5 Players Who Undeserved To Be on The Bench

James Rodriguez @AFP

In today's era, it is very easy to find world-class players sitting on the bench every week. Strict competition and a great squad sometimes make some world-class players undergo roles as substitute players.

PSG brings Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the summer and makes a number of world-class players there to get out and sit on the bench. Maybe they need to move in order not to be on the bench.

Here are five players who undeserved to be on the bench as reported by Sportskeeda.

#1. Wojciech Szczesny

Arsenal decided to release Wojciech Szczesny this summer. In fact, if not for his poor relationship with Arsene Wenger, Szczesny could be the number one goalkeeper of the Gunners.

However, the Polish goalkeeper is currently only on the bench at Juventus. This is understandable because the veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is still under the Turin club's crossbar.

Currently 27-year-old player is still difficult to shift Buffon and he seems to be on the bench until the Italian goalkeeper retired. This is very disappointing because Szczesny must be the main goalkeeper in a club.

While on loan at Roma, Szczesny played 72 games in the league and made 19 clean sheets in his first season and 14 the following season. It shows that Szczesny was able to become number one goalkeeper elsewhere.

#2. Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial is already involved in eight goals - four goals and four assists - despite only playing 280 minutes in the league this season.

The Frenchman appeared less impressive in his first season with Jose Mourinho. He failed to penetrate the Red Devils main team but in this season he is able to show his capacity.

Martial is still not a starter but he always takes advantage of all the opportunities given. Against West Ham, Martial scored after coming off the bench before giving assists to Paul Pogba. In the next game, Martial also managed to score after becoming a substitute.

Thus, Martial is a real threat coming from the bench. Martial is currently still losing to Marcus Rashford but the player is not fit to inhabit the bench.

#3. Julian Draxler

Although his goal and assist stats are not too spectacular, Julian Draxler is undoubtedly a very good player and should not be on the bench.

The German player is still 24 years old and still peaked, but he is quite regularly sitting on the bench at PSG. The French club has Neymar, Angel Di Maria, and Kylian Mbappe, but Draxler is equally great.

Draxler is widely rumored to be moving in January or next summer. He can certainly be a starter in any major European club.

#4. Bernardo Silva

After a remarkable performance with AS Monaco last season, Bernardo Silva was thought to be an important player under Josep Guardiola. However, the Portuguese player was still not able to penetrate the main team of Manchester City.

Silva has quality and he deserves the opportunity at Etihad Stadium. The three-player system that is often applied by City makes Silva rarely play.

In addition, also difficulty shifting other City star players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane. Silva had little chance to prove himself so difficult to penetrate the main team of City.

#5. James Rodriguez

After the 2014 World Cup, Rodriguez was recruited by Real Madrid and was considered the winner of the Ballon d'Or in the future. However, James really failed to meet expectations. He's still a great player, but his time in Madrid was arguably less successful.

In this new season, Rodriguez is loaned to Bayern Munich for regular play. However, he is still difficult because Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery, and Kingsley Coman are more often get a chance despite their bad play.

Rodriguez is very talented and deserves to be a main player of Bayern. He should be a player who can help Bayern rise in the near future.

5 Goalkeepers Who Ever Make Messi Frustrated

Lionel Messi @AFP

Barcelona star Lionel Messi is one of the best players in a decade recently. With a reputation as a reliable goalscorer, Messi has clearly conquered many goalkeepers.

Even so, not all goalkeepers can be conquered easily by Messi. Not infrequently, La Pulga has always been in trouble scoring when dealing with them.

Here are five goalkeepers who ever make Messi frustrated to score a goal as reported by Sportskeeda.

#1. Claudio Bravo

Claudio Bravo has been outstanding for several years. He earned great achievements with Chile and is one of the goalkeepers who ever played with Messi and also became an opponent.

Bravo ever stopped Messi on several occasions. La Pulga even took a while before conquering the goalkeeper. Bravo grabbed two clean sheets against Messi in a match between Chile against Argentina in 2007 and 2008.

Messi finally managed to break down the Bravo goal when scored two goals in a 5-0 win against Real Sociedad in 2010. In addition, Messi has also scored a hattrick against Bravo when Barcelona meet Manchester City in the Champions League last season.

