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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1/ A LITTLE MORE ABOUT FIFA

2/ THE ITALIAN LEAGUE IS MORE ALIVE THAN EVER

3/ GRZEGORZ KRYCHOWIAK AND WOJCIECH SZCZĘSNY END THEIR INTERNATIONAL CAREERS

4/ AGE IS NOT A BARRIER

5/ RETURN TO THE TOP

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT FIFA

History:

FIFA (the acronym for Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is the governing body of world football. Founded in 1904, it organizes and oversees major international competitions, such as the Men's World Cup, the Women's World Cup and the Club World Cup.

Current President:

Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino, a Swiss national of Italian origin, took over as FIFA president in 2016. Since then, he has implemented several reforms in the organization, with the aim of increasing transparency, combating corruption, and promoting the development of football worldwide.

List of Former Presidents:

🔹Robert Guérin: Founder of FIFA and its first president.

🔹Daniel Burley Woolfall: Successor to Guérin, he died in office.

🔹Rodolphe William Seeldrayers: Had one of the shortest terms in office, dying shortly after taking office.

🔹Jules Rimet: Considered one of the most important presidents, he was responsible for the creation of the World Cup and remained in office for 33 years.

🔹Arthur Drewry: Succeeded Rimet, but died in office after a short period.

🔹Ernst Thommen: Took over on an interim basis after Drewry's death.

🔹João Havelange: The first non-European president, he led FIFA for 24 years, expanding football into new markets.

🔹Joseph Blatter: Succeeded Havelange and was in charge for 17 years, until he was involved in a major corruption scandal that led to his resignation.

What are FIFA's main programmes?

FIFA Goal: A programme that provides financial and technical assistance to member associations for the development of infrastructure, training and competitions.

Technical Development Programme: A programme that aims to improve the technical level of coaches and players worldwide.

Women's Football Programme: FIFA invests in several initiatives to promote women's football, such as the Women's World Cup.

FIFA Connect: A digital platform that centralizes all information about world football, including data on players, clubs and competitions.

#SayNoToRacism:

The hashtag #SayNoToRacism emerged as a direct response to the persistence of racism in football, a sport that, due to its global popularity, should be a symbol of unity and equality. FIFA, the world's governing body of football, launched this campaign at a time when cases of racial discrimination became frequent in stadiums and on social media.

Rainbow laces:

The idea of ​​using rainbow laces as a symbol of the LGBTQIA+ community came from England, more specifically from the charity Stonewall. Stonewall, one of the largest LGBTQIA+ rights organizations in the world, launched the "Rainbow Laces" campaign in 2013.

The choice of laces as a symbol was not by chance. Laces are an element present in several sports, connecting athletes to their shoes and, by extension, to their teams and communities. By transforming this common object into a symbol of diversity, Stonewall sought to show that inclusion and equality are important values ​​in all aspects of life, including sport.

Live Your Goals:

This is a global initiative by FIFA that seeks to inspire girls and women of all ages to play football. This campaign, launched with the aim of promoting gender equality in sport, focuses primarily on female empowerment and the development of women's football around the world.

As the world's largest football entity, FIFA faces a future full of challenges. After the corruption scandals that have rocked the organization in recent years, FIFA has sought to reinvent itself and regain its credibility.

Thank you very much for reading, and see you next week.

Author: Fábio Muri

THE ITALIAN LEAGUE IS MORE ALIVE THAN EVER

The Italian Championship, or Serie A, is one of the most prestigious and historic football leagues in the world. With a rich tradition and a legion of passionate fans, Serie A has been the scene of great rivalries and memorable moments.

The origins

In 1929, with the aim of unifying Italian football and creating a stronger national competition, Serie A was created. The new league replaced the old regional championships and quickly became one of the most important in Europe.

Golden Era

The 1980s and 1990s were considered the golden era of Serie A. Clubs such as Juventus, Milan and Inter Milan dominated the national and international scene, winning several UEFA Champions League titles. At that time, the Italian championship was known for its tactical, defensive play and the presence of great players such as Maradona, Platini and Van Basten. 

Changes

From the 2000s onwards, Serie A faced a crisis, with a drop in attendance, the departure of great players and a loss of prominence on the European scene. The league was marked by corruption scandals and financial difficulties for some clubs.

