A GERMAN SHOULDN'T BE IN BALLON D'OR RACE

Football's greatest individual prize will be awarded soon with Real Madrid's Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo being the hot favourite to win the award for the second year in a row. There are many people within the game suggesting the prize should go to a German, however. Here is why that argument does not hold any real weight.

D. Ray Morton, 27th November 2014.

Ronaldo has, again, been magnificent in the past calendar year and fully deserves the top individual prize in the game

Cristiano Ronaldo has set phenomenal numbers in the past year. As his club Real Madrid achieved Champions League glory, Ronaldo racked up 51 goals in competitive club level matches. He was the top goalscorer in both La Liga (31) and the Champions League (17). Already this season, he has 26 goals in all competitions. These figures are astounding and are the mark of a great individual player in his prime. Why then is there such a push for a German to be awarded football's biggest individual prize this year?

Germany did win the summer's FIFA World Cup in Brazil but it was not a team that featured one great individual. It was a collective, a well-oiled unit that got the job done in a football tournament that has lost its gloss in comparison to UEFA's Champions League. Manchester United legend and Ronaldo's former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, pointed out some years ago that the Champions League had overtaken the World Cup as the sports premier competition. The World Cup gets a lot of attention due to its international appeal but it is no longer football's bread and butter. The Champions League is the true testing ground at the highest level.

Lionel Messi is currently the second favourite behind Ronaldo to challenge for the Ballon d'Or. Trophyless at the end of last season, Messi has kicked back into gear this season and has rediscovered his very best form in recent days having scored back-to-back hattricks domestically and in Europe. Despite his injuries and dip in form last season, did any German out-perform him, for club and country without even mentioning Ronaldo? Not likely.

The Ballon d'Or's credibility was dealt a further blow by the exclusion of Luis Suárez in the shortlist for potential winners. Did his silly bite at the World Cup warrant undoing what was an incredible season at Liverpool where he practically dragged an unfancied team single-handedly to near-Premier League glory?

Individually, the Germans don't match up. Philipp Lahm's name has been touted and the recently-retired international does deserve respect but how big an impact does he make? Is he a match-winner? Hardly. How much impact can he possibly have playing at either right-back or as a tidy possession keeper in midfield for Bayern Munich?

Manuel Neuer is another name in the conversation. He only seems to be mentioned because he has been in and around greatness over the past year but has not really provided it himself. Thibaut Courtois' performances for Atlético Madrid were far more impressive at club level and at international level, Neuer did not have much to do for Germany with a good team in front of him. Indeed, he could easily have been sent off in the World Cup final for his flying knee on Gonzalo Higuaín.

Neuer can poke fun at Ronaldo's underwear ads but to say he has had a better year, individually, than the Portuguese is a stretch no pair of pants can take

That leaves maybe Toni Kroos and Thomas Müller's names in the hat but again, how big an impact did they have on their own? Müller is a fine poacher and deserves admiration for consistently delivering despite his lack of technical prowess but he should not be mentioned in the same breath as the Ronaldos and Messis of the football world. Kroos is a great midfielder but is now at Real Madrid and is not exactly their biggest star there. At the Bernabéu, Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos are considered to be key players and Kroos is, for now, merely a good addition to their midfield options.

Were Ronaldo to miss out on the award, FIFA would appear to be engineering their Ballon d'Or award to promote their tournaments, not UEFA's. Messi does not quite deserve it this year despite, and oddly so, being awarded the Golden Ball award for being the World Cup's best player. Neuer, Lahm, Kroos and Müller do not deserve it just for being in a fine international team (and probably not an all-time great one). Give it to Ronaldo. He has been the best and fully deserves it.

ADMIRE RONALDO MASTERY BUT IGNORE TALK OF COMPLETENESS

Former Spain international Marcelino is the latest to heap praise on the magnificent Portuguese by calling him "the most complete player in the history of football". Amazing as Ronaldo is, this praise does not offer a true reflection of what he brings to the ballpark.

D. Ray Morton, 6th October 2014.

Cristiano Ronaldo made the amazing seem routine again last night with yet another Liga trifecta, this time against Basque side Athletic

Cristiano Ronaldo was on fire again last night as Real Madrid thrashed Athletic Bilbao 5-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu with their main man netting another hat-trick to make it a remarkable 13 goals in 6 Liga appearances this season so far. Former Newcastle United and Spain centre-half, Marcelino, was the latest to heap admiration on CR7 stating that he is the most complete player in the history of football.

Ronaldo is indeed incredible. As an attacking force, there are few things he does not do perfectly. His athleticism is unquestionable and he has one of the strongest mentalities in the modern game in terms of always seeking perfection and bettering himself. There is, however, a pitfall when you refer to Ronaldo as being "complete" and it actually takes away from realising what he does best.

There is an old tale about Ronaldo's time at Manchester United. Showing off his latest trick to the lads in training, a wily Paul Scholes watched on in amusement. Ronaldo had, perhaps, just demonstrated a flashy step-over or an incredible juggling act to Scholes and co. and the old, red-headed midfield conductor decided to teach the young pup a lesson. Spotting a set of long distance targets at least forty yards away, Scholes proceeded to plant three lofted passes precisely onto each. Ronaldo's jaw dropped in amazement as it was something he could not replicate and probably still could not to this day.