Nevertheless, Bravo once silenced the winner of five Ballon d'Or several times included in the 2016 Copa America final.

#2. Edwin Van Der Sar

Edwin Van Der Sar was well known in the Premier League especially when defending Manchester United. He has dealt with Lionel Messi several times and made the Argentine player helpless.

When meeting in the Champions League 2008, Van der Sar performed brilliantly to hold Barcelona goalless at Camp Nou. At the second meeting, the Dutch legendary goalkeeper re-hold Messi and get rid of Barcelona after a 1-0 win.

However, Messi eventually managed to avenge him and scored against Van der Sar's goal when the two met again in the Champions League final in 2009.

#3. Manuel Neuer

Another goalkeeper who was also able to complicate Lionel Messi was Manuel Neuer. Bayern Munich goalkeeper was able to prevent Messi scored when they get rid of Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals 2013.

They both met again in the 2014 World Cup final and the German player managed to keep a clean sheet before finally broke out in the 2015 Champions League semi-final.

In the first leg, Messi was able to conquer Neuer through a shot from outside the penalty box and La Pulga's goal in the match was selected as the best goal in the Champions League that season.

#4. Gianluigi Buffon

The latest goalkeeper who successfully been conquered by Lionel Messi after so long was Gianluigi Buffon. The Italian goalkeeper was one of the few goalkeepers who managed to thwart Messi on three different occasions.

In the Champions League final in 2015, Buffon made Messi helpless despite his team had to give up from Barcelona with a score of 3-1. He also successfully silenced Messi in two legs in the Champions League quarter-final match last season.

Even so, Messi finally managed to conquer Buffon in the Champions League last month after scoring two goals for Barcelona's victory.

#5. Petr Cech

Nothing can stop Messi most often other than Peter Cech. Czech Republic goalkeeper was in impressive performances when thwarting Messi on several occasions.

Cech managed to prevent the Barcelona player from scoring in seven games. He met with Messi when defending Chelsea from 2006 to 2012 and make La Pulga helpless.

They both met again in 2016 after Cech joined Arsenal. However, this time Messi can conquer Cech by scoring two goals in Champions League group stage match

5 Players Who Should Leave Chelsea

Antonio Conte @LES

Chelsea is one of the big clubs in England. They've won the Premier League twice in the last three seasons. Although already a big team status but that does not mean every player in the squad must continue to stay.

Chelsea has a squad full of talented players. However, not all players get a chance to play regularly every week.

Therefore, there are some players who have to leave Stamford Bridge for his career to grow. By moving to another clubs, they can pull out all of their best abilities on the pitch.

Here are five players who have to leave Chelsea as reported by Sportskeeda.

#1. Cesc Fabregas

When Arsene Wenger gave Cesc Fabregas his debut at the age of 16, the rest of the world knew they were watching a special talent. The Spaniard has a knack for giving the accurate passes. Fabregas has a great career after playing for Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea.

However, his career at Chelsea recently experienced ups and downs. Last season, one of the best midfielders in the world spent most of his time on the bench and he could still break the record of assists elsewhere.

Besides Toni Kroos, there is no midfielder on the planet who has better visions than Fabregas, and he has to leave Chelsea to keep gaining recognition.

#2. Kenedy

Since his arrival in 2015, Kenedy did not get much chance at Chelsea. Though the player has the talent to be a wing-back and a good winger in the Premier League.

The Brazilian is faster than Marcos Alonso and his skill is better than the Spaniard. However, this does not mean Marcos Alonso is not a brilliant left-wing defender, only Kenedy better.

And the sooner Kenedy leaves Chelsea the sooner the world will see all his ability.

#3. Willian

Chelsea's best player in 2015/16 season has not been rewarded for his achievements. The Brazilian is no longer a top choice at Stamford Bridge. The 29-year-old winger deserves to be a starter at Stamford Bridge every week.

It is understandable that Eden Hazard is a starter rather than himself, but Willian should not lose to Pedro. Willian is quick, skillful, productive and decisive in the opposite area and he is a player who can still do better if given adequate playing time.

While playing in West London, Willian had scored 31 goals, doing 4,842 passing on target and creating 48 chances. He will be an asset to any team and guarantees the starter for one of the top four Premier League teams.

