AC Milan Boateng Moonwalk Celebration

As organized championship celebrations go, most are pretty lame, there is normally some type of parade followed by various anticlimactic and proper grammar lacking player speeches.

AC Milan's 2011 Serie A championship celebration stated out with a massive parade through the streets Milan. Then lead to their stadium, as they still had a game to play (they won 4-1), then followed by the trophy presentation. Finally Kevin Prince Boateng's Michael Jackson impersonation, followed by fireworks. The bar has now been raised.

Update: After the dance, Genoa who currently own Boateng's rights jokingly raised his price on account of his dancing ability.



















For more photos of Milan's celebration via their official site: Piazza Duomo - go here or San Siro - go here.

New World Soccer / Footbal Club Rankings

Our New World Soccer Club Rankings for 1-18-10 are out.

To Celebrate here is a little Samba courtesy of Ronaldinho from 4th ranked AC Milan

The Champions League - Teams Ranked | Knock Out Round Set.

The knock out stage of the Champions' League is set. The round of 16 will get underway in February. Below are the group winners which we've ranked in order. All group winners play a #2 seed (group runner-up) in the second round. The group winners will host the second game. Barcelona just like at the start of the competition is our favored team. However there are probably a dozen teams capable of reaching the semifinals.

Group Winners

Barcelona - The defending champs, I think only want to avoid Milan.
Chelsea - Built to win this thing this year.
Real Madrid - When healthy they should have be attack.
Manchester United - Always favorite, extra tough at home.
Bordeaux - Flying under the radar, for now.
Arsenal - Easy initial group, now we'll see what they really have.
Fiorentina - Played great in the group phase, however inexpericence could show now.
Sevilla - They'll have a fight to advance.

#2 Seeds

Inter Milan - They should fear nobody, especially since they can't be drawn against Barc.
AC Milan - How will Beckham help them when he arrives.
Bayern München - If healthy they'll be a force
Olympique Lyonnais - Could this be their break through year or is time running out.
CSKA Moscow - Will be a tough out.
FC Porto - Unproven
VfB Stuttgart - Could be tough especially at home.
Olympiacos - On paper they have the least talent.

Of course the winter transfer period could change these rankings a lot. Right now this is how we feel they should be ranked. Remember UFEA doesn't rank the groups, and teams can not play another team from their country or original group.

World Football Challange Schedule

This week the World Football Challenge will be in full swing through out the US. Here is the TV schedule for the remaining matches.


Tuesday, July 21
Chelsea FC vs. FC Internazionale Milano at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Cal.
11 p.m. EST on ESPN2

Wednesday, July 22
AC Milan vs. Club America at the Georgia Dome Atlanta, Ga
7 p.m. EST on ESPN2

Friday, July 24
AC Milan vs. Chelsea FC at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md.
8 p.m. EST on ESPN

Sunday, July 26
AC Milan vs. FC Internazionale Milano at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
5 p.m. EST on ESPN2

Sunday, July 26
Chelsea FC vs. Club America at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
7 p.m. EST on ESPN2

I'm going to the game in Baltimore, I'm curious to see if there will be more Milan fans or Chelsea fans. Does anyone have an idea?

Top Potential Pro Sports Transfers

With Ricky Kaka’s 65 million euro transfer from AC Milan to Real Madrid, we’re taking a look what could be paid for our brightest sports stars.

To get you up to speed, in the soccer world, they really don’t have free agency or trades; instead they pay huge sums of money for the rights to sign a player. We don’t know the logistics, and if there are any that block this for being common place in North America’s pro sports leagues, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it starts happening soon.

Here’s the top 8 largest potential transfers.


8. $80m Evan Longoria – to Boston. The Red Sox need a future third baseman, and at 24 Longoria would own the city for years to come.

7. $85m – Carmelo Anthony - To Philly. NBA players dominate the list, because one guy is capable of having such a major impact. Philly would love to shell out the cash to bring Carmelo back to the east coast.

6. $90m – David Price – to New York. The Yankees have lacked one thing in recent years, pitching and though they thought about Linecum, Tampa Bay could use the cash, and the Yankees have no problem shelling out the bucks for this young phenom.


5. $100m – Adrian Peterson – to Dallas. The best young player in the NFL at 24, Jerry Jones can’t resist building a team around Peterson. Transfer are difficult with the NFL's Salary Cap, and large rosters, but he could be the biggest impact player in football. With a huge new stadium, the Cowboys will need a player to bring back the glamour.

