There are plenty of soccer superstars playing in Spain's top division, and it is with good reason that it is regarded as the number one domestic league in the whole world. Listed below are the players who are widely regarded as being the best in Spain...

Messi : At the forefront of Barcelona's unique treble winning team of 2008-09, Argentinean Lionel Andrs Messi continually dazzles fans and opposing players alike with his creativity and flair for goals. Still only 22, he is FIFA's current "World Player of the Year" and he is likely to chalk up awards, goals and assists for many years to come.

Cristiano Ronaldo : Blistering pace and explosive power are what led to Ronaldo initially being signed by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.Now playing for the mighty Real Madrid, Ronaldo is quickly justifying his reputation as the being the world's most expensive player.

David Villa : Playing for Valencia, who are not one of the most glamorous teams in the league, David Villa Sanchez (to give him his full name) boasts an absolutely outstanding goals to games ratio. He was the winner of the "Golden Boot" for Spain at Euro 2008 (which means that he scored more goals at the tournament than anyone else) and is closing in on Spain's all time international scorers record. Villa has attracted a host of top clubs, who are all eager to land this prolific striker's elusive signature.

Kaka : Brazilian midfield maestro Kaka, is a playmaker of the highest calibre. Able to make pinpoint passes across the entire length of the field, or dribble past several players in a row, Kaka was the darling of AC Milan and led them to "Champions League" success in 2007. Now one Real Madrids so called "Galaticos", he aims to bring the La Liga title back to the Bernabau (where Real Madrid play their home games) after a few years absence.

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This article is sponsored by 'Car Hire Malaga', a site offering car rental bookings in Malaga and Malaga tourist information.

There's been a healthy rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool FC for over 100 years...but is that a good thing or a bad thing.

Everyone has heard of at least one famous sporting rivalry in history.  There was Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier in boxing, Chris Evert versus Martina Navratilova in tennis and Greg Norman versus Nick Faldo in golf.A healthy cricket rivalry continues between India and Pakistan.Even the world of chess has seen its own classic rivalry with the many battles between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov over the years.

But can any of these admittedly classic face-offs hold a candle to the colossal confrontation that occurs whenever the Red Devils of Manchester United clash with the Liverpool Reds?Let's have a quick look at why this great football rivalry exists, and why it continues

1. The Northwest Derby - Matchups between the two clubs are often referred to using this moniker.  Liverpool and Manchester (the cities) have maintained a healthy competition since industrial times, and that sense of one-upmanship has apparently spilled over into the football world.

2. "The Greatest English Football Club" - Manchester United and Liverpool both lay claim to the title of The Greatest English Football Club.  A similar number of trophies have been won by each club, and they are also the two most successful English teams in European competition.

3. Fans and Money - The two clubs are widely-supported throughout the world and boast some of the most devoted fans in any sport.  They also are two of the biggest earning clubs in the world.

4.  Player Haters - As with a lot of football clubs, the fans can be downright hostile to each other sometimes.  With Liverpool and Man U, though, the hostility spills over to the players too occasionally.United striker Wayne Rooney has publicly mentioned that when he was growing up he hated Liverpool FC.  Liverpool's Steven Gerrard meanwhile once told a television crew how, although he regularly exchanges shirts with opposing players, he will never have a Manchester United shirt in his house.

5. Transfers? What are Transfers? - No player has been directly transferred between the two clubs since 1964; the few footballers who have played for both clubs always played in a different city in between. As recently as 2007, United left-back Gabriel Heinze expressed a desire to move to Liverpool, and a bid was made, but Man U rejected the bid and stated that Heinze would only join a foreign club if he chose to leave - all due to the age old rivalry.

The way these clubs are so passionate about their long-standing rivalry is inspiring, in a way.  I suppose some people don't understand and think the whole thing is just silly.So, which side is obviously the best club in football?  That's easy.  Everyone knows it's Spurs.

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When you pre-book Liverpool Airport parking or Manchester Airport parking, you can save a bundle off the daily drive-up prices.

Soccer Coaching Drills

Ever wondered how difficult it may seem to coach youth soccer team? In fact, it’s much easy if you’ve got the right mind-set, the skill to tackle kids, and some practical tips.

It is always logical and best to start with the basics. During this stage, the kids are offered with the opportunity to enjoy thoroughly, thereby developing a professional attitude. Besides, a clear understanding of the basics has the advantage of instilling more confidence in the players.

