Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Significance of Jerseys in Football
What is a sport without its colorful jerseys? Not only do they add to the glamor quotient of the sport but in many ways emerge as the real identity of a team. One such sport that simply can not do without jerseys is football. The concept of jerseys gained popularity thanks to the elevation of football or soccer as a global sport and now jerseys are synonymous with football. Think of football jerseys and you are reminded of the English Premier League. Much like the EPL, its jerseys are popular world over.
Jerseys of clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are a rage among youngsters. A walk down the memory lane and the vivid picture of Pele and Maradona donning the famous No.10 jersey flashes in your mind. Every time you talk about Brazil, you think about their yellow jersey and blue shorts. Every time there is mention of Argentinian football, invariably there is mention of the white and blue striped jersey. Such is the significance of jerseys in football and in modern times jerseys have become extremely popular among fans and football lovers.
But one look at the evolution of jerseys and you know that the football jersey was not always this stylish. The traditional football jersey was in fact a far cry from the modern jersey. Numberless and full-sleeve thick cotton t-shirts, knee covering trousers, ankle-high boots, shins worn outside the stockings were a regular sight back in the late 19th century. Yet to evolve as a global sport, football came to be known as a sport of the wealthy and the affluent.
Come the 20th century and football was able to shed its image of being a rich man's sport. Football was slowly turning into a household sport and had struck a chord with the youngsters. Soon changes followed and along came shorts that literally revolutionized the football attire. Far more comfortable than the traditional long trousers, shorts looked cooler and definitely more stylish. In no time the full-sleeve t-shirt had been replaced by the half-sleeve jersey. Very sophisticated, very polished the new football jersey was numbered. Made out of Polyester Mesh, the modern-day football jersey is eye-catching and at the same time, easy on the body.
Realizing the growing popularity of football jerseys among fans, popular clubs like Real Madrid released Replica jerseys for the general public. It was an instant hit and inspired other clubs to release their respective replica jerseys. Since then, replica jerseys have remained hugely popular and are still selling like hot cakes. Selling replica jerseys was a tactical move that saw the football clubs earning sizable revenues and also brought to the fore brand loyalty. Fans could now relate to their favorite clubs and teams and go all out in supporting them. Not only was the concept of replica jerseys beneficial to the clubs but it also bridged the gap between teams and their fans.
Jerseys have always been the talking point and it does not come as a surprise that they generate so much of curiosity and buzz. International jerseys, club jerseys are in big demand and this is perhaps the right time for jersey companies to cash in considering that the FIFA World Cup is on.
Jerseys of clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are a rage among youngsters. A walk down the memory lane and the vivid picture of Pele and Maradona donning the famous No.10 jersey flashes in your mind. Every time you talk about Brazil, you think about their yellow jersey and blue shorts. Every time there is mention of Argentinian football, invariably there is mention of the white and blue striped jersey. Such is the significance of jerseys in football and in modern times jerseys have become extremely popular among fans and football lovers.
But one look at the evolution of jerseys and you know that the football jersey was not always this stylish. The traditional football jersey was in fact a far cry from the modern jersey. Numberless and full-sleeve thick cotton t-shirts, knee covering trousers, ankle-high boots, shins worn outside the stockings were a regular sight back in the late 19th century. Yet to evolve as a global sport, football came to be known as a sport of the wealthy and the affluent.
Come the 20th century and football was able to shed its image of being a rich man's sport. Football was slowly turning into a household sport and had struck a chord with the youngsters. Soon changes followed and along came shorts that literally revolutionized the football attire. Far more comfortable than the traditional long trousers, shorts looked cooler and definitely more stylish. In no time the full-sleeve t-shirt had been replaced by the half-sleeve jersey. Very sophisticated, very polished the new football jersey was numbered. Made out of Polyester Mesh, the modern-day football jersey is eye-catching and at the same time, easy on the body.
Realizing the growing popularity of football jerseys among fans, popular clubs like Real Madrid released Replica jerseys for the general public. It was an instant hit and inspired other clubs to release their respective replica jerseys. Since then, replica jerseys have remained hugely popular and are still selling like hot cakes. Selling replica jerseys was a tactical move that saw the football clubs earning sizable revenues and also brought to the fore brand loyalty. Fans could now relate to their favorite clubs and teams and go all out in supporting them. Not only was the concept of replica jerseys beneficial to the clubs but it also bridged the gap between teams and their fans.
Jerseys have always been the talking point and it does not come as a surprise that they generate so much of curiosity and buzz. International jerseys, club jerseys are in big demand and this is perhaps the right time for jersey companies to cash in considering that the FIFA World Cup is on.
