looks authentic, but that captures the emotion, finesse and beauty of the game,” said Joe Booth, senior producer for FIFA Soccer 08.

“Ronaldinho and all the FIFA Soccer 08 cover stars bring a passion for the sport that is raw and true. They enjoy helping us bring that real-world experience into the game,” said Matt Bilbey, International Director, EA SPORTS. “Their expert skills, commitment to success and passion for soccer inspire our development team and help us make FIFA Soccer 08 the most natural-feeling soccer videogame in the world.”

FIFA Soccer 2008 is scheduled for world wide release this fall on the Xbox 360, the PLAYSTATION 3, the PlayStation 2, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, PC and mobile.

Who do you think will be on the cover from the UK and US? Who should be on the cover from your country? Personally I think Michael Gravgaard from FC Copenhagen, Denmark should be on the Danish cover.

For further details and to discuss FIFA 08 please visit FIFA 2008 News.

Cristiano Ronaldo wows crowd in Man Utd win

Cristiano Ronaldo wows crowd in Man Utd win

By Mark Ogden in Seoul

Cristiano Ronaldo was handed Manchester United's No 7 shirt and a billing as the club's new clothes horse when he replaced David Beckham at Old Trafford in the summer of 2003.

Four years on, the Portuguese forward has undoubtedly claimed Beckham's place as the darling of the Far East, judging by the frenzied reception his every touch received in the 4-0 victory against FC Seoul yesterday. And, while Chelsea attempt to steal some of Beckham's thunder by providing the opponents for his LA Galaxy debut in California today, United are content to give America the cold shoulder as they prepare to enhance their brand awareness in more ripe and passionate regions.

Ronaldo, who has been treated to Beatles-like adulation since United arrived in the Far East on Monday and can probably only imagine what awaits when he touches down in the former Portuguese colony of Macau today, dazzled against Seoul by scoring one and making other goals for Wayne Rooney and Chris Eagles before Patrice Evra wrapped up the victory in the second half.

United's own research suggests that they have a staggering 75 million fans worldwide, 40.7 million of whom live in Asia as opposed to just 4.6 million in North America. Little wonder, then, that chief executive David Gill believes the American dream is one not worth pursuing.

He said: "Chelsea, over the last few years, have been having a great time in America, which is fine. But we do what's right for us and we're comfortable with the opportunities with our history, our ground, our heritage, the way we play football, etc. Those are key assets to Manchester United.

"Is America ever going to be as passionate as the Asian market? I wouldn't have thought so. You see what the following is like over here. You see all the coverage and the amazing support we have. There is huge interest.

"There's a lot of interest and appetite for Premier League football and for Manchester United in particular. That's where the Glazers see the growth and that's where we see the growth.

"Where next? I think Africa is an interesting one. There's clearly a great following for the Premier League in Africa and we are going back to South Africa next summer. There may be issues in certain countries, but nonetheless, there's a lot of money in Nigeria for example.

"There is a huge following for English football in Nigeria and, as more and more African players come to the Premier League, you can see that getting greater."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has seen the club's star shine brightly countless times in the Far East, but even he has been taken aback by the reception the club have received in Seoul.

He said: "I'm sure we will be coming back to South Korea because the reception we have received has been excellent. It's a phenomenon that we can create in some parts of the world. We consider ourselves a major global brand. North Korea wouldn't be a problem for me and if the occasion arises and we get the right conditions, it won't be a problem. Vietnam is another area where we have great affection."

Match details

Manchester United (4-4-2): Van der Sar (Kuszczak h-t); Bardsley (Simpson h-t), Ferdinand, Vidic (Evans 76), Silvestre; Eagles, Carrick (Scholes h-t), O'Shea, Evra; Ronaldo (Smith h-t), Rooney (Giggs h-t).
Subs: Heaton, Brown, Fletcher.
Goals: Ronaldo (5), Eagles (18), Rooney (20), Evra (59).
Booked: Bardsley, Vidic, Scholes.

Manchester United held 2-2 by J-League champions

Manchester United held 2-2 by J-League champions

pitch. After Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick failed to find the target with early efforts, Ronaldo brought the 58,716 fans to their feet in the 24th minute with a cracking, 20-metre shot that Urawa keeper Ryota Tsuzuki did well to palm away.