On the road to teach youth soccer, to do nothing is the first step. Observe the kids very closely while just letting them be. Don’t make huge efforts to systematize things or train too much. This allows kids to have a lot of fun which is vital to the game.

Give them indispensable feedback to help them improve their performance. But make sure these feedbacks are given after and not through the session. Because they are only kids, you must consider it and communicate with them in their language.

Coaching Youth Soccer

Kid’s parents show a lot of concern in their advancement. It is therefore helpful in involving them early on. This is the best way to ensure that kids don’t lose their interest in the game when they are not in the field. It is important for you to confirm accurate understanding and handling of kid’s questions.

Please see that all available communication methods are utilized. For example: personal meetings, email, and telephone are adequate and efficient methods of communication. But be careful! See that you or the kid’s parents don’t instruct them while they are on field. Besides, make it a point not to give negative feedback to any young player in the presence of everyone.

To coach youth soccer successfully, one must communicate regularly with the fellow trainers. Every one has unique experiences of their own and sharing them with each other opens new doors to communication and ideas.

Plan your drills ahead of time. So it basically requires you to do all preparations well ahead of time. Sometimes coaches take an easy approach thinking they are dealing with kids. It’s not right. Expert coaching and respect for budding players is no less relevant as is in case of soccer as a sport.

Make the kids do drills that are enjoyable and yet teach them the basics of soccer. At times, it is also advisable to take them out on excursions and small picnics. Provide sufficient time to kids so that they can communicate their feelings and thoughts with each other. This develops a sense of team spirit and camaraderie between them.

While teaching soccer, talk to kids about the need and importance of discipline in soccer. It is vital that they understand in the beginning itself about the good practices in soccer.

To end the discussion, teach the kids how they can enjoy soccer to the fullest. Take these tips to your team and you will be amazed by the results.

To get additional tips to coach youth soccer, you can take subscription of our youth soccer coaching community. Here you will find several resources on coaching youth soccer as well as a strong and helpful coaching community.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andre Botelho is a recognized expert in youth soccer coaching. He influences well over 35,000 youth coaches each year with his unique coaching philosophy, and makes it really easy to explode your players' skills and make training more fun in record time. To download your free youth soccer coaching guide visit: Coach youth soccer.

The biggest sporting event in the world is set to take place next year in South Africa, when 32 teams from around the globe will meet in the 19^th FIFA World Cup tournament. This is the first time the world cup will take place in South Africa, in front of over 3 million soccer fans attending in person or at home watching on tv.

Nine host cities have been chosen with the games to be played in ten different stadiums. Each of the cities offer great accommodation, travel and dining. The easiest way to make for a perfect holiday is to choose a respected agent who can customize world cup packages that includes tickets, travel, accommodations and sightseeing options for one very affordable price. Planning and booking early is the best way to lock in the best rates. Waiting until the tournament is about to begin will mean possibly spending big bucks to see the matches of your choice. So select your travel agent and work with them to create the best possible itinerary. Your options are virtually limitless. You can select one budget friendly World Cup package that includes everything you want and need, or you can customize a package that is basically a la carte and very flexible with a lot of wiggle room for impulse sightseeing.

So do a little homework first, search around and find a trustworthy travel agent. Ask plenty of questions and listen to your agents advice before you hand over all your cash. Tell your tour planner how much it is you are willing to spend and they can create the perfect package for you within that budget. Top of the line world cup packages are available for you, your family, your friends, or even your teammates. So start preparing now. Don't wait until the last minute because with 3 million people coming, the best tickets, the nicest accommodation and the cheap flights to South Africa will be gone in the blink of an eye.

World Cup packages are available through reputable travel agents from all parts of the globe. However the early travel packages which include travel, accommodation and sightseeing options on a budget,  are all but gone. More expensive packages are still on the market, but you need to act quickly, since the tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11^th and last until July 11^th. 

All nine World Cup host cities have airports nearby, including South African Express which travels to 13 South African domestic destinations, Airlink is a regional carrier that is growing, Kulula is a budget airline and travels to several host cities such as Cape Town and Durban, Mango airlines which flies to Johannesburg,  Cape Town, Pretoria and Bloemfontein-all host cities, Venture Air which flies to Johannesburg and Cape Town and 1Time, which is another regional low cost carrier.

