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Iker Casillas Retires As One Of Real Madrid apos;s Most Famous Sons

2020-06-25T00:00:00Z

MagaretMendes: Created page with "Iker Casillas was a bored schoolboy, clock-watching, trying not to fall asleep when [/sport/teampages/real-madrid.html Real Madrid] knocked on his classroom door to pull him o..."

Iker Casillas was a bored schoolboy, clock-watching, trying not to fall asleep when [/sport/teampages/real-madrid.html Real Madrid] knocked on his classroom door to pull him out of his technical drawing lesson and fly him off to Norway in 1997. There was an injury crisis among the club's keepers and they needed the 16-year-old apprentice to play a [/sport/champions_league/index.html Champions League] group game against Rosenborg. His decision, to quit just ahead of his 39th birthday, means he falls short of fulfilling his ambition to play on until he is 40. Legendary Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas has decided to retire from football at 38 The legendary keeper announced decision to end his astonishing 22-year career recently The goalkeeper poses with the trophies he won during a glittering spell at Real Madrid RELATED ARTICLES [# Previous] [# 1] [# Next] [/sport/football/article-7040325/Former-Real-Madrid-goalkeeper-Iker-Casillas-retire-football-heart-attack-scare.html Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas insists he has...] [/sport/football/article-7003897/Iker-Casillas-mend-takes-leisurely-stroll-following-release-hospital.html 'The air in your face... pleasure!': Iker Casillas is on the...] [/sport/football/article-6997627/Iker-Casillas-discharged-hospital-following-positive-tests-heart-attack.html Iker Casillas discharged from hospital with wife Sara...] [/sport/sportsnews/article-6989749/Porto-training-continued-15-MINUTES-Iker-Casillas-heart-attack.html 'I didn't think it was serious': Porto manager Sergio...] Share this article Share 1.2k shares But it's about the only dream he couldn't quite reach - everything else came to him in an extraordinary 22-year career. 'They pulled me out of school because Bodo Illgner and Santi Canizares were injured and they needed me as a second keeper,' he said of that day back in November 1997, in an interview with Sportsmail. Canizares ended up recovering and the young Iker was only Real's third keeper but coach Jupp Heynckes still told him to get changed and take his place on the bench. 'I knew who they all were, but no-one had a clue who I was,' he said of his illustrious team-mates. He would end up becoming one of the club's most famous sons, winning the European Cup three times. First he was the youngest keeper to achieve the feat in 2000 against Valencia. Casillas won the first of three European Cups with victory over Valencia in Paris in 2000 Casillas embraces Zinedine Zidane after they helped Real to the 2002 Champions League Two years later he wasn't picked to start against Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden but when Cesar Sanchez picked up a foot injury Iker - 'Saint Iker' as adoring supporters would come to call him - came on for the last 20 minutes and made three brilliant saves to ensure Madrid won the final. That was Madrid's ninth European Cup and a full 12 years later Casillas would still be in goal when they won their 10th. As a young keeper he never stood out for what he could do with his feet and he was not one for dominating his area but he could do one thing better than any of his peers - stop the ball hitting the back of the net - and that made him the world's greatest for so long. For pure shot-stopping there was no-one better. And that fundamental forte never mattered more than when Arjen Robben was bursting through in the 2010 World Cup final and [https://babetopcricketer.bookmark.com/iker-casilllas-and-sara-carbonero babetopcricketer.bookmark.com] Casillas came out to deny him with an outstretched right leg. That as much as Andres Iniesta's