FOOTBALL PROFILE

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WORLD CUP BEST PLAYERS PROFILE

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Gabriel Omar Batistuta
Name: Gabriel Omar Batistuta
Nationality: Argentinean
Date of birth: 1 February 1969
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 73kg
FIFA World Cup™ finals: 1994, 1998
Games played in FIFA World Cup™ finals: 9
Clubs: Newell's Old Boys, River Plate, Boca Juniors, Fiorentina, AS Roma

Even far from his native Argentinean shores, Gabriel Omar Batistuta – or "Batigol" for short – is recognised as one of the world's greatest strikers. And yet his career began surprisingly late in life. Born on 1 February, 1969, it wasn't until he reached the age of 17 that he switched from basketball to football. Yet only two years later, aged 19, he won the South American club championship – the Copa Libertadores - in his very first season at Argentinean club Newell's Old Boys.
A year later he moved to Buenos Aires and River Plate, with whom he won his first Argentinean championship in 1990. But his time there would prove short, and he abandoned them for local rivals Boca Juniors after just one season. At Boca Juniors he quickly earned himself a reputation as a goal-hungry striker, and won his first international cap in 1991. He finished top scorer at the 1991 Copa America, notching up no less than six goals in the competition, which Argentina won for the first time in 32 years.

Soon after the 1991 Copa Libertadores, Batistuta moved to Italy, joining Serie A side Fiorentina. Although he took time settling in during his first season at his new club, he was back to his best again in 1992, scoring 27 goals in 13 games. When Fiorentina were relegated in the 1992-3 season, Batistuta's contract tied him to the club as it languished in the Italian second division. But in the very first year after the side was promoted again, Batistuta became the Serie A's top scorer, with 26 goals to his name.

Batistuta was a pivotal force in the Argentinean national squad at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups™, scoring five goals at France 98™ alone. But although he was showered by offers from top clubs across Europe, he remained in Florence for another two years.

It was only in May 2000, after nine years in Tuscany, that AS Roma were able to prise Batistuta away for the princely sum of £22 million, the second-largest transfer fee in football history at the time. Just a year after the move, his new club won the Serie A for the first time since 1983, with Batistuta notching up 20 goals.

WOLRD CUP HOST COUNTRIES

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World Cups
Germany - 2006
Korea & Japan - 2002
France - 1998
United States - 1994
Italy - 1990
Mexico - 1986
Spain - 1982
Argentina - 1978
Germany - 1974
Mexico - 1970
England - 1966
Chile - 1962
Sweden - 1958
Switzerland - 1954
Brazil - 1950
France - 1938
Italy - 1934
Uruguay - 1930

HISTORY OF WORLD CUP

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How It All Began

The seeds which marked the beginning of this great event were planted by the president of the World Football Federation, in 1926. There would be no such thing as a world cup history if it were not for Jules Rimet, who first took the presidency in 1921. The positive message infused by Rimet is summarized by his famous words "Soccer could reinforce the ideals of a permanent and real peace", as he pushed to organize an international event that would make no discrimination on the grounds of professional or amateur status. As his words were spoken the plans for a world tournament involving all of the federations was being planned for the coming 3 to 4 years. Along with the help of 5 other officials, Rimet organized the event for 1930. Via congressional meetings of the World Football Federation the semantics for the tournament were laid out and finalized.

On May 26th, 1928 the World Cup was born. History was changed forever as five European countries plus a chosen host of Uruguay planned to hold the first tournament on May 18th, 1929 at the congress of Barcelona. Uruguay was chosen as host based on their outstanding Olympic record, and as Rimet was encouraging a regime of international peace, utilizing the reputation the Olympic games already held was simply intelligent leveraging.

The actualization of the event did not transpire until the year later, when on July 13th, 1930 the first game of the first world cup kicked off in Pocitos Stadium, and France beat Mexico 4 to 1. This truly marked the beginning of a long and wonderful world cup history.

The first world cup was the only event to not involve the modern qualifying rounds. The only European teams involved were France, Belgium, Yugoslavia, and Romania. Other European teams either wished to remain in purely Amateur events, or argued that the expected trip time was far too long. Other than Uruguay six additional south American teams participated, including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Peru.

Winners of the 1st World Cup - Uruguay - 1930

Two teams remained to complete the final 13 for 1930, Mexico and the United States. The U.S. was utilizing a heavily Scottish roster for the event.

In the end it was Uruguay battling Argentina for the cup. Victory and the first world cup went to Uruguay as they beat the Argentineans 4 to 2.

