Football stars of today, often stick around with their club and try to move on to some ‘bigger’ club in search of fame, stardom and more playing time.

At times, a dispute between the player and the manager is also the reason why the former takes the exit route from the club. But there are some special ones that stay put even in hard times.

These players have grown up in the football club, nurtured and went on to represent their national sides as well.

Italian stalwart and Juventus icon Gianluigi Buffon is set to make his 500th Serie A appearance for the ‘Old Lady’ against Genoa on Wednesday. The Stopper will be wearing a special armband inscribed with the No 500 to mark the landmark match.

Just as ‘Gigi’ Buffon makes a grand entry in the veteran club, we take a look at footballers who have been a driving force at a club for many years.

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United/England)
One of England’s brightest talents and Manchester United’s driving force, Wayne Rooney is a club veteran at the ‘Theatre Of Dreams’. After being handed the armband by current manager Louis Van Gaal, Rooney is looking to take this team forward after last season’s turmoil under David Moyes. Having being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2004, Rooney has made 313 appearances for the Red Devils with 161.

Ryan Giggs (Manchester United/Wales)
Belonging from the ‘Class of 92’ Welsh winger Ryan Giggs played a marathon of 672 games for Manchester United before hanging up the boots in 2014. Now being handed an assistant role with Van Gaal, ‘Giggsy’ is one of the favourites at Old Trafford. Ryan Giggs was a winger who went on to score 114 goals for the prestigious club.

Raul (Real Madrid/Spain)
Spanish club Real Madrid have attracted some of the top names in the world of football but none better than their own talent, Raul. The Spanish starlet made his debut in 1994 and went onto represent in 550 games for the Los Blancos with 228 goals. The forward then moved on to Germany with Schalke before deciding to hang up his boots in Qatar with local club, Al Sadd.

Xavi (Barcelona/Spain)
Another Spanish club giant that boasts load of talent is Barcelona. One of their own prodigies went on to become a veteran and a national hero – Xavi Hernandez. The creative midfielder has made 479 appearances for the Catalan club and scored 57 goals. With the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta in the squad, Xavi is bound to create history!

Frank Lampard (Chelsea/England)
Even though ‘Lamps’ scored a goal for Manchester City against Chelsea, the midfielder had a muted celebration as a mark of respect for the London club. With 429 appearances and 142 goals, Frank Lampard remains a cult figure at the Stamford Bridge and a fan favourite.

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich/Germany)
The World Cup winner, Bastian Schweinsteiger is a club legend. With 322 games and 40 goals, Bastian remains a key figure at the elite club that has blossomed under the managerial system of Pep Guardiola.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina)
3-time Ballon D’Or winner Lionel Messi in another mention for the ‘veteran’ list. Ever since his debut in 2004, Messi continues to enthral the fans the world over with his skill, artistry on the pitch and suave looks. With 285 matches in the Barca jersey, Messi has amassed 250 goals uptill now and might add some more in the future.

The post 7 Football Club Veterans That Will Always Have A Special Place In The Hearts Of Fans appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

Footballing world’s answer to the Oscars, Ballon D’Or has released its shortlist of contenders ahead of December’s lavish gala which will be organised by FIFA.

The 23-man list is spearheaded by none other than the reigning winner, Cristiano Ronaldo who played a big part in Real Madrid’s décima last season as well as winning the Spanish League cup.

Moreover, club mate and former Tottenham Hotspurs winger Gareth Bale is the only British player included in the list, as well as archrival Lionel Messi, while five Premier League players find themselves on the elite list with the names of Diego Costa, Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Angel Di Maria and Yaya Toure also making the cut.

Even as the likes of Messi vs. Ronaldo rivalry take the headline, much of the debate was spent on the omission of Luis Suarez in the list. Not only the Uruguayan but a host of other noted footballers who were ignored from the elite panel of skilled footballers.