4. $102m - Chris Paul – to LA. Think about this, the Lakers will try to keep the glory days going, and they’ll use their extra playoff revenue to help finance a move for the best young point guard in the NBA.


3. $108.7m Sidney Crosby - to Montreal. Pittsburgh isn’t going to like this but, of all these possible transfers, this one is most likely. First off, hockey has so many players coming in from foreign leagues, transfer fee start to make sense. Secondly the Canadians are Sidney boyhood favorites, and after accomplishing all that he has in Pittsburgh the opportunity to join Montreal would be too good to pass up.

2. $150m Dwight Howard – to Chicago. Howard’s value skyrocketed this post-season, and the Bulls look to return to the glory days with a capture of this 23 year old superman.

1. $200m Lebron James – to New York. In a move that is destine to happen, the Knicks set a world record to bring King James to the Big Apple. New York then signs him to a $300 million contract, essentially paying a half of billion for the NBA's biggest star.

Carlo Ancelotti's Auto-Biography Advice

Carlo Ancelotti's new Auto-biography had the following to say, when discusing why Zlatan Ibrahimovic choose to join Inter instead on AC Milan in 2006. I thought it was a good line.

"Haste does not pay dividends, but Massimo Moratti does"

David Beckham Goes to Milan

The top sports story in the world, is David Beckham going to AC Milan via a 3 month loan deal.



Since we're Rossoneri supporters and much less so of the Beckham circus, we'll breakdown why this move is actually really good for both parties involved.

David Beckham's Benefits
1. First and foremost this move strokes his ego, and he'll be able to look back and say he's played for the 3 largest clubs in England, Spain, & Italy.
2. It will also give him one last hurrah, in Europe where football is everything.
3. If he wants to get back on the English National Team, this is his chance.
4. He's back in the news - In case people are starting to forget about him, he has just popped back up in one of the fashion and media capitals of Europe.



AC Milan Benefits
1. While the details have not been released, you know Milan will make out on jersey sales, and with 82,000 seats in the San Siro, ticket revenue will go up.
2. Milan is loaded up front with Kaka, Ronaldinho, and company. At 33 Beckham best ability is his long ball passes, which fills a vacant role for this side.
3. Even if he's a complete flop, Maldini and his teammates will carry on like nothing happen.

I was very critical of his move to the MLS, saying it focused more on entertainment value then world class football. His on field role in Milan will be completely different from LA, plus he's coming into a side comprised of world class veterans where he'll be a role player and sub. Therefore the both sides should benefit.

Ronaldinho to Milan

In the biggest soccer/football move of the off season, two time world player of the year, Ronaldinho will officially join AC Milan tomorrow. Ronaldinho will leave the Nou Camp and head to the San Siro, to join the Brazilian attacking contingent of the Rossoneri.

AC Milan Wins

AC Milan defeats Inter Milan 2-1 in the Derby della Madonnina, and an announcer goes crazy, even by soccer standards.

I'm not sure exactly what is going here, but this guy is pretty excited about the goals. I felt the need to share this...

Pato Goal AC Milan Video

Pato's history making 1st goal for Milan.

Alexandre Pato: Soccer Phenom Set for AC Milan Debut

Expectations are sky high as Brazilian Phenom Pato, prepares for first match.



Alexandre Pato, the 18 year old from Pato Branco Brazil is set to make his European soccer debut tomorrow as AC Milan take on Napoli. AC Milan signed Pato in August, and he has been training with the team since then. AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, as already said Pato is going to develop into the best player in world.

AC Milan Win Club World Cup

Today AC Milan won the FIFA Club World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Boca Juniors of Argentina.

Kaka, Nesta and two goals from Inzaghi led the way for Milan. Milan is first European team to win this tournament since it was revamped a few years ago. Paolo Maldini lifted yet another trophy for the Rossoneri, and will retire at the end of the season after more than 23 years with Milan. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has now won the Club World Cup, a position Milan were put in thanks to winning the European Champion League the most prestigious trophy in club soccer. Milan now becomes the team with more international trophies than any club in the world with 18.



Kaka, the world's top player annouced this after the victory.