A minute later, United found themselves 1-0 down when Uchidate fired off a speculative shot from 25 metres that wrong-footed Edwin van der Saar in the United goal.

In the dying minutes of the first half, Rooney burst into life, first setting up a free header for Paul Scholes, then running 50 metres through the Reds defence, before firing off a low shot that was also saved by Tsuzuki.

United drew level in the second minute of the second half when Michael Carrick set up Fletcher for a low drive from 10 metres. After a Rooney cracker that just cleared the bar, United took the lead in the 52nd minute.

Giggs released Ronaldo on the left and the Portuguese player cut in and finished off the move with a crisp, low drive from 20 metres. The home side kept attacking and were rewarded for some enterprising play with an equaliser in the 78th minute.

Brazilian Robson Ponte linked up with Makoto Hasebe on the edge of the box to set up former Feyenoord midfielder Ono, who dummied to his left and then slid the ball past Van der Saar to make the score 2

Bipasha Basu & Cristiano Ronaldo Caught Kissing

Bipasha Basu & Cristiano Ronaldo Caught Kissing

One of Bipasha’s dreams came true at Lisbon. “I got to meet my favourite footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. For two months I had been raving to my boyfriend John that I’d meet Cristiano at IIFA. They had promised to make him walk with me. I was crushed when it didn’t happen.

Who was to know that I’d party with him just weeks after IIFA?! I was like a fan to begin with. But after we bonded we just became two individuals bonding as buddies over an important international event. We’re pals now. If I ever have to see a football game all I’ve to do is ask Cristiano.”

Bipasha became a football fan ever since she met John. “I’ve been Cristiano’s fan for five years…Both John and I. I haven’t yet told him the details of my partying with Cristiano. I will as soon as he returns from his outdoors.”

Actually the duo hit so well that Ronaldo, who has reportedly been dating former Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson for months, was spotted kissing Bips at a VIP party in his home country of Portugal.

An onlooker told the leading tabloid: “Cristiano and Bipasha were all over each other. They were kissing and he was being very tender, cupping her face and staring into her eyes.”

When asked about the ‘Kiss’, Bipasha said: “Yes, it is me in the picture. It was taken at an opportune moment and has been taken out of context. Again, it looks like a case of irresponsible assumptions.”

Bipasha danced and partied with The Man United footballer until her sole was bruised. “I felt like a princess. He paid me so many compliments. He danced with me throughout the night.

There were 50,000 jealous women staring at us. I must’ve got so much Portuguese bud-dua that night. The local girls wanted to murder me. Now he wants to e-mail me regularly”.

During dinner Cristiano told Bipasha he’s a big fan of Bollywood. “I thought he was just trying to be sweet. I told him he didn’t have to say he liked Bollywood films just to please me. But he called his mother, spoke to her in Portuguese.

She loves Indian films for their emotional content. That wasn’t the end of it. Cristiano fished out his cellphone and made me hear Tujhse naraaz nahin from Masoom. He said, ‘Now do you believe me?’

Bipasha laughs at the memory hours after landing back in Mumbai. “Though he looks older, Cristiano is very young….just a boy. Now I’ve told him I’m only his fan on the field. Beyond the field he’s my friend.

I’ve told him I’m his first Indian friend. We discussed John and my football film Goal. I’ve invited Cristiano to India.”

Ronaldo's kiss with Bollywood star creates stir

Ronaldo's kiss with Bollywood star creates stir

MUMBAI - A picture of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo kissing a Bollywood star has caught the attention of the Indian media, and caused speculation about a romantic link between the sultry actress and the footballer.

The two met in Lisbon at the weekend where they had gone for a show to announce the new seven wonders of the world, named following an online poll.

Indian papers on Wednesday picked up a British tabloid picture showing Ronaldo, 22, kissing 28-year-old Bipasha Basu.

They reported that the after the show, the two got "physical" while partying at a Lisbon club.

The picture has created a stir in gossipy Bollywood, but Basu told the Hindustan Times newspaper the kiss had been taken out of context.

"Yes, it is me in the picture," she said. "It was taken at an opportune moment...it looks like a case of irresponsible assumptions."

