FOOTBALL HAS RETIRED FROM ZLATAN

 Author- Anupam Gaurav.

Image Credit- Outlook India.

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, football fans from around the world,

Today, we gather here to honor and pay tribute to one of the most charismatic and talented footballers of our time, Zlatan Ibrahimović, as he announces his retirement from the beautiful game. This is a bittersweet moment, as we celebrate an extraordinary career while acknowledging the end of an era.

Zlatan Ibrahimović, a name that reverberates with power, skill, and sheer brilliance on the football field. From his humble beginnings in Malmö, Sweden, to conquering the most prestigious leagues across Europe, Zlatan's journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

Throughout your illustrious career, you have donned the jerseys of many esteemed clubs. From Ajax to Juventus, Inter Milan to Barcelona, AC Milan to Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United to LA Galaxy, and finally, returning to AC Milan and ending your journey with Hammarby IF, you have showcased your versatility and adaptability, leaving an indelible mark wherever you went.

Zlatan, you have accumulated a staggering list of achievements. You have won countless league titles, domestic cups, and individual awards. You have scored breathtaking goals that will forever be etched in our memories. You have played alongside and against some of the greatest players of your generation, leaving them mesmerized by your unique talent.

But beyond the accolades and the statistics, Zlatan, you have become an icon, a larger-than-life figure whose charisma transcends the sport. You have graced us with your colorful personality, your witty remarks, and your enigmatic presence. You have captivated us with your unwavering confidence, your belief that you are the best, and your ability to back it up time and time again.

As you step away from professional football, Zlatan, your legacy will continue to endure. You have left an indelible imprint on the game, and your influence will continue to shape the future of football. Young players will aspire to be like you, and fans will forever cherish the memories you have provided us.

On behalf of football fans worldwide, I extend my deepest gratitude to you, Zlatan Ibrahimović. Thank you for the unforgettable moments, the jaw-dropping goals, and the unparalleled entertainment you have given us. Your name will forever be synonymous with greatness, and your impact will resonate for generations to come.

As you embark on the next chapter of your life, we wish you continued success, happiness, and fulfillment in all your future endeavors. May you find joy in every step of your journey, just as you have brought joy to millions of football enthusiasts worldwide.

Thank you, Zlatan. Your retirement marks the end of an era, but your legend will live on forever.

CHELSEA FC: WHAT LIES AHEAD?

 

Image Credit- Chelsea Football Club.

The English Football Season has finally come to an end. It was a season which no Chelsea fan would like to remember. In the Domestic Knockout Tournaments we got knocked out in the first match itself. In the league we finished at 12th position and in the UCL we marched up to the quarterfinal stage before being knocked out by Real Madrid. 

In short this was the season of defeats. To be more precise- A Season of Drubbing. Furthermore since we have finished 12th in the league, we have no European football next season.  The Club is at its lowest. Yes we were in a similar position in 2016 wherein we finished 10th in the league and went on to win the league in 2017. However to repeat the same in 2023-24 season we need to work very hard. It won't be an easy thing to do. 

Whether we will repeat our 2016-17 season performance or will we get relegated. I cannot answer this question right now. But, I can only hope for the best. Because anything else gives a shiver to my spine. 

THE END OF AN ERA

 

Image Credit- Goal.

Author- Kumar Mukul Choudhary.

The year was 2006. The then Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was astounded by the performance of the club in the last twenty months. Indeed, no president in Real Madrid could justify two trophyless seasons, especially when the Galacticos play for your club and the club has spent a fortune upon them. Hence, Perez resigned. In July Ramon Caldaron came to the helm of Real Madrid. A man who promised sensible transfers for the betterment of the club. Two La Liga trophies followed, and everyone thought that the Galacticos project was a done deal. On its face this is the best thing that can happen to Real Madrid. No team can subsist on superstars only. You need strength at every spot of the field. Yet time had something else in mind for Don Perez. Scandals in the Real Madrid Board led to the downfall of Ramon Caldaron. In mid- 2009 Perez again became leader of Los Blancos. This time he was focused on sustainable signings for the club. He wanted to start the project Galacticos 2.0. However, this project he aspired turned out better than 2001 version.

 In came the class of 2009. Florentino Perez wanted to show his power to Spanish football and Real Madrid's stakeholders. Therefore, he broke the world record for transfer fees twice in a single transfer window. First the club signed Ricardo Kaka for more that 60 million Euros. Then came Cristiano Ronaldo for 94 million Euros. As a Real Madrid fan I didn't even care who else the club had signed. For me these two would make us win everything. This was indeed a childhood mistake. Real Madrid also signed a 21-year-old Lyon striker Karim Banzeema (Karim the dream). He and Xabi Alonso were overshadowed by the other two Galacticos. However, over the years we saw the tremendous contribution of these two as well.

The Galacticos 2.0 brought new aspirations in the old rivalry. It began battel between two Spanish clubs having different ideology altogether. Real Madrid who were collecting greatest players of the world through its economic might was pitted against FC Barcelona, a club famous for making home grown talent world class. In this background the class of 2009 started playing together. The initial years for the Galacticos 2.0 were pretty tough. In first two seasons they have only won a Spanish cup. To which the club showed too much joy, to the extent that a certain Barcelona defender made too much fun of this victory. As the supporter of the club these were tough times for me.

In these initial years fate held different ends for two Galacticos. Ronaldo was proving why he is a generational talent by scoring goals week after week. However, Kaka lost his A.C Milan touch and finally lost touch with Jose the maneger, these events have relegated Kaka to the bench of Real Madrid and from there to retirement. Nevertheless, Ronaldo was running supreme in these years. Even Benzema was playing the role of playmaker and created chances for his team. Nonetheless trophies remaied elusive. Then for next two season Real Madrid had a respectable showing both in Europe and at home. However, this only culminated in One La Liga trophy. The team has lost three champions league semi- final in a row. The class of 2009 was playing as it's best however, they are not able to convert these showings into trophies.

Then came the season of 2013-14, the club again broke the record fee for transfers and signed Gerath Bale. He would turn out to be immensely influential for the class of 2009. In one season Real Madrid would go on to win two trophies. An event not seen in the last decade. The next four years will be the best years of the 2010s decade of the Real Madrid. Both Benzema and Ronaldo were at the peak of thier powers. This led to three consecutive Champion league trophies for the Los Merengues. However, for a football fan thing were not as simple as they appear today. Departure of Ronaldo made all of us feel that Karim is a world class striker and a team player who sacrificed his game for Ronaldo's goal scoring skills. At that time many Real Madrid fans like me thought why the club is carrying Karim Benzema despite his limited performances. To the extent that i use to rant in my hostel room that Karim Benzema has a government job in Real Madrid and can only be retired once he turns 60. How wrong I was.

For the next five seasons Karim the dream single handedly kept the club together winning two La Liga, one Spanish cup and one Champions league. He even worked with young talents to leave the club in secure hands. Yesterday after 14 years of service he finally decided to leave the club. With this curtain fell on the class of 2009. A class that made Real Madrid realize why they are considered best club in the world. It showed the world that Galacticos project can work if done sensibly. For me it's end of my childhood. I started watching football in 2009 as 12 years old and finally after 14 years all of my childhood heroes have put curtains upon their countable careers.