However, Serie A has been recovering in recent years, with the return of great players and the rise of new talents. The league has sought to modernize its structure and increase its competitiveness.

Big Clubs

Some of the most traditional and successful clubs in Serie A include:

🔹 Juventus (F.C. Juventus) The Turin club is the biggest winner of Serie A, with 36 titles, in addition to 15 Coppa Italia titles, 9 Italian Super Cup titles and 1 Serie B title. International titles: 2 Intercontinental Cup, 2 European Super Cup, 1 European Cup Winners' Cup, 2 Champions League, 3 Europa League and 1 UEFA Intertoto Cup.

🔹 Milan (AC MILAN1899): One of the most popular clubs in Italy, with a rich history and important titles. They have won 19 national titles, 5 Coppa Italia, 7 Italian Super Cups, 2 Italian Serie B. International titles: 1 Club World Cup, 3 Intercontinental Cups, 5 European Super Cups, 2 European Cup Winners' Cups, 1 Mitropa Cup and 7 Champions Leagues.

🔹 Inter Milan (FC Inter Milan): Milan's rival, also with a long history of success, with 20 national titles, 9 Coppa Italia, 8 Italian Super Cup. International titles: 1 Club World Cup, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 3 Champions Leagues, 3 Europa Leagues.

🔹 Roma (A S Roma FC): One of the oldest clubs in Italy, with a large fan base and a historic rivalry with Lazio. Their titles are national: 3 Serie A championships, 2 Italian Super Cups, 9 Coppa Italia, 1 Serie B. International: 1 Europa Conference League and 1 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

🔹 Napoli (FC Napoli): The club from Naples, known for the passion of its fans and for having had Maradona in its squad. National titles: 3 Serie A, 6 Coppa Italia, 2 Italian Super Cup and 1 Serie B. International titles: 1 Europa League and 1 Anglo-Italian League Cup.

We can mention other traditional teams such as Torino, Genoa, Fiorentina, and Sampdoria.

Honorable mention

In recent seasons we have seen the growth of Atalanta from Bergamo (Atalanta), founded in 1907, it has always been an average club, but the 2023/2024 Europa League title over the European sensation, Bayer Leverkusen, shows that we may have a new Italian force in the future.

The 2024/2025 season of Serie A, the Italian Championship, is already in full swing!

Who will be the Italian champion? Leave your opinions in the comments.

Author: Fábio Muri

GRZEGORZ KRYCHOWIAK AND WOJCIECH SZCZĘSNY END THEIR INTERNATIONAL CAREERS

Before Saturday’s match against Portugal, a special farewell ceremony was held for Grzegorz Krychowiak and Wojciech Szczęsny, who are retiring from the Polish national team. The distinguished players were honoured by the Polish Football Association (PZPN), including its president Cezary Kulesza, with commemorative jerseys. Their years of service in the white-and-red colours were rewarded with resounding applause from the crowd.

Grzegorz Krychowiak

Grzegorz Krychowiak, a versatile defensive midfielder, has been a key element of the Polish national team for years. Debuting in 2008, he quickly earned a reputation as one of the best players of his generation. His performances in the European Championships and World Cups contributed to the rising prestige of Polish football. He was always a leader, motivating younger teammates and setting an example both on and off the field. Over his years of representing the national team, Grzegorz made exactly 100 appearances wearing the eagle on his chest.

Wojciech Szczęsny

Wojciech Szczęsny, as a goalkeeper, became synonymous with reliability in goal. His crucial saves and experience from top European clubs made him one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Polish football. Debuting for the national team in 2009, he became an integral part of the squad. His penalty-saving abilities and spectacular performances on the international stage secured many important victories. Wojciech, having been the backbone of the national team for so many years, made 84 appearances with the eagle on his chest.

Farewell to the National Team

The retirement of Krychowiak and Szczęsny marks not just the end of an era, but also an opportunity to reflect on their contributions to the development of Polish football. Both players always put the team first and took great pride in representing Poland. Fans will certainly remember their dedication and the unforgettable moments they provided throughout their careers. They were the foundation of the national team during all of its "successes" over the past few years. Whether under coach Nawałka or Michniewicz, they were always the first-choice players.

