WORLD CUP STARS
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Antonio Valencia
Ecuadorian Valencia made his debut in 2005 and scored two goals. Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera, the Ecuadorian footballer who currently plays for Manchester United winger and the Ecuador national team he has. Wigan then signed a three-year contract with Valencia for an undisclosed fee in January 2008. Valencia since winning the 2009-10 Football League Cup, FA Community Shield in 2010, and the 2010-11 English Premier League during his time at Manchester United, along with elected into the PFA Team of the Year in his debut season.
Personal Information
Full name : Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera
Date of birth : 4 August 1985 (age 26)
Place of birth : Lago Agrio, Ecuador
Height : 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing position : Right winger
Right back
Club Information
Current club : Manchester United
Number : 25
Early Life
Valencia helped his mother sell drinks outside the stadium of his local club at Lago Agrio and would then search for empty bottles for his father to sell to a bottle-deposit in the capital, Quito. When Valencia was aged 11, scout Pedro "Papi" Perlaza spotted him playing on a dusty field near his home, and signed him to the local FA-run sports academy in Sucumbíos.
Club career
Early career
Valencia started his career at El Nacional and within a year, he was fast-tracked into the Under 20s, where he played alongside striker Christian "Chucho" 'Benítez and scored 20 goals in 84 matches. Valencia made his debut for El Nacional alonsgside his idol Edison Mendez. Valencia moved to Spanish club Villarreal in 2005. Recreativo helped Valencia gain promotion to La Liga as They finished the season top of the table.
Wigan Athletic
On 3 August 2006, Valencia joined English Premier League club Wigan Athletic, initially on a year long loan deal. Valencia ended his first season with one goal, one assist and one red card in his 22 appearances.
Valencia scored his first goal of the 2007-08 season in a 2-0 win over Derby County on 23 February, before netting a brace in his first Wigan a 2-0 away victory over Aston Villa on 3 May. Valencia ended the season with three goals and three assists in 32 appearances in all competitions.
Valencia's first goal of the season came Following in Wigan's 5-0 away victory over Hull City on 30 August. Valencia scored his final goal for Wigan on 13 December, as he inspired them to a 3-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers. Wigan boss Steve Bruce confirmed That Valencia turned down the chance to join Real Madrid in January 2009. Valencia scored 7 goals in 89 appearances during his time at Wigan.
Manchester United
On 30 June 2009, Valencia Became Manchester United's first summer signing, having cut his holiday short to have a medical with the club. On 29 July, he made his debut for United and scored his first goal in the process, netting United's second in a 2-1 pre-season victory over Boca Juniors in the Audi Cup.
On 17 October, he scored his first competitive goal for the club, scoring United's second in a 2-1 league victory against Bolton Wanderers. His first UEFA Champions League four days later Followed goal in a 1-0 away victory against CSKA Moscow. Valencia Provided the assist for Wayne Rooney's winning goal in the 2010 League Cup Final against Aston Villa on 28 February 2010, Valencia was named Man of the Match as United won 2-1. On 25 April, Valencia was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in his debut season for the club alongside team-mates Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher and Wayne Rooney. On 8 August, Valencia scored United's first goal in their 3-1 win over Chelsea in the 2010 Community Shield.
During a Champions League game against Rangers on 14 September, Valencia suffered a break to his left ankle. On 28 February 2011, Valencia returned to training with Manchester United's first-team. Valencia made his first start of the season away at Benfica in the first group stage match of the UEFA Champions League.
Valencia scored his second goal of the season, the opening goal in Manchester United's Champions League fixture against Otelul Galati, the game finished 2-0. On 26 December 2011 Valencia scored the fourth goal for Manchester United in a 5-0 home win against Wigan Athletic.
International Career
Ecuador team
On 27 March 2005, Valencia's gained his first international cap for Ecuador and netted his first two international goals in the process, coming in a 5-2 World Cup qualifying win against Paraguay. Valencia played in all of Ecuador's 2006 FIFA World Cup matches, and was chosen as a nominee for FIFA's ideal 11 team, the which recognises the top stars for every position in the World Cup.