goal would win Spain the World Cup. When he won his third Champions League in Lisbon it represented a remarkable comeback. It takes a certain type of toughness to survive at Real Madrid and when Jose Mourinho took over as manager he soon made it clear he wanted a new keeper. Casillas lifts the European Championship after Spain ended their 44-year wait for a trophy Casillas' one-on-one save from Arjen Robben in the 2010 World Cup final proved crucial Casillas beams as he holds aloft the World Cup after victory over Holland in Johannesburg Casillas celebrates with Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa, Raul Albiol and Xabi Alonso Spain completed a historic treble by defending their European Championship title in 2012 When a phone call from Casillas to Barcelona's Xavi, after yet another Clasico had descended into an ugly brawl, ended in reconciliation, Mourinho did not like the olive branch that had been held out by one of his players. The saga played out alongside the soap opera of the 'Madrid mole' with Casillas chief suspect in what appeared to be a leaky dressing room giving away Mourinho's team selections before they were officially announced. Mourinho urged the club to buy another goalkeeper and eventually dropped Casillas for 26-year-old reserve team keeper Antonio Adan. The feud divided supporters with some siding with Mourinho against Casillas but when Carlo Ancelotti replaced Mourinho he made Casillas keeper for European matches enabling him to win his third Champions League in Lisbon. He moved to Porto in 2015 and won the 2017-18 league there. He lapped up the life away from the goldfish bowl existence that Madrid can become. Casillas was frozen out by Jose Mourinho after they fell out during his spell as manager Casillas celebrates at the famous Cibeles statue in Madrid after the Copa del Rey win in 2011 Casillas embraces Marcelo as Real embark on their historic Decima in the Champions League Casillas lifts aloft the European Cup after Real's extra time win over Atletico Madrid in 2014 Casillas poses with the Copa del Rey after victory over Barcelona at the Mestalla in 2014 Time has washed away any sense of divided opinion back in the Spanish capital. After his recent heart scare nowhere was his name chanted louder by supporters than at the Bernabeu. Messages of support flooded in with former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, posting on social media: 'A lot of strength my friend. I hope you recover soon.' All his friends in football wanted him to put his health first even if that meant quitting. Although he ruled nothing out when he emerged from hospital he has decided to finally draw a line under his remarkable career. Remembering that first sample of Champions League football as a 16-year-old he told Sportsmail: 'I was taken to the headmaster and before I knew it I was on a school minibus going home, where my mum was frantically packing my bag for me.' It was only the beginning of an incredible journey. He has plenty to look back on now, and a more impressive trophy haul than perhaps any other keeper in history. Casillas ended his playing days in Portugal with Porto after leaving Real Madrid in 2015 RELATED ARTICLES [# Previous] [# 1] [# Next] [/sport/football/article-7040325/Former-Real-Madrid-goalkeeper-Iker-Casillas-retire-football-heart-attack-scare.html Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas insists he has...] [/sport/football/article-7003897/Iker-Casillas-mend-takes-leisurely-stroll-following-release-hospital.html 'The air in your face... pleasure!': Iker Casillas is on the...] [/sport/football/article-6997627/Iker-Casillas-discharged-hospital-following-positive-tests-heart-attack.html Iker Casillas discharged from hospital with wife Sara...] [/sport/sportsnews/article-6989749/Porto-training-continued-15-MINUTES-Iker-Casillas-heart-attack.html 'I didn't think it was serious': Porto manager Sergio...] Share this article Share 1.2k shares [ ]

