Davor Suker

Davor Suker

Full name: Davor Suker
Born: 01.01.1968
Born in: Osijek, Croatia
Nationality: Croatia
Yugoslavia
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 78 kg

Statistic Club Career

07/2001 - 06/2003 ==> TSV 1860 München, Germany
07/2000 - 06/2001 ==> West Ham United, England
07/1999 - 06/2000 ==> Arsenal FC, England
07/1996 - 06/1999 ==> Real Madrid, Spain
07/1991 - 06/1996 ==> Sevilla FC, Spain
07/1989 - 06/1991 ==> Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia
07/1984 - 06/1989 ==> NK Osijek, Croatia


Career in Spain

Suker made his Primera División debut for Sevilla on November 17, 1991, coming off the bench as a last-minute substitute in their 1-1 away draw at RCD Espanyol de Barcelona. In the following match, at home against Real Sociedad, he made his first appearance from the beginning and went on to score a brace to secure his club a 2-2 draw. He finished his first Sevilla season with 6 goals in 22 appearances, but the following season he improved his record to 13 goals in 33 matches. Especially successful for him was Sevilla's first match of the season, away at Albacete Balompié, where scored his first Primera hat-trick and helped his club to drive home a 4-3 victory.

In the 1993-94 season, he turned into one of the best players in the Spanish Primera and became the second-best goal scorer of the league with 24 goals, six less than FC Barcelona's Romário. He made a total of 34 Primera appearances that season and also netted five braces and one hat-trick. After this, he played another two seasons for Sevilla, scoring 33 goals in 64 appearances in the Spanish Primera. Suker also played with Maradona at Sevilla that time (1992-1993).

He went on to move to Real Madrid for the 1996-97 season, in which he repeated the success of scoring 24 goals, only he made 38 appearances that season and was third-best goal scorer of the league, behind FC Barcelona Ronaldo and Real Betis Alfonso Pérez. During the same 1996-97 season, he managed to score three hat-tricks in the Primera and led Real Madrid to winning the league title. The realization of his dream of capturing major trophies continued the following season, when he won the Champions League with Real Madrid, although he only played a couple of stoppage-time minutes in the Final against Juventus. In the Primera, he scored 10 goals in 29 appearances that season. In the 1998-99 season, his role at Real Madrid nevertheless became largely diminished, despite the fact that he performed well at the 1998 World Cup that preceded the season, and he only scored 4 goals in 19 Primera appearances. By the end of the season, he decided to leave the club after three seasons of playing for them.

His decision to leave Real Madrid also marked the end of his eight-season-long career in the Spanish Primera, which ended with a total of 114 goals in 239 appearances.
Ivan Suker, Croatia's Finance Minister (left), and Davor Šuker (right)

Moving to England

For the 1999-2000 season, Suker decided to make a move to the English Premiership and signed with Arsenal. He made his league debut on August 221999 in Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Highbury, coming on as a substitute for the final 15 minutes. He subsequently played another two matches as a substitute before finally making his first start in Arsenal 3-1 home victory over Aston Villa, where he scored his first two goals in the Premiership. He scored 8 goals, including three braces, in 22 Premiership appearances for Arsenal before moving to West Ham United for the 2000-01 season. With Arsenal, he also played in the 2000 UEFA Cup Final as an extra-time substitute. Arsenal lost the Final to Turkish side Galatasaray on penalties, with Suker missing his.

At West Ham, he never managed to find his place in the first team for a longer period and only made 11 Premiership appearances for the club throughout the season, scoring twice. His career in England ended with the end of that season as he decided to make a move to German side 1860 Munich for the 2001-02 season.

Last two seasons in Germany

At 1860 Munich, Suker did not manage to make his Bundesliga debut until the 15th matchday of the season on December 1, 2001, when he played all 90 minutes in the club's 1-0 home victory over Energie Cottbus. His first goal for the club came in their first match after winter break, a 3-0 home victory over 1. FC Köln, where he scored the third goal with a header. His highlight of the season came on the final matchday in a 4-2 away victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he netted his only brace in the Bundesliga. He finished his first Bundesliga season with a modest record of 4 goals in 14 appearances.

In his last season in 2002-03, he once again only occasionally played for the club and only scored once in 11 Bundesliga appearances throughout the season. He scored his last goal on November 2, 2002 in 1860 Munich's 3-1 home victory over Arminia Bielefeld and the last match of his professional career was on March 16, 2003 in his club's 1-0 home defeat to VfB Stuttgart. In two seasons of playing Bundesliga football, he only scored five goals in 23 appearances. In this two seasons with 1860 Munich, he also made a total of five German Cup appearances in which he managed to score three goals.

International Career

World Cup 2002, Japan/South Korea : Team Croatia
World Cup 1998, France : Team Croatia
World Cup 1990 Italy : Team Yugoslavia
Friendlies 2000 : Team Croatia
EURO 1996 England : Team Croatia

Already in his youth, Suker made 25 international appearances and scored 15 goals for various Yugoslav youth national teams.He was the second best scorer on World Youth Championship in Chile 1987 and Yugoslavia won the title.Yugoslavia also set a new FIFA World Youth Championship scoring record (which still stands today): they banged in an average of 2.44 goals per game, finishing with 22 goals for and 9 against and the best attack was Yugoslavian which scored 17 goals on tournament with Suker domination (6 goals, second scorer of tournament and won an adidas golden shoe award). In 1990, he was named to the Yugoslav national team's 22-man squad for the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy, but did not receive any playing time during the tournament.

On December 22, 1990, he made his debut for then newly founded Croatian national team in their friendly match against Romania. In 1991, he nevertheless also won his only two caps for Yugoslavia (on 27/02/91 against Turkey, and 16/05/91 against Faroe Islands), since Croatia was registered with neither FIFA nor UEFA at the time, and scored his first international goal with the team (against Faroe Islands). In his second match for Croatia, a friendly against Mexico in 1992, he scored a brace in Croatia's 3-0 victory. He then led Croatia to their first major international tournament, the 1996 European Championship, with a then record of 12 goals in 10 matches during the qualifying tournament.