#4. Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Ruben Loftus-Cheek had a chance at Chelsea's senior team for a long time. The 21-year-old is a special talent that should be prioritized Antonio Conte this season.

Loftus-Cheek is now outdone with other Chelsea midfielders like N'Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko as well. Though the British players have the potential to become the best midfielder in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old has the ability to become a world-class British talent since Wayne Rooney's appearance. Loftus-Cheek is currently on loan at Crystal Palace and has to leave Chelsea for regular play.

#5. Michy Batshuayi

Although often scored in important matches, Michy Batshuayi is still not a major choice by Antonio Conte. Last season he was being more like a Diego Costa substitute.

After Costa was no longer included in Conte's plan, Batshuayi's fate did not change. He continued to inhabit the bench after the Blues opted to recruit Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid.

At the age of 23 years, Batshuayi has scored 88 goals in his senior career. He deserves a chance to play regular and become a starter in other Premier League teams.

5 Reasons Cristiano Ronaldo Must Return to United in January

Cristiano Ronaldo @AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo is still in top form after 13 years of his career. He is still able to play five more years to add to the collection of titles in his trophy cabinet.

Since becoming the world's most expensive player when moving to Real Madrid, Ronaldo's career shines even more brightly. However, this season, Ronaldo's game looks a little decreased.

Real Madrid has a cruel reputation about their treatment of players who have gone downhill. It would be better if Ronaldo thinks about leaving Santiago Bernabeu in the near future so as not to fare badly like Iker Casillas.

Ronaldo himself has been very often associated with his return to Manchester United. Here are five reasons Ronaldo should join the Red Devils in January as reported by Sportskeeda.

1. The presence of Marco Asensio

Many consider the figure of Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be replaced at Real Madrid. However, the emergence of Marco Asensio can break the assumption.

This Palma-born player has surprised many with his career that increasingly skyrocketed with Real Madrid. He has shown signs of being a great player in the future with a remarkable performance.

How great he is that Madrid fans flooded social media with the question 'Who need Ronaldo?', After Asensio proved influential in El Clasico's match and as long as the Portuguese star was absent.

Zidane already considered the left-footed player was in the second position after Lionel Messi. It is very clear that Asensio can threaten Ronaldo and the Portuguese player must think about his future.

2. Tax Issues

Ronaldo fans rejoice over Lionel Messi's possible imprisonment for tax scams a few years back. But, little did they know that Ronaldo would be a victim of a much bigger embezzlement than his Argentine counterpart.

Apparently, the Real Madrid star was the subject of tax evasion valued at 14.7 million euros from his image rights. In July, Ronaldo faced the first trial of 90 minutes from the tax authorities in Spain.

It seems unlikely for a generous athlete like CR7 to be punished for the problem. Although Ronaldo decided to stay at the Bernabeu, his tax problems have not been completed until now. In addition, his agent Jorge Mendes was also dragged into a dispute with the tax authorities after being called in for an investigation into the case.

Ronaldo expressed his desire to return to England, where he would not have encountered such a tax case compared to in Spain. If the allegations prove to be true, the Portuguese star could have packed up his belongings and returned to Carrington.

3. Scenario Changes

Ronaldo and Messi are known to often be involved in the competition since the first minute of the new season La Liga. However, Ronaldo has been lagging a few miles behind Barca striker, due to a five-match penalty as a result of pushing referee in the Spanish Super Cup.

Although Real Madrid fans expect it to bounce back, the situation did not go well. Despite having scored twice against Dortmund since returning, Ronaldo has not been effective in La Liga for not scoring in the last three games for Real.

Absent scoring in three games is actually normal for other players. However, it's a sharp spotlight when Ronaldo is through. Moreover, Real Madrid is seven points behind Barcelona.

CR7 has won four Ballon d'Or and is currently struggling to win the fifth title to match Messi's nicks. However, the fasting of his goal could damage Ronaldo's chance to gain the honor.

Moving to the Red Devils in January will be an exciting new challenge for him. Messi and Barca are also rumored to join the Premier League if Catalonia achieves independence.