Samsung Shows Apple How To Do Sports

2020-06-24T20:26:24Z

MagaretMendes:

id="article-body" class="row" section="article-body"> Cristiano Ronaldo in training. Samsung/YouTube screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET There are only two types of people in the world: those who watch the World Cup and those who should be ordered to do community service for their refusal to watch the World Cup. Samsung has been building up to the event for quite a while. It's been [/news/samsung-hires-soccer-star-messi-to-save-us-from-aliens/ teasing a game] between its own Galaxy 11, a team comprised of some of the world's most talented players, and a team of aliens, who no doubt, will play very dirty. [ In the latest ad], the Galaxy players are put through rigorous training, designed to get them psychologically and technologically attuned to the rigors ahead. Here we have Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Iker Casillas -- and a host of the world's greatest -- performing all sorts of maneuvers to save the planet. It's all quite gripping, if a little derivative of past Nike ads. It makes Samsung -- sponsors of Chelsea in the English Premier League -- an entirely comfortable player in the sporting arena, and its gadgets play an entertaining role in the action. Which made me think for a moment about Apple. Somehow, one hasn't ever associated Apple with sports. The Apple logo lives on an exalted altar all its own, never to be seen on something as grubby as a soccer shirt. The only sporting association that immediately comes to mind is the lady hammer thrower from the "1984" ad. Yet if wearables are, tragically or not, to become the next medium for technology, Apple may be drawn into the sheer glee of measuring heart rates, pulse rates, and numbers of footsteps taken per minute per day. More Technically Incorrect [ ] [ ] [ ] Might the company feel forced to have a slightly different perspective about entering the sporting world more directly? Naturally, the immense power of the Apple brand sometimes inadvertently enters the sporting arena. During this year's Winter Olympics, [ reports emerged] that a corporate sponsor was miffed that so many athletes had Apple products, and it asked that they be covered up. That corporate sponsor [https://babetopcricketer.bookmark.com/iker-casilllas-and-sara-carbonero babetopcricketer.bookmark.com] was Samsung. Here, the company is not only acknowledging the increasing role of technology in sports, but also the fact that the World Cup truly is one of the only events that makes the whole world stop, stare, and scream. I suppose they'll be too busy in Cupertino to watch the games, won't they? [#comments Comments] [/technically-incorrect/ Technically Incorrect] [/topics/sci-tech/ Sci-Tech] [/topics/tech-industry/ Tech Industry] [/topics/culture/ Culture] [/topics/mobile/ Notification on Notification off Mobile]

It Wasn t So Long Ago That There Were Serious Doubts About Whether Thibaut Courtois Was The Best Goalkeeper At

2020-06-24T11:50:46Z

MagaretMendes:

It wasn't so long ago that there were serious doubts about whether Thibaut Courtois was the best goalkeeper at [/sport/teampages/real-madrid.html Real Madrid]. On Saturday [/sport/zinedine-zidane/index.html Zinedine Zidane] was calling him: 'the best keeper in the world'. The former [/sport/teampages/chelsea.html Chelsea] keeper who lost his place briefly to Alphonse Areola earlier in the season is now on course to break club records and receiving praise from former keepers whose numbers he is surpassing. Madrid have only conceded 12 goals in the first half of the season. That's their best record since the 1987-88 season when Paco Buyo was in goal. Thibaut Courtois is showing signs of returning to world class form having suffered criticism It's been far from easy for the Belgian keeper after mistakes earlier on in the season RELATED ARTICLES [# Previous] [# 