Here's Maradona's latest look after he left the rehab clinic in Cuba heading to Buenos Aires for Christmas; all bearded and drug-free!

Totti, I was thinking about putting Deco and Carvalho on my team but had to put them aside in the end. The players you mentionned are in good form too. I would normally pick Sheva but Adriano is the top scorer so far and has impressed quite a lot, especially in the game against Udinese when he scored some really nice goals. mojam, You must like Beckham man! I haven't seen him play well for a very long time.

I was reading the sports section of a paper and came across two weird incidents that hapenned... This player from Servette (Paulo Diogo) was celebrating a goal and jumped up on the fence like many players do. His finger got caught by the barbed wire as he was getting down and a piece got cut off! :eek: Star striker Cristiano wins match for Dempo; dies on field Bangalore, Dec 5 (UNI) Star Striker Cristiano de Lima Junior of Brazil died after scoring his second goal that enabled Dempo Sports Club, Goa, to beat Mohun Bagan in the 26th Federation Cup Football Championship here today. In a tragic end to the Championship, the 25-year-old Cristiano, playing his first season with Dempo, collapsed immediately after he was hit by Mohun Bagan Custodian Subrato Paul, who tried to push the Brazilian striker after he gave the finishing touch. Attempts to revive Cristiano through artificial respiration by some Bagan Players failed and he was immediately taken to the accident relief hospital Hosmat, where he was declared brought dead.

ORGILAQE, I suggested this some time back (in vain) because it seemed a bit discriminating towards men (or maybe patronising for women to be awarded a corner where they can vent their issues). The women are not complaining, maybe they like to have men up in their section discussing female issues

The year is coming to an end and why not let people choose the best 11 they think have performed well and impressed the most so far in European football. I'll present my team from the top three leagues, Spain, Italy and England; since that's where the best players are. GK Buffon - (Juventus) DEFENDERS Heinze (Manchester Utd.) Puyol (Barcelona) Terry (Chelsea) Cafu (Milan) MIDFIELDERS Robben (Chelsea) Emerson (Juventus) Xavi (Barcelona) Ronaldinho (Barcelona) FORWARDS Adriano (Inter) Henry (Arsenal) It wasn't easy living out class players like the top scorer in Spain Eto'o, Milan's Kaka, Liverpool's Alonso, Inter's J. Zanetti, Belleti of Barcelona, and Chelsea's GK Peter Cech, but one can only have 11 at a time and also try and not take more than three players from one club. The two top teams in the three leagues have performed better than the rest, except in Spain where Barcelona are very dominant and are 10 points ahead of second placed Real Madrid (they play tonight). Let's see what other football fans in this forum think of the games so far and which players they would choose in their Dream 11... Peace.

Originally posted by nuune: ^^^^ viking I didn't mean to degrade the Kenyans or the language, but u r right, what about somali language, it is also spoken in many countries! nuune, I never thought you were 'degrading' anyone, just wanted to explain to you that Swahili is spoken in aabout seven countries. Somali is spoken only by Somalis who ended up in five different territories after the colonialists carved up our continent. But Swahili is spoken by hundreds of tribes, who have Swahili as a second language. It's understandable that people know more of Swahili than Somali for it's spoken by over 100 million people.

Classique, No need to get pissed off, you can take it even further and act like the Americans by mentioning your city (or town) when asked where you are from. I once met an American in Africa and asked him where he was from, out of arrogance (or maybe ignorance) he answered "Boston". I put on a puzzled look (pretending not to know what the hell he was talking about) and he later explained that it was in the USA. Damn it, the kenyans are ahead of us nuune, Swahili is spoken in some 6-7 countries and not only in Kenya.

Caveman, It was a useful lecture and I sent it to some non-Muslims. Jazzakumullah khayr bro.

I don't see this technology being widely used in the future as a lie detector. The problem with MRI is that anyone with a metallic implant, pacemaker etc. usually don't undergo the procedure because of the very strong magnetic field. Many patients also experience claustrophobia and this will cause a physiological reaction which will in turn have an effect on the results (since it isn't a diagnostic procedure). It is also quite costly (patients are referred to it as almost the last resort, when other procedures have been unsuccessful) and cannot be widely used the way the traditional polygraphy has been used.

I had the previlege of watching Shevschenko when his Dynamo Kiev beat Barcelona 4-0 at the Nou Camp (they beat Barca 3-0 in the return leg, with Sheva again on the scoring list). He scored a hatrick in that game and all the big clubs were after him from that day (including the Barcelona he help beat). He signed for Milan and was top scorer almost every year. He has been overlooked for the golden ball award a couple of times but surely deserves it this time. Ronaldinho entered the international stage a couple of years ago and will definately win the award a few times if he keeps up his current form.

About six months ago sxb, I finally joined the 'winning team' as some proud Londoner once put it. I'll try and get fit, maybe I can join you someday in a 5-aside, as a sub LOL ORGILAQE. I feel the vibes from the heated stadium, you can imagine what this place looked like at the end of last season when Arsenal finished the season unbeaten. I had to leap over a lot of beer cans to get home. They are moving their home ground soon, so trading flats won't be a smart move for you mate.

