We’re about a year and a half removed from Neymar’s dazzling performance at the 2013 Confederations Cup, which saw the then-21-year-old score four goals in four matches to secure the Selecao their 4th pre-World Cup tournament title. Since then, the new number 10 for Brazil moved to Barcelona on a $74 million transfer fee and led the 2014 host country to the semifinals of the World Cup before a back injury ended his (and his country’s) run.
It’s a game that is dear to every soccer player: the crossbar challenge. If you've ever played the world's game, then you probably participated in some form of the crossbar challenge. In fact, you can go on YouTube and watch hundreds of videos of players showing off their crossbar challenge skills.
The18 considered titling this article “The Master vs. The Apprentice,” but, knowing what an avid reader of ours he is, we feared Jose Mourinho would spectacularly lose his sh*t at even the mildest suggestion of deference towards Louis van Gaal. Neither man, however, could quibble at being labelled a Super Ego: how else are we to describe two managers who refer to themselves without the slightest hint of irony as “The Special One” and “The Best Coach in the World?”
Yesterday, we wrote about our predictions for the coming weekend of match play in the Premier League. Today, we drill down into the particular dramas to look out for in the coming days.
1. Chelsea To Keep A Clean Sheet (For The Sake Of Jose’s Mental Health)
After what was an interesting transfer window that saw several big name players on the move, here at The18 we wanted to go over the top things we learned following the expensive window in the the Prem.
We all have our favorite players within our favorite clubs. Normally, the player’s personality, playing style and achievements form a perfect cocktail of love that ferments over a number of seasons. So what are fans to do when that player, whose kit you own and have cherished over so many Saturday and Sunday morning pints, does the unthinkable and moves to a rival club?
Gearing up for the English Premier league season to kick off on August 16th? Go behind the scenes from the start of last season with this great video from GoPro, who equipped Man City with cameras to film their preparations for a match last August.
After a hugely disappointing season, where Manchester United did not qualify for European competition for the first time in 25 years, Man U is looking to turn that around with new manager Louis van Gaal. Out of the gates, Van Gaal will have the pressure of having a MUCH better season than last year. Add to this the pressure of being THE Manchester United and living up to the history and glory of the Red Devils.
Behold the new kits for the 2014 Premier League. From new sponsors to complete kit redesigns, we put together all 20 teams' new kits below.
Arsenal- Arsenal left long-time sponsor Nike for Puma this season as part of a five-year deal worth up to £170m.
La Liga, Serie A and the EPL will be playing with a new ball next season. Nike just released the new Ordem football for the start of the upcoming season, and the company says that it is the most innovative, technologically-advanced and aerodynamically-tuned ball to date.
Each league has their own specific colored Odem, with the EPL getting blue, La Liga getting orange and Serie A getting purple.