When that happens, Ronaldo will again compete with the Argentine star in the Premier League. Given his age, Ronaldo should take the opportunity before it's too late.

4. Nothing Needs to be Proven at Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo is the most important player in helping Real Madrid to gain a golden era. His goal has made Real Madrid the first team to defend the Champions League title.

To add to his record, Ronaldo has been the all-time leading scorer for Real Madrid. He has won every important award a legend must have in his trophy cabinet.

The move to United may be even more interesting because he will have a new target to be solved at Old Trafford. Ronaldo has scored 118 goals for the Red Devils.

Given his ability to score at least 35 goals per season over the next four seasons, he can be Manchester United's all-time top scorer. By shifting Wayne Rooney, he will be the first player in history to become the all-time leading scorer for two different clubs.

It will be an interesting challenge for the 32-year-old Portuguese captain.

5. He deserves to be Loved

Since 2011, every summer transfer market has always been filled with speculation linking Ronaldo with his former club. It's no secret that the Manchester-based club has a special place in Ronaldo's heart.

Real Madrid fans have never really worshiped their legends as they should. Ronaldo has often been the victim of Bernabeu's public scorn when playing poorly. Although highly respected, it was reported that he felt treated like a criminal at Real Madrid because of it.

It will never happen to him at Old Trafford. Despite aging and no longer a feared player, Ronaldo is guaranteed to be loved if he returns. United fans still love the player who has worn number 7 in United.

However, his arrival may have a negative impact. Anthony Martial would have thought to move if Ronaldo reunited with United. In addition, CR7 is also reluctant to work with Ibrahimovic, who has the same ego as himself. Ibra is getting closer to retirement and one year of their togetherness will not be as grotesque as imagined.

Jose Mourinho can be relied upon to make his team always compact. If United are able to convince Ronaldo to go home, then the Red Devils return to their glory era.

Tracing the Footsteps of Luis Aragones

Luis Aragones @AFP

Julen Lopetegui has just listed the unbeaten streak that previously only achieved by Luis Aragones.

Lopetegui is unbeaten in his first 14 games as manager of the Spanish national team. La Furia Roja made by Lopetegui not only qualified for the 2018 World Cup, but they have not been touched by defeat since coached by him.

Lopetegui is currently tracing the footsteps of one of the greatest Entrenador in the history of Spain football.

The last Matchday of Group G for the 2018 World Cup qualifying, Tuesday (10/10), Spain travel away against Israel. Despite already making sure to automatically qualify for Russia as group winners over Italy, Spain still chasing victory.

Spain won 1-0. Single goal scored by Asier Illarramendi in 76th minutes.

The goal against Israeli was Illarramendi's first goal for La Furia Roja. Real Sociedad's midfielder got it in his second international appearance. He scored it with his first shot on target.

1 - Asier Illarramendi has scored his first goal for Spain 🇪🇸 with his first shot on target. Missile. pic.twitter.com/JidT6xBzdq

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 9, 2017

Spain closed its journey in this qualifying round with 28 points on nine wins and one draw (1-1 vs. Italy). They also scored 36 goals, conceded just three, and not once touched defeat.

That means, in 14 games since being coached by Lopetegui, Spain has not yet been defeated. The record is 11 wins and three draws.

Lopetegui also became the second undefeated coach in his first 14 games to handle Spain after Aragones (W8 D6).

0 - Julen Lopetegui is the 2nd manager to remain unbeaten in his first 14 games for Spain 🇪🇸 (W11 D3), after Luis Aragones (W8 D6). Optimism pic.twitter.com/ol0P2y6wCB

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 9, 2017

Aragones trained Spain period 2004-2008. The Atletico Madrid legend is one of the best coaches Spain has ever had.

Spain's Aragones not only unbeaten in the first 14 games but 25 matches. They just lost at the 26th game, ie 1-3 against France in the round 16 of the World Cup 2006.

Despite failing at the World Cup, Aragones was retained. The decision was very precise. That was proven by the success of Aragones taking Spain's Euro 2008 champions, beating Germany 1-0 in the final with a single goal by Fernando Torres.

It was Spain's first international honor since 1964.

That was the beginning of the era of the triumph of Spain on the stage of world football. The reason, after that, with the successor Vicente del Bosque, Spain won the 2010 World Cup and EURO 2012.