LOL at the fuming Gunners! I said 'sort of' because I moved to the UK recently and like some Highbury residents, I can hear the chants of the supporters from my kitchen when Arsenal has a home game. I guess I can say I'm a Gunner by location

Jamaal, I would suggest you reread the first quote you posted. If I'm not mistaken, it supports my claim. In doing a virtuous deed, i.e. helping others because one feels sympathy or empathy (or because Allah SWT tells us it is the right thing to do) is not a selfish act. A person who is indifferent (apathetic) about others' suffering (or problems) is the selfish one in this case because they think of only themselves and cannot be bothered to help out others. Let's say you and I are having lunch at an outdoor bistro when a poor, hungry, homeless man approaches us. You feel sympathy (or empathy) and share your meal with him while I am indifferent and not even bothered by this man's situation (apathy). How then can you explain your actions as selfish? I always thought that people who are apathetic were selfish.

Subxanallah!

I'm sort of a Gunners fan but one has to admit that they are crap nowadays. Who thought they could be beaten by a Liverpool side who played without any proper striker? No Cisse, no Garcia, no Baros but they still won against Arsenal, that is admirable. I've always thought that Arsenal need some sort of playmaker to make their team more prevalent, especially on the European stage. I think Bergkamp is more important to Arsenal than many fans (and even football experts) are ready to admit. They look like lost sheep without his precise cut-through passes. His fear of flight must be one of the main reasons they play badly in the Champions League (their away form is deplorable). I would suggest that they buy a player like Valeron, Nedved or why not Totti, to give them more options up front. With such a player, Henry and Reyes won't have to play wide all the time and can concentrate more on playing up-front.

Originally posted by LANDER: A gathering of Somali yupies, never thought I'd see the day.

The premiership could be won in a fortnight when Arsenal face Chelsea. If the Gunners win, then the gap will be closed down and their confidence will rise heading on to spring. But if they lose, the Premiership will most probably be won by Chelsea, they are moving like an unstoppable locomotive. ...and Juve, I don't remember the last time I saw them conceding late goals like they did at the San Siro tonight. Can't wait to see their game against Milan, should be a cracker.

Originally posted by Totti: Got To second my Boy North Best New-Nomad Ngonge Best Bloke Viking Flyiest Chick ON The Block FF Most Irritating Group Baro Family MVP-Nomad Nur Most Improved Nomad North Funniest Nomad IL CAPO Most Missed Nomad's Sthm Lady n Baay Axsantu mister Totti!

J11, You are confusing sympathy and empathy with selfishness. When I help the old lady cross the street, I do it because either I feel sorry for her (sympathy) and since I am human, I could imagine how I would have felt if (lets say I was old) someone helped me across the street, I would have appreciated it very much (empathy). The third aspect would be doing it simply vecause it is a good deed, but how can you tell if it's a good if you don't get feedback (good feeling, a rewarding sensation, as opposed to guilt when you do something bad)? You don't have a choice. If you don't help; those stronger than you when you are in the lady's situation wouldnt stop to help you Akhi, I do indeed have a choice. I am not helping her for the reasons you stated above because I have no guarantee that I will live long enough to experience old age and the difficulties that come with it. I know that I can kick the bucket anytime, so it's not the 'investment' you are making it out to be. Secondly, there isn't anyone (human) taking records of your deeds so that they could take revenge on you when you attain old age for the actions/inactions of your youth. I'd like to believe that we help the weak and needy because it is the right thing to do. How do we know this? Allah SWT through his Messengers PBUT and books have taught us this, plus our Creator has created us with a mechanism that helps us distinguish right from wrong (our conscious). There's a hadith that says, "Paradise is under your mother's feet". You would be kind to your mother because Allah SWT tells you so, because it's the right thing to do, or because these actions lead to rewards in the hereafter. If you do it for the love of Allah SWT, it's a very noble thing. But you can also do it in order to avoid hell-fire, which also benefits you in the end. At the end of the day, the level of your 'imaan' determines the reasons for your choices.

Mutakallim, Humans are ineherently selfish, that's why we have laws set up by our Creator. I believe Prophets and Messengers are sent for the same reason, despite being told who the Creator is and what to do (and not to do), humans end up being slaves to their whims and desires. Eventually ending up in the deep 'gutters' where our lusts become our conscience. Some acts of charity can be purely unselfish. Take for example you see an old lady wanting to cross the road but has difficulty walking; without even giving it much thought, you rush towards her, hold her hand and help her cross to the other side. I don't think you can refer acts of 'cibaadah' as selfish because the five pillars of Islam are 'personal'. You cannot do other people's Shahada, Salat, Zakat and Saum. Allah SWT has ordained us to do them and we have to follow it, whether it's out of love or out of fear of eternal torment, we have to do it. You can make du'a for others but, but it's ultimately up to them to make an effort to gain Allah's Rexmah.

Character assasination? I cannot relate to it in any way. I haven't been a victim and don't know anyone who's been afflicted by this malady, atleast not since my teen years.