Monday, July 19, 2010
5 Places to Visit in Madrid
Madrid is one of the most popular destinations in Spain, and is a city full of culture and things to see.
Here are just five places of the very many that are must see when you next visit Madrid.
1. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Seating over 80,000 spectators and costing well over a quarter of a billion euros, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is one of Europe's finest football stadiums earning one of the few coveted 'Elite' status from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
It is home to Real Madrid C.F., one of the most famous and highly paid football teams in the world. So if it is possible to get a seat alongside the 'Vikings', the Real Madrid fans, at the stadium when you visit this is an excellent experience.
2. Golden Triangle of Art
Madrid is internationally renowned for being an artistic centre in addition to being known for it's many art galleries. One of the most famous areas for galleries is known as the 'Golden Triangle of Art'. Located in the heart of Madrid, there are three very important art museums that form a triangle.
The most famous of the three, The Prado Museum, built in 1819 features one of the world's most revered collections of 12th century to 19th century artwork. Famous artists to have their artwork featured in the museum include some of the leading 'Spanish old masters' such as Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya and El Greco in addition to artists from elsewhere in Europe including Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Raphael. The other two galleries in the Golden Triangle of Art include the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, which is known for it's modern art in addition to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
3. Buen Retiro Park
Originally built as part of a royal family retreat, the Buen Retiro Park or 'Park of the Pleasant Retreat' has history dating back to the very early 16th century.
Located near the city centre and close to the Prado Museum (mentioned above), the park provides a visual feast regardless what time of the year you pay a visit.
The main features of the park include the Rosaleda rose garden, the remains of the Buen Retiro Palace and many statues to some of Madrid and Spain's most famous.
A recent addition to the Bueno Retiro Park is the Forest of the Departed, which was built to honour the 191 victims of the 2004 Madrid attacks.
4. Malasaña
Madrid's answer to New York City's East Village and London's Camden town. Home to the The Madrilenian groove scene or La Movida Madrileña during the late 1970's and 1980's.
Home to many clubs and bars, Malasaña is a must visit if you want to experience Madrid's rich and diverse social scene.
5. The Las Ventas Bullring
For those who grew up outside of Spain, we often see the famous or infamous (depending on what your take on it is) bullfighting battles which pit the matador against a raging bull. Madrid is home to Las Ventas, the largest Plaza de Toros or bullring in Spain. Seating 25,000, Las Ventas also plays hosts to some of the biggest music concerts in Madrid.
Here are just five places of the very many that are must see when you next visit Madrid.
1. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Seating over 80,000 spectators and costing well over a quarter of a billion euros, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is one of Europe's finest football stadiums earning one of the few coveted 'Elite' status from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
It is home to Real Madrid C.F., one of the most famous and highly paid football teams in the world. So if it is possible to get a seat alongside the 'Vikings', the Real Madrid fans, at the stadium when you visit this is an excellent experience.
2. Golden Triangle of Art
Madrid is internationally renowned for being an artistic centre in addition to being known for it's many art galleries. One of the most famous areas for galleries is known as the 'Golden Triangle of Art'. Located in the heart of Madrid, there are three very important art museums that form a triangle.
The most famous of the three, The Prado Museum, built in 1819 features one of the world's most revered collections of 12th century to 19th century artwork. Famous artists to have their artwork featured in the museum include some of the leading 'Spanish old masters' such as Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya and El Greco in addition to artists from elsewhere in Europe including Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Raphael. The other two galleries in the Golden Triangle of Art include the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, which is known for it's modern art in addition to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
3. Buen Retiro Park
Originally built as part of a royal family retreat, the Buen Retiro Park or 'Park of the Pleasant Retreat' has history dating back to the very early 16th century.
Located near the city centre and close to the Prado Museum (mentioned above), the park provides a visual feast regardless what time of the year you pay a visit.
The main features of the park include the Rosaleda rose garden, the remains of the Buen Retiro Palace and many statues to some of Madrid and Spain's most famous.
A recent addition to the Bueno Retiro Park is the Forest of the Departed, which was built to honour the 191 victims of the 2004 Madrid attacks.
4. Malasaña
Madrid's answer to New York City's East Village and London's Camden town. Home to the The Madrilenian groove scene or La Movida Madrileña during the late 1970's and 1980's.
Home to many clubs and bars, Malasaña is a must visit if you want to experience Madrid's rich and diverse social scene.
5. The Las Ventas Bullring
For those who grew up outside of Spain, we often see the famous or infamous (depending on what your take on it is) bullfighting battles which pit the matador against a raging bull. Madrid is home to Las Ventas, the largest Plaza de Toros or bullring in Spain. Seating 25,000, Las Ventas also plays hosts to some of the biggest music concerts in Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the Highest Paid Footballer in the World
Cristiano Ronaldo who joined Real Madrid this season in in a world record transfer fee from Manchester United, is currently the highest paid football player in the world, after a "Top 50" list was released today.