At the final tournament in England, he scored three goals in four matches, including two in the 3-0 group-stage win over defending champions Denmark, where he set the final score with an unforgettable looping shot over Denmark's keeper Peter Schmeichel. It is still remembered as one of the greatest goals in EURO history, which also earned him a place in the EURO 96 Team of the Tournament.

He then went on to help Croatia to qualify for their first World Cup as he scored five goals in nine appearances during the qualifying for the 1998 finals in France. He went on to claim the Golden Boot at the tournament, scoring six goals in seven matches and leading the Croatian team to their sensational third-place finish in the country's very first World Cup appearance since becoming independent. He netted one goal in every match where Croatia scored, also scoring the winning goals in 1-0 victories over Japan in the group stage and Romania in the round of 16 as well as in the 2-1 success against the Netherlands in the third-place play-off. He also brought the team to the doorstep of the Final by scoring the opening goal of the semifinal against France before Lilian Thuram switched the lead with his only two international goals and gave France a 2-1 victory for a place in the Final.

After the 1998 World Cup, Suker continued to play for Croatia in their unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2000 European Championship as Croatia just missed out on qualification. Davor was however remembered as he kept Croatia's hopes of qualification alive when he scored a 94th minute winner against Ireland at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. The win ensured Croatia would have a strong chance of qualifying, but would unfortunately miss out due to their final qualifying game, a 2-2 draw at home to his previous teammates of Yugoslavia. He did manage to score a late goal which was later disallowed, and would have sent Croatia through had it been counted. He finished his qualifying campaign that year with four goals in seven matches. He was also part of the Croatian team at the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea, but only played 63 minutes in their unsuccessful opening match against Mexico, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Croatia. In the qualifying for the tournament, he only scored once in six matches. After the 2002 World Cup, he retired from international football but went on to be an icon for many children around the world, but mostly in Croatia where he is still seen as a national hero.

Suker won a total of 71 international caps during his professional career, 2 for Yugoslavia and 69 for Croatia, and scored a total of 46 international goals. With 69 international caps, he is currently the sixth most-capped player in the Croatian national team, but his goalscoring record of 45 goals for the team will probably remain unbeaten for decades as it has been since his retirement, since no other player has scored even 20 goals for Croatia (as of June 2008).

His 12 goals during the qualifying campaign for Euro 96 was a record until beaten in 2007 by Northern Ireland's David Healy during qualifying for the 2008 European Championships as the Northern Irish star managed 13 goals.

SOLSKJAER

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Full name: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
born: 26.02.1973
born in: Kristiansund, Norway Norway
Nationality: Norway
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 74 kg

Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Knight First Class, Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav (born 26 February 1973 in Kristiansund, Møre og Romsdal) is a Norwegian former footballer who spent the majority of his career playing for Manchester United, often dubbed the "Baby-faced assassin". He is the current Manchester United Reserve team manager. He played 366 times for the Red Devils and scored 126 goals during a very successful period for the club. Solskjær's defining moment in football came in injury time of the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final where he scored the winning last-minute goal against Bayern Munich, completing a remarkable comeback and winning The Treble for United.

Before he moved to England, Solskjær completed a year's national service in the Norwegian army, and played part time for Third Division Norwegian Clausenengen F.K., later moving to Norwegian Premier League Molde F.K. in 1994. He joined United on 29 July 1996, for a transfer fee of £1.5m. He is a patron of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (formerly Shareholders United).

On 27 August 2007, Solskjær announced his retirement from football after failing to recover from a serious knee injury. However, Solskjær remained at Old Trafford in a coaching role, as well as in an ambassadorial capacity. On 20 May 2008, Solskjær was announced as Manchester United's first full-time Reserve team manager since 2006, taking over from Brian McClair and Jimmy Ryan, who had filled the role in a caretaker capacity.

In November 2007 Solskjær was made a Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St Olav by King Harald V of Norway.[4] He was presented with the award in a ceremony on 25 October 2008 in his hometown of Kristiansund. Solskjær is the youngest ever recipient of the knighthood, usually bestowed upon notable members of society in their later years.

For his commitment to Manchester United, Solskjaer was granted a testimonial which took place in the pre-season preparations for the 2008-09 season. The match was against Espanyol and was played on August 2nd. The game ended 1-0 to Manchester United, with the only goal coming from Fraizer Campbell shortly after the 80 minute mark. The testimonial gathered 68,868 spectators, the 2nd largest attendance for a testimonial in Great Britain, only beaten by Roy Keane's testimonial.

Statistic Club Career

07/1996 - 08/2007 ==> Manchester United, England
01/1994 - 06/1996 ==> Molde FK, Norway

Early Manchester United years

Solskjær had scored 31 goals in 42 matches for Molde in the Norwegian Premier League, and he did not disappoint at the start of his United career, scoring six minutes into his debut as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership in the 1996-97 season.

Solskjær scored 18 Premiership goals for United in his first season, helping United win the title in the last weeks of the season. The British media nicknamed him the "Baby-Faced Assassin" because of his youthful looks and his deadly finishing. He will perhaps be best remembered as a "super-sub", having earned wide acclaim for a remarkable habit of coming into matches late on as a substitute and scoring goals. Alex Ferguson remarked that Solskjær has a knack of sitting on the bench and studying the game without taking his eye off the action. One of his most impressive feats was coming off the bench to score four goals in the last twelve minutes of United's 8-1 thrashing of Nottingham Forest.

Solskjær stayed at Old Trafford even though other clubs showed interest in the player in 1998. The Norwegian went on to score the winning goal in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final, helping the team secure the Treble and cementing his own place in the United folklore. These feats made him a favourite among the United supporters, inspiring songs such as "Who Put the Ball in the Germans' Net?" and "You Are My Solskjær". Although he had been absent on the pitch for a long time due to injury, United fans still fill matches with chants sung in Solskjær's honour.