Most of the World Cup action will take place in Johannesburg and Cape Town, but in addition to air travel, there is rail or bus service between the host cities. Get your travel agent to answer any questions and organise your perfect vacation.Renting a car is also an option, but you will need to familiarize yourself with local driving regulations and insurance laws. Your travel agent should also include this in your world cup packages because the number of cars available for rent are limited.Licensed taxis, coaches, shuttles and regular buses are all being geared up to accommodate the more than 3 million football fans expected to descend on South Africa during the tournament.

Don't despair if you don't have tickets to a match. You will still be able to feel the atmosphere in 10 fan parks to be set up near the stadiums. In fact it is expected that more people will watch the games from the fan parks then will be inside. Ask your World Cup travel agent to supply you with the names and locations of the various fan parks. You will be glad that you did. Enjoy the party, but don't get too drunk as police will deny access to anyone displaying drunken behavior outside the stadiums or fan parks.

Millions of football fans will descend on South Africa during the month of June in order to attend the world largest sporting event, having booked one of the many world cup packages that are currently on offer. The 2010 World Cup will take place between June11th and July 11^th, spread among nine host cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to name just a few. However there are a few things you need to know before you board your plane. First of all, you will need a passport to enter the country. You won't, however, need a visa unless you plan to stay longer than ninety days. Your passport must also remain valid for at least 30 days after you're due to leave South Africa.

Planning your trip early and using a reputable and registered travel agent will allow you get the best deals that you r money can buy. Locating these world cup packages will take a little patience and homework but it will be worth it in the end. In fact, with the World Cup it is better to book everything in advance to eliminate the hassle for when you get there. Booking in advance leaves you able to enjoy all of the tournament stress free as well as danger free. The World Cup will play during South Africa's winter season, so it will be cool and rainy depending on which city you happen to spend time in. Think climate similar to that found in California in America or in Southwestern Australia in the land down under.

Transportation between the nine host cities will be either by high speed rail, rapid transit bus, taxi or rental car. Hire cars should be booked in advance in order to secure one for when you need it. Tell your travel agent to make the reservation. Ensure you know the local driving regulations and insurance rules if you plan to drive. However, if you decide to use a taxi ask the desk clerk at your hotel which firm is trustworthy and licensed.  Beware of buying tickets once on the ground because they may be invalid or counterfeit. Make sure you check any tickets with the official ticketing organisation to determine if your tickets are the real McCoy or fake. The government of South Africa and FIFA have put into place a zero tolerance policy outlawing racism and xenophobia. Fans who are very intoxicated will not be allowed inside the stadiums or fan parks outside the stadiums.

The 2010 World Cup tournament is in South Africa and promises to be the best ever. People are feverishly working around the clock to get their tickets and accommodation booked. In this article we are going to cover various topics around football tours, and hope to stir up in you, a sense of excitement, which is shared by billions of people around the world. Not many people are aware of how amazing a football tour can be, so we try to make you understand why it should be your next holiday.

Modern day football was formulated in 1863 in England, and as such the Football Association created the principles for how the sport must be played today. It has become the worlds best game.The sport is governed by an international authority namely: Federation of International Association of Football or FIFA, as it is commonly referred to. The most sought after competition is the FIFA World Cup hosted by different countries on a four yearly basis, other popular tournaments include the UEFA champions league and the FA Cup.

If you are wanting to join a group on a football tour, then you need to do some homework first. Make sure you choose a company who has strong experience in this field. Look at what sort of packages they can offer you, whether they are tours to various tournaments around the world or something more bespoke like university football tours. Things like accommodation, excursions and transport are the three most fundamental items to be discussed. Get a few quotations from different tour operators to see if you are not over charged dramatically.

Whether you're a hard core fan, play football yourself, or coach others, you should go on tour, it could be just the answer for your next vacation. Take the family along and make it asmemorable as ever.

Its official, we now know the 32 teams that will be competing for the greatest prize in football, the Fifa World Cup and there are many different world cup packages on offer to help get fans to see all the action. The countries that have qualified for next year’s tournament are as follows:

Australia,  Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana,  Nigeria, Honduras, Mexico, United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, New Zealand, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and last but not least the hosts South Africa.

Now that we know which countries will be there, make sure you don’t miss out on being there too. With many good world cup packages available, getting there shouldn’t be that difficult.