On 27 June 2007, Valencia netted Ecuador's first goal of Their Copa América 2007 campaign, however They eventually lost the match 3-2 to Chile and finished the tournament bottom of Their group. On 9 September 2009, Valencia scored his first World Cup qualifying goal, netting in a 3-1 away victory over Bolivia.
Personal Life
Valencia and his wife, Zoila, have a daughter named Domenica, who was born during the 2006 World Cup finals. Along with former teammates Wigan Maynor Figueroa and Wilson Palacios, Valencia began taking English lessons (although Valencia still requires an interpreter). Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson described Valencia as a quiet and shy boy. His older brother, Eder, is also a professional footballer playing for Independiente Jose Teran in Ecuador.
Honours
Club
El Nacional
Serie A (1) : 2005 Clausura
Recreativo de Huelva
Segunda División (1) : 2005-06
Manchester United
Premier League (1) : 2010-11
Football League Cup (1) : 2009-10
FA Community Shield (2) : 2010, 2011
Individual
Alan Hardaker Trophy (1) : 2010
PFA Premier League Team of the Year (1) : 2009-10
Aaron Ramsey
After the departure of midfielder Cesc Fàbregas to FC Barcelona, Arsene Wenger has always relied Peter Aaron James Ramsey to take his place. He is a Welsh footballer who played for Arsenal and captained Wales. Ramsey played for Cardiff City as a child at the school where he spent eight years in youth football before making 16 appearances for the senior team.
Personal Information
Full name : Aaron James Ramsey
Date of birth : 26 December 1990 (age 21)
Place of birth : Caerphilly, Wales
Height : 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position : Midfielder
Club Information
Current club : Arsenal
Number : 16
Early Life
As a child Attended Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Ramsey Rhymni in the Caerphilly County Borough. Before turning to football, he was a keen rugby player and as a schoolboy he played as a winger for Caerphilly RFCs youth development program, where he was approached by scouts from Rugby League side St Helens RLFC after playing in a youth match against them but had already been signed by Cardiff City's youth academy. Ramsey is bilingual, speaking both Welsh and English.
Cardiff City
In doing so, Ramsey Became the youngest player to ever play for Cardiff City, aged just 16 years and 124 days, beating the previous record holder John Toshack. In June 2007, Cardiff City turned down a bid of over £ 1m for Ramsey from a London-based Premier League club. Ramsey made his first league appearance of the 2007-08 season on 6 October, when he came on as a late substitute for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the 2-1 home win over Burnley.
Ramsey signed his first professional contract in December 2007 and went on to make-his first full professional start for Cardiff on 5 January in the FA Cup against Chasetown Replacing the suspended Stephen McPhail. An impressive performance from Ramsey saw him head in the second Cardiff goal as They went on to win 3-1. Following Ramsey's impressive performance in the 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Middlesbrough it was Revealed That Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had talked to Cardiff boss Dave Jones to inquire about Ramsey, who were later joined by Arsenal and Everton in Following his progress.
Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale of toll the BBC That Arsenal's bid of £ 5 million up front had been accepted. Arsenal's bid did not include a loan clause That would allow Ramsey to stay at Cardiff for another season. Cardiff City assistant manager and former Arsenal player and coach Terry Burton, who was credited for having Brought through Ramsey, also helped recommend him to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, having retained a longstanding connection to the club. Negotiations During the transfer, Burton also advised That Ramsey join Arsenal, citing the Similarity Between the players and the club's overall style of play.
Arsenal
On 10 June 2008 it was confirmed after meeting That Officials from Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton, Ramsey had Decided to join Arsenal, Cardiff City who paid a total of £ 8.4 million for the player. Ramsey made his competitive debut for Arsenal in the Champions League Third Qualifying Round against FC Twente on 13 August 2008 and his league debut a month later against Blackburn Rovers on 13 September 2008, marking it with an assist to Emmanuel Adebayor for Arsenal's fourth and Adebayor's third .