After a few years of playing in the role of super-sub, Solskjær got a chance as a starter in the 2001-02 season, paired up with striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. He took the opportunity with characteristic incisiveness, forcing Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke onto the bench.

By 2002-03, after both Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke had left Old Trafford, Solskjær had only Diego Forlán and Van Nistelrooy to compete with for a place in the starting line-up. Still, Ferguson's persistence in playing van Nistelrooy up front as a lone striker meant that opportunities were limited.

Solskjær was subsequently given his time again when David Beckham picked up an injury and Ferguson played the Norwegian on the right wing. While proving himself to be an able crosser of the ball, Solskjær also popped up with goals, scoring a total of 16 goals for the season. He was selected to play on the right in important matches, such as in the league game against Arsenal and the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, while Beckham was left on the bench. He also captained the team in a number of matches.

Solskjær played for Norway in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 and has 67 international caps.

Injury-plagued seasons

In 2003-04, Solskjær found himself in and out of the United squad as he struggled with a recurring knee problem. Coupled with the arrival of Louis Saha from Fulham in January 2004, Solskjær found himself out of the first team and found himself either in his original role of super-sub or in central midfield. Solskjær still returned from injury in time to play in the 2004 FA Cup final, which the club won. The arrival of Alan Smith in summer 2004 nonetheless led to rumours that Solskjær was to leave Old Trafford, along with Nicky Butt, who eventually moved to Newcastle United, and David Bellion, who had been largely replaced by Wayne Rooney. Solskjær underwent intensive knee surgery in August 2004 and had to miss the 2004-05 season entirely. While he eventually recovered his fitness, it was difficult for the 32-year-old to carve his niche again among the heavy-weight attack of Manchester United. The Old Trafford faithful, however, displayed almost fanatical loyalty in their desire to see Solskjær in action again.

To show their continuing support, fans added a banner to the collection that lines the Stretford End reading "20 LEGEND" (Solskjær wore number 20 for United). Solskjær further solidified his status amongst United fans when he became a patron of the supporters action group, Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), previously Shareholders United.


Statistic International Career

World Cup 1998, France
Friendlies 2007
Friendlies 2006
Friendlies 2004
Friendlies 2003
Friendlies 1999
EURO 2000, Holland/Belgium
EURO Qualifiers 2006/2007
EURO Qualifiers 2002/2003

Future career as player-coach

On 31 March 2006, Solskjær signed a new contract with Manchester United until the end of the 2008 season, with a provision to allow him to develop his coaching awards. He also acted in an ambassadorial role for the club, when he travelled to Hong Kong in 2006 and played with students at the Manchester United Soccer School in Hong Kong. In July 2006, Solskjær participated in a pre-season game against Orlando Pirates, playing for 45 minutes and scoring 2 goals in United's 4-0 win. He also scored in matches against Preston North End and F.C. Porto. Ferguson praised the player and said he would re-consider his plan to buy a new striker.[11] On 16 August 2006 Solskjær returned for the Norwegian national team and played for 45 minutes against Brazil in a 1-1 draw.

On 2 September 2006, Solskjær scored his first goal for the national team after his injury, when he scored the first and last goals in a 4-1 win against Hungary in a Euro 2008 qualifying match. It was also his first post-injury professional match where he played the full game.

On 19 April 2007, Solskjær stated that he could not see himself playing professional football past his contract expiry date, at the end of the 2008 season. He has already been granted a testimonial following his long service to the club—and in recognition of his popularity with supporters. The match took place on August 2nd 2008, a 1-0 win over RCD Espanyol. Solskjaer played the final 25 minutes of the match, coming close to scoring on two occasions.

In an interview in July covered on ManUtd.com, Solskjær refused to put a timescale on his professional career, but he was confident he would play out the one year left in his contract at Manchester United. He said, "The knee will never be 100 percent again, but as long as it doesn't hurt I'll continue to play. I don't know how long I can continue. It might be over after this season or I might be able to play another season." When interviewed by Setanta Sports in August 2007, Solskjær confirmed he would train to be a coach after retiring from professional football, and would start to earn the required badges after his last season with Manchester United. He also stated that unless his knee returned to a better state by the end of the 2007-08 season, that would definitely be his last season.

On 27 August 2007, it was announced that Solskjær had retired from football with immediate effect due to his ongoing knee injury. Finally, on September 4 at the home game against Sunderland, his retirement was officially announced over the Old Trafford tannoy, with Solskjær walking onto the pitch to a standing ovation. As of his retirement, Solskjær holds the record for the most goals scored for Manchester United as a substitute, scoring 28 goals off the bench.

Hasselbaink

Jerrel Floyd Hasselbaink

Full Name: Jerrel Floyd Hasselbaink
Born: 07.03.1972
Born in: Paramibo, Suriname
Nationality: Netherlands
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 85 kg

Statistic Club Career

08/2007 - 09/2008 ==> Cardiff City, Wales
07/2006 - 06/2007 ==> Charlton Athletic, England
07/2005 - 06/2006 ==> Middlesbrough, England
07/2004 - 06/2005 ==> Middlesbrough, England
07/2000 - 06/2004 ==> Chelsea, England
07/1999 - 06/2000 ==> Atletico Madrid, Spain
07/1997 - 06/1999 ==> Leeds United, England
07/1996 - 06/1997 ==> Boavista, Portugal
01/1993 - 06/1996 ==> Campomaiorense, Portugal
01/1991 - 07/1993 ==> AZ Alkmaar, Netherland
07/1990 - 12/1990 ==> Telstar, Netherland

Netherlands

Hasselbaink began his footballing career in the Netherlands, first with Telstar for whom he played until 1991, and then AZ Alkmaar. He stayed at Alkmaar for three seasons before being released by the club and ended up playing non league football.(Neerlandia/SLTOVV)

Portugal

He signed for Portuguese side Campomaiorense in August 1995 but, after only one season, Hasselbaink was signed by Boavista where he first came to prominence. He scored 20 goals in 29 league appearances for the club as well as helping them win the Portuguese Cup.