The Indian media has reported that the relationship between the tall actress -- whose raunchy dance numbers are popular among male fans -- and hunky Bollywood actor John Abraham was in trouble and that the couple was on the verge of a split.

Ronaldo is said to be dating model and actor Gemma Atkinson.

The Times of India newspaper quoted Basu as saying that she was "totally floored" by Ronaldo, who showered her with praise.

"Meeting him was a dream come true. After the event, we went out clubbing, and that was simply fantastic," she was quoted as saying.

"He is so cute and it was strange when he called me cute ... He is a friend now and he has promised me that I will be invited for all his matches."

Basu said the Portuguese winger told her that he was a fan of Bollywood films.

"I was surprised when he told me that his mum watches old Hindi film movies," she told The Times of India.

Ronaldo signed up for Manchester United in August 2003 for 12.2 million pounds, and was named 2006-07 Footballer of the Year in May by the English Football Writers' Association and the Professional Footballers' Association.

Man Utd's Ronaldo future leader

Man Utd's Ronaldo future leader

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says no-one can question the leadership and maturity of Manchester United wing ace Cristiano Ronaldo.

At the launch of Ronaldo's book, 'Moments', Scolari revealed: "When we lost the final of the Euros [in 2004], here in Portugal, he was the first one to say to everyone in the dressing room that this was only the first step, that many more chances to win would come to this team if we wanted them.

This display of leadership, at his age, marked him as someone different."

Asked to rate Ronaldo, Scolari added: "Luckily I do not qualify to vote on such awards as I am coach of Portugal. I don't know if he's No1, there are other players in the world who are also capable of great things."

CRISTIANO RONALDO IS THE POOL BOY

CRISTIANO RONALDO IS THE POOL BOY

CRISTIANO RONALDO IS THE POOL BOY

I just love the technique ... I think the shirtless factor has a lot to do with it ;-) Another shot of Cristiano Ronaldo playing pool HERE

Ronaldo's Best: 20 Goals or I'll Shave My Head

Ronaldo's Best: 20 Goals or I'll Shave My Head

Few things in sports are more fun than the hair bet. We love seeing Lou Pinella tell his team that he'll dye his hair any color they want if they win three straight, or then-Virginia basketball head coach Terry Holland tell his team he'll spike his hair if they beat Duke. (Or was it North Carolina? Man, that was a long time ago...)

Anyway, it seems that Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is making just this kind of bet with manager Alex Ferguson. A source inside the club told The Sun that Ronaldo told Ferguson that if he didn't score 20 Premier League goals next season, he would shave his head.

Clearly, nobody's rooting for Ronaldo more than his hairdresser, who might go out of business if he loses this bet. Plus, there's no word on whether Ferguson would have to shave his head if the Portuguese star gets 20 or more. Either way, it should make Man U just a little more interesting to watch next season.

Ronaldo defends trickery

Ronaldo defends trickery

Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo has rejected claims that his array of trickery both during warm-ups and in matches is simply showboating.

Ronaldo, 21, has often courted criticism for his on-pitch actions, but rather than performing his variety of tricks and turns to merely show off, the Portugal international claims he is playing the only way he knows how.

"I cannot help caressing the ball or enjoying juggling," he said in an extract from his new book 'Moments'.

"I used to do it when I played in the street, I kept on doing it all throughout my training and I still do it now. And I will keep on doing it.

"This is the real Ronaldo. I believe that when people see me on the pitch playing with the ball before the beginning of the warm-up, they may be tempted to think that this is nothing but a charm offensive or showing off.

"If this is what you think then you are wrong, because I do it naturally. Before matches, both for the club and when I play for Portugal, I always have the same routine.

"I do it just for pleasure, but there is also another reason - to put an end to any tension before the match.

"This is the way I have of motivating myself, of relieving the pressure of the match, of calming down, of pre-occupying myself."

Ronaldo named Footballer of the Year

Ronaldo named Footballer of the Year

LONDON (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United was named Footballer of the Year on Friday, completing an unprecedented clean sweep of England’s three major individual honours this season.

The Portugal winger finished ahead of Didier Drogba of Chelsea and United team mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in the 60th vote organised by the Football

"I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to win such an important award, it is a real honour," Ronaldo told the FWA after being informed of his victory in a poll in which an unusually high number of 12 players received votes.