1] [# Next] [/sport/football/article-7848745/PETE-JENSONS-La-Liga-lowdown-Spanish-stars-make-comeback.html Eden Hazard could hand Real Madrid the title but Lionel...] [/sport/football/article-7851963/Carvajal-hails-Courtois-goalkeepers-stunning-performance-Real-Madrids-win-Getafe.html 'Nobody doubted his potential, not even himself': Dani...] [/sport/football/article-7851491/Getafe-0-3-Real-Madrid-David-Soria-goal-Varane-Modric-goals-visitors-La-Liga.html Getafe 0-3 Real Madrid: Raphael Varane and Luka Modric help...] [/sport/football/article-7853445/Everton-hopeful-landing-James-Rodriguez-initial-January-loan-deal.html Everton 'hopeful of landing James Rodriguez on initial...] Share this article Share 897 shares 'The second season is the one when you really have to cement your place,' says Buyo. And putting Courtois in the same league as Jan Oblak and Marc-Andre ter Stegen he added: 'If he continues at this level then he definitely one of the best three keepers in the world.' Of those 12 goals conceded by Madrid, Courtois has only let-in nine and he has kept 11 clean sheets in his total of 21 games played in all competitions. He could become the first Real Madrid goalkeeper to win LaLiga's Zamora prize for the keeper who has conceded the fewest goals. A Madrid keeper has not won the prize since Casillas 12 years ago. In part the change in his fortunes is not directly related to Courtois. Zinedine Zidane has tightened his team up by switching to a 4-4-2 with Ferland Mendy now at left back, defending more effectively than Marcelo and always protected by a midfielder in front of him. Courtois has been a key figure in recent weeks as Real have tightened up at the back Courtois commands his penalty area and collects the ball during last month's Clasico Real Madrid are harder to break down. They have gone away to Getafe, Valencia, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao in the past month and only conceded one goal. But Courtois must still take enormous credit because the big difference between now and earlier in the season is that when teams do get past the Madrid defence they can't beat him. He has saved 27 of the last 30 shots on target faced. That compares positively with his record earlier in the season and has turned the Bernabeu whistles into applause. He was jeered by his own supporters in October in a game against Club Brugge. They blamed him for two first-half goals and he was taken off at half-time amid reports of stomach problems and having been sick in the dressing room. 'The Wall' was how Diario AS described Courtois and his performances in recent weeks Courtois celebrates with Karim Benzema after Real scored in their draw at Valencia last month He missed training for two days and was then taken out of the following Saturday's game against Granada replaced by Zidane's compatriot Areola. It seemed then that he might even lose his place for good. Critics online took plenty of joy in Courtois' apparent demise. The club did its best to stick up for him. What appeared to be a rushed PR patch-up interview appeared in Marca in which he admitted: 'If you want to be Real Madrid goalkeeper you have to accept the pressure.' The quote was part of a three-page special in which Marca also reported: 'He has absolutely no problem with anxiety', it went on to say that he had lost three kilos in a matter of hours because of the stomach problem and reminded readers Courtois is on the verge of breaking a record of not conceding a goal for [https://babetopcricketer.bookmark.com/iker-casilllas-and-sara-carbonero babetopcricketer.bookmark.com] Belgium. Courtois spoke about the pressures of being Real Madrid keeper in an interview with Marca He was shown a red card against PSG in the Champions League before VAR overturned it <div class="art-ins mol-factbox floatRHS sport" data-version="2" id="mol-97be3c10-3082-11ea-9167-a3eebc1578d6" website Courtois has finally arrived at Real Madrid