England

His prolific goalscoring caught the attention of several European clubs, and he was transferred to English Premier League side Leeds United for £2 million in June 1997. He continued his prolific goalscoring record with Leeds, netting 23 goals in all competitions in his debut season, and 21 in the next, helping Leeds finish 4th in the Premiership. His 18 league goals that season made him the Premier League's joint top goalscorer.

Spain

After rejecting a new contract offer from Leeds and subsequently requesting a transfer, Hasselbaink was sold to Spanish club Atletico Madrid for £12 million in 1999. He adapted to the Spanish game well and scored prolifically, this time scoring 24 goals in 34 La Liga appearances and 32 in all competitions, though the club were still relegated.

Back to England

Once again, he stayed with a club for only a brief period and a year later returned to England, this time with Chelsea, for a club record fee of £15 million.

Hasselbaink scored 23 goals in 35 league appearances in the 2000-2001 season, including a volley from outside the penalty area against Manchester United and a four-goal haul against Coventry City, he finished the season as the Premier League's top goal scorer. He formed a prolific partnership with Icelandic striker Eiður Guðjohnsen in his second year with Chelsea, scoring 29 goals in all competitions and helping Guðjohnsen to 23 in a season which also saw Chelsea reach th FA Cup final. Hasselbaink was injured in the game prior to the final and, clearly unfit, he was substituted early on at Millennium Stadium as Chelsea lost 2-0. In his last two seasons with Chelsea the goals dried up. He scored only 11 goals in 27 games in 2002-2003, though in the next season he scored 17 goals in all competitions which, despite the arrival of new strikers Adrian Mutu and Hernan Crespo, made him top scorer at the club for the third time in four years. He ended his Chelsea career with 87 goals in 177 games.

In 2004, Hasselbaink joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer. In his first season he scored 13 goals in 36 league games. He struck the winner in 1-0 wins at Grasshoppers in theUEFA Cup and Everton in the League Cup. He also captained the side in a 4-1 win over Manchester United and scored the second goal for Boro. In his final season with the club, he helped them reach the UEFA Cup final, where they lost 4-0 to Sevilla FC.

When Gareth Southgate took over from new England boss Steve McClaren as Middlesbrough manager, Hasselbaink found himself surplus to requirements and was made available on a free Transfers. His reported £40,000 per week wages at Middlesbrough looked to be an issue especially when negotiations with Celtic failed. He left Middlesbrough as a hero with his fine goals and leadership which contributed massively to Middlesbrough's success domestically and in Europe in the two years he was at Middlesbrough. He signed for Charlton Athletic July 11.

On 31 July 2006 Hasselbaink was charged by The FA with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute for his claims about Chelsea. The player alleged his former club paid players a bonus after the 2004 Champions League win over Arsenal. A Premier League inquiry into what would have been illegal bonus payments found no evidence to support the claims, which were denied by Chelsea.

Jimmy scored his first goal for Charlton against his old team Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 9 September 2006, but he didn't celebrate out of respect for the fans. Chelsea's fans in turn gave him a round of applause, even though his goal had brought Charlton level. Hasselbaink was also instrumental in advising Scott Carson that Frank Lampard's penalty would be struck down the middle of the goal, true to form this event transpired and Carson went on to save the penalty and keep Charlton in the game despite their subsequent loss. After a long goal drought, Hasselbaink scored against yet another of his former clubs, Middlesbrough on 13 January 2007, a game which Middlesbrough went on to win. Hasselbaink was released by Charlton at the end of the 2006-2007 season on 14 May 2007.

Crossing the Border into Wales

Jimmy was on the verge of joining Championship side Leicester City on 14 August 2007, but the club later withdrew their offer. On 16 August, Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale, who worked with Hasselbaink at Leeds United, brought him to the club on a one-year deal, teaming up with former Liverpool and Leeds United Striker Robbie Fowler.

Both Fowler and Hasselbaink started the season out of the team due to both lacking fitness and they eventually went on to make their debuts for the club in the same game, a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient in the League Cup. On Wednesday 19 September 2007 Jimmy scored his first goal for Cardiff with a 20-yard low drive in the 2-1 home defeat to Watford in the Championship. After an impressive performance against Wolves in the fifth round of the FA Cup he was nominated for the player of the round after a fantastic goal as he powered the ball in to the top corner. Jimmy has remained as a regular starter for Cardiff throughout the season, only losing his place for a handful of matches to an in-form Steve Thompson, although due to his age he rarely finishes a match. On 15 March 2008, Hasselbaink received the first red card of his Cardiff career for a foul on Colchester City, goalkeeper Dean Gerken. Cardiff appealed the red card but it was upheld.

Hasselbaink also made appearances in 5 of the 6 matches Cardiff played to reach the FA Cup final for the first time in 81 years, which they went on to lose 1-0 to Portsmouth, where he played 70 minutes before being substituted for Steve Thompson. At the end of the season Cardiff decided against extending his contract and he was released.

On August 16th 2008, during the 1-1 draw between Norwich City and Blackpool at Carrow Road, it was revealed that Hasselbaink had attended the game at the personal invitation of Norwich Chairman Roger Munby however on 29th August Manager Glenn Roeder revealed that Hasselbaink would not be joining the club permananently. Said Roeder: “He only ever came here for training and people mustn't make too much of it. If I was to sign Jimmy Hasselbaink he wouldn't be here on trial or a test or anything like that - I wouldn't embarrass the man like that."

International Career

World Cup 1998, France
Friendlies 2002
Friendlies 2000
EURO Qualifiers 2002-2003

Hasselbaink made his debut for the Dutch national side at a late age. His time as an international suffered due to fierce competition for the strikers' role, with the presence of Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Roy Makaay, greatly limiting his opportunities.

In 2004 Hasselbaink decided to quit the Dutch national team and no longer made himself available. His most noteworthy accomplishment as an international was playing at the 1998 World Cup in France, and having started for the Netherlands in their opening game against Belgium.