Winners over the years

Year	1st Place	2nd Place	3rd Place
1930	Uruguay	Argentina	USA, Yugoslavia
1934	Italy	Czechoslovakia	Germany
1938	Italy	Hungary	Brasil
1950	Uruguay	Brasil	Sweden
1954	West Germany	Hungary	Austria
1958	Brasil	Sweden	France
1962	Brasil	Czechoslovakia	Chile
1966	England	West Germany	Portugal
1970	Brasil	Italy	West Germany
1974	West Germany	Holland	Poland
1978	Argentina	Holland	Brasil
1982	Italy	West Germany	Poland
1986	Argentina	West Germany	France
1990	West Germany	Argentina	Italy
1994	Brasil	Italy	Sweden
1998	France	Brasil	Croatia

Winners by number of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place positions won

Pos.	Team	1st Place	2nd Place	3rd Place
1	Brasil	4	2	2
2	West Germany	3	3	2
3	Italy	3	2	1
4	Argentina	2	2	0
5	Uruguay	2	0	0
6	France	1	0	2
7	England	1	0	0
8	Czechoslovakia Holland Hungary	0	2	0
9	Sweden	0	1	2
10	Poland	0	0	2
11	Austria Chile Croatia Yugoslavia Portugal USA	0	0	1

BARCELONA

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utbol Club Barcelona, known familiarly as Bara is a sports club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is best known for its football team. It was founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, English, and Catalan men led by Joan Gamper. The club has become a Catalan institution, hence the motto Ms que un club (More than a club).

They were founding members of La Liga in 1928, and, together with Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, they have never been relegated from the Primera Divisin. The club were also the first La Liga champions. With 18 La Liga, 24 Copa del Rey, 7 Supercopa de Espaa, 32 Joan Gamper Trophy, 2 UEFA Champions League, 4 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, 3 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup/UEFA Cup and 2 European Super Cup trophies, the club is considered to be one of the most successful clubs in football history in Spain, in Europe and in the entire world.

The club's main stadium is the Camp Nou and the fans of FC Barcelona are known as culers or culs. In June 2007, the number of socis (club members/owners) reached 156.366, while in June 2006 the number of penyes (officially-registered supporter clubs) reached 1782 worldwide.

Full name: Futbol Club Barcelona, Nickname: Bara

Founded: 29 November 1899 as Foot-Ball Club Barcelona

Ground: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

Capacity: 98,787

Chairman: Joan Laporta, Head Coach: Frank Rijkaard

2006-07 La Liga Position, 2nd.

REAL MADRID

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Real Madrid Club de Ftbol (also known as Real Madrid, Los Blancos or Los Merengues) are a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful clubs of the 20th century. Real Madrid have won thirty La Liga titles, seventeen Copa del Rey and have been European Champions for a record nine times. Real Madrid are also members of the G-14 group of leading European football clubs.

The club was one of the founding members of FIFA. They play their home games at the Santiago Bernabu Stadium in Madrid. Real Madrid is unique in that, unlike most football clubs, it has been owned and operated only by its members (socios) since 1902. On December 23, 2000, FIFA awarded Real Madrid the title of the "Best Club of the 20th Century". Real Madrid is the most successful club in european competition history with 11 european trophies, 9 European Cups and 2 UEFA Cups, more than any other european club.

Real Madrid is currently the richest club in the world with an estimated revenue of 292.2 million. The club's revenue is 351 million.

Full name is Real Madrid Club de Ftbol Nicknamed Los Blancos (The Whites) or Los Merengues

Founded 6 March 1902 (as Sociedad Madrid Football Club)

Ground Santiago Bernabu In Madrid, Spain, Capacity 80,400.

Chairman: Ramn Caldern, Head Coach: Bernd Schuster.

2006-07 La Liga Position, 1st.

MANCHESTER CITY

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Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Manchester. They are currently members of the English Premier League.

Originally formed in 1880 as St. Marks (West Gorton), they then became Ardwick A.F.C. in 1887 before changing their name to Manchester City F.C. in 1894. The club has won the League Championship twice, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice and the European Cup Winners Cup once. The club's most successful period was during the late 1960s and early 1970s, when they won several major trophies under the management team of Joe Mercer and his assistant Malcolm Allison, and with great players such as Colin Bell and Francis Lee.

However, the club has not won a major honour since 1976. The club's decline led to relegation twice in three years in the 1990s, meaning they spent one year in the third tier of English football. However, the club has since regained Premier League status, putting City back in the top flight, the division in which they have spent the majority of their history. The former Wales and Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is their new manager and Man City have had the best start ever in the Premier League.

LIVERPOOL

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Liverpool Football Club are an English professional football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool play in the Premier League; they are the most successful club in the history of English football, having won more trophies than any other English club. Liverpool have won eighteen English League titles, which is a record, however the last time they won the title was in 1990. Liverpool have won five European Cups, which is an English record. Only A.C. Milan and Real Madrid have won Europe's premier club competition more times. Liverpool have also won the FA Cup and League Cup seven times. Liverpool were a founding member of the G-14 group of leading European football clubs.