FWA chairman Paul Hetherington said: "(It) completes a remarkable turnaround for the player, who was so heavily criticised during last year’s World Cup for his part in the sending-off of club mate Wayne Rooney when England played Portugal in the quarter-finals.

"It shows in England we do not bear a grudge and can accept and recognise individual brilliance. He was the deserved, overwhelming winner of a poll dominated by United players which underlines their success this season."

The 22-year-old becomes the first United player to win the award since Teddy Sheringham in 2001 and the first Portuguese to land the honour.

Ronaldo was also voted Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers’ Association last month.

The winger, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon for 12.2 million pounds in 2003, has been in inspirational form this season, scoring 22 goals for United.

Although United were knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan on Wednesday, they can still scoop a Premier League and FA Cup double.

Cristiano Ronaldo portada del Fifa Magazine

Cristiano Ronaldo portada del Fifa Magazine

El internacional portugués será la portada del Fifa magazine del mes de julio publicación del máximo organismo mundial de futbol , el Luso es portada bajo el titulo “Showtime-Cristiano Ronaldo o el destino del regateador y su rival” la revista también repasa varios elogios hacia Cristiano Ronaldo de varias figuras míticas del futbol mundial:

“Él hace cosas que nunca he visto antes” declara la antiga glória inglesa Bobby Charlton, capitán de la selección inlgesa campeona del año 66.

“Hoy en dia és el mejor” refuerza Franz Beckenbaure el mejor defensa de todods los tiempos y actual presidente del Bayern de Munich.

Con el subtítulo “El nuevo rey”, el magazine de 6 páginas repasa opiniones de otro ex-compañero de la selección portuguesa y uno de los mejores de la história de Portugal Luis Figo ” Tiene unas culidades excepcionales y es cuestión de tiempo que sea considerado el mejor del mundo” depués repasa la trayectoria y palmarés de la perla Lusa y sus grandes numeros con la selección 12 goles en 36 partidos.

Cristiano Ronaldo es el nuevo rey mediático

Cristiano Ronaldo es el nuevo rey mediático

El portugués Cristiano Ronaldo, del Manchester United, es el nuevo jugador con mayor valor mediático y desbanca de ese puesto de honor al brasileño Ronaldinho, del Barcelona, que ahora es tercero, mientras que el inglés David Beckham, en el Real Madrid hasta esta temporada, sigue cuarto, según un estudio presentado hoy en Madrid por la Universidad de Navarra.

Francesc Pujol, Profesor de la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales de la Universidad de Navarra, y Pedro García del Barrio, de la Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, son los autores del estudio que incluye el ranking de valor mediático de los jugadores, de los clubes y reseña los hitos más importantes de la temporada.

El informe evidencia que la Liga Inglesa ha extendido su supremacía mediática y que junto a Cristiano Ronaldo, el Manchester United son los grandes protagonistas de la temporada.

El actual líder mediático, Cristiano Ronaldo, ha subido 21 puestos desde Septiembre del año pasado a este mes de Junio y ha alcanzado un valor mediático de 12,6 puntos, un poco más que su compañero de equipo, el inglés Wayne Rooney que figura segundo con 12,3.

Ronaldinho ha pasado de ser líder a la tercera posición con 11,9; Beckham mantiene el cuarto puesto con 10,6, y Ronaldo, ahora en el Milán, que era segundo ha bajado hasta la quinta plaza.

El único español entre los veinte primeros es el madridista Raúl González que es decimoctavo. De los jugadores que militan en la Liga española aparecen también el argentino Leo Messi y el camerunés Samuel Eto’o, ambos del Barcelona, en los puestos 12 y 14, respectivamente.

Entre los porteros, el alemán Olivier Kahn, del Bayern Munich, es el que goza de más notoriedad y popularidad. José Reina, del Liverpool, es séptimo, por delante de Iker Casillas, del Real Madrid, octavo y de Víctor Valdés, del Barcelona, que es noveno.

El británico Alex Ferguson (Manchester) encabeza la relación de entrenadores con 15,8 puntos y le sigue muy de cerca el portugués José Mourinho (Chelsea) con 15,2. El italiano Fabio Capello (Real Madrid) es tercero con 10,4; el español Rafael Benítez (Liverpool) cuarto con 9,1 y el holandés Frank Rijkaard (Barcelona) sexto con 7,0.