Hasselbaink is one of only five Dutch football players to be selected for the Dutch national team while never having played in the Dutch Eredivisie. The others capped player are Jordi Cruyff, son of Johan, Rob Reekers, Willy Lippens and Wim Hofkens.

Davor Suker

DAVOR SUKER

Full Name: Davor Suker
Born : 01.01.1968
Born in : Osijek, Crotia
Nationality : Croatia - Yugoslavia
Height : 183 cm
Weight : 78 kg


Statistic Club Career

07/2001 - 06/2003 ==> TSV 1860 Munchen, Jerman
07/2000 - 06/2001 ==> West Ham Unite, England
07/1999 - 06/2000 ==> Arsenal, England
07/1996 - 06/1999 ==> Real Madrid, Spain
07/1991 - 06/1996 ==> Sevilla FC, Spain
07/1989 - 06/1991 ==> Dinamo Zagreb, Crotia
07/1984 - 06/1989 ==> NK Osijek, Croatia

Early years

Šuker began playing football in his home town of Osijek with the club NK Osijek, where he played for the first team between 1984 and 1989. He then moved to Dinamo Zagreb, where he played in the following two seasons and scored 34 goals in 60 Yugoslav First League matches, impressing so much that he earned his first call-up to the Yugoslav national team as well as the attention of foreign clubs. In 1991, he moved to Spanish side Sevilla FC.

Career in Spain

Šuker made his Primer Division debut for Sevilla on November 17, 1991, coming off the bench as a last-minute substitute in their 1-1 away draw at RCD Espanyol de Barcelona. In the following match, at home against Real Sociedad. he made his first appearance from the beginning and went on to score a brace to secure his club a 2-2 draw. He finished his first Sevilla season with 6 goals in 22 appearances, but the following season he improved his record to 13 goals in 33 matches. Especially successful for him was Sevilla's first match of the season, away at Albacete Balompie, where scored his first Primera Hat-trick and helped his club to drive home a 4-3 victory.

In the 1993-94 season, he turned into one of the best players in the Spanish Primera and became the second-best goal scorer of the league with 24 goals, six less than FC Barcelon's Romario. He made a total of 34 Primera appearances that season and also netted five braces and one hat-trick. After this, he played another two seasons for Sevilla, scoring 33 goals in 64 appearances in the Spanish Primera. Šuker also played with Maradona at Sevilla that time (1992-1993).

He went on to move to Real Madrid for the 1996-97 season, in which he repeated the success of scoring 24 goals, only he made 38 appearances that season and was third-best goal scorer of the league, behind FC Barcelona's Ronaldo and Real Betis's Alfonso Perez. During the same 1996-97 season, he managed to score three hat-tricks in the Primera and led Real Madrid to winning the league title. The realization of his dream of capturing major trophies continued the following season, when he won the Champions League with Real Madrid, although he only played a couple of stoppage-time minutes in the Final against Juventus. In the Primera, he scored 10 goals in 29 appearances that season. In the 1998-99 season, his role at Real Madrid nevertheless became largely diminished, despite the fact that he performed well at the 1998 World Cup that preceded the season, and he only scored 4 goals in 19 Primera appearances. By the end of the season, he decided to leave the club after three seasons of playing for them.

His decision to leave Real Madrid also marked the end of his eight-season-long career in the Spanish Primera, which ended with a total of 114 goals in 239 appearances.

Moving to England

For the 1999-2000 season, Šuker decided to make a move to the English Premiership and signed with Arsenal. He made his league debut on August 22, 1999 in Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Highbury. coming on as a substitute for the final 15 minutes. He subsequently played another two matches as a substitute before finally making his first start in Arsenal's 3-1 home victory over Aston Villa, where he scored his first two goals in the Premiership. He scored 8 goals, including three braces, in 22 Premiership appearances for Arsenal before moving to West Ham United for the 2000-01 season. With Arsenal, he also played in the 2000 UEFA Cup Final as an extra-time substitute. Arsenal lost the Final to Turkish side Galatasaray on penalties, with Šuker missing his.

At West Ham, he never managed to find his place in the first team for a longer period and only made 11 Premiership appearances for the club throughout the season, scoring twice. His career in England ended with the end of that season as he decided to make a move to German side 1860 Munich for the 2001-02 season.

Last two seasons in Germany

At 1860 Munich, Šuker did not manage to make his Bundesliga debut until the 15th matchday of the season on December 1, 2001, when he played all 90 minutes in the club's 1-0 home victory over Energie Cottbus. His first goal for the club came in their first match after winter break, a 3-0 home victory over FC Koln, where he scored the third goal with a header. His highlight of the season came on the final matchday in a 4-2 away victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, where he netted his only brace in the Bundesliga. He finished his first Bundesliga season with a modest record of 4 goals in 14 appearances.

In his last season in 2002-03, he once again only occasionally played for the club and only scored once in 11 Bundesliga appearances throughout the season. He scored his last goal on November 2, 2002 in 1860 Munich's 3-1 home victory over Armina Bielefeld and the last match of his professional career was on March 16, 2003 in his club's 1-0 home defeat to VFB Stuttgart. In two seasons of playing Bundesliga football, he only scored five goals in 23 appearances. In this two seasons with 1860 Munich, he also made a total of five German Cup appearances in which he managed to score three goals.

Internationals Career

World Cup 2002, Japan/South Korea. Team Crotia

World Cup 1998, France. Team Croatia

World Cup 1990, Italy. Team Yugoslavia

Friendlies 2000. Team Croatia

EURO 1996. Team Croatia

Already in his youth, Šuker made 25 international appearances and scored 15 goals for various Yugoslav youth national teams.He was the second best scorer (scored six goals) on World Youth Championship in Chile 1987 and Yugoslavia won the title.Yugoslavia also set a new FIFA World Youth Championship scoring record (which still stands today): they banged in an average of 2.44 goals per game, finishing with 22 goals for and 9 against and the best attack was Yugoslavian which scored 17 goals on tournament with Suker domination (6 goals,second scorer of tournament and won a adidas golden shoe award). In 1990, he was named to the Yugoslav national team's 22-man squad for the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy, but did not receive any playing time during the tournament.