According to the "Football Finance" site, Cristiano Ronaldo, currently with Real Madrid, is the highest paid footballer in the world. The captain of the Portugal team receives €1.083 million per month, or 13 million euros per year. In 2nd position is the Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic, of Barcelona, banking one million euros per month (12 million per year) and in 3rd place comes Argentina's Lionel Messi, captain of the Catalan team, with 875 thousand euros a month or 10.5 million per year.
Spain, England, Italy and Germany are the countries that have the clubs (about a dozen of them) with the best paid players in football today, earning astronomical salaries in an industry that is showing signs of growth once again, with the galactic Real Madrid in the front.
"In a year of recovery after the severe economic crisis that affected most of the clubs, the football industry is showing signs of recovery "begins by saying" the Portuguese marketing agency "Futebol Finance." For 3 consecutive years, that site has renovated and updated the list with the highest salaries of football players. With major changes in relation to the 2008/09 season - the biggest being the creation of a new "Galactic" team by Real Madrid and the newest millionaires, Manchester City, which has followed the same line of Chelsea, of previous years, considerably inflating salaries paid to the players of the "Premier League."
With the most expensive transfer ever in football history, Cristiano Ronaldo of Madeira Island, voted best player in the world in 2009, heads the list, ahead of his "rivals" Ibrahimovic and Messi, both of FC Barcelona. According to the table, in 4th place comes the first player who's not playing in Spain, namely Samuel Eto'o, of Inter Milan, coached by Portuguese José Mourinho. The Brazilian Kaka, teammate of Ronaldo at Bernabeu, takes home 833 thousand euros a month in salary and $10 million per year, composing the "top five."
Spain and England have the top players
In the "Top 50" appear four more players from Real Madrid Galacticos. They are; Benzema (7), Raul (17), Casillas (22) and Diarra (45), the latter with a monthly salary of 416 thousand euros and five million per year. From Barcelona besides Ibrahimovic and Messi, the list contains six "millionaire" names. These are Henry (11), Xavi (12), Daniel Alves (15), Valdez (23), Puyol (37) and Iniesta (38). Still in Spain there are another three players; Kanoute (Sevilla), at 24. David Villa (Valencia) at 30 and Aguero (Atletico Madrid) at 39.
According to the "Football Finance" site, Cristiano Ronaldo, currently with Real Madrid, is the highest paid footballer in the world. The captain of the Portugal team receives €1.083 million per month, or 13 million euros per year. In 2nd position is the Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic, of Barcelona, banking one million euros per month (12 million per year) and in 3rd place comes Argentina's Lionel Messi, captain of the Catalan team, with 875 thousand euros a month or 10.5 million per year.
Spain, England, Italy and Germany are the countries that have the clubs (about a dozen of them) with the best paid players in football today, earning astronomical salaries in an industry that is showing signs of growth once again, with the galactic Real Madrid in the front.
"In a year of recovery after the severe economic crisis that affected most of the clubs, the football industry is showing signs of recovery "begins by saying" the Portuguese marketing agency "Futebol Finance." For 3 consecutive years, that site has renovated and updated the list with the highest salaries of football players. With major changes in relation to the 2008/09 season - the biggest being the creation of a new "Galactic" team by Real Madrid and the newest millionaires, Manchester City, which has followed the same line of Chelsea, of previous years, considerably inflating salaries paid to the players of the "Premier League."
With the most expensive transfer ever in football history, Cristiano Ronaldo of Madeira Island, voted best player in the world in 2009, heads the list, ahead of his "rivals" Ibrahimovic and Messi, both of FC Barcelona. According to the table, in 4th place comes the first player who's not playing in Spain, namely Samuel Eto'o, of Inter Milan, coached by Portuguese José Mourinho. The Brazilian Kaka, teammate of Ronaldo at Bernabeu, takes home 833 thousand euros a month in salary and $10 million per year, composing the "top five."
Spain and England have the top players
In the "Top 50" appear four more players from Real Madrid Galacticos. They are; Benzema (7), Raul (17), Casillas (22) and Diarra (45), the latter with a monthly salary of 416 thousand euros and five million per year. From Barcelona besides Ibrahimovic and Messi, the list contains six "millionaire" names. These are Henry (11), Xavi (12), Daniel Alves (15), Valdez (23), Puyol (37) and Iniesta (38). Still in Spain there are another three players; Kanoute (Sevilla), at 24. David Villa (Valencia) at 30 and Aguero (Atletico Madrid) at 39.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)