Cristiano Ronaldo may be the world's most expensive footballer, but Barcelona star Lionel Messi outshines him in terms of media value, at least according to a team of Spanish researchers.
The team from the University of Navarra said the Argentine had ousted the Portuguese striker as the player with the highest profile last season.
However, Ronaldo remains the most expensive player, with the researchers valuing him at 82 million euros, less than the world record 93 million Real Madrid paid Manchester United for him this month.
Messi was next at 80 million, followed by Liverpool's Spanish striker Fernando Torres at 67 million.
The study cited Barcelona's European Champions League victory, and Messi's goal in the final, for his leap to number one in the media rankings over last year's winner Ronaldo.
It forecast "an exciting media fight between these two brilliant players" next season.
In team rankings, it recorded a "technical tie" between Barcelona (86.2 points) and Manchester United (86.0 points).
But the manager with the most media pulling power was United's Alex Ferguson, ahead of Barca's Pep Guardiola.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa v Brazil Pupil meets Master
Former coach Carlos Alberto Parreira promised to introduce South Africa to 'samba football', a mission pursued by his successor, Joel Santana.
Well at Ellis Park on Thursday the willing pupil will have the chance to test precisely how much they've learned when they take on the country who invented the concept.
The smart and not so smart money is on Brazil overpowering South Africa in this Confederations Cup semi-final to set up a dream final Sunday with Spain, favourites to beat the United States on Wednesday.
But this 2009 Confed Cup has been nothing if not unpredictable - witness the USA's advance to the last four at the expense of world champions and African champions Italy and Egypt.
South Africa owe their presence here to having narrowly shaded Iraq on goal difference to emerge as Group A runners-up after goalless draws against the Asian champions, a 2-0 win over New Zealand and a 2-0 loss to Spain.
Brazil strode imperiously through Group B, following up the last minute 4-3 victory over Egypt with 3-0 drubbings of the USA and then astonishingly Italy.
That has left Kaka and company in prime shape to defend the title they collected in Germany four years ago, but South Africa are counting on their vibrant and colourful support and some class acts like Everton's Steven Pienaar, Bernard Parker and Teko Modise to help them dethrone the five time world champions.
The last time the hosts and holders met was back in 1996 in Joburg when South Africa, with Lucas Radebe and Doctor Khumalo on board, were leading a Brazil side captained by Dunga two nil at half time only to go down 3-2.
Santana, constantly criticised in the local media for his defensive tactics, is talking a big game ahead of what promises to be an electric encounter at a sold-out Ellis Park.
"We deserve to be in the semi-finals, we got four points," said the Brazilian.
"We outplayed New Zealand. We beat them 2-0, but could have scored six while Iraq were totally negative.
"I am happy to be in the semi-finals, I could have been heading home. But now I am looking forward to a major semi-final of a big FIFA event."
Dunga rates his compatriot highly as a manager and is wary of the threat presented by his team.
"South Africa are an emerging team, but we know they will give us a difficult test.
"They're strong, quick and they will have the crowd behind them. But we'll be well prepared. Brazil have a very strong squad, which helps in a tournament like this. Every player in the squad is a first-teamer."
ICC World Twenty20 'We must build on T20 win'
Popular all-rounder Shahid Afridi said Pakistan need to build on their historic victory in the ICC World Twenty20 championship as he arrived home Wednesday.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets to win the World Twenty20 title in England -- their second biggest win in the sport in 17 years after their 50-over World Cup win in Australia in 1992.
Afridi, who won man-of-the-match awards in the semifinal and final, said the team lived up to the expectations of the nation. He scored half centuries on both occasions.
"We are proud champions and, more so, we lived up to the expectations of millions of cricket fans in the country who were seeking some moments of smile," Afridi told reporters at his residence where a large crowd had gathered to greet him.
But Pakistan need to carry on the winning momentum, he said ahead of next month's Test tour of Sri Lanka.
"We have met success in one event, but now we have to carry forward this momentum and win more and more series in future," said Afridi, who arrived in Karachi with team-mates Fawad Alam and Shoaib Malik two days after the squad returned home.
Allrounder Abdul Razzaq flew into Lahore. The four players had stayed in England due to some personal commitments.
Eleven other members including captain Younus Khan and team coach Intikhab Alam arrived on Tuesday.
Afridi expressed surprise that fans were deprived of welcoming the triumphant team when they arrived at Lahore due to security concerns.
"I heard that fans had to wait for hours outside Lahore airport but the team was taken away without giving them a glimpse, it's disappointing for fans," he said.
Afridi was also surprised over captain Younus's decision to quit T20 cricket after their victory.
"I am surprised, he can still play this form of cricket and is good at it," he said.
Razzaq, who was summoned to England as replacement for injured allrounder Yasir Arafat, praised Younus and coach Intikhab Alam.
"Both Younus and Alam were outstanding and supported me a lot. I needed that because I had come in the team after a long gap," said Razzaq who joined the team in England after two-year absence from international cricket.
Razzaq, 29, signed with the unrecognised Indian Cricket League in protest after he was left out of the squad for the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007.
He snapped his ties with the league earlier this month to get clearance to play for Pakistan.
"I have my confidence back and now I am ready to play for Pakistan in Tests against Sri Lanka," said Razzaq who was named in the 15-man squad for the Sri Lanka tour.
Pakistan play three Tests, five one-day and one T20 international. The first Test starts in Galle from July 4.
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