Ramsey was named amongst a host of young players poised to shine in 2009 by Fifa.com. On 1 July 2009, he signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal. On 22 August, Ramsey scored his first league goal in a one-on-one against Goalkeeper David James as Portsmouth beat Arsenal 4-1 at Emirates Stadium and then set up Andrei Arshavin in a 3-1 home win over Celtic in the Champions League play-offs.
Ramsey made his first Premier League start of the season on November 7, 2009 as Arsenal beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1 at Molineux with Ramsey Completing 90-minutes for the first time in the top-flight. On 6 December 2009, Ramsey scored his second league goal of the season in a comfortable 2-0 victory over Stoke City. Arsenal went on to win the tie 2-1, with Eduardo scoring a 83rd minute header.
Ramsey signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal on 1 June 2010. On 23 November 2010, Ramsey made his return to competitive football for the Arsenal reserve team against the Wolverhampton Wanderers reserve team at Arsenal's London Colney training ground.
2011-2012 season
On 16 August 2011, Ramsey made his first Champions League appearance of the season at home against Udinese. In the fourth minute of the match he assisted on Theo Walcott's goal That gave Arsenal the 1-0 advantage in the first leg of the match. The game finished 2-0 to Liverpool.
On 17 September 2011, Ramsey assisted on Mikel Arteta's second goal for Arsenal as the team lost 4-3 away to Blackburn Rovers in a Premier League game. On 5 November 2011, he aided Arsenal to open the score against West Bromwich Albion in a Premier League in the Emirates Stadium with an exquisite pass That allowed Theo Walcott to shoot.
International Career
Ramsey made his debut for the Wales national football team on 19 November 2008 versus Denmark in a friendly, aged 17, breaking the record set by Chris Gunter as the youngest Welsh international On 14 October 2009, he scored his first senior goal in the 2010 World Liechtenstein Cup qualifier away at from a free kick awarded for a trip on Gareth Bale.
Ramsey was awarded the FAW's Young Player of the Year award That same month.Former Wales team manager Gary Speed appointed Ramsey as permanent captain of Wales, beginning with the match versus England on 26 March 2011.
Honours
Club
Cardiff City
Runner-up:
FA Cup: 2008
Individual
Welsh Young Player of the Year: 2009, 2010
Diego Milito
Internazionale striker who had brought the Champions League champion Alberto Diego Milito Argentina is the best player who plays as a striker. A prolific and consistent center-forward, Milito found more than two average statistics look every purpose, during the historic 10-year professional career. He was important in 2009/10 treble winning season Inter and two goals in the final of the Champions League finally gave him international recognition as one of the most effective striker in the world.
Personal Information
Full name : Diego Alberto Milito
Date of birth : 12 June 1979 (age 32)
Place of birth : Bernal, Argentina
Height : 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position : Striker
Personal Information
Full name : Diego Alberto Milito
Date of birth : 12 June 1979 (age 32)
Place of birth : Bernal, Argentina
Height : 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position : Striker
Club Information
Current club : Internazionale
Number : 22
Club Career
Racing Club
1999-2003: Early years in Argentina
Diego Milito started playing at Argentine first division team Racing Club in 1999, where he won the 2001 Apertura tournament.
Diego Milito started playing at Argentine first division team Racing Club in 1999, where he won the 2001 Apertura tournament.
Genoa
2004-2005: First years in European football
At the beginning of 2004, Milito moved to Italian second division Genoa.
At the beginning of 2004, Milito moved to Italian second division Genoa.
Real Zaragoza
Milito was one of the top Scorers in the La Liga 2006-07 season. He scored 23 goals, two less than the top goalscorer Ruud van Nistelrooy and three behind the European Golden Boot winner Francesco Totti. Milito Became the club captain at Real Zaragoza, taking over this role from brother Gabriel, who Departed for FC Barcelona in 2007. As of January 2008, Diego was averaging higher than a goal every two games for Real Zaragoza, a statistic he also Achieved with Genoa.