What’s next?

After ending their international careers, Krychowiak and Szczęsny will surely remain active in the world of football, engaging in various sports and social projects. Szczęsny, who briefly retired from football after leaving Juventus, recently signed a contract with Barcelona, but his chapter with the national team is now closed. Krychowiak, on the other hand, announced his decision over a year ago and currently plays for Cypriot club Anorthosis.

In conclusion, Grzegorz Krychowiak and Wojciech Szczęsny are figures who will forever be remembered by Polish fans. Their decision to end their international careers is not only sad news, but also an excellent opportunity to thank them for all the emotions they gave us. As a fan of the Polish national team, I am grateful to have witnessed such amazing players who always fought until the final whistle.

Thank you for reading my article! If you enjoyed this topic or have an idea for what I should write about next, feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments. Best regards!

Kiero DS

AGE IS NOT A BARRIER

On Saturday, La Liga hosted the match of the 10th round. In this match RC Celta Vigo and Real Madrid CF met. Real Madrid won 2:1, but there was another important event in this match. In the 63rd minute of the match, Modric substituted for Valverde, making history as he became the oldest player ever to play for Real Madrid. In this article, we will delve into this milestone and highlight other players for whom age has not been a barrier to achieving success on the field.

The midfielder was 39 years and 40 days old when he took to the pitch. Just three minutes after coming on as a substitute, the Croatian assisted Vinicius and the Brazilian scored the winning goal. 

The previous record belonged to Ferenc Puskás.  He played his last match for Real Madrid in 1966 at the age of 39 years and 36 days. His record could not be surpassed for 58 years.

Modric is a true Real Madrid veteran, having played for the club for over 12 years. He moved to Madrid from Tottenham in August 2012 for 30 million euros, and since then, he has played 521 games for the Madrid team.The Croatian has 38 goals and 78 assists. 

As a member of Real Madrid, Modric won four Spanish championships, two Spanish Cups, five national Super Cups, won the Champions League six times, and took the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup five times each. In 2018, Luka won the Ballon d'Or after winning silver medals at the World Cup in Russia with the Croatian national team.

For the national team, Modric is also an undisputed legend. The midfielder played 182 matches for the Croatian national team. 

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admired the midfielder: “To coach Modric, to work with him, is an honor for me. He has achieved all that he has, thanks to the fact that he is a true professional and a wonderful person,” said the manager in an interview with the club TV.

If Modric wants to make history even more firmly (although it would seem - where to?), he will have to sweat. He is far from the oldest player in La Liga. After the match against Celta, Modric was only among the top 25 of the oldest players in the history of the Spanish league. It will be more difficult from now on.

This season, Modric has the opportunity to surpass several other legendary players in terms of age records. For instance, he could overtake Alfredo Di Stefano, who played his final match at 39 years and 300 days, placing him 19th on the list. However, to outshine La Liga icons like Pepe Reina (who played his last match at 41 years and 264 days) or Joaquin (41 years and 314 days), Modric would need to extend his contract a few more times.

To reach the top spot, Modric would have to put retirement plans on hold. The current record holder is Harry Law, who played in La Liga at the age of 48 years and 223 days, nearly 90 years ago. For Modric to break this record, he would need to continue playing in Spain for another nine seasons! 

Now, let's take a closer look at some other legendary footballers who defied age and continued their illustrious careers well into their later years.

Paolo Maldini: The Italian player made his debut for AC Milan in January 1985 at just 16 years and 208 days old, and he played his final match on May 31, 2009. This marked nearly a quarter of a century in professional football, all with a single club. Throughout his career, he participated in over a thousand official matches, including games for the national team, and secured 26 trophies. Truly a legend of the sport.

Ryan Joseph Giggs: At the time of the last match for Manchester United, Ryan Giggs was 40 years, 6 months and 7 days old. Coming on as a substitute in the match against Hull City, the veteran gave a goal pass to Robin van Persie.

The Last Emperor of Rome was Francesco Totti. He played his last match for Roma at the age of 40 years, 8 months, and 1 day. Throughout his career, Totti was called to various top clubs, but he remained loyal to Rome.

Javier Adelmar Zanetti: He spent most of his career at Inter Milan and is rightly considered one of the symbols of the club. He played his last official match for the club on May 10, 2014, when he was 40 years and 10 months old.