Sportsmail Kicks Off Our Look At The Top 50 Footballers Of The DECADE

2020-06-24T10:03:12Z

MagaretMendes: Created page with "Three World Cups, six different [/sport/champions_league/index.html Champions League] winners and countless memorable matches and performances. The 2010s have been a decade..."

Three World Cups, six different [/sport/champions_league/index.html Champions League] winners and countless memorable matches and performances. The 2010s have been a decade littered with footballing brilliance. As the decade comes to a close, Sportsmail asked our team of reporters: who have been to see their fair share of players of the 2010s? The results, formed of 27 responses tallied up to make up a top 50 players, will be published over the next five days. Can [/sport/cristianoronaldo/index.html Cristiano Ronaldo]'s four European Cup wins and international success propel him above the mercurial brilliance of [/sport/lionelmessi/index.html Lionel Messi]? Which [/sport/premierleague/index.html Premier League] stars will mix it with the best from LaLiga? And where will the World Cup winners rank compared to the stars of the Champions League? Friday's first raft of names, from 50-41, features two current world champions and five men who have starred in the Premier League. Keep checking back on MailOnline across the next five days for the full list of the decade. RELATED ARTICLES [# Previous] [# 1] [# Next] [/sport/football/article-7829957/Jose-Mourinho-admits-did-not-perfect-situation-Spurs-101-cent.html Jose Mourinho admits he did not find a 'perfect situation'...] [/sport/football/article-7830369/Roy-Hodgson-urges-Crystal-Palace-splash-cash-January-injury-crisis-worsens.html 'We sometimes get a little bit demoralised and depressed...] [/sport/football/article-7830367/Pep-Guardiola-beat-Jose-Mourinho-boss-hit-100-Premier-League-wins-fewest-games.html Pep Guardiola will overtake rival Jose Mourinho as the...] [/sport/football/article-7830301/Ancelotti-reveals-NOT-target-striker-Jan-discuss-signings-FA-Cup-clash.html Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti reveals he will NOT target a...] Share this article Share 641 shares 50. Miroslav Klose - Bayern Munich, Lazio, Germany Despite being retired for almost half the decade, it would be remiss of us to exclude Miroslav Klose from the top 50 players of the past 10 years. Not only did the former Bayern Munich and Lazio striker leave Brazil in 2014 with a World Cup winner's medal around his neck, but he did so with a personal record to boot. The German striker broke the all-time record for goals scored at the World Cup, surpassing Ronaldo's tally of 15 goals against the Brazilian's countrymen during the famous 7-1 rout in the semi-final in Belo Horizonte. Klose was one of those players that performed better for his country than his club. His 75 goals in 237 games for Bayern and Lazio this decade is clouded by his outstanding record of 71 goals in 137 games for his country. Miroslav Klose's strike in the 7-1 rout of Brazil made him the World Cup's all-time top scorer The German striker enjoyed a fantastic summer as his country lifted the World Cup in 2014 49. Edinson Cavani - Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain, Uruguay When looking back on his career Edinson Cavani may be left to feel his record hasn't been truly appreciated. The unfathomable excellence of the two that shall not be named has served to overshadow the performances of some outstanding players across Europe. Two hundred and eighty four goals in 380 games for Napoli and PSG is a simply breathtaking goals tally, and Cavani has matched his individual contributions with an impressive trophy haul this decade. The 32-year-old has won five Ligue 1 titles, five French League Cups, four French Cups, an Italian Cup and the Copa America with his country in the past 10 years. And, after seven seasons with the all-conquering French side, Cavani is set to enjoy new pastures in 2020, with a move to Atletico Madrid looking likely. Edinson Cavani's goal record is incredible, with 284 goals in 380 games for Napoli and PSG 48. Antoine Griezmann - Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, France The 2010s have seen Atletico Madrid display a proven track record for developing some of the world's most exciting talents, and Antoine Griezmann arguably stands head and shoulders above the rest. The Frenchman has enjoyed a fantastic decade in Spain, which began as an exciting academy product with Real Sociedad. Fifty two goals in 202 appearances was enough to convince Diego Simeone to take a chance on the striker, agreeing a £24million deal to bring him to the Vicente Calderon Stadium. Antoine Griezmann's performances at Atletico earned him a mega-money move to Barcelona And Griezmann quickly became the star man for Simeone's side, firing an impressive 133 goals in 257 games for Los Colchoneros, as Atleti won the Europa League, Spanish Cup and UEFA Super Cup along the way. The 28-year-old's success with Atleti was intertwined with international glory, as Griezmann played a starring role in France's World Cup triumph in Russia in 2018, to make up for his country's disappointment in missing out on victory at the Euros two years earlier, in which Griezmann won the Golden Boot. A mega-money £108million move to rivals Barcelona followed in the summer of 2019, with the Frenchman scoring