Del Bosque was unbeaten in 13 of his first matches as Spain coach (W13). He withdrew after Spain failed miserably in the 2014 World Cup and defeated by Italy in the round of 16 EURO 2016.

Lopetegui, who was a former Spanish goalkeeper and previously coached Porto, was appointed as a substitute for Del Bosque. The main task is to bring La Furia Roja to the World Cup 2018.

A manager who is now 51-year-old successful to realize the first target charged to him. In addition, he was also unbeaten in his first 14 games.

The most impressive performance was when beat Italy 3-0 at Santiago Bernabeu with Isco as its main star. It was the victory that paved the way for Russia.

Spain under Julen Lopetegui:

• Belgium 0-2 Spain (Friendly)
• Spain 8-0 Liechtenstein (World Cup Qualifying)
• Italy 1-1 Spain (World Cup Qualifying)
• Albania 0-2 Spain (World Cup Qualifying)
• Spain 4-0 Macedonia (World Cup Qualifying)
• English 2-2 Spanish (Friendly)
• Spain 4-1 Israel (World Cup Qualifying)
• French 0-2 Spanish (Friendly)
• Spain 2-2 Colombia (Friendly)
• Macedonia 1-2 Spain (World Cup Qualifying)
• Spain 3-0 Italy (World Cup Qualifying)
• Liechtenstein 0-8 Spain (World Cup Qualifying)
• Spain 3-0 Albania (World Cup Qualifying)
• Israel 0-1 Spain (World Cup Qualifying).

Del Bosque was unbeaten in 13 of his first matches as Spain coach (W13). Lopetegui has passed it with 14 matches unbeaten (W11 D3).

It is still far away for Lopetegui to pursue 25 unbeatable records of Aragones's. But he was on the right track.

He just needs to keep track of the legend's footsteps, step by step.

4 Players Who Won Uefa Champions League Consecutively With Two Different Clubs

The Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in football. European clubs from various countries meet each other to be crowned the best in Europe.

In 1992, the European Cup changed its name to the Champions League and current defending champions, Real Madrid became the only club to successfully defend the trophy they won in the previous year.

For clubs and players to win the trophy in two consecutive seasons is difficult, even winning in a row with two different teams is almost impossible. However, there are four players in the modern era of the Champions League who managed to do so.

Here are four great players who have won the Champions League in two years in a row, with two different clubs as reported by Sportskeeda.

1. Marcel Desailly

Marcel Desailly has played for several teams in four different countries during his 20-year career. After making his debut for the French club Nantes in 1986, Desailly continued his career with Marseille and played alongside France's current coach Didier Deschamps there.

Deschamps and Desailly formed a formidable duo in midfield and helped the club clinch the only Champions League trophy after beating AC Milan in the final.

After that Marseille lost his star player, and Desailly moved to Italy by joining the finalist team, AC Milan.

Desailly created history with Milan, as the Italian giants managed to beat Barcelona's Johan Cruyff from the 1993-1994 season finals, and the Frenchman won their second successive Champions League trophy.

2. Paulo Sousa

Portugal defensive midfielder Paulo Sousa, like Marcel Desailly, won European elite football competition in a row with two different clubs. Sousa started his playing career in Portugal with Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, where he made a big impact to attract the attention of big European clubs.

Sousa moved to Italy to play with Turin giants Juventus, under Marcello Lippi in 1994. After two years at the club and with a Serie A title in 1995, Sousa and Juventus won the first Champions League trophy by defeating defending champion Ajax on penalties on 1996.

Sousa left Juventus afterward and moved to Borussia Dortmund, to work under Ottmar Hitzfeld. Hitzfeld and Sousa guided the young German team to their first Champions League trophy in 1997, beating the former Portuguese club's Juventus in the final.

3. Gerard Pique

Gerard Pique is one of the best defenders in the world today and has won everything both at the club and international level. Pique left Barcelona's childhood club at the age of 16 to develop his talent and join Manchester United to back up Rio Ferdinand.

Together with United, Pique won his first Champions League trophy in 2008 and became a reserve player in the final against Chelsea. Pique, who wants to play more regularly, left United after four years thereby returning to Barcelona.