Genoa
2008-2009: A return to Serie A
On 1 September 2008, just a few minutes before the transfer window closure time, Genoa completed the transfer of Milito from Zaragoza, after the Spanish team were relegated to the Segunda División. Genoa won this game 2-0 with Milito assisting the first goal and scoring the second. On 9 November, Milito scored his first hat-trick for Genoa in the 4-0 victory against Reggina. He finished the season with 24 goals in 31 league appearances, placing him second behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the Capocannonieri scoring title.
On 1 September 2008, just a few minutes before the transfer window closure time, Genoa completed the transfer of Milito from Zaragoza, after the Spanish team were relegated to the Segunda División. Genoa won this game 2-0 with Milito assisting the first goal and scoring the second. On 9 November, Milito scored his first hat-trick for Genoa in the 4-0 victory against Reggina. He finished the season with 24 goals in 31 league appearances, placing him second behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the Capocannonieri scoring title.
Internazionale
Subsequently on 29 August, in his first ever Derby Milan in Serie A, Milito has assisted two goals and scored a penalty, his first league goal of the season, to cap off a 4-0 victory. Later, on 13 September, he scored his second league goal in a 2-0 home win againstParma. In the next league match against Cagliari he scored both goals for Inter in a 1-2 away win. These two goals placed him at the top of the all-time Serie A scoring charts for best strike rate, with 28 goals in 35 games, giving him an average of 0.8 goals per game.
Milito continued his fine run of form with another goal in the next league match against Napoli, scoring the second goal after Samuel Eto'o scored in the first minute, a game That They won 3-1. On 30 October, in a 5-3 home victory against Palermo, Milito, who had returned from an injury, came off the bench to the make the result safe Internazionale's fifth goal scoring. In the next game, against Livorno he scored another goal, taking his strike rate up to seven goals in nine league matches. On 24 February, in another Champions League match, this time in a 2-1 round of 16 win against Chelsea, he scored another goal Important, his second in the competition.
On 31 March, in a 1-0 Champions League quarter-finals win against CSKA Moscow, he scored the winning goal the which enhanced Internazionale's chances of reaching the semi-finals. Diego scored a vital goal in a 3-1 home win against Barcelona in a Champions League first leg semi-final win.
During the very last matches of the 2009-2010 season, Milito has proved instrumental in Inter's winning of the first treble in the history of Italian football. Of the player and his two Champions League winning goals, The Guardian wrote. On 9 August 2010, Milito has signed a new four-year contract with the Nerazzurri. On 26 August 2010, Milito was named 2010 UEFA Forward and Player of the Year.
2010-2012: After the treble
On 29 May 2011 Milito scored a goal in the final of the Italian Cup to help Internazionale beat Palermo 3-1. However during the 2011-2012 Serie A season he Begun to Regain his form, scoring a goal in Inter-Lecce 4-1, two goals in Inter-Parma 5-0, and a Very Important goals in Inter's 1-0 victory against Milan Inter putting back into the title race. He also continued his scoring streak in on Inter's 2-1 victory over Lazio.
International Career
Milito scored two goals on his international debut against Uruguay in 2003, but only intermittently during Appeared Following the years, and was omitted from the 2006 World Cup squad. He played for Argentina in the 2007 Copa América tournament, Gaining playing time after Hernan Crespo's injury in a group stage match against Colombia and he was also included in Argentina's final 23 player roster for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Personal Life
Diego is married to Sofia and They have two children. He also holds an Italian passport, due to his Italian Ancestry - Milito is a third-generation Italian-Argentine, his roots go to Terranova da Sibari (CS), in Calabria. He has a younger brother named Gabriel who plays football for Independiente.
Honours
Club
Racing Club
Primera División Argentina (1) : Apertura 2001
Internazionale
Serie A (1) : 2009-10
Coppa Italia (2) : 2009-10, 2010-11
Supercoppa Italiana (1) : 2010
UEFA Champions League (1) : 2010
FIFA Club World Cup (1) : 2010
Individual
Guerin d'Oro (1) : 2008-09
2010 UEFA Champions League Final : UEFA Man of the Match
UEFA Club Forward of the Year (1) : 2009-10
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1) : 2009-10
Serie A Footballer of the Year (1) : 2009-10
Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year (1) : 2009-10
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