Los equipos ingleses han desbancado a los españoles. Según los datos manejados, el Manchester United ha apartado del liderato al Real Madrid que esta temporada ha caído a la cuarta posición. El Chelsea es segundo y el Barcelona tercero.

Por último, el estudio indica que el gran acontecimiento mediático de la temporada fue el anuncio del fichaje de Beckham por Los Angeles Galaxy. Este, con 9,0 puntos eclipsa a todos los demás, entre ellos el de los dos goles que marcó Filippo Inzaghi para el Milán en la Final de la Champions League.

Nani 'can emulate Ronaldo'

Nani 'can emulate Ronaldo'

New signing Nani is being tipped to follow in the footsteps of Portugal and United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ricardo Vaz Te, a colleague of Nani in Portugal's unsuccessful European U21 Championships campaign, says his compatriot has the wherewithal to emulate Ronaldo's sensational rise to prominence.

Fellow Portuguese youth international Manuel Fernandes last week sought to curtail comparisons between Nani and Ronaldo, but Vaz Te cannot resist drawing parallels.

"He (Nani) is an amazing player, he's an amazing kid as well, he works very hard and has got a big heart," the Bolton striker told Sky Sports News.

"He got a gift from god which is his talent obviously. I think he can follow in the footprints of Cristiano Ronaldo and I think he's doing it right now.

"If (Carlos) Queiroz deals with him like he did Cristiano he will be a very, very important player for Manchester United."

Just as Fernandes attempted to play down the inevitable expectations which accompany highly-rated youngsters, Vaz Te is adamant that Nani will need time to adapt to life in the Barclays Premier League.

"Nani is just beginning right now, Cristiano Ronaldo two years ago was just the kid with skills but looking to be big, now he's big," he said. "Now he is one of the best in the world, maybe the best in the world.

"Nani is just working that way, obviously he's not the best in the world but he's got all the talent to be the best."

RONALDO: I still get the hairdryer treatment

RONALDO: I still get the hairdryer treatment

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has revealed that he still feels the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson, despite the manager's claims that he has mellowed.

The Manchester United winger believes Ferguson is as capable of giving his players the famous 'hairdryer treatment' as ever.

And Ronaldo insists he was not spared by Ferguson despite being the Premiership's best player in the season that United reclaimed the title.

'Alex Ferguson shakes me up and screams at me now and again,' he told The Sun.

'He is like my mother or my father. He sets my limits and my aims.

'People say he is less explosive than before but he can still get angry.

'He has often shouted at me during half-time, but always to make progress. He is fair.'

Ronaldo also believes Manchester United's recent success demonstrates that the critics were wrong to doubt Ferguson.

'Everybody said he was past it, that the team could not win the Premiership,' he explained.

'But, as he predicted, the team gained in maturity, consistency and balance.

'All the players scored this year and Ferguson knew that was going to happen. He has always been in control.'

Ferguson has laughed off his 'hairdryer' tag and says he has mellowed with age.

The Manchester United boss is both feared and renowned for the reported ferocity of some of his dressing-room team talks.

But the Scot himself says his reputation is a bit of an urban myth, as is one claim that he even used to practice shouting.

In an exclusive interview with Manchester radio station Key 103, being aired this week, he said: 'The problem with being successful in my career is that you have to deal with a lot of myths. I think it was Mark Hughes that started that one, maybe on one occasion when I'd given him a real volley.

'I think the Saturday at the end of the game, if you've not won or not played well, you have to get the message across because winning is important to our club.

'The preparation we give the player every week - we don't ever just criticise in training, everything is positive - and so on a Saturday we expect a result.

'All the work we've put in as coaches, the preparation, the time we've spent going through video analysis and all the physical preparation, the medical care they receive, we expect a result. So I believe in telling them after the game.

'I'm not interested in this 'wait until Monday'.

' I remember when I was younger another manager said to me, 'Wait until Monday, Alex'.

'I said, 'I've no time for Monday', I'm on to another day, I'm thinking about the next match.' - PA Sport.

Kaka casts vote for Cristiano Ronaldo

Kaka casts vote for Cristiano Ronaldo

Brazilian ace Kaka has given his vote to Cristiano Ronaldo for this season’s Ballon d’Or winner.

