Nadal won again against Federer in the Australian Open semi-final this morning. The comparison between the psychological advantage Nadal has over Federer with how the Blaugrana consistently defeat the Merengue is an intriguing one.

In his past clubs Mourinho always had the solution to win the psychological game.

When the institution it represents is stronger than the players, the coaches, the management. Look at Mourinho's current problems with Real Madrid. I don't know if this is a grand scheme by the Great One to purposefully have Marca and As criticize him so as to win the support from the fans?

No comment! Great players never die!

I like how Beckham looks genuinely happy about this incredible come back (see second 39)!

Maracanazos love living statues!

After Platini, Messi is the only other player to win the Ballon d'Or 3 times in a row. This is fully deserved because:

• Messi is both a fuoriclasse dribbler and plays for his teammates.
• Messi is decisive in the games that count.
• A unique style made of robustness, speed, technique.

FIFA's Club World Cup is again taking football down the wrong alley. FIFA is looking at the financial gains in organizing this competition instead of prioritizing the 3 key points that matter most:

• Stay close to the fans of the competing clubs
• Bring back the passion of a 2 leg competition in the home stadiums of the 2 finalists
• Limit this to a European vs South American champion final (until other continents reach the same level of football excellence)

Instead of that, the current edition is played in the neutral grounds of Japan or UAE for so-called football promotion efforts and some degree of sponsorship pressure (thanks Toyota.

Learning from other sports is often a good exercise. I recently discussed how football could use a golf type handicap system to make the UEFA's Financial Fair Play easier to apply for some of Europe's most debt driven clubs. Football could also learn from tennis. I had already referred to this sport when debating on the current World Cup 1st round group stage which is contrary to the spirit of any cup type competition.

Dear Michel,

You do allow me to call you Michel I hope? I have seen you play at least a dozen times when I was a kid in the Parc des Princes and your unforgettable goals against Bulgaria, Yougoslavia, and Spain to list just a few. I consider you as my favorite player of all times.

Lugano is about to sign with the Paris Saint-Germain. It's certain to happen in the next day or so. I predict that's a decisive move for the PSG to win the championship this year. Diego Lugano will bring the garra that can overcome any obstacle. Well done Leonardo!

Maracanazos wish a warm welcome to Diego Lugano!

The U-20 Seleção won the World Cup yesterday beating Portugal 3-2 during the overtime with a stellar performance by Oscar. The players of U-20 teams don't always carry through with the promises that they show at this stage but who knows if some of these will be future World Cup stars.

Best news of the day! Scheduled for the next friendly game of the Auriverdes against Ghana in London on September 5. Ronaldinho was for a while the top scorer in the Brazilian league this year and can still be decisive against any team. Let's see if Ronaldinho can make his dream come true of participating in the next World Cup.

Looks like it after yesterday's great game. I had already referred to Mourinho as being the first hacker coach in football's history. The Special One is transforming the classy image that Real Madrid has patiently built up since 1902. Pepe and Marcelo are his preferred hound dogs in this image transformation of the Merengues.

I have always liked the Gunners. In the not so long existence of this blog, I have gone from unambiguous faith in the long-term vision of the club to the need to make some changes that would help in making this vision come true. Of the 4 points I had recommended, so far 2 have happened:

Buy a world class goal keeper.

The preliminary draw has finally marked the beginning of the long journey to the next World Cup. Some groups look very tough like Ivory Coast and Morocco in African Group C or Spain and France in European Group I. 203 countries are competing for the 32 qualifying seats, a record so far in World Cup history.

La Celeste has done it for the 15th time, smashing Paraguay 3 0 in a brilliant demonstration of team work and star individualities. What a game by Luis Suarez & Diego Forlan & Arevalo Rios! Uruguay played its best game during the final, it's 15th win in 21 Copa America finals.

Now the press has been all over with the Maracanazo of Sante Fe! Imagine, 61 years after Maracanazo I, the Celeste writes another extraordinary episode of world football by wiping Argentina out of its beloved Copa America! Uruguay played 48 minutes at 10 against 11 and still did it.