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August 03 Zidane and the world cup's best playersBecause his reaction was so violent, so spectacular and so clear to see, everyone's last image of Zinedine Zidane is inevitably going to be his head-butt and sending off in the final. What he did had such enormous repercussion that it is inevitable for people to be talking about it. Inevitable but sad. Zidane is one of the greats and had an excellent world cup.
That said, I wouldn’t have him down as the tournament's best player. My favourites were Juan Roman Riquelme and Patrick Vieira.
Vieira was the real motor behind France; it was his drive that carried the team along. They didn't expect to get to the final and I think the fact that they surprised themselves owed more to Vieira than any other individual player.
Although Argentina were knocked out quite early, I love watching Riquelme and I felt that, yet again, everything that Argentina did came through him. Look at the chances they created and almost all of them began at his feet,. He was the one that sparked all of their attacks, who literally got the ball rolling. He is the man who creates Argentina's football. I love to watch players who really play football, who made it all happen - and none do so more than him. It was a real shame that he did not get to prove himself later in the tournament. The world cup's best teamsNo team ever wins the world cup without deserving it and I think Italy are worthy world champions. In key moments they proved themselves capable of withstanding the pressure and getting results. As we say in Spain, they know how to suffer. They showed that by holding on at 0-0 for long periods of the game against Germany before beating them in extra-time, and then again in the final against France, when they were under pressure for a long, long time. And, when it really mattered, they found a way of getting the vital goal or clinching the result. I wouldn’t begrudge them their world title at all; their ability to compete at the highest level is very impressive.
Nonetheless, the team that I liked the most was Germany. From the very first game, it was clear that they knew exactly how they wanted to approach the tournament, they played with real confidence and pace, and they managed to get the whole country behind them. Out in Germany, you could really feel the weight of home support and the excitement that Jurgen Klinsmann and his players had brought to the country. They were a strong, powerful, young team who I really enjoyed watching and, I must confess, I wouldn’t have minded seeing the win the World Cup. August 02 Spain's world cupAfter we had played so well in the opening three games, we genuinely expected to go much further at the world cup. Alas, it was not to be and we left Germany with a real sense of sadness. It could have been so different but it ended up being the same old story. It is difficult to put your finger on what went wrong. I wouldn’t say we were lacking anything as such, it was more that when it came to the crucial moments we were unable to give our best. You can play as well as you like in the group games but when it is a case of win or you're out on your ear, then you have to win. There are no second chances and no going back. You couldn’t say we were a bad side - in fact we played very well - but we had to win against France and we didn’t. The same happened at the last European championships: we had played well but at that key moment we didn’t rise to the challenge. We couldn’t keep that run going, which is what you have to do - at any cost.
When you have been knocked out of a world cup, you just go back to the hotel, pick up your things and leave as soon as possible. We were back in Spain by the following afternoon. It's better that way. All the players have spent a couple of months together and defeat really hurts. Everyone is quiet, everyone gets left with a bad taste in their mouths and they just want to get home. Then there are those who can go on holiday and forget about it and others who mull over it for months, but whichever type of player you are, there is still no point in hanging around in Germany. You just want to draw a line under it all and get out of there. No one stays behind. Xabi Alonso - August, 2nd 2006It was my first day back at Melwood (Liverpool's training ground) this morning after the World Cup and the summer holidays. Although today was a day for seeing the doctor and undergoing the normal pre-season physical tests rather than actually doing any real training or any ball work (and despite the fact that the England players are not back yet), everyone was really enthusiastic and excitedly looking forward to the season ahead.
They were also, of course, still looking back on the world cup. Naturally enough when the players get together for the first time in a while, even those who didn’t play in the tournament end up talking about it: they may not have been there, but they saw it on television just like fans from all over the world. Everyone wants to pick over the bones of Germany 2006.
Not that we have long to do so: we're already focused on the season ahead with Liverpool. Ever since Rafa Benítez has arrived at the club we have progressed season by season. In the first year we won the European Cup, which was a fantastic start. In the second, we won the FA Cup and, just as importantly, really closed the gap on Chelsea in the league. This year, Rafa's third, we know that we have to continue improving. We have brought some very exciting new players and we're confident that we can maintain our progression. That's the best way to challenge for the trophies that define the club.
July 06 Nine million campaignI would like to take this opportunity through MSN to ask everyone to support the Nine Million Campaign. The campaign is designed to help refugee children from all over the world and is closely linked to football. In fact, one of the key ideas is to supply nine million footballs to children, with a third of the money raised going towards this initiative. As well as providing education for children, many of whom are living in extreme poverty or in areas of conflict and warfare, the idea is to offer them the chance to enjoy themselves. Not only does football allow them to have fun and provide a release, it can also foster friendship and helps to educate children, promoting values of harmony and togetherness. It helps kids grow in confidence and self-esteem, so please support us in any way you can. Football is a fantastic way of making a real difference to millions of lives.
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