Qualifying for this tournament wasn't that difficult for some countries either, for instance in Europe, Spain qualified winning all of their 10 matches, beating Turkey and Belgium in their group. Holland also qualified without any defeats, winning all 8 of their matches, their group included Norway and Scotland. The world champions Italy qualified easily enough but had to settle for three draws, twice with the Republic of Ireland and once with Bulgaria. England also made it through safely with 9 wins and one draw.

It was a different story for Portugal and France, who both had to go through an extra qualifying stage with knockout matches against Bosnia and the Republic of Ireland. France overcome Ireland with a late goal in extra time, but this game will be remembered for the much talked about hand ball by Henry which resulted in the goal that won the game. Portugal beat Bosnia in both of their home and away play-off matches 1-0 to qualify for the world cup.

In South America, as expected, Brazil topped the group with 9 wins and 2 defeats. Chile, Paraguay and Argentina joined them with automatic qualification, whilst Uruguay had to battle it out with Costa Rica in a play-off match. Uruguay were successful in the 2 leg match 2-1 on aggregate. This group will be remembered for how close Argentina came to not qualifying, an 84^th minute goal from Bolatti helped them to reach the finals in the end.

There are many companies offering fans the opportunity to see more of these battles in South Africa, with various world cup packages to suit you, whether that is following your country throughout the tournament or just watching the group stage matches in Johannesburg or Cape Town. Out of the 32 teams competing, who will fair best at the World Cup Finals?

Origins & History of Soccer

After the English set out to form a set of rules for the game of soccer, these were soon taken to the new World, where Americans learned to love this rising sport, right next to another game that grew strong roots in the US back then: baseball. Actually, the American Football Association is the second oldest sports league

More and more people were leaving their villages for the industry of towns. People were feeling pride and allegiances to their fast growing towns and soon people wanted to represent their own towns in competition with the other new fast growing towns around them. Soon games where-by you could only use your feet were being played in stadiums between the burgeoning settlements. At this stage in history there were no crossbars on the goals, only a piece of flimsy tape adjoining two poles. Other differences included, as you might suspect, no use of goalie gloves but also importantly no offside rule, the absence of such a ruling meaning strong attack bias with games frequently ending 10 a piece or greater.

Many more towns created their own football teams and by the beginning of the 20th century the structure of how football is contested today with leagues and cups were in place. Also around this time the game was beginning to be exported around the globe with teams beginning in countries like Germany and Italy around this time. International bouts were beginning, at this point England remaining supreme defeating the likes of the rest of the world on its own. With this international popularity it wasn’t long before the game was being contested on the world stage in the likes of the History of Soccer World Cup or European Championships.

With American football also on the rise, the organization adopted a new name to avoid any confusion and called itself the US Soccer Football Association for Soccer Coaching Tips and Soccer Drills for Kids. However, the US soccer history would soon witness a new change in its governing body's name in 1974, when the USSFA dropped "Football" from its tag and instead adopted the title of United States Soccer Federation, which is still used today..

Honestly speaking, the tips and advices that your soccer coach can teach you are not sufficient, correct? If you put your heart and mind into it, there seems to be something missing and you will really feel it right away. But that doesn’t mean that your coach is hiding something from you and the rest of the team. It’s just that he also never have the chance to learn some new things in soccer that’s why, you need to make some initiative to learn some other things regarding soccer but what? Here is one idea: would you like to be quicker and more agile in soccer? Well, then, find this e-book guide that will teach you some real soccer speed and agility training and the only place to look for it is through the Internet. If you can grab a copy of this and apply what you will learn, you can also share this with the rest of your team.

You might think that why would anybody want to add another investment for other book guides to train one’s self to be quicker, more agile, more versatile and more professional when he already has his coach that have taught him everything he needs to know and needs to learn, right? Well, there will surely some time when the winner will think that in order to conquer everything including himself, he will have to train more and train hard and to do that, he needs to learn more soccer speed training drills and as what have been said, the best place to find additional training programs is through the Net.

There is one particular book guide that can help anyone get quicker and more agile and with more resistance and it is popularly called “The Truth About Quickness”. It is a unique soccer speed training program system that contains proven, cutting edge methods that guarantees results that will give you speed and quickness advantages over the other players no matter what type of sport you are in.