Lionel Messi : Decoded

So, for all you people who are slowly recovering from the fact that Messi missed a penalty and those Madridistas who are having a fiesta right now with all your pipas, adidas has released a new advert telling the secret to Leo Messi's success. Or is it?

Is it also a cheeky slap in the face at Nike after their "Write The Future" ad took the football world by storm and in the process, cursing the poor players (and Roger Federer) who all appeared as the main story line of the story i.e Rooney, Ronaldo, etc. ??

Or more directed at CR7 as well?

Someone on youtube pointed out this. "CR7 at 0:44 and 1:00" . Watch it. And Feel it.

Messi Misses Penalty In Barcelona Loss, And Showing The World That He Is Only A Human

Barcelona's 3-1 lose to Betis in the Copa Del Rey was not the least shocking news of the day. Lionel Messi, probably the greatest ever, missed a penalty. Missed. MISSED.MISSSEEDD!!!!

Anyway *calms self* , we also need to realize that Messi is only human and makes mistake like anyone else. Because he is human. Not alien.

If he was, he would be the cute one, though.

Messi Craze Induced Week

This week has been filled with too much Lionel Messi. But I am certainly not complaning.

Messi's award speech.... Skip for those who despise humility and oh, Barcelona.

Our boy, Lionel Messi won the FIFA Ballon D'Or for the 2nd time (in a row!!) with teammates Iniesta and Xavi coming behind. And the MOST IMPORTANT information, he is wearing a tux by Dolce & Gabbana.

Later in the plane, the three nominees as well as unbleeding Pique toasted good luck with some bubblay...

Messi was at the Camp Nou with his trophy a couple of days later to parade his trophy with Andres and Xavi. Off Topic: His smile brighten's up my day...

Oh yeah, as usual Messi scored a superb goal against Betis in the Copa Del Rey. Typical stuff from Messi and Iniesta who assisted the Messiah.

Messi Never Dives! Take Note C-Ron

Maybe Lionel Messi was a diver during the old days where he was styling THAT long hair but now with a better and shorter crop, he just uses those incredible feet to show the rest of us mere mortals some of that Messi-Magic.

Cristiano, you better jot down some notes here.

Dimi Wins Bulgarian Footballer Of The Years, Demands Not To Be Voted Anymore

Dimitar Berbatov has been voted Bulgarian Footballer of the Year for the 7th (yes you read that right) time in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and now 2010. During the acceptance speech he asked the people to stop voting for him so one of the younger players can win the award.

“I prefer to see some of the younger lads winning the award. Please, don’t vote for me anymore.”

Here's a parody that is related. Press CC for English subtitles. Watch it! You'll fall due to extreme humour of this video.

Just For Fun: Research On Messi's Hair

Left: The Old One Right: The New Shorter Crop

Lionel Messi is not just a footballer. He is adored by kids, envied by men (even the tall ones) and stalked by women .

He rules this world and its people. Everybody loves Leo. His bedroom eyes, his height (or lack of) , the way he plays football and I am so totally digging his new look.

The picture on the right is the crop he played with during El Clasico (the picture is not from El Clasico, I know. Its the same do) and on the left, we have Leo during the Espanyol game with a shorter do.

Are you pro Messi-with-his-long-above-shoulder hair or you likey Messi-with-short-sexy-schoolboy hair?

Tell me your opinion in the comments section and if you want to here more of my ramblings, follow me on Twitter.

Abidal Celebrates Pedro's Goal By Slapping Messi

Eric Abidal accidentally gave Lionel Messi a slap in the face after Pedro ( or Pedrito, as I like to call him) scored a goal in the El Derbi Barceloni ( Catalan derby) between Barcelona and Espanyol. Abidal slapped Messi as he was going to involve himself in their post-goal celebration group hug.

The ever so cool Messi just left it in the back of his head.

Messi Shops With His Mother In Milan

As spotted by the lovely ladies at Kickette, Lionel Messi was seen shopping with his mother in the fashion capital of Milan.

Awww..he is helping his mom look fabulous! I suddenly love him more.

Messi's Napkin Contract

In 2000, 13 year old Lionel Messi's father threatened to bring back Messi to Argentina if a deal could not be struck between Leo and FC Barcelona.

A meeting was held between both parties including sporting director Carles Rexach in a restaurant and Carles asked a barman to bring over a pen and paper but then the barman ends up giving a serviette.

Little did he know that what was going to be written on it would be a piece of footballing as Lionel Messi signed his first contract for the Catalans on THAT napkin.

Just imagine how much is that napkin worth now?

The video shows the holy napkin and Messi's skills when he was a teenager and boy, was he good.

The Messi-ah With His Disciples

Not exactly but in another world, it would make perfect sense.

He'd blend in with all of those cute kids any day.

Thirty-three lucky school children were able to participate in an UNICEF organized event in support of children's rights. They got to quiz Leo Messi too.

Click here to read Leo's interview. He talks about his decision to leave Argentina ( which resulted in him crying. *sobs*) , his responsibility as a role model, the crisis in Haiti and his life-long commitment to Barcelona.

El Clásico: What A Crazy Game

Yesterday's El Clásico was living up to its expectation, which was goals but not quite for Real Madrid since Barcelona won 5-0 at the Nou Camp against Jose Mourinho's Los Blancos. It did get a little bit dirty though.