Many expect the winner of the European Player of the Year gong to be decided between Kaka and Ronaldo, and the AC Milan man says his Premiership-based rival would make a worthy winner of the top accolade.

“For sure, Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win,” Kaka said. “The Portuguese has dragged his team almost single-handedly to win the Premiership crown.

“But then there is my great friend Maldini … it’s incredible that such a champion as Paolo has never won this trophy.”

Cristiano Ronaldo Caught Up With Nelly Furtado Dancer

Cristiano Ronaldo Caught Up With Nelly Furtado Dancer

Manchester United soccerstar Cristiano Roanlod has been caught up with Nelly Furtado dancer recently. British Tabloid The Sun reported that Cristiano Ronaldo went to the Nelly concert with a male pal in Florida earlier this week. After the concert he got to meet one of Nelly dancer — who is of Portuguese descent — backstage at the Hard Rock Seminole Hotel & Casino, still it is not clear what they talked about.

Well I think it just another Cristiano friend or maybe an old pal that he meet, but it could be also his next love affair, what do you think ?

Ronaldo's mother denies Atkinson's claims

Ronaldo's mother denies Atkinson's claims

Gemma Atkinson has been accused of inventing her romance with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo's mother Dolores Aveiro has claimed that the Man United star has never been involved in a relationship with the former Hollyoaks actress.

Atkinson announced that she was Ronaldo's girlfriend in January but he has not confirmed the romance and they have never been pictured together.

"He doesn't have a girlfriend," Dolores insisted. "I put my hands in the fire as he did not go with the girl people say is his girlfriend. I don't know her and don't care if she's beautiful."

A friend of Gemma's told The Sun: "Ronaldo's mother is probably just being protective. I've seen the texts they send and they're definitely boyfriend and girlfriend. Gemma's a down-to-earth lass and not interested in him as a publicity stunt."

AC Milan 2-1 Liverpool Champions League

Champions League: FULL-TIME AC Milan 2-1 Liverpool

AC Milan are champions of Europe for a seventh time.

Happy days in the AC Milan end. They think this is won. Finally changes are made. Alvaro Arbeloa for Steve Finnan and Alberto Gilardino for goal hero Pippo Inzaghi.

Pippo Inzaghi struck twice as AC Milan gained revenge for their 2005 Champions League final defeat against Liverpool with victory in Athens.

Inzaghi scored a freak opener in first-half injury time, unwittingly deflecting Andrea Pirlo's free-kick past a wrong-footed Pepe Reina.

Steven Gerrard missed a glorious chance to equalise before Inzaghi slid home a second eight minutes from time.

Dirk Kuyt pulled one back with a header with two minutes left but time ran out.

Liverpool, as expected, used Dirk Kuyt as a lone front man with captain Gerrard pushed into an advanced role.

And it was a ploy that worked well until Liverpool conceded unfortunately in the dying seconds of the first half.

Jermaine Pennant was also prominent as Liverpool posed the greater threat, forcing a fine save from Dida after Marek Jankulovski had conceded possession.

The much-touted Brazil star Kaka was a peripheral figure early on, but he brought a comfortable save from Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina with a 20-yard drive.

Alonso then came within inches of putting Liverpool ahead after 26 minutes, sending an angled drive just wide after more poor Milan defending.

But after controlling the game, Liverpool conceded needlessly in first-half injury time.

Alonso had committed several careless fouls, and he paid the price for another infringement on Kaka 20 yards out.

Pirlo's free-kick took a crucial deflection off Inzaghi that completely wrong-footed Reina.

Liverpool struggled to exert their superiority in the early stages of the second half, and Benitez made a change after 58 minutes, sending on Harry Kewell for Bolo Zenden.

Gerrard had Liverpool's best chance after 62 minutes after he was sent clear by a dreadful pass by Rino Gattuso, but his finish was weak and Dida saved.

Time was running out for Liverpool, and Benitez made a second change with 13 minutes left, sending on Peter Crouch for Javier Mascherano.

As Liverpool pushed forward, they were punished by a piece of brilliance by Kaka and a trademark piece of ruthless finishing by Inzaghi.