In his first season in Barcelona, ​​under new manager Josep Guardiola, Pique then beat his former team in the final of 2009, to win his second Champions League trophy in a row.

4. Samuel Eto'o

Eto'o came to Camp Nou in 2004 and became one of the players who played for Real Madrid and Barcelona. Eto'o then won his first Champions League in 2006 to complete the La Liga title he has earned. In 2009, his final year in Barcelona, ​​Eto'o's goal in the Champions League final helped Barcelona to their second European title in four years.

The Cameroon player then moved to Inter Milan with Zlatan Ibrahimovic exchanged for Barcelona. However, it was Eto'o who achieved success when Jose Mourinho's Inter beat Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals.

Inter finally won the Champions League trophy in 2010 after beating Bayern Munchen and Eto'o became the fourth player in the modern era to win Champions League titles in a row with two different teams.

5 Star Players Who Ever Rejected Arsenal

Throughout his career, Arsene Wenger has a reputation as a manager who likes to develop talented young players into superstars. The Frenchman plays a major role in the careers of great players like Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Marc Overmars and Freddie Ljungberg and many others.

Wenger, who has spent more than 2 decades as Arsenal manager, has won many titles such as the Premier League and FA Cup. Therefore, it is not wrong as well if he is one of the best managers in the Premier League.

Despite a good reputation, but not all players apparently willing to play under Wenger's care. Here are five players who had refused to join Arsenal as reported by Sportskeeda.

1. Vincent Kompany

The 31-year-old defender started his career at Belgian club Anderlecht and his performances attracted attention. He broke into Anderlecht's senior team at the age of 17 and won the Belgian League in his debut season.

When players of caliber like Kompany had to leave Belgium, Arsenal then reacted quickly. Arsene Wenger wants to bring the players to the club and Kompany suitable to the criteria the club wants.

However, Kompany did not believe could develop with Arsenal and finally decided to join Hamburg. After developing his talent in Germany, Kompany joined Manchester City.

2. Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy will be the name that always etched in Premier League history. The 30-year-old bomber scored a lot of goals in the 2015/16 season to deliver Leicester City to win the Premier League title.

Arsenal then interested in getting a signature at the beginning of the season. At that time many claimed that Vardy had a deal to move to Arsenal with a price tag of 22 million Euros.

However, Vardy seems to have other ideas. He declined the Gunners bid and decided to stay with Leicester.

3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a chance to join Arsenal in 2000. At that time he was impressive for Malmo and attracted the attention of other European clubs.

Arsene Wenger was one of the managers interested in recruiting Zlatan and the Swedish player was invited to come to London and was offered the number 9 costume at Arsenal.

Zlatan was invited to undergo a series of tests that allowed him to play at Arsenal. However, the Manchester United bomber denied the request.

4. Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez joined Liverpool in the 2011 winter transfer market and although very keen there, he was frustrated in the 2012-13 season as the Reds were unable to compete for the title. Suarez wants to leave and Arsenal was believed to be at the forefront to recruit the player.

After Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League, Suarez increasingly wanted to move to Arsenal. Arsene Wenger decided to recruit Suarez but had his own way by giving 40 million and 1 pound. The offer was clearly rejected by Liverpool.

Suarez then did not leave and decided to stay in Liverpool after receiving advice from Steven Gerrard. The following season, Suarez almost led Liverpool to a Premier League title before joining Barcelona.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo started his career with Sporting Lisbon. Ronaldo's performance attracted many teams to recruit him, including Liverpool, Barcelona, and Arsenal.

At that time Wenger was under pressure to ensure the club's finances remained balanced so they could move to the new stadium. Therefore, buying a young player into a solution and Cristiano Ronaldo is the right player.

The 2002-2003 season was Ronaldo's first appearance in Sporting Lisbon's senior team. Arsene Wenger was confident enough to get his autograph, even they met Ronaldo at Arsenal stadium in November 2002 to discuss a possible transfer.

However, Arsenal actually failed to recruit Ronaldo because Manchester United managed to hijack him. Sir Alex Ferguson got his autograph after reaching an agreement with the agent Jorge Mendes.