A fracas began when Ronaldo pushed Guardiola in the first half. Guardiola was having the match ball on the sidelines and

The incident came about when a ball went into touch and was picked up by Guardiola. When Ronaldo came to take the ball for the throw-in, Guardiola held the ball away from the player with this right hand. After Ronaldo spend a moment reaching for the ball, Guardiola flicked the ball away, along the sideline. As Ronaldo turned toward the ball, frustration was obvious in Ronnie's face and he pushed Guardiola away.

Note to Ronnie: If you were still at United, Fergie would have murdered you for that.

More fights came in stoppage time after Sergio Ramos fouled Lionel Messi. After his foul, all the players went to the referee with Ramos pushing his own Spain teammate, Carles Puyol causing the referee to show a red card to Ramos. In the video below, you can also see in the end, Gerard Pique fighting with his Spanish teammate, Iker Casillas

And yes, the goals.

UEFA Club Footballer of the Year Nominees...

Last season, Internazionale won the treble. And their Nerazurri's are also the players dominating the list which includes Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito, Julio César, Maicon and Lucio. Barcelona came in second with two nominees, Victor Valdes,Xavi and Gerard Pique. Arjen Robben and Hugo Lloris also made the cut with Wayne Rooney being the only Englishman and player from the Premier League to be in the nominees' list.

The Nominees Are:

Julio César of Inter Milan

Hugo Lloris of Olympique Lyonnais

Victor Valdes from FC Barcelona

Lucio of Inter

Maicon of Inter Milan who won the treble with José Mourinho last season.

The Very Sexy Catalan Gerard Pique also is nominated.

Wesley Sneijder was a key part of Inter's success as the playmaker lead them to their first ever treble.

While Sneijder's former club teammate and international colleague, Arjen Robben also had a terrific season with Bayern Munich by helping them doing the domestic double and leading them to the final of the Champions League.

The very cute Xavi Hernandez also gets his work for Barcelona noticed.

Possibly the best player in the world, Lionel Messi may have another award to add to his already large collection.

Diego Milito of Internazionale. Like I said, Inter dominates the nominees list.

Last but not the least, as I save the best for last....the one and only Wayne Rooney. Rooney was key to United's winning ways with him being named PFA Player of the Year.

Oh yeah, results to be revealed on 26th of August in Monaco, when the draw for this season's group stage is made.

Rooney: Messi is THE Best in the world

Lionel Messi is the best player in the world, according to his rival Wayne Rooney.

The Manchester United striker is the favourite to win the PFA Player of the Year this evening and could become the third player to land both the outright gong and the Young Player award.

Rooney, who could miss the rest of United's season after picking up a groin injury on Thursday, has enjoyed the campaign of his career after smashing 34 goals to elevate him as one of the top players in world football.

But the 24-year-old believes Barcelona's Messi is more deserving of the ultimate accolade and has hailed him as the outstanding star of his generation.

"It's nice that people put me up there, but I think Lionel Messi is the best in the world," he toldUnited Review.

"The things he can do with the ball are unbelievable and he is scoring a lot of goals as well.

"He has been fantastic again this year. He is the best player in the world."

CR9 is More Selfish than Leo ...(100 percent agreed)

A study of C-Ron and Leo, conducted by the University of Coruna in Spain, has revealed some interesting stats:

• More than 80% of Barcelona’s passing moves involve Messi, compared to 60% in the case of Ronaldo and Real Madrid. Conclusion: Messi is more influential and more of a team player. Ronaldo tends to go it alone more often.

• Messi is slightly quicker over short distances – the Argentine hit speeds of up to 20km/h over the first five metres (18km/h was Ronaldo’s top speed). But over longer distances, Ronaldo has the edge, with a top speed of 30km/h over the 12-16m range (Messi reached 28km/h).

• When dribbling, Messi takes more touches than Ronaldo. I.e. Messi’s control is tighter, whereas the longer-striding Ronaldo tends to push the ball out in front of him.

• In dead-ball situations, Ronaldo (119km/h) has a faster shot than Messi (just 95km/h).

Interesting stuff. The study also concluded that in terms of running with the ball, Ron and Leo are the two quickest players of all time.

Advice to C-Ron: Less selfish and u might just win the Ballon D'or once more...

Gerard Pique Launches Autobiography

His book, Viatge D'Anada i Tornada which means "Return Trip"

Lionel Messi also popped to the launch and guessing by thickness of the book, he is around the 50th page if i am not mistaken...

He was also seen carrying the Champions League ball which he scored 4 goals to demolish Arsenal's hope of reaching the first final in 4 years...and the ball was signed by teammates...

pictures from GirlUnited

Party Boys!

Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuaín and Barcelona's Lionel Messi were out and about partying in where?? Turkey....wow...The Argentinians do live to the motto "Play hard, Party harder"

Pepsi's New Ad!

Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Ricardo Kaká, Frank Lampard, Andrei Arshavin and Didier Drogba star in Pepsi's new global football advert. Akon whose brand new track 'Oh Africa' accompanies the commercial also dropped by to make a cameo.

All the stars of the ad...

Maybe Arshavin is giving a lecture on why woman should be banned from driving?

ok...Lionel Messi may have realized he have man boobs and Didier Drogba can't take his eyes of them.

Lamps looks too tan in Africa.

Well, at least someone took of their shirt for my viewing pleasure.