We are not going to waste words rehashing Bastian Schweinsteiger's accomplishments with the Germany National Team. Y'all already know them.
Schweinsteiger played his last game for Germany Wednesday, a friendly against Finland. He will be remembered as the central nervous system of one of the best international teams ever, the midfield general in charge of, like, three other midfield generals.
Robbie played his last game in a Republic of Ireland green jersey Wednesday in a friendly against Oman. In true Captain Keano style, he scored a banger.
Awesome! Robbie Keane scores what could be his last ever goal for Ireland.. https://t.co/fnVOKH5RoK
— talkingbaws (@talkingbaws) August 31, 2016
Having fallen down the midfield pecking order at Arsenal, Jack Wilshere reportedly demanded a loan move during crisis talks with manager Arsene Wenger. Dropped from the England squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers by recently appointed manager Sam Allardyce, Wilshere rightly realized that he needed more minutes to win back his international place.
Goals from midfield aren’t all created equal. Sure, they all involve one player absolutely hammering the ball from over 40 yards out, but it’s the intricacies of the attempt that surely separate one from the next. Where was the goalkeeper positioned? With how much pace and accuracy was the shot hit? What were the circumstances surrounding the goal/what was the significance of the match?
Bearing these questions in mind, here are the top three long range goals of all-time.
The pot just got bigger for clubs in the UEFA Champions League — a lot bigger.
Gareth Bale has already scored over 120 goals in a career that includes appearances for Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid. The 27-year-old has a knack for scoring sensational goals combining his freakish pace, outstanding technique and sheer determination. Here are the top three goals of his career so far.
When most people think of FC Barcelona, they think of titles and success across Europe. One thing nobody likely associates with them is relegation. Indeed, they have never been relegated from the Spanish top flight. However, that almost changed back in 2002-03 when Louis van Gaal led them towards La Liga relegation.
Just seven years ago, the Belgian national team was ranked 66th in the FIFA World Rankings. This was their lowest position since the system's inception. With such a shocking statistic staring the country in the face, you could forgive them for being slightly pessimistic. However, in the cloud of uncertainty that surrounded them there was hope — the potential beginnings of a new golden generation.
Raul Jimenez looks like he's finally realizing the potential everyone knew he had. The Mexico and Benfica striker has entered the 2016-2017 season guns blazing, with two goals in two Premeira Liga appearances. That's good enough to make Jimenez Benfica's leading scorer (although the season is young).
Jimenez's latest came in stoppage time against CD Nacional de Madeira Saturday.
We're always on the hunt for the next big thing in football. Whether it's on the basis of some short clip highlighting an up-and-coming 13-year-old or two or three good league games, we're quick to declare a player the next big thing. However, these three individuals, all age 21 or younger, have been consistently performing for a while now. There skills are undoubted and they've got the quality to become the next great players in world football.