When The Beautiful Game Gets Ugly... Footballs Best Fights

Well most managers like their teams to have spirit and a bit of fight in them. But I think its time to reflect on the times when teams and players have taken this concept a bit too far.

Inter Vs Valencia (Rumble in the Mestalla)

We all know that Spaniards and Italians don't see eye to eye. But this was a practically an international incident. It started at the the end of a 0-0 draw in a quarter final of the Champions League when Inter defender Nicolas Burdisso hit the prince of darkness Carlos Marchena. In retaliation to this substitute David Navarro broke Burdisso's nose but was attacked by Ivan Cordoba, Julio Cruz and Maicon. It ended up with stadium security and the Spanish Civil Guard getting things under control... 



Ljungberg Vs Mellberg (If Sweden Did Handbags...)

Well during a World Cup training session two swedes decided to have at it over a girly slide tackle. Now we all know where Audley Harrison learn to fight. I still cant figure out what started the scrap...




Edmundo "The Animal" Gets Put Down

Former Brazil international Edmundo had a reputation of being one of footballs' loose cannons. On this occasion the player he was up against decided to take some pre-emptive action against the wild man.



Maradona's Revenge...

Diego Maradona, the best player of the modern era... But like with most geniuses he had a darker side. Almost like a script from a Bruce Lee film this epic tale was about injustice and vengeance. It was Barcelona Vs Athletic Bilbao with El Diego in his pomp he came into the crosshairs of Andoni "The Butcher of Bilbao" Goikoetxea. The butcher broke his ankle in a hideous tackle...Roughly a year later Maradona came back from the broken ankle to exact violent revenge on his foe...



Would You Attack The Colombian Police?

Colombia, one of the most violent countries in the world, known for its violent drug lords and sometimes equally violent police force... This brawl was triggered during a Copa Libetadores (South American Champions League) match between Argentine side River Plate and Colombian outfit America De Cali. It started off as an innocuous push from a player warming up on the side lines and ended up with a player attacking riot police.



How Zidane Lost His Head And Materazzi Found it...

Its the World Cup Final with Italy facing France. In the previous rounds Zinedine Zidane widely recognised as the worlds top player carried France through, this was his last game ever for France and establish himself as undisputedly the best French footballer of all time. But on this night he became the best French anti-hero of all time head butting Italian defender and angel Marco Materazzi. I would also like people to know due to the way Materazzi fell many feel there may have been a second gunman...



Well I think that's enough violence for a life time. Remember guys football is the beautiful game but it can be as equally ugly...

Why El Diego Was Better Than Messi, Ronaldo and Kaka Put Together...

Ok... I've decided to take some time out from the seriousness of league and champions league football to pay tribute to the greatest player ever to have kicked a ball. And also prove that he was better than anything we have in the current game.

Born in Villa Fiorito a slum on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, his talent led him to become the face of Argentinian football. We won't go into the nitty gritty of his career just stick to the highlights and it'll show how good he really was. He had the strength of Cristiano Ronaldo, the ball skills of Leo Messi and the vision of Kaka if your laughing at this, have a look.... Oh and like most people I forgot he was a lethal free kick taker...

The thing is Maradona did his thing during the dark days of football when footballers were nicknamed the "Butcher of Bilbao" (yes that's Maradona having his ankle broken) or brutal man-markers like Italian Claudio Gentile were the order of the day to stop creative players. Its difficult to imagine any of the current talents lasting very long during Maradona's era, I think most of them would've feel a warm trickle down their legs before having their careers ended by the hatchet men of the 70's and 80's.

El Diego had the mental strength to overcome little protection from referees and constant targeting from opponents to carry Argentina to the world cup in 1986. In this tournament he scored two goals which rocked English football... There is also the classic image of Belgium trying to stop him in the World Cup semi final...

Maradona vs Belgium

The four Belgians not in that picture were used to make the 9 Argentinians who weren't named Maradona... This picture shows clearly the fear El Diego struck in his opponents especially in a time when the physicality of the game was very advantageous for defenders. An example of this can be seen with the career of Dutch legend Marco Van Basten who's career was ended by one too many overzealous tackles.

Maradona also went on to represent Argentina in Italia 90 and helped them reach another World Cup Final. He was the most fouled played in this tournament but he still managed to get one over against deadly rivals Brazil on the grandest stage. Argentina didn't win this tournament losing to West Germany in the final but he still left his indelible mark on the tournament.

Now on the talent front he was an equal to Messi or Ronaldo but what he had was the swagger of a genius. He was a big personality as well as a big player this can be seen in his press conferences during his time as Argentina Manager. Despite his legendary status Maradona still shows no signs of arrogance and with his humor and outlook on life can still relate to the fans of the game.

If any of the great players of today leave half the mark El Diego has left on the game as a personality and as a player I feel they would be happy. Idolised in his country, respected world wide and still reviled in England, has their been a player or more importantly will there be anyone like him? And remember I haven't even said a word about his club career...