On December 22, 1990, he made his debut for then newly founded Croatian national team in their friendly match against Romania. In 1991, he nevertheless also won his only two caps for Yugoslavia, since Croatia was registered with neither FIFA nor UEFA at the time, and scored his first international goal with the team. In his second match for Croatia, a friendly against Mexico in 1992, he scored a brace in Croatia's 3-0 victory. He then led Croatia to their first major international tournament, the 1996 European Championship, with a then record of 12 goals in 10 matches during the qualifying tournament.

At the final tournament in England, he scored three goals in four matches, including two in the 3-0 group-stage win over defending champions Denmark, where he set the final score with an unforgettable looping shot over Denmark's keeper Peter Schmeichel. It is still remembered as one of the greatest goals in EURO history, which also earned him a place in the EURO 96 Team of the Tournament.

He then went on to help Croatia to qualify for their first World Cup as he scored five goals in nine appearances during the qualifying for the 1998 finals in France. He went on to claim the Golden Boot at the tournament, scoring six goals in seven matches and leading the Croatian team to their sensational third-place finish in the country's very first World Cup appearance since becoming independent. He netted one goal in every match where Croatia scored, also scoring the winning goals in 1-0 victories over Japan in the group stage and Romania in the round of 16 as well as in the 2-1 success against the Netherlands in the third-place play-off. He also brought the team to the doorstep of the Final by scoring the opening goal of the semifinal against France before Lilian Thuram switched the lead with his only two international goals and gave France a 2-1 victory for a place in the Final.

After the 1998 World Cup, Šuker continued to play for Croatia in their unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2000 European Championship as Croatia just missed out on qualification. Davor was however remembered as he kept Croatia's hopes of qualification alive when he scored a 94th minute winner against Ireland at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. The win ensured Croatia would have a strong chance of qualifying, but would unfortunately miss out due to their final qualifying game, a 2-2 draw at home to his previous teammates of Yugoslavia. He did manage to score a late goal which was later disallowed, and would have sent Croatia through had it been counted. He finished his qualifying campaign that year with four goals in seven matches. He was also part of the Croatian team at the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea, but only played 63 minutes in their unsuccessful opening match against Mexico, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Croatia. In the qualifying for the tournament, he only scored once in six matches. After the 2002 World Cup, he retired from international football but went on to be an icon for many children around the world, but mostly in Croatia where he is still seen as a national hero.

Šuker won a total of 71 international caps during his professional career, 2 for Yugoslavia and 69 for Croatia, and scored a total of 46 international goals. With 69 international caps, he is currently the sixth most-capped player in the Croatian national team, but his goalscoring record of 45 goals for the team will probably remain unbeaten for decades as it has been since his retirement, since no other player has scored even 20 goals for Croatia (as of June 2008).

His 12 goals during the qualifying campaign for Euro 1996 was a record until beaten in 2007 by Northern Ireland's David Healy during qualifying for the 2008 European Championships as the Northern Irish star managed 13 goals

Roberto Baggio

Roberto Baggio

Full Name : Roberto Baggio
Born : 18.02.1967
Born In : Caldogno, Italy
Nationality : Italy
Height : 174 cm
Weight : 73 kg
Position : Forward

Statistic Football Career Club

07/2000 - 06/2004 ==> Brescia Calcio, Italy
07/1998 - 06/2000 ==> Inter Milan, Italy
07/1997 - 06/1998 ==> Bologna FC, Italy
07/1995 - 06/1998 ==> AC Milan, Italy
07/1990 - 06/1995 ==> Juventus, Italy
07/1985 - 06/1990 ==> ACF Fiorentina, Italy
07/1982 - 06/1985 ==> Lanerossi Vicenza, Italy

Honours

Vicenza
* Serie C1: 1984-1985

Juventus
* Coppa Italia, 1995
* UEFA Cup, 1993
* Serie A, 1994-1995

AC Milan
* Serie A, 1995-1996

Individual

* U-23 European Footballer of the Year, 1990
* UEFA Cup Winners'Cup top Scorer, 1990-1991
* European Fooballer of the Year (Ballon d'or/Golden Ball), 1993
* FIFA World Player of the Year, 1993
* Platinum Football award by TV Sorrisi and Canzoni, 1992
* Onze D'Or by French Magazine 'Onze Mondial', 1993
* Bravo award with Fiorentina, 1990
* Golden Guerin with Vicenza, 1985
* Golden Guerin with AC Milan, 1996
* Golden Guerin with Brescia, 2001
* Azzuri Team of The Century, 2000
* Most Loved Player Award via Internet Polls, 2001
* Most Loved Player Award at the Italian Oscars, 2002
* FIFA 100, 2004
*The Champions Promenade - Golden Foot, 2003
* Guerin's Sportivo 150 Grandi del Secolo
* Placar's 100 Craques do Seculo
* Planete Foot's 50 meilleurs Joueurs du Monde
* Italy All-time XI by Fooball Italia
* Juventus All-time XI by Fooball Italia
* Brescia All-time XI by Fooball Italia

Selected statistics

• 318 goals in all competitions
• 76 goals from 91 penalties (best all time record in Italy)
• 32 goals in European competitions
• 9 goals in World Cup finals (Italia 90, USA 94, France 98)

Internationals

Baggio totalled 27 goals in 56 caps for his national team, the fourth-highest of all time for Italy. He is the only Italian player ever to score in three World Cups, with a total of 9 career World Cup goals which puts him even with Christian Vieri and Paolo Rossi as Italy's top World Cup scorers. For all his talent he was never rewarded with a victory in an international competition.

World Cup 1998, France
World Cup 1994, USA
World Cup 1990, Italy
Friendlies 2004

After retirement

Baggio was given an international send-off match on 28 April 2004 against Spain.

