Marcelo - Real Madrid

Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, or known only as Marcelo is a Brazilian football player currently playing for the Spanish giant Real Madrid. By many, Marcelo is the successor of Roberto Carlos who played the famous offensive left back position for Madrid and the Brazilian National team for more than a decade.

Marcelo is born on May 12, 1988 in the poor neighborhood in Rio and started playing futsal when he was only 9. When he was 13 the officials of Fluminense saw his talent and transferred him into the youth ranks of their team. Marcelo was quickly becoming their pearl and most popular player and they started comparing him with Roberto Carlos. Those comparisons became more often when Marcelo decided to put a pen to the paper of his dream contract with Real Madrid. In December 2006 Marcelo, who was only 18 moved to Madrid with his family.
Marcelo made his debut for the first team on April 14 2007 in the team that was led by Capello. He adapted quickly to the Spanish style of play thanks to the many Brazilians in the club especially Roberto Carlos. Months later Marcelo became a Spanish champion with Los Merengues.

His big progress in Madrid was seen by Brazilian national team manager Dunga who picked Marcelo as successor of the retiring legend Roberto Carlos. He made a great performance for his national team scoring one fantastic goal.
After winning La Liga in the 2007 summer transfer period Roberto Carlos left Real Madrid and signed for Fenerbahce. That move created an empty spot on the left back position in Real Madrid. At the same time Cappelo left Madrid and Bernd Schuster was hired as a head coach. This allowed Marcelo more playing time as he was better choice for the German coach instead of Heinze. Marcelo’s brilliant performances during the season of 2007-2008 guaranteed him a first team place in the league and the Champions league. At the end of May 2008 Real Madrid was crowned as champion again.

To set aside his inexperience and sometimes his instant decisions that cost his team a lot (it’s always a kind of problem for defenders), Marcelo is typical offensive left back with steel nerves and determined reactions in the back. His pacey runs upfront that comes along with fine cross, precise passing and also powerful long shot makes him one of the best wingbacks nowadays. He is hard working guy and his modest personality, optimism and confidence are one of his best attributes.

Marcelo started off 2008-09 with success winning Spanish Super cup with Real Madrid in August. Day by day he is becoming better yet. He earns more faith by Schuster and this guarantees bright future for the Brazilian pearl at the Bernabeu. I really hope he will become one of the best defenders in the world one day.

Official Real Madrid page about Marcelo

Marcelo on Wikipedia

Aguero – Atletico Madrid

Sergio Leonel Agüero del Castillo, also known as Kun Aguero (El Kun) is one of the best Argentinean football players nowadays despite being only 20. He is natural supporting striker and he represents the colors of Atletico Madrid. Aguero is a husband of Diego Maradona's daughter Giannina.

Aguero was born in June 2, 1988 in Quilmes, Buenos Aires Province and started his football steps in the youth ranks of the local club Independiente. In July 2003 Aguero became the youngest player to debut in the Argentinean Primera division with only 15 years and 35 days, breaking the record of Diego Maradona. In his first three seasons with Independiente he played 53 games and scored impressive 23 goals, success that guarantied his place in the Argentina U-17 and later U-20 team.

Many big European clubs gained interest in the new Argentinean wunderkind but Atletico Madrid was the one who was lucky to get his signature. The deal was reached in May 2006 for about 20 € which was the biggest transfer fee that Independiente has ever received. El Kun settled himself very well in the Spanish capital and quickly became “Los Colchoneros” fans favorite. Very quickly after that the call-up for the Argentina senior team came and in September Aguero made his debut against Brazil.

In his first (2006-07) season with Atletico, Aguero scored 8 goals some of them very attractive and against highly regarded opponents, but his season was not the one from his dreams.

The best days of Aguero’s career definitely began in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He was top scorer with 6 goals and was proclaimed as the best player of the tournament. Months later he was shining in the red and white shirt building outstanding scoring tandem with Diego Forlan. In the season of 2007-08 Aguero scored 20 goals for Atletico and contributed lots of assists that made him the best player of Madrid’s second club at age of only 19. He helped Atletico to win the impressive 4th place, just behind Barcelona, which leads to the Champions League.

Aguero started the new 2008-09 season with success. In August he was invited for the Argentinean Olympic team in Beijing where he scored twice in the semi finals against Brazil. Argentina won the tournament.
The start of the club season with Atletico was better than solid, scoring 3 La liga goals and 4 in the Champions league.

Sergio Aguero plays the SS role (supporting striker) just behind the striker. He is quick, agile, full of determination and gains perfect technique on the ball. He has the ball very close to the foot and for the defenders it’s extremely hard to tackle. His powerful shot makes him very dangerous for the opposing keepers. By many this super kid is the successor of the great Maradona and is even better than Barcelona’s Messi.


Aguero on Wikipedia

Super youths: Anderson – Manchester United

Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira was born on 13 April 1988 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. He is a left foot player and can play as an attacking midfield and left winger.

He began his career in Gremio in the season of 2004-05 and he scored his debut goal for his team in the last moments of Serie B match against Nautico which secured them a victory that led him in promotion to Serie A. In October 2005 he was awarded the Adidas Golden Ball for his performances at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru 2005 and this launched him onto the world stage with a higher profile.

His talent didn’t come unnoticed and in December 2005 he signed for Porto. In his first season with Porto, Anderson helped them to win the national championship and gave some good performances on an international level, but in his second season in Portugal he had bad luck missing a half season due to a broken leg.

In June 2007 Anderson signed 5-years contract with Manchester United worth around 23 M € and become only second Brazilian in the Manchester Reds.

Anderson is an extremely fast-developing player who began his career in Gremio at age of 17 and three years after he is making history in Manchester United. Anderson was brought in the last moments of the extra time in the 2008 CL finals against Chelsea and his last penalty shot send Ferguson’s team on the top of Europe. He is believed to be starter in the most of the Premier league and CL matches for the Red Devils in the 2008-09 campaign pushing Ryan Giggs on the bench.

Anderson made his debut for Brazilian national team on 27 June 2007 in the Copa America against Mexico. He was selected for the Brazil Olympic team in Beijing 2008 where he scored against New Zealand. Brazil won the bronze medal.

More about Anderson on Wikipedia

More about Anderson on Goal.com