The World Wildlife Fund wants Messi to wear a Real Madrid jersey for a day
If I supported Real Madrid, I’d be pumping up my bike tires as I type this. In an effort to spread awareness for Earth Hour, which is an hour of “uniting people to protect the planet”, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has celebrities teaming up with the organization to help spread awareness of Earth Hour and promote sustainable habits. Now, by no means does this suggest that Messi will actually put on the Madrid shirt, but his image serves as an example because of Messi’s proactive role as UNICEF ambassador. Alongside Leo are the likes of Coldplay (if you want to hear a show on Youtube) or Matt Damon (if you want to see him tortured and get hypothermia).
Find more info on Earth Hour here. March 31st at 8:30pm.
Source: afootballreport
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)
Source: afootballreport
Time-Lapse Camp Nou
Egoi Suso Rius decided that capturing a match, in its entirety, at the Camp Nou would be something special. It’s been done before, but not in 110 seconds. Egoi chose to film the Barçelona vs. Osasuna match in January and the results are fantastic. Set to musical stylings of “Sonata No. 11”, this video carries itself in a way that allows its fast-paced footage to be met something that’s not quite as intense. Oh, and the match ended 4-nil Barça.
Source: afootballreport
Vintage Comic: Casillas wants to battle!
With the Spanish press doing their best to verbally abuse José Mourinho and a generally overwhelming vibe ahead of tonight’s Clásico at Camp Nou, we thought we would lighten the mood with one of Jon Horner’s vintage comics that dates back to the World Cup. This slide is from Jon and Oliver Sparrow’s World Cup comic entitled “Inspector Rooney and the Jabulani Japery”. You can look at all of Jon Horner’s work for AFR by clicking here.
Real Madrid fans, you better pray a wild pretty girl doesn’t appear alongside the pitch tonight.
Source: afootballreport
The Tiki Taka Contest: “How many passes, Xavi?”
Two Clásicos in two weeks. It’s the Copa del Rey, sure, but it’s still a Clásico. Will Barcelona outclass Real Madrid? Well, much of that argument will depend on the performance of Xavi, Barça’s metronome in the midfield, and the club’s continued mastery of Tiki-Taka football.
The Contest: Predict how many passes Xavi will complete over the course of the two Clásicos. Closest prediction wins. Simple.
The Prize: A limited edition “Tiki Taka” shirt from 3nil (pictured above), celebrating a high tempo possession game comprised of impossible triangles created all over the pitch that is a delight for all football fans to watch.
How To Enter: You can tweet your predictions @afootballreport or write on our Facebook page until kick-off on the 18th of January. You must be following 3nil on Twitter (@threenildotcom) or like their Facebook page to be eligible.
Tiki Taka, the possession game perfected by Xavi. Time to pick a number.
Source: afootballreport