Kaka unlocked Liverpool with a glorious pass and Inzaghi rounded Reina before scoring from an angle.

Crouch then tested Dida with a 25-yard drive as Liverpool tried to mount an unlikely recovery.

Liverpool then pulled one back with two minutes to go when Daniel Agger flicked on Pennant's corner and Kuyt headed home.

But this time there was no dramatic comeback and Milan celebrated wildly.

Champions League Photos

The tension mounts inside the ground as the teams are announced - Rafael Benitez gives Jermaine Pennant a start

The Olympic Stadium is awash with red, despite Liverpool only receiving a fraction of the official ticket allocation

Milan fans are heavily outnumbered by Liverpool supporters but they still manage to make their presence felt

Steven Gerrard finally leads his side out past the trophy as Liverpool continue their quest for a sixth European title

Dirk Kuyt and Paolo Maldini tangle early on as Liverpool find holes in the Milan defence in the opening stages

Pennant shoots across the face of the goal and forces a save from Milan keeper Dida as Liverpool exploit space on the right

Liverpool manage to tie down Pippo Inzaghi and Kaka as Milan struggle to create any telling chances at the other end

But Milan are awarded a free-kick on the stroke of half-time, after Xabi Alonso fouls Kaka on the edge of the box

Andrea Pirlo's free-kick deflects off Inzaghi and into the net, giving Milan the lead against the run of play in Athens

A lucky deflection or not, Inzaghi claims the goal and Milan celebrate snatching the initiative in Athens

The disappointment shows on Gerrard's face as Liverpool trail going into the break despite enjoying the best of the first half

Cristiano Ronaldo - La biographie

Cristiano Ronaldo - La biographie

Cristiano est né le 5 février 1985 à Funchal sur l’île de Madère. Dès son plus jeune âge, il se passionne pour le football. Il joue d’abord au Maritimo Funchal : le club de sa ville natale, puis au Nationale Madère. Les grands clubs portugais s’intéressent rapidement à lui. A l’âge de 11 ans, il arrive au Sporting Club de Lisbonne où il débute sa formation. Il connaît une scolarité difficile, il a de mauvaises notes et on lui reproche son agressivité. En revanche son évolution sportive est impressionnante !

L’entraîneur roumain du Sporting fait appel à lui alors qu’il est seulement âgé de seize ans. Mais de mauvais tests de psychomotricité retardent son entrée dans le monde du football professionnel. C’est seulement deux ans après qu’il intègre l’équipe. Cristiano connaît une ascension fulgurante puisqu’ il évolue à Manchester United en 2004.

Il a 18 ans lorsqu’il est engagé par Alex Ferguson. L’entraîneur mise sur ce jeune talent qu’il suit depuis plusieurs années. Le joueur signe alors un contrat de 5 ans pour 22,5 millions d’euros ! Le championnat anglais lui réussit puisqu’il remporte la coupe d’Angleterre en 2004 ! La meme année il est meme élu l'homme le plus sexy de l'Euro.

Ce footballeur polyvalent et talentueux est capable d’occuper tous les postes de milieu de terrain. C’est pourquoi, le sélectionneur du Portugal : Louis Felipe Scolari l’intègre à l’équipe nationale en août 2003. Il terminera Finaliste du championnat d'Europe en 2004 avec l'équipe nationale du Portugal.

En 2006,il remporte la coupe de la ligue avec Manchester United. Ce jeune joueur est à l'aube d'une grande carrière très prometteuse... Mais le joueur âgé de 21 ans seulement voudrait quitter le club anglais pour partir en Espagne où il voudrait relancer sa carrière.
Le jeune joueur voudrait rejoindre soit le FC Barcelone ou le Real de Madrid… mais pour l’instant rien n’est encore fait.

Pendant la Coupe du Monde en Allemagne, Cristiano Ronaldo emmène son pays le Portugal jusqu'en demi-finale ou ils perdent contre la France.
Le séduisant attaquant est de nouvau élu le joueur le plus sexy!

Il n'y a pas que le foot dans la vie de Cristiano. Grace son physique plus qu'avantageux, il a plusieurs contrats avec des grandes marques. Il apparait dans les spots de Suzuki, Nike ou Pepe Jeans. Il fait meme la couverture du jeu video Fifa Street 2.