He was invited to play for the European XI at the Football for Hope Indian Ocean Tsunami relief benefit on 15 February 2005 at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, but he declined the invitation.

Baggio wrote an autobiography titled Una porta nel cielo (A Goal in the Sky, but also A Gate...). In it, he told of many rifts with managers.

Baggio is known as Il Divin Codino (The Divine Ponytail), for the hairstyle he wore for most of his career and his Buddhist background.

On his 40th birthday ( February 18, 2007), Baggio started his new website to converse with his fans. As per his website he doesn't intend to return to mainstream football but rather exchange words with his fans on his blogs.

Records

Baggio played in 16 World Cup matches for Italy. Ireland is the only team against which Baggio played more than once in his 16 games of FIFA World Cup play. He is the highest Italian goalscorer of all-time in the World Cup, with 9 goals from 16 appearances (along with Rossi and Vieri). But Baggio is the only Italian to have scored in three World Cups. Baggio has scored 86 percent of his penalties in Serie A and International football, scoring 106 out of 122 penalties, more than any other player in Italian football history.

When Baggio was in the national team, Italy always left the World Cup at penalties: in 1990 against Argentina, in 1994 against Brazil, and in 1998 against France. Therefore, In 16 world cup matches he played Italy lost only one, Italy's opening game of USA 94 against Ireland. When Baggio played his 16th and last world cup game against France, Brazil's all time player with most caps in the World Cup did not have 16 games. This was a notable achievement for Baggio especially as Brazil won the world cup three times in the 1960s with the likes of Pele.

George Weah

GEORGE WEAH

Full Name : George Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah
Born : 01.10.1966
Born In : Monrovia, Liberia
Nationality : Liberia
Height : 184 cm
Weight : 76 kg
Position : Forward

Statistic Football Career

Club

07/2001 - 06/2003 ==> Al-Jazeera
10/2000 - 06/2001 ==> Olympique Marseille, France
07/2000 - 10/2000 ==> Manchester City, England
07/1998 - 01/2000 ==> Chelsea, England
07/1998 - 01/2000 ==> AC Milan, Italy
07/1997 - 06/1998 ==> AC Milan, Italy
07/1995 - 06/1997 ==> AC Milan, Italy
07/1992 - 06/1995 ==> Paris St. Germain, France
07/1988 - 06/1992 ==> AS Monaco, Italy

At the pinnacle of success, Weah moved to Europe in 1988 when he was signed by Arsene Wenger. then manager of Monaco, who Weah credits as an important influence on his career. At Monaco, Weah was a member of the team that won the French Cup in 1991. In the 1990s Weah subsequently played for Paris Saint Germain (1992 - 95), with whom he won the French league in 1994; and AC Milan (1995 - 1999), with whom he won the Italian league in 1996 and 1999. In 1995 he was named European Footbller of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year. After leaving Milan in January 2000 Weah moved to Chelsea, Manchester City and Olympic Marseille in quick succession, before leaving Marseille in May 2001 for Al Jazira FC, in the United Arab Emirates.

As successful as he was at club level, Weah was not able to bring over that success to the Liberian national team. He has done everything with the squad from playing to coaching to financing it, but failed to qualify for a single World Cup, falling just a point short in qualifying for the 2002 tournament. This has all led to Weah being known as one of the best footballers never to have played in a World Cup.

African Player

Weah won the African player of the year in 1989 when he was with AS Monaco and 1995 with AC Milan, the year he won almost every award a footballer could win. When he won the award in 1989, it was his first major award and he took it back home for the entire country to celebrate, similar to what he did when he won the world best title and the Onze Mondial title.

European Player of the Year 1995

Weah won the European Player of the Year in 1995, becoming the only African to win the award. Sports writers from all over Europe voted and awarded Weah as the best player in Europe for the year.

Football and children

Weah has tried to use football as a way to bring happiness and promote education for children in Liberia. In 1998, Weah launched a CD called Lively Up Africa featuring the singer Frisbie Omo Isibor and eight other African football stars. The proceeds from this CD went to children's programmes in the countries of origin of the athletes involved.

Weah is President of the Junior Professionals, a football team he founded in Monrovia in 1994. As a way to encourage young people to remain in school, the club's only requirement for membership is school attendance. Many of the young people, recruited from all over Liberia, have gone on to play for the Liberian national team.

In 1998 a documentary about Weah's footballing career at AC Milan was made broadcast on The A - Force BBC-TV, it was made by Pogus Caesar a British award winning producer and director.

Political career

Although he had denied interest in politics during his football career, in mid-November 2004, Weah announced his intention to stand in the October 2005 presidential election, having previously been the subject of a petition urging him to run; he received a hero's welcome upon his arrival in Monrovia in late November and was widely considered a favorite in the election. His eligibility was initially questioned due to debates over his citizenship (Weah having allegedly adopted French citizenship whilst at PSG; he has also lived in Staten Island, New York for many years now) but he was officially confirmed on 13 August 2005 as the candidate for the Congress for Democratic Change when the election commission published its final list. He won the most votes of any candidate in the first ballot on 11 October, but did not secure the required overall majority. A run-off vote took place on 8 November, pitting Weah against former World Bank employee and finance minister, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who won the vote and is now the first elected female president in Africa. Weah disputed the electoral process, but on 21 December 2005 he dropped his legal challenge.

Much of Weah's politics are influenced by the recent Second Liberian Civil War. Starting in 1999, the conflict came to a conclusion in 2003 when the United States stationed a Marine Expeditionary with 2,300 Marines offshore while Nigeria sent in peacekeepers as part of an Economic Community of West African States force, forcing President Charles Taylor to resign on August 11, 2003, and flee into exile in Nigeria. As a result, all of the candidates pushed for the politics of peace. During his campaign Weah repeatedly emphasized the need for UN's peace mission in his country, known as UNMIL (United Nation Mission in Liberia), to stay at least through the end of what would have been his first presidential term of office.