At that meeting, he came out with a unique captain's armband, which was inscribed with the names of all the players who took the field with him in the Inter squad.

All the legends of soccer, unfortunately, can't fit in this article. Every fan has his or her favorite soccer players who command respect and admiration. 

Author: Zidane

RETURN TO THE TOP

The end of the season in the Superliga is fast approaching, with only the final matches left to play, which are unlikely to significantly impact the final standings. With a clear picture of the final classification, it's time for a brief summary of the 69th season in SL!

One Leader

At the top of the table is the team ФК Беркут, which has impressed us with its form and consistency since the start of the season. Despite tough moments, they managed to overcome every crisis, showcasing football at the highest level. Their effective offence, solid defence, and commitment have been the keys to success. Their main, and in fact, only real rival Public Enemies tried in every way to stop them on their path to victory, but in the end, they failed, and ФК Беркут can now celebrate their SL championship!

In direct encounters between these two teams, the record looks as follows: ФК Беркут won twice, drew once, and lost once. The goal difference of 16:12 was also in favour of ФК Беркут. Now, only the two-legged semifinal in the CT remains for them, but judging by how the matches between these two teams have played out, ФК Беркут has a much better chance of reaching the final against Monsters.

The key architects of the winning team were players such as Дам 5 за нольпять, who scored 48 goals*, Ли Си Цын, who contributed 25 goals and 24 assists*, and in defence, Matt Agustin stood out with 17 interventions*. The number of saves may not be overwhelming, but we must remember that their midfield is strong enough that the defenders don’t have much to do.

*As of 21.10.2024

Monsters and Tsubasa

Next in the table are the two aforementioned clubs. Both owe their positions to the breakup of CC and the players who joined their teams. Monsters, thanks to the merger, acquired most of the players, but Tsubasa also managed to bring in players like BeeNeR, Margolinho, and Mario81. Thanks to the first two, who significantly strengthened their midfield, Tsubasa reached their current place in SL.

WIZARD and Кремень

Following clubs are the Wizards and Кремень, two teams battling closely to the end. One match worth highlighting is this one from WIZARD: Live Match 

A beautiful attempt to steal points from ФК Беркут. It's also worth noting how often the Wizards lost games by just one goal, such as the aforementioned match and two narrow one-goal defeats to Tsubasa and Monsters. If they have more luck next season, we might see them higher up in the table.

THE LAST PLACES

In the final phase of the season, no changes are expected in the standings, with the bottom positions almost locked in. Team Activity, despite recent reinforcements from their merger with Red Bull, remains at the bottom of the table. Even the presence of FT legend Gustaw54 in their attack couldn't turn the tide for the team. While Gustaw54 has repeatedly demonstrated his class, he simply cannot carry the entire team on his own throughout the season. Additionally, the support from PE’s main squad in the form of Sir aLLu proved insufficient. It seems the player switched accounts, likely due to restrictions placed on him for previous reckless behaviour. As a result, Team Activity will finish the season in the second-to-last place, facing a tough rebuild ahead of the next season.

It also looks like FC ParaBellum will finish the season without a single point. Although they have a match today (Monday) against TA, as you read this article, you'll already know whether they managed to earn any points. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for them. However, it's clear they aren't on the SL level. Perhaps they ended up here because other teams avoided SL? Maybe they wanted to play here themselves and grab some rewards? I’m not sure, but I wish them luck in the upcoming seasons, assuming they want to stay in SL.

Conclusion

Summing up the 69th season of the Superliga, it's clear that teams that focused on consistency, good organisation, and the right reinforcements dominated the competition. ФК Беркут, with their unwavering form and leaders on the field, deservedly claimed the championship, while other teams fought for their places with varying success. This season was full of excitement, dramatic matches, and spectacular action, and the end of the season brought us final conclusions. However, we now look forward to the upcoming seasons, where the fight will start anew, and teams that didn't meet expectations this time will have the chance to rebuild. In the meantime, fans can celebrate the well-deserved triumph of ФК Беркут and anticipate the excitement of future competitions and rivalries in the next season.

Will the same teams dominate, or will someone new claim the crown? Only time will tell.

Author: Bestia