Ricky Kakà, like Adriano Galliani wanted to tell Milan Channel, decided to donate to Milan Foundation and the Holy Family Hospital Project of Nazareth, the award he received today as best player of the tournament. Ricky donates the 21 million Yen of the Toyota award to the Rossoneri's foundation. - via ac-milan.com

THE 18 TROPHIES OF MILAN

4 Intercontinental Cups, 7 Champions League, 5 European SuperCups, 2 Cup Winners Cup


Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

World Soccer / Football Rankings

World Soccer / Football Club Rankings - Sept 10th, 2007



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World Soccer Rankings are updated bi-weekly at RizzoSports.com

Alexandre Pato: Next Mega-Star Signs with AC Milan

Alexandre Pato, the 17 year old phenom from Brazil will sign a 5 five year contract to play for European Champions AC Milan. Pato who does not turn 18 till January, will not be allowed to play with Milan till then.

Kaka Worlds #1 Soccer Player

Since it's a slow news week.....and David Beckham is coming to America, here is what the real top soccer player in the world looks like.

David Beckham & MLS, Don't Buy the Hype

We’re about to be snookered by David Beckham & MLS.

David Beckhman’s arrival could hurt soccer more in the US than it helps.

Could this huge marketing Endeavour fail? To clearly state what is happening here. The MLS is asking Americans to become soccer fans because of a 32-year old non American, narcissistic soccer player. Who would currently not be recognized among the 100 best all around soccer players in the world. This might be like putting a Ferrari body on sedan, you’ll get people to stop stare, but when it comes time to perform.

Why doesn’t the MLS, whose appeal is growing, bank on the young American stars (see Jozy Altidore & U-20 World Cup) coming up through the system. For the first time in the history of the MLS, they actually have some American players capable of playing world class soccer.

If you want to watch the best soccer in the world you would watch the EPL or AC Milan, or the Champions League, etc, etc, Beckham certainly is not KAKA, for that matter as exciting as an above average midfielder like Mancini.

Who is David Beckham and how did he become so famous? Beckham became famous with Manchester Untied, probably already the most famous soccer team in the world. He reached his peak just as Manchester Untied reach unprecedented levels in the late 90s. He was the face of the team, and it was just perfect storm of attention building his image. He also captain England’s team on the International level, which underperformed in World Cups. He moved from the most popular team in England to the most popular team in Spain, somewhere along the line he married a singer, whom is equally concerned about image. Beckham is also a guy who could rub-off on people the wrong way. Most male sports fans are probably not that concerned about hair styles and jeans brands. Plus tried of hearing about his wife, after all this is America there are more pretty girls walking around any campus, then all of Hollywood.

Yes the drive-by sports media will probably love him, because remember all they care about is making money. If you can sell magazines and commercials you’re a star regardless of your on field abilities.

Don’t be surprised if the MLS averages higher scoring games in the second half. If the MLS’ goal is to make money and get more people to watch on TV, I say they’ll accomplish it. If they want to create long-term appreciative soccer fans out of the American sports fans, then something tells me this plan might not work out so well. The MLS is weird already with league negotiating all the player contracts. It’s constructed in such a way to benefit the league 1st, and who knows what the future holds for the MLS. With Beckham the plan is to attract as much attention as possible for a year or two, and hopefully by the time the hype wears off, they’ll be better players and more money in the league’s or someone’s pocket.

So we’ll see shortly if Entertainment Tonight crowd makes good sports fans, or if U.S. Sports Fans will make good soccer fans. Or if people actually will buy into David Beckham.

AC Milan Champions of Europe 2006-2007

AC Milan has won another European Championship. In Athens yesterday AC Milan won the Champions Final, the most important trophy in club football, over Liverpool for the 7th time in their history. It also gives them 12 major European trophies.

Filippo Inzaghi scored both goals in the 2-1 win. Kaka pitured above will now probably be crowned the best player in the world. Even through RizzoSports.com was saying that since the fall. Also pictured with Kaka is Massimo Oddo who came to the AC Milan defense in January, he is probably the main reason Milan won the trophy. Along with half the members of Italy World Cup winning team Milan has one of the most vertern and exprienced sides in European football history.

Milan who's President is former President of Italy Silvio Berlusconi, are laying their claim to the title of World's Greatest Football Club. They have won the second most European Cups, and reached the final 8 times in the last 20 years. Their Champions League run is recent years is even more impressive when you consider the tournament starts with over 50 of the top clubs in Europe.



Photo Sources:
REUTERS/Phil Noble
AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images