Jan Oblak and the Art of Making Frustrated Opponents

Jan Oblak when first time join Atletico © Atletico Madrid

One factor that makes Atletico Madrid hard to beat is Jan Oblak presence under the crossbar. The 24-year-old Slovenia goalkeeper even often makes the opposing players feel frustrated by his toughness in guarding the goal.

Oblak greatness has been recognized in the La Liga. Trofeo Ricardo Zamora from the last two seasons he won was a real testament. He grabbed it because he deserved it.

Your #LaLiga record is ridiculous, Jan Oblak. 😱 pic.twitter.com/SdOSD28MQp

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) October 4, 2017

This 2017/18 season is his fourth season in Atletico uniform. The statistics in La Liga are amazing.

In 86 appearances so far, Oblak has gained 50 clean sheets (matches without conceding) and just conceded 49.

Jan Oblak in La Liga
Appearance: 86
Conceded: 49
Match without conceding: 50
Yellow card: 3
Red card: 0.

Jan Oblak statistic in La Liga (c) Transfermarkt

Oblak was the best goalkeeper in the Portuguese Primeira Liga 2013/14 season, Atletico recruited from Benfica for € 16 million in July 2014. At that time, he became the most expensive goalkeeper in La Liga history.

Oblak was projected to be a substitute for Thibaut Courtois who returned to Chelsea. When presented as a new Atletico player, Oblak said: "I have come not to replace anyone, I came as another player."

"I will do everything to defend this uniform, I will do everything I can to help the team."

Oblak proves it. Slowly but surely, he developed an art that is now synonymous with him - the art of frustrating the opponent with great saving below the goal.

In the beginning, Oblak was just a backup for Miguel Angel Moya, who was recruited from Getafe a month earlier. But the injury suffered by the Spanish goalkeeper against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League changed everything. Oblak seized the place of Moya and made his senior just played matches in Copa del Rey.

But Oblak indeed deserved to be the main goalkeeper. His toughness as the last bastion of Atletico increased in the 2015/16 season, where he won Trofeo Zamora after conceding only 18 goals in 38 La Liga matches - equaling Francisco Liano (Deportivo La Coruna) record for 22 years.

In Slovenian national team, he was also out of the shadow of Samir Handanovic who retired at the end of 2015.

The following season, the award for a goalkeeper with the lowest goals-to-games ratio in La Liga was falling again into Oblak's hands. Then the Spanish media dubbed him ' Jan Zamora '.

It is not easy to steal goals from Oblak. Players like Neymar, Luis Suarez to Karim Benzema have just scored a goal against Oblak in several matches.

So far, only four players have scored more than one goal against Oblak in La Liga. The top two are Lionel Messi from Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo from rivals Real Madrid.

Goal vs Jan Oblak in La Liga
4 - Lionel Messi (5 matches)
3 - Cristiano Ronaldo (4 matches)
2 - Roberto Soriano (2 matches)
2 - Cristhian Stuani (1 matches).

With his prowess as a goalkeeper, Oblak is like having mastered the art of frustrating the opponent. The last player frustrated by him was Nabil El Zhar.

Atletico against the host Leganes on Jornada 7 La Liga 2017/18. Atletico could only grab draw 0-0 and failed to bring home maximum points.. But one point itself deserves to be grateful for them.

Atletico could have lost. Oblak who prevent them from defeat. Three shots on target, all by El Zhar, were successfully broken by Oblak with his heroic action.

That was the 50th clean sheet of Oblak in La Liga.

Leganes was frustrated by him. But they didn't need to worry because they were not the first and the only one. Many others already feel the same.

Recalling Phenomenal Debut 'Il Fenomeno' Ronaldo at Bernabeu

Exactly 15 years ago, on 6 October 2002, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima played his first appearance at Santiago Bernabeu with Real Madrid greatness uniform. The legendary Brazilian striker took just a minute on the pitch to netted the first of his 104 goals with Madrid.

In the game, Ronaldo immediately bought up two goals. A perfect 'introduction', phenomenal, it was perfect for a player who bears the nickname Il Fenomeno.

Overall, Ronaldo scored 104 goals in 177 appearances for Madrid in all tournaments. It all started from his debut at the Bernabeu against Deportivo Alaves.