Weah's lack of experience and of a prestigious college degree weighed heavily against him during the campaign. Opponents believed that Weah could have been manipulated if elected. One positive aspect of Weah's lack of experience is the fact that he was not involved in Liberia's conflicts. Also, some saw little risk in Weah becoming corrupt, as the football star is already quite wealthy.

Weah had also promised to bring low cost housing, electricity, running water, and better education to the countryside, where he himself lived for some time in the 1970s. He also called for the president's term in office to be reduced to four years from six.

Zola

Gianfranco Zola

Full Name : Gianfranco Zola
Born : 05.07.1966
Born in : Oliena, Italy
Nationality : Italy
Heigt : 168 cm
Weight : 67 kg

Statistic Career:

Club

07/2003 - 06/2005 => Cagliari Calcio, Italy
11/1996 - 6/2003 => Chelsea, England
07/1993 - 10/1996 => Parma AC, Italy
07/1989 - 06/1993 => SSC Napoli, Italy
07/1986 - 06/1989 => Torres, Italy
07/1984 - 06/1986 => FC Nuorese, Italy

International

Zola played for his country at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, making one appearance in the second round against Nigeria. He was sent off in what seemed an extremely harsh refereeing decision after only a few minutes and was suspended for the two subsequent World Cup matches. He played in all three group games at Euro 1996, and missed a penalty against Germany as Italy surprisingly crashed out in the first round. He scored the only goal of the game in a World Cup qualifying match against England at Wembley in February 1997, and won his final cap for Italy in the return fixture against England in Rome in October 1997 but was a controversial omission from the squad for France 1998. Zola won 35 international caps, scoring 10 goals.

Honours and Awards

Napoli
* Serie A Winner (1989-1990)

Parma
* UEFA Cup Winner (1995)

Chelsea
* FA Cup Winner (1997,2000)
* FA Community Shield Winner (2000)
* League Cup Winner (1998)
* UEFA Cup Winner (1998)
* European Super Cup Winner (1998)

Individual

* Awarded an OBE in 2004
* Inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2006 in recognition of his achievements in the English league
* Voted Chelsea's greatest-ever player
* Named in Chelsea Centenary XI

Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona

Full Name : Diego Armando Maradona Franco
Born : 30.10.1960
Born in : Lanus, Argentina
Nationality : Argentina
Height : 167 cm
Weight : 70 kg

Career Statistics

Period Team Country

1997 Karriereende
07/1995 - 06/1997 Boca Juniors Argentina
07/1993 - 06/1994 Newell's Old Boy Argentina
07/1992 - 06/1993 Sevilla Spain
07/1884 - 06/1991 SSC Napoli Italy
07/1982 - 06/1984 FC Barcelona Spain
07/1981 - 06/1982 Boca Juniors Argentina
07/1976 - 06/1981 Argentinos Juniors Argentina

International

• Started in 21 consecutive matches for Argentina in four World Cups (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994)
• Appeared a World Cup-record 16 times as captain of the national team.
• Scored 8 goals and made 8 assists in 21 World Cup appearances, including 5 goals and 5 assists in 1986
  
• Tied for second-highest goal-scorer from Argentina in World Cup finals (Equaled Guillermo Stabile's mark in 1994, Surpassed by Gabriel Batistuta 1998)

Individual

• Golden Ball for Best Player of the Fifa U-20 World Cup 1979
• Argentine League Top Scorer: 1979, 1980, 1981
• Argentine Football Writers' Footballer of the Year: 1979 — 1981, 1986
• South American Footballer of the Year (El Mundo, Caracas):1979, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992
• Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Year: 1986
• Golden Ball for Best Player of the FIFA World Cup: 1986
• Best Footballer in the World (Once): 1986 — 1987
• World Player of the Year (World Soccer Magazine) 1986
• Serie-A Italy LeagueTop Scorer: 1987/1988
• Golden Ball for services to football France Football 1996
• Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Century: 1999
• "FIFA best football player of the century", people's choice: 2000
• FIFA Goal of the Century (1986 (2–1) v. England; second goal): 2002
• Argentina Senate "Domingo Faustino Sarmiento" recognition for lifetime achievement: 2005

Coaching

* 1994 Mandiyu de Corrientes
* 1995 Racing Club de Avellaneda

Reputation

Ever since 1986, it is common for Argentines abroad to hear Maradona name as a token of recognition, even in remote places.
In Argentina, Maradona is often talked about in terms reserved for legends.
In the Argentina film El hijo de la Novia (The bride's son), an actor who plays a fake Catholic priest says to a bar patron:
" They idolized him and then crucified him"
When swcolded by a friend for taking the prank too far, the fake priest retorts: "But I was about Maradona".

In Rosario city, Argentina, fans organized the "Church of Maradona".
Maradona's 43rd birthday in 2003 marked the start of the Year 43 D.D. - "Después de Diego" or After Diego - for its founding 200 members. Tens of thousands more have become members via the church's official web site.

Hounded for years by the press, Maradona even fired a comressed-air rifle against reporters who, so he claimed, invaded his privacy. This quote from former teammate Jorge Valdano summarizes the feelings of many:

“

He is someone many people want to emulate, a controversial figure, loved, hated, who stirs great upheaval, especially in Argentina... Stressing his personal life is a mistake. Maradona has no peers inside the pitch, but he has turned his life into a show, and is now living a personal ordeal that should not be imitated.

”

A television commercial for Brazilian soft drink Guarna Antarctica portrayed Maradona as a member of the Brazilian national football team, including wearing the yellow jersey and singing the Brazilian national anthem with Brazilian caps kaka and Ronaldo.

Later on in the commercial he wakes up realizing it was nightmare after having drank too much of the soft drink. This generated some controversy in the Argentine media after its release (although the commercial was not supposed to air on the Argentine market, fans could see it via internet). Maradona replied that he has no problem in wearing the Brazilian national squad jersey, instead, only in wearing River Plate's jersey.

In May 2006, Maradona agreed to take part in UK's Soccer aid (a program to raise money for UNICEF). Maradona scored a penalty but it was too late to save the match which England won 2-1.