Luis Suarez
The controversial striker who had scored 31 goals in 33 League appearances for Liverpool last season has been ignored by FIFA in the race of the Ballon D’Or this year. The current Barcelona forward was an inspiration behind Liverpool’s emergence to fight for the top spot but has FIFA deleted the Uruguay striker for the ‘bite incident’ at the World Cup?

Aaron Ramsey
The Welsh wizard from Arsenal football club – Aaron Ramsey was another absentee from the list of the Ballon D’Or nominees. The Gunners’ midfield maestro was blowing away the EPL last season with some breathtaking goals and assists until an unfortunate injury during a game at West Ham. ‘Rambo’ scored the winner at the FA Cup final this year that ended Arsenal 9-year trophy hunt as well.

Arturo Vidal
Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal is another such player that is not on the list of the prestigious trophy. The Juventus player is rock solid in midfield and his eye catching displays earned him a transfer target from Manchester United.

Koke
Atletico Madrid surprised one and all last season with their triumph in the Spanish League as well as earning a spot in the UEFA Champions League Final. One such player that flourished is none other than Koke who is also a regular in the Spanish national side. Adding Andres Iniesta over Koke was a bit of partiality from the FIFA board, wasn’t it?

Mats Hummels
One of the stars in the World Cup in Brazil was German defender Mats Hummels. The Borussia Dortmund centreback was an influential figure in the heart of defence in their bid to win the major tourney and his eye catching performance attracted suitors in the form of Arsenal and Manchester United amongst many.

The post These 5 Stars Who Were Turned A Blind Eye To By FIFA For The Ballon D’Or appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

Footballing icon and renowned superstar, Lionel Messi of Argentina marked his 10th anniversary of his competitive debut for Barcelona yesterday.

The diminutive footballer could add more history to his feat of records by becoming the all-time top scorer in the history of La Liga.

Messi has been scorching up the La Liga ever since his debut for the Catalan club as a 17-year old in a 1-0 win at city rivals Espanyol on October 16, 2004. But as Messi gears up to face newly promoted Eibar at the Camp Nou on Saturday, the former needs just two goals to equal Telmo Zarra’s all-time Spanish top-flight record of 251, set in the 1950s.

The La Liga has been blessed with some wonderful talents in Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi but it’s the latter who has more goals and appearances in the Barca colours. Marking his 10th anniversary in style, here’s presenting some of the 5 magical moments from Messi himself that made him a superstar around the globe:

Lionel Messi’s 2 goals vs Elche that were absolute peach!

Lionel Messi – All 21 goals vs Real Madrid (Now that’s a record)

Lionel Messi taking on the might of English champions Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League Final 2011

Here’s when Messi became Barca’s record goal scorer in 2012

And finally to end on a good note, the very own ‘Hand of God’ goal a la’ Diego Maradona style

The post 5 Moments From Lionel Messi That Commemorates His 10 Year Anniversary At Barcelona appeared first on Youngisthan.in.

The FIFA 2014 World Cup might be over but here’s some funny thing for you to remember. We have matched some of the stars from Brazil with their celebrity counterparts. If you thought the football stars were the only ones in the world, well you are wrong as we bring you these uncanny lookalikes from the world of Hollywood. Check them out if you cannot believe:

Luis Suarez (Uruguay) and Sid (Ice Age Series)

Niko Kovac (Croatia manager) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

David Luiz (Brazil) and Sideshow Bob (Simpsons)

Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) and Ted Mosby (How I Met Your Mother)

Fernando Torres (Spain) and Bruno

Bradley Johnson (USA) and Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter series)

Aron Johannsson (USA) – Kevin Bacon

Volker Finke (Cameroon Manager) – The Brain (Pinky and the Brain)

Luis Felipe Scolari (Brazil manager) and Don Vito Corleone (The Godfather)

Henrique (Brazil) – Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)

And there you have it! Some of these football personalities might not know that their ‘Doppelgangers’ exist in this world. Aren’t you surprised?

The post Check Out These Football Stars Who Have Their Lookalike’s In Hollywood appeared first on Youngisthan.in.