World cup 2010 news

One of Algeria's main attacking threats, fleet-footed striker Abdelkader Ghezzal is hoping to lead the line for the Desert Foxes this summer.

One of Algeria's main attacking threats, fleet-footed striker Abdelkader Ghezzal is hoping to lead the line for the Desert Foxes this summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave the world one very poorly worded quote this week. When the Real Madrid player was asked about the possibility of one day joining Barcelona, he responded:

“Barca? At this time, Madrid is my home and my club Real Madrid but I can never say never. I do not know what will happen in the future, you never know.”

No Ronnie, no! Everyone knows you don’t say that. Even if you’re thinking it, you don’t say it out. Don’t you remember Luis Figo and the severed pigs head? Is that what you want? Ronaldo was apparently booed at the Madrid Open tennis tournament for his poorly chosen words.

But as WorldCupBlog business manager Ian said when sending me the above story: “I guess loyalty which can be bought once…”

Which got me thinking… I know Ronaldo is loyal to the Portugal national team. But maybe that’s only because he has to be. So imagine for a moment a world where passports and citizenship can be bought and sold, and Cristiano Ronaldo could leave the Portugal national team and sign for the highest bidder.

Brazil? England? Spain? At this time, Portugal is my home and my team but I can never say never. I do not know what will happen in the future, you never know.”

Which national team do you think he would join?

As we all know, that nasty Achilles tendon injury means David Beckham will not be playing for England at World Cup 2010. Which is sad because it would have been Becks last World Cup hurrah. But he will almost certainly still be there in some capacity. Here’s what Goldenballs himself told the BBC today:

“They have made me well aware that I have a role to play with the players and the team,” said the 34-year-old.
“We have not discussed specifics but I am honoured that a manager of Fabio’s status feels I can be important.”

I want to keep this respectful, because I can’t help but like Beckham as an individual. But I’m curious as to exactly what Beckham can contribute. He’s not really a coach, and has not shown any inclination that he ever wants to become one. Plus there’s the fact that he’s still limping around with that injury.

“Everyone knows with Fabio Capello and his staff you are there for a reason and that is to help the team and to be successful,” he added. “I am hoping to travel with the team but obviously we’ll have to see how my therapy goes.”

(That’s physical therapy, not head doctor therapy, before anyone cracks an easy joke.)

So what exactly will Beckham be doing? I suspect that a massive clue came today, when Beckham delivered England’s (gigantic) official World Cup 2018/2022 bid book to Sepp Blatter in Zurich. Whatever you think of Beckham the player, he’s now a bona fide world class ambassador/spokesman.