eight goals in 23 appearances so far this season. The striker led the line alongside Kylian Mbappe as France won the World Cup in 2018 47. Paul Pogba - Juventus, Manchester United, France Another World Cup winner with France to make the list, Paul Pogba has seen his stock rise enormously over the course of the past decade. The Frenchman left Manchester United with his tail between his legs in 2012 as the midfielder grew tired with a lack of first-team opportunities from famed manager Sir Alex Ferguson. A free transfer to Juventus turned out to be one of the best pieces of business of the last 10 years, with Pogba flourishing in Turin to become one of the most sought-after talents on the planet. Pogba won a host of silverware with Juve, including the Scudetto, Italian Cup and Italian Super Cup. Juventus' acquisition of Paul Pogba on a free was perhaps the best transfer of the decade The Frenchman played a starring role in his country's World Cup triumph in Russia last summer But United came calling the loudest, with former manager Jose Mourinho pulling out all the stops to secure an Old Trafford reunion. Pogba would return for a then world record fee of £100million. Under Mourinho, Pogba helped United lift the League Cup and Europa League. Pogba also scored in the World Cup final as France romped to victory over Croatia. His future at United in 2020, however, remains unclear. Manchester United will be hoping to hold onto Pogba, whose future remains uncertain 46. Iker Casillas - Real Madrid, Porto, Spain Where do you begin with Iker Casillas? The Spaniard will most definitely be looked back on as one of the greatest goalkeepers to step between the sticks, having kept for arguably the greatest international team ever in Spain, as well as reigning supreme as Real Madrid's No 1. Casillas began the decade a World Cup winner in South Africa, where he also won the Golden Glove, having conceded just two goals during the tournament. Two years later he became a two-time European champion as Spain won back-to-back Euros in Ukraine. Iker Casillas has had a marvellous decade, winning a glut of silverware along the way The goalkeeper won the World Cup and Champions League before leaving Real Madrid in 2015 The 38-year-old lifted the Champions League trophy for the third time in 2013-14, before leaving his beloved club on acrimonious terms in the summer of 2015, with his [/sport/football/article-3158044/Iker-Casillas-forced-Real-Madrid-club-president-Florentino-Perez-according-departing-captain-s-parents.html parents claiming that he had been forced out by club president Florentino Perez]. Casillas would move across the border to Porto, where he won the league title in 2017-18. A heart attack in May this year has sidelined the veteran keeper, and it is unknown whether we will see him between the sticks again. A heart attack in May this year has kept the veteran keeper, who plays for Porto, out of action 45. David de Gea - Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Spain Casillas' successor hasn't had a bad decade himself. David de Gea swiftly became one of the best goalkeepers the Premier League had seen with Manchester United. Although it hasn't all been smooth sailing for the 29-year-old, who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Atletico Madrid in 2011 for around £18million. De Gea fielded criticism for being lightweight and a liability for United, but hard work in the gym has seen the Spaniard excel at Old Trafford. David de Gea has been the standout goalkeeper in the Premier League this decade Among the swathes of accolades the keeper has won this decade, including numerous selections in the Premier League team of the year, the strongest indication of De Gea's importance to United can be shown by his winning of the club's player of the season award for four seasons straight. One Premier League title, an FA Cup, League Cup and two Europa Leagues (with United and Atletico Madrid) suggest it has been a very good decade for the Spaniard. The Spaniard has developed hugely from the 11 stone youngster who joined United in 2011 44. John Terry - Chelsea, Aston Villa, England Under Roman Abramovich's ownership, the revolving door at Stamford Bridge was in full swing, but one man largely remained at the heart of all of Chelsea's modern success. It hasn't been a bad 10 years for John Terry. Three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a League Cup, Europa League and Champions League trophy to boot, the Englishman won it all at Stamford Bridge. Throughout the revolving door that is Chelsea, John Terry was one of the few constants Terry was at the heart of the club's greatest ever era, and won Champions League this decade His departure for Aston Villa in the summer of 2017 was a tough pill to swallow for the Chelsea faithful, who waved him off in bizarre circumstances when former boss Antonio Conte substituted the 39-year-old on the 26th minute, with opponents Sunderland agreeing to kick the ball out to allow it to happen. Terry was unable to go out on a high though, with his new side Aston Villa falling to a heartbreaking defeat to Fulham at Wembley in the Championship play-off final. He would return a year later to triumph second time around, albeit in the dugout with Dean Smith, with whom he is working as an assistant coach. Terry played one season with Aston Villa before retiring, in which