IL CAPO, Boban and Savicevic were in the team that beat Barcelona 4-0 in the Chapions League final of 1994, Savicevic even scored in that game! Milan then won the league in 1995/96 with Baggio, Weah et al. and in 1998/99 with Bierhoff and co. Juve won the two years in between when AC bought many players from Ajax at once but it didn't work out as they had hoped. They bought Kluivert, Davids, Reiziger and Bogarde. Barcelona were ****** enough and tried the same thing (as AC Milan had done without success) a couple of years later. Remember the likes of Sampdoria and Florientina? Now we got teams that we have never heard. Quantum, With Middlesborough, Bolton and Villa, they do have interesting players, but they are 'recycled' players, from other clubs after they have been ejected (Solano, Diouf, Hasselbaink and Viduka are perfect examples). Sampdoria and Fiorentina were great teams in the sense that they brought players like Veron, Seedorf, Mancini (Inter coach) Mihajlovic, Rui Costa, Batistuta from 'nowhere'. Leeds did something similar (with Kewel, Viduka, Smith and Rio Ferdinand) they were Champions League semi-finalists a few years ago but now in the less prestigious Div 1.

NGONGE, We probably see the game differently sxb I've seen carlos since his days at Inter, before Capello brought him to Real Madrid and made him a world class player. Salgado is not your typical elegant defender (like Thuram, Nesta, Chivu or Ferdinand), but works very hard in what he does and is always like an extra winger, which gives Figo the freedom to roam about in the opponents half as he wishes. Like the goal they scored last nite against Leverkusen, Figo came in from the left (consfusing and messing the marking of the players) and Zidane didn't run to the right (instead played a one-two with him), Salgado filled that space. You have to rate a player according to everything they contribute to the team on the field. What good is a player like Beckham? The only thing (I think) he is good for is free-kicks, corners and crosses. We don't see many crosses from him in Real because Figo plays on the right side and Real prefers to play the ball through instead of playing the "English style" (crossing the ball every chance you get hoping someone heads it in). But Real bought him for his popularity (good-will), especially in Asia where indho-yar always buy shirts with his name (not to mention tv-rights, which generates millions of euros). So when you are rating players like Salgado and Carlos, you have to look at their overall performance. In that, I think few players in the world can challenge them in their respective positions (but they are coming of age so you have to look at their performance during a number of years when rating them). Every "dream team" that has been mentionned by football coahes (and experst) has usually had Carlos on the left-back; who do you think has performed better in that position in the past ten years (don't mention Maldini because he's been often playing inner-back since Baresi quit football)? Look at a player like Ashley Cole, he is quite similar to Roberto Carlos with his ambitious runs, giving the team a much more offensive line-up. He isn't much of a defender (atleast in my opinion, Carlos is a much better defender) but he has the stamina to run up and down the flank throughout the game, making the midfield look broader than it is. Originally posted by QUANTUM LEAP: If you look at their leagues compared to others like spain and premier, there isnt much excitement about their form and only the main two or three (AC, Juve and Inter) tend to qualify for the championships. So its more dominated by the upper three or 4 clubs than what used to be afair league interms of skill and ofcouse financial distribution. Quantum, England and Spain are no different sxb. In England, only Man U and Arsenal have won the league the past decade or so. In Spain, it's been Valencia and Real, Barca haven't won anything for five years! But in terms of entertainment (technically skilfull players that is)), nothing beats La Liga. Even teams like Getafe, Numancia et al. are exciting to watch.

Originally posted by NGONGE: From the little I saw of Real’s recent games, Figo looked to me like the only attacker who looks bothered and tries. I agree about Beckham and Ronaldo, they are not pulling their weight. Carlos and Salgado are good going forward (I didn’t dispute that) but they’re defenders saaxib and as defenders they’re average (to say the least). You must have seen very little of Real Madrid then monsieur NGONGE. Salgado and Carlos have been the players who have worked hardest the past years. They are also very good defenders, and two of the most offensive defenders around, that's why they also are the number one choices in their national teams on their positions. Real Madrid have created a division within the team with the intoduction of the term 'galacticos'. The others are made to sound unimportant (just look at the impact the exit of Makelele has had on their team performance). He was paid peanuts compared to the other 'stars' in the team and he was let go when he had the 'audacity' to ask for a raise. Makelele was like a fifth defender, who gave Salgado and Carlos more freedom to exploit the opponents half without any worries and Zidane didn't need to fall back to defend when he was around. About Ronaldinho, what can one say, he enjoys playing football and does it eloquently. He's made Barca a very exciting side once again. Absolutely ever since gazzeta lost its rights, the Italians havent had the same shine. The leagues has plunged from being one of the best in the world to amediocre one. Quantum, The Italian league has risen up again, remember the final at Old Trafford? Two Italian teams were in that final and Inter Milan was on of other semi-finalists. Last year was a bit awkward, none of the big leagues were represented in the final. Juve and Milan are very capable of making the final again this year, Chelsea and Barca are the only sides who look capable of challenging them this year (so far).

I stopped predicting games when Greece won the European Cup this year I'm looking forward to a the classical El-Derby tomorrow evening... and would like Barca to CRUSH 'los galacticos'.