Liverpool have played at Anfield since they were founded in 1892. However, plans have been formed to start work on a new 60,000 all-seater stadium, which could be raised to 80,000 depending on planning permission, in the summer of 2010 near Stanley Park. The venture will be funded by the club's new American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett

Honours:

League titles: 18 190001, 190506, 192122, 192223, 194647, 196364, 196566, 197273, 197576, 197677, 197879, 197980, 198182, 198283, 198384, 198586, 198788, 198990

FA Cups: 7 1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2001, 2006

League Cups: 7 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003

Community Shields: 15 1964 (shared), 1965 (shared), 1966, 1974, 1976, 1977 (shared), 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986 (shared), 1988, 1989, 1990 (shared), 2001, 2006

European Cups and UEFA Champions League titles: 5 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005

UEFA Cups: 3 1973, 1976, 2001

UEFA Super Cups: 3 1977, 2001, 2005

CHELSEA

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Chelsea Football Club (also known as The Blues or previously The Pensioners) are an English professional football club based in west London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier in English football. They have had two broad periods of success, one during the 1960s and early 1970s, and the second from the late 1990s to the present day. Chelsea have won three league titles, four FA Cups, four League Cups and two UEFA Cup Winners' Cups.

Chelsea's home is the 42,055 capacity Stamford Bridge football stadium in Fulham, West London, where they have played since their foundation. Despite their name, the club are based just outside the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. In 2003, the club was bought by Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich.

The club's traditional kit colours are royal blue shirts and shorts with white socks. Their traditional crest is a ceremonial blue lion holding a staff; a modified version of this was adopted in 2005. Chelsea are one of the best-supported clubs in the United Kingdom, with an estimated fanbase of around four million.

Chelsea Were Runners Up In 4 Competitions Last Year. The Champions League, The Premier League, The FA Cup and The Carling Cup.

Honours List:

First Division/Premier League: 3
FA Cup Cup: 4
League Cup: 4
FA Charity Shield/Community Shield: 3
European UEFA Cup Winners Cup: 2
European Super Cup: 1 1998

MANCHESTER UNITED PROFILE

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Manchester United Full Name: Manchester United Football Club
City: Manchester
Founded: 1878
Stadium: Old Trafford (76,000)
Colors: Red, White
Previous Names: Newton Heath L&YR (1878-80), Newton Heath (1880-1902)
Nicknames: The Red Devils, Man United, United
Rivals: Manchester City, Liverpool

Official Website: manutd.com
Description:

Manchester United represent the only football club in the world with an honest chance at challenging Real Madrid for the title of "biggest club in the world". While they can't match the Spanish side's record haul of European Cup and Champions League titles nor their impressive number of domestic titles, they can surely challenge (and probably surpass) Madrid in the popularity and name recognition department. From humble origins as a railway workers team, the Red Devils have evolved into a hugely successful football club with trend-setting business acumen that is rarely outside the spotlight.

HONORS
League Titles:

* Football League First Division (1908, 11, 52, 56, 57, 65, 67)
* English Premier League (1993, 94, 96, 97, 99, 2000, 01, 03, 07, 08, 09)

* Football League Second Division (1936, 75)

Cup Titles:

* FA Cup (1909, 48, 63, 77, 83, 85, 90, 94, 96, 99, 2004)
* Football League Cup (1992, 2006, 09)
* Charity Shield (1908, 11, 52, 56, 57, 65*, 67*, 77*, 83, 90*, 93, 94, 96, 97)
* Community Shield (2003, 07, 08)

Titles marked * were shared with another club.
International Titles:

* European Cup (1968)
* UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008)
* European Cup Winner's Cup (1991)
* Intercontinental Cup (1999)
* World Club Cup (2008)

League History:

* Football League First Division: 70 seasons (1892-94, 1906-15, 19-22, 25-31, 36-37, 38-39, 46-74, 75-92)
* English Premier League: 18 seasons (1992-2010)

* Football League Second Division: 23 seasons (1894-1906, 22-25, 31-36, 37-38, 74-75)

ARSENAL

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Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. They play in the Premier League and are one of the most successful clubs in English football. Arsenal have won thirteen First Division and Premier League titles, ten FA Cups and in 200506 became the first London club to reach the UEFA Champions League final. Arsenal are also members of the G-14 group of leading European football clubs.

Arsenal were founded in 1886, in Woolwich, south-east London, but in 1913 they moved north across the city to Arsenal Stadium, Highbury. In May 2006 they left Highbury, moving to their current home, the Emirates Stadium in nearby Ashburton Grove, Holloway. Arsenal have a long-standing and fierce rivalry with neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, located four miles away in Tottenham, with whom they have contested the North London derby almost every season since 1913.

Emirates Stadium Capacity 60,500.

First Division and Premier League Winners (13)
FA Cup Winners (10)
League Cup Winners (2)
Charity Shields and Community Shields Winners (12)
UEFA Champions League Runners-up (1)
European Cup Winners' Cup Winners (1)
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Winners (1):
UEFA Cup Runners-up (1):
UEFA Super Cup Runners-up (1):