This reminds us of a story our amigo told us about a young Mexican journalist who had travelled half the world to see Greaseano at his Nike boot launch earlier this year. Except hombre looked exactly like CR - immaculately-gelled hair, silver studs, a nice tan, even wearing the player's jersey.

Last fall, Inside Minnesota Soccer brought you news of two Ugandan brothers who were playing soccer at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN. One of those brothers was Geofrey Kalanzi, a very talented soccer player for DCTC. Not only was Kalanzi talented at soccer but had proven to be successful in life as he persevered through many a hardship in order to start a new life here in the US.

Park Ridge, Ill. – 10/12/09

University of Minnesota Soccer junior defender Jennie Clark was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week today (Oct. 12), announced by the league office.

As Minnesota beat Purdue 1-0 on Oct. 11, Clark led the defensive charge as the Gophers became the first team in 2009 to beat Purdue at home, in West Lafayette, Ind.

As the saying goes: "There's a first time for everything."

Here at Premiership Talk we like to mix things up a bit every once in awhile. The Wednesday Wonder is no stranger to this. Although the Wednesday Wonder is normally reserved for a player that stood out over the past week of football, there have been a few exceptions.

Last fall, Inside Minnesota Soccer brought you news of two Ugandan brothers who were playing soccer at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN. One of those brothers was Geofrey Kalanzi, a very talented soccer player for DCTC. Not only was Kalanzi talented at soccer but had proven to be successful in life as he persevered through many a hardship in order to start a new life here in the US.

Next season's Argentines Abroad (on which note, the HEGS / MA Award winner will be announced on Thursday) are swelling their ranks in the annual exodus from the banks of the Paraná and Río de la Plata (the rivers of Babyl... I'll stop, shall I? OK). Rodrigo Palacio is finally leaving La Bombonera and Santiago [.

Sevilla FC is the rightful award winner of this year's SATO Best Defense of Club in the Primera Division. The club was outstanding all year defensively and finished the year with the second fewest goals given up, right behind champions Barcelona. In fact Barca and Sevilla were the only two clubs in La Liga this season that allowed fewer than 40 goals total.

One of the reasons I started blogging about Chelsea was because of sites like thechelseablog which is fantastic. A soccer lens award winner last year it has proved as the yardstick which all Chelsea blogs are measured against and thankfully I have managed to obtain a good working relationship with "Chelsea D" who writes the blog for all its readers.

United States National Team midfielder Landon Donovan won his sixth Honda Player of the Year award on Wednesday. Donovan was also named the Honda Player of the Decade, winning six of the nine awards available in the 2000's. Donovan was the youngest award winner when he won in 2002, and has twice won the award three years in a row.

As the saying goes: "There's a first time for everything."

Here at Premiership Talk we like to mix things up a bit every once in awhile. The Wednesday Wonder is no stranger to this. Although the Wednesday Wonder is normally reserved for a player that stood out over the past week of football, there have been a few exceptions.

I was delighted to hear Giggsy was named Player of the Year last night and although I think there was definitely some sentiment going on with the vote, it was fully deserved. He's had to wait a long time to pick up the PFA honour but he's finally got his reward.

Some people have been pointing out he's only started 12 league games for United this season but you've got to look at the impact he's had in those matches.

He took down the long pass along the left side touchline. He turned the first West Ham defender who came at him and carried the ball into the box. Two quick touches and he turned the next defender as well. The box was still thick with players from the recent corner kick, but Giggs didn't worry about anyone as he fired the ball through traffic, into the far corner.

Park Ridge, Ill. – 10/12/09

University of Minnesota Soccer junior defender Jennie Clark was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week today (Oct. 12), announced by the league office.

As Minnesota beat Purdue 1-0 on Oct. 11, Clark led the defensive charge as the Gophers became the first team in 2009 to beat Purdue at home, in West Lafayette, Ind.

First off, answers to the first edition of Interlull fun

1) Gone with the wind

2) The Good, the bad and the ugly

3) PSYCHO it is.

4) Slumdog Millionaire

5) The Great Escape

6) There will be blood.

As expected Lionel Messi succeeded Cristiano Ronaldo as the winner of the Ballon d'Or award. The Barcelona star comfortably won the prize but he admitted his surprise at the margin of victory as he received 240 points more than Cristiano Ronaldo who finished second.

Messi was quite close to winning all 480 points possible as he finished with a near perfect 473 points while Real Madrid's Ronaldo got 233 points which is less than half of Messi's total!