they lost out on promotion He returned to Wembley a year later as an assistant coach as Villa triumphed over Derby 43. Son Heung-min - Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Spurs, South Korea We couldn't leave out Son Heung-min from our countdown of the world's best players over the last decade. The South Korea star has dazzled since joining Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen for £21.9million in 2015. Son's performances in north London have continued to step up a level season upon season, to the point where he is the second name on the teamsheet, behind goalscoring machine Harry Kane of course. The 27-year-old's electric pace and ability to score with either foot has made him a constant thorn in the side of many a Premier League outfit, and his magical goal against Burnley earlier this month showcased the forward's astounding talent. Son Heung-min has set the Premier League alight with electrifying displays for Spurs Son has also shown the ability to perform under intense pressure. Spurs chiefs were sent into disarray in 2018 when their star man was called to serve in the army back home in South Korea, with his only escape option being to win the Asian Games. And Son delivered, [https://babetopcricketer.bookmark.com/iker-casilllas-and-sara-carbonero babetopcricketer.bookmark.com] scoring both goals as South Korea overcame Japan 2-1 in the final to secure himself, and his team-mates, mandatory exemption from military service. The South Korean star won the Asian Games last year to rule him out of military service 42. Steven Gerrard - Liverpool, LA Galaxy, England Despite their current on-field success and the likelihood of lifting their first ever Premier League title come May, Liverpool still very much miss the man who brought so much hope to a city dreaming of returning to former glories. For Steven Gerrard watching on from Scotland, it is simply a case of bad timing. The Liverpudlian pledged his career to his boyhood club at a time where loyalty is an anomaly in the modern game. Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool fans to dream of returning to the days of past glories The midfielder only won one League Cup this decade but gave football so much more Gerrard deprived himself of the trophy haul his talent well and truly deserved. The past decade has seen the dynamic midfielder win a solitary League Cup title before calling time on a marvellous career. He also led England as captain during the disastrous 2014 World Cup campaign in Brazil. And who can forget that title chase in the 2013-14 season, when Gerrard and Luis Suarez were at the forefront of their title bid, only to be pipped by Manchester City. Gerrard's slip during the home loss to Chelsea was seen as a turning point that moved City closer to winning the league. Undoubtedly Gerrard, who is now in charge of Rangers, will be watching on in delight in May if Jordan Henderson lifts the coveted Premier League trophy. Had he been five years younger, though, he'd surely be reaping the rewards of the faith he showed. He went so close to lifting the Premier League title in 2014 but fell at the final hurdle 41. Karim Benzema - Real Madrid, France His goal record (304 in 636 games) may not be in the same stratosphere as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, nor Edinson Cavani, but Karim Benzema has been integral to the overwhelming success of Real Madrid this decade. The Frenchman has survived constant change at a club that very much embraces the rollercoaster culture it brings upon itself. His selection as the starting striker under seven different managers speaks volumes of the level of quality he brings. Karim Benzema has been integral to the overwhelming success of Real Madrid in the 2010s And the trophy record speaks for itself. Benzema has scooped four Champions Leagues, two LaLigas, two Copa del Reys, four Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups this decade. But perhaps the accolade that truly demonstrates the 32-year-old's importance to Real Madrid's success is the player of the season award, a gong he has picked up on three occasions these past 10 years. A bust up with the France national team left Benzema a spectator as he watched his countrymen be crowned world champions in Russia last summer, the only blemish on what has been an outstanding decade of football for the striker. Benzema (R) provided a platform for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo (C) and Gareth Bale to thrive RELATED ARTICLES [# Previous] [# 1] [# Next] [/sport/football/article-7829957/Jose-Mourinho-admits-did-not-perfect-situation-Spurs-101-cent.html Jose Mourinho admits he did not find a 'perfect situation'...] [/sport/football/article-7830369/Roy-Hodgson-urges-Crystal-Palace-splash-cash-January-injury-crisis-worsens.html 'We sometimes get a little bit demoralised and depressed...] [/sport/football/article-7830367/Pep-Guardiola-beat-Jose-Mourinho-boss-hit-100-Premier-League-wins-fewest-games.html Pep Guardiola will overtake rival Jose Mourinho as the...] [/sport/football/article-7830301/Ancelotti-reveals-NOT-target-striker-Jan-discuss-signings-FA-Cup-clash.html Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti reveals he will NOT target a...] Share this article Share 641 shares

User:MagaretMendes

2020-06-24T10:03:10Z

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