Kickette.com – Soccer/football gossip, hot players, WAGs that love them

Lazy Links and Randoms

Micro, Midi and Maxi head off for training at Las Rozas Soccer City. Image via ZUMAPRESS/ KEYSTONE Press

It’s good to know we’re not the only ones in constant analysis of Xabi Alonso’s ginger beard.  In the past, Spanish NT manager Vicente Del Bosque took Xabi’s clean-shaven face as a sign that the Liverpool midfielder wasn’t testosterone-fueled enough to be played. His quote in summary:

“Xabi once had a baby-faced appearance which did not help his cause in the game of football (where men are supposed to be appear tough and fearsome). Lately, however, Alonso has compensated by growing himself a “hairy, reddish beard” that helps to reinforce the strong, manly characteristics he was missing previously. Now he has a serious “I mean business” air about him which is enabling him to lead on and off the pitch.“

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Do you agree with this list of the Top 10 Blingtastic Football players? We object to the use of the word “blingtastic”, but concur with most of the names mentioned.
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Cristiano Ronaldo launches his second clothing store in Spain, with plans for shops in London, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Berlin, Prague, Tokyo and Los Angeles. Oh, and his new gal, Gabriela gets her media moment after confirming their relationship.
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Robinho takes a surf break in Brazil.  He must have been exhausted from all that partying with “special” guests. Note: contrary to first impression when viewing these pics, he is wearing shorts. No, you don’t want to see them. 
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Another week, another list of things that greatly anger Artur Boruc. 
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We all love Dimtar Berbatov, but some love him more than others.  You know, like paint-brush wielding crazy-arse porn stars.
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Happy belated b-day to Everton’s Mikel Arteta, who turned 27 yesterday!
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David Beckham insists that he can play until he’s 45.  Perhaps he’s thinking in the future they’re have some sort of magic time-erasing vitamins. Or, senility has kicked in already.

Thx LD for the Xabi tip and cheers to KD for the translation!

Lazy Links and Randoms

Whilst you browse our short list of links today, please enjoy this pic of Peter Crouch and Abigail Clancy out at Zuma. She’s sloshed and wearing lycra leggings. Image via BIG Pictures UK/KEYSTONE Press

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Jose Mourinho picked up an honourary doctorate from Lisbon University. Please call him Dr. Jose from now on. You know you want to.
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This might be a tad disconcerting for Victoria Beckham: some of the local Italian wagabees are running a £20,000 bet to see who can seduce her husband first.
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State-side Kickettes, if you want to see Inter Milan, Chelsea, Club America, or AC Milan in your neck of the woods this summer, break open that piggy bank and start warming up your camera clicking fingers. Tickets have just gone on sale.
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Doesn’t everyone train in a fetching summer-weight mini dress? If not, they should. Pato, you go next.
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Their graveyard re-romance came to an end, and as is fitting, Amii Grove is selling the engagement ring Jermaine Pennant gave her on ebay. Proceeds to charity. So, yay? [link slightly NSFW]

Tuesday Torsos: David Beckham

Here’s Becks from the AC Milan/ Napoli nil-nil draw on Sunday.  We adore the tatt running down his ribs, but wish he’d stopped at about 55% of his current level of ink. Image via Getty

A few random bits of news to go with this post today:

- David Beckham has been called up for the England friendly this week.  Looks like all the back and forth with his MLS contract was worth it – for now, anyway.  England manager Fabio Capello has said that as long as David performs, he will play. 

“When I choose a player, age is not important,“ said Capello. “Fabio Cannavaro is 35 but he is still picked….Not age. I am just looking for the best players. The only important thing for me is how well Beckham plays. He is playing well, so if he is fit, he has a chance of being in my next squad… It hasn’t surprised me how well David is doing at Milan because I know him very well… Now with AC Milan he is played in a position which suits his technical characteristics.“

- If David gets on the pitch during the Slovakia game, he’ll score his 109th cap. Pretty impressive, no?  Equally impressive is David’s willingness to play without base layers. That’s a real team player right there, Kickettes. Bravo, Becks!

- Oh, before we forget, Tuesday Torsos has now officially returned for your regular viewing pleasure, largely due to the overwhelming number of complaints we’ve received from our very vocal readers. For example, just last night we received the following, “I have been reading for a while now and am disappointed to see that Tuesday Torsos have all but been forgotten. This website is turning into more a WAG central rather than showing hot ballers…!“  Last week: “What’s up with the lack of man candy? I don’t come here for the footy results, you know.“ And so on.

Victoria Beckham: Indigo Girl

Victoria continues to work her uniform colour scheme whilst at Claridges in London. Shoes are Louis Vuitton. Image via WENN

Good Week/Bad Week: Break-Ups and Baggage Fees

image via Getty

GOOD WEEK

Strategic packing
- The number-one rule in packing for a trip is to pack lightly. Obviously heeding this advice, Mrs. Cole arrived to hike 19,340 ft of Mount Kilimanjaro in four-inch Jimmy Choos. It’s day 2 of the climb and already the celebrity climbers are falling over. Time to switch to flats! No, no. That would be morally wrong. Regardless, Cheryl does look fabu without makeup. Let’s hope the lack of oxygen near the top doesn’t affect her complexion.

Fashion comebacks
Giving a proverbial bitch-slap to Cheryl Cole, Jordan and carb-eaters everywhere, Victoria Beckham’s dresses have officially sold out on Net-A-Porter. Looks like she’s proven her clothes are universally liked by women of all ages. Or at least those with a spare $3,000 to drop on a dress.  Another big-hitter in VB’s corner? Madonna, who wore one of her latest creations to the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.

Nocturnal birds of prey
Rio Ferdinand is ready to make an honest woman out of Rebecca Ellison, the mother of his two lovely boys. Guest list is certain to include England teammates/neighbours Wayne Rooney and Wes Brown, and we think the August ceremony is most stalk-worthy. Also invited: ring bearer Ollie the barn owl.
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