Born in Rio de Janeiro on September 18, 1976, Ronaldo started his professional career as a footballer with Cruzeiro in 1993. After the 1994 World Cup, which he attended despite being 17 (but not played), Ronaldo joined PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.

Ronaldo's ability as a striker was growing rapidly. Two seasons at PSV, he attracted Barcelona and Inter Milan. Barcelona was a club that successfully bought him with a transfer value of $ 19.5 million ( a world record at that time). Ronaldo was only one season in Barcelona uniform, ​​but that was enough for him to win the FIFA World Player of the Year 1996 award. At the age of 20, he became the youngest player ever to win.

Based on the problem of contract negotiations, Ronaldo chose to leave Catalan. Inter finally got it in the summer of 1997. With a transfer value of $ 27 million, Ronaldo became the second player after Diego Maradona who ever broke the world transfer record twice.

With Inter, his ability as a forward being more perfect. Speed, a technique to goal instinct being sharper. Until Italian media dubbed him 'Il Fenomeno', and we do not need Google Translate to find out the meaning.

But a knee injury made Ronaldo can not pull out all his best ability. After the 2002 World Cup, and 59 goals in 99 appearances with the Nerazzurri uniform, Ronaldo returns to Matador Country. Madrid recruited him with a transfer value of € 46 million.

Ronaldo was brought in as part of the Galacticos era, which included Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, to David Beckham.Though an injury made him unable to get down to the field until October 2002, the Madrid fans were constantly singing his name.

Their wait to see Ronaldo appear in Madrid's uniform at the Bernabeu was finally completed on October 6, 2002, when Madrid hosted Alaves in Jornada 5 La Liga.

Entered as a substitute for Guti on 63rd minutes by coach Vicente del Bosque, Ronaldo took just a minute to score his first goal. The goal was born from the assist of his compatriot, Roberto Carlos. In the 78th minute, continued through pass from Steve McManaman, Ronaldo scored his second goal. Madrid finally won 5-2 thanks to one goal from Zidane and two goals each from Figo and Ronaldo.

Since then, goal by goal continues to be born from the foot of Ronaldo, especially after returning to wear number 9 (in his first season he wore number 11). These included a hat-trick against Manchester United at Old Trafford in a Champions League quarter-final duel, which earned him a standing ovation from both supporters. In addition, Ronaldo also scored one of the fastest goals in Madrid's history when breaking into Atletico Madrid's goal in the 14th second (La Liga 2003/04). Not to forget anyway, some beautiful goals in El Clasico against Barcelona - which incidentally was his former club.

Together with Madrid, Ronaldo won La Liga twice and grabbed one title each; Intercontinental Cup and Supercopa de Espana. On the individual side, he won Trofeo Pichichi, his third FIFA World Player of the Year and the second  Ballon d'Or.

His last two seasons in Madrid, before leaving in the winter of 2007, Ronaldo was more absent due to injury and weight problems. After Madrid recruited Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2006, Ronaldo was rarely given a chance by coach Fabio Capello.

Ronaldo finally left Madrid, but his prowess remains timeless.

Ronaldo then returned to the city of Milan, but this time to wear the red-black uniform AC Milan. But Ronaldo was no longer the same Ronaldo. Ghost injury was still faithful terrorize him. Only one season he strengthened Milan.

Ronaldo then joined Corinthians in 2009, before announcing his retirement in February 2011. The injury was the one who forced him. In a press conference at the time, Ronaldo said: "It is very difficult to leave something that makes me so happy."

"Mentally, I still want to go on, but I have to admit to losing the condition of the body, the head wants to continue, but the body is no longer able.

Ronaldo finally closed his 18-year career as a professional footballer. He retired as one of the greatest strikers and players of all time.

In his prime-time; speed, technique, power, dribbling skills, ball control, balance and Ronaldo's goal instinct were unparalleled. Although basically right-footed, Ronaldo's left foot was also great, and it makes him even more frightening. Despite the position as a striker, Ronaldo was able to design an assist for his colleagues, thanks to his vision and passing ability he has.

Ronaldo was a true nightmare of the opposing defender. Dealing one-on-one with Ronaldo, goalkeeper usually can only surrender. He is indeed phenomenal.