Paul Scholes, a former teammate of Ronaldo's, could dictate the midfield tempo and pick a pass the way the Portuguese can not
 

This is no criticism of Ronaldo as his position on the pitch these days usually does not require such an attribute but it does indicate that there are players who can do things he simply does not and can not do. This is the beauty of football. If you are to argue that a player is complete, should that not mean he can play in every outfield position on the pitch à la ex-Barcelona (now manager) and Spain's Luis Enrique? Should it mean that they have every attribute a footballer needs at an on-average higher level than everyone else? And yes, that does include tackling.

Ronaldo, more accurately, could be described as the most complete attacking player of all-time though there are those who might argue that legendary Dutchman Marco van Basten or Brazil's Ronaldo, El Fenómino, deserve that recognition. There are attackers with better positioning than CR7 and there are definitely players with much higher work-rate, aggression and the ability to sacrifice themselves for their team-mates. A player like Luis Suárez, who joined Liga rivals Barcelona this season, demonstrates that level of ruthless doggishness which Cristiano does not. Can he weave through those tiny spaces like Lionel Messi? Does Ronaldo have the characteristics, for example, to really improve the players around him in the Portuguese national team? Recent World Cup evidence suggests not so much though his overloaded schedule last season is worth considering when making that judgement.

So let us drop these silly remarks about who is the most complete in the history of football because the point does not make a whole lot of sense. Admire this incredible player for what he brings and do not dwell on the idea of "completeness" because as fallible humans, no-one is complete.

REAL MADRID IMPRESSIVE IN SUPER CUP VICTORY

The defending European champions were commanding in their UEFA Super Cup triumph against Sevilla in Cardiff last night with most of their big names impressing and sending out a message to all their rivals for the coming season.

D. Ray Morton, 13th August 2014.

Another two goals but a new medal for Cristiano Ronaldo to collect as he had never won the UEFA Super Cup before last night

Real Madrid sank Sevilla by two goals to nil in UEFA's bonus competition yesterday evening thanks to a routine brace from their star Cristiano Ronaldo despite fears that the Portuguese may not have been at 100% after a World Cup summer and a niggling knee injury. The FIFA Balon d'Or winner appeared to be in fine form though not yet at his very peak. He combined well with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in the BBC (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano) front three retained from last season. Bale's assist for the first goal was a thing a of beauty. A deep, swirling cross that got away from Sevilla's goalkeeper Beto and fell neatly onto the boot of Ronaldo after an explosive run from deep. Ronaldo may have been on the score-sheet but Bale's speed and all-round energy was the stand-out talking point, the Welshman looking fresh having not been at the World Cup.

James Rodríguez also made his competitive début last night. The €80m Colombian had a relatively quiet game in all honesty and did not set the Cardiff City stadium alight. He found himself forced out wide on occasions and did not function in the 4-2-3-1 shape Ancelotti had gone with. Last season, Real usually went with a 4-3-3 without a number 10 involved. Karim Benzema, who was the spearhead of the attack, looked busy but Real could easily open their chequebook again this summer, sign the likes of Monaco's Falcao and become a genuinely unstoppable force.

The deeper midfield two of Luka Modric and other newcomer Toni Kroos worked very well. It will take a while for the pair to understand each other but had an easy night pinging the ball between each other against a side that did not have a midfield capable of competing. Modric and Kroos prefer to be on the ball and Ancelotti has options within his squad when he needs his team to play with a bit more defensive-minded grit. Although they will enter the Champions League as favourites, this is still not possession-hogging machine like Guardiola's Barcelona which defended by not having to defend but by suffocating the opposition in not letting them have the ball.

Toni Kroos with an impressive début and could be the player to take this Madrid midfield to an even higher level


Iker Casillas and the back four of Daniel Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Fábio Coentrão remain as the potential weakness but apart from some bouts of indiscipline, it is hardly a back-line to be sniffed at. The unused squad is also brimming with talent although some of the players' futures are up in the air at the moment. The club are still looking to sell Ángel di María in order to recoup some funds to cover their other signings. Only at Real could such a great player, arguably their man of the match in the Champions League final, be offloaded just to balance the books. Keylor Navas, one of the new signings and Costa Rican World Cup hero, may eventually take Casillas' place between the sticks and then there is Raphaël Varane who can develop to be a better player than Ramos or Pepe. Xabi Alonso and Isco will stick around though they are not expected to start many games and then there is Sami Khedira whose future has not been decided. His contract is out at the end of the season but he may yet stick around and leave on a Bosman. José Mourinho at Chelsea is an admirer and is rumoured to have advised the German international against a move to cross-city rivals Arsenal.

Many things to ponder but what a luxury of resources Los Blancos have going into 2014/15. La Liga rivals Barcelona and Atlético Madrid will know that they will have to be at their very best in order to make any attempt at a title challenge against such a multimillion Euro powerhouse. Barça are hardly being frugal themselves but must still look on with awe at Real's potential best XI. Teams with hopes of Champions League glory must also stare upwards at the Bernabéu club, their wealth of riches and individual talents unmatched anywhere in world football right now.

ROBBEN'S PLAY-ACTING IS AS UNDIGNIFIED AS BITING

D. Ray Morton, 30th June 2014.

Arjen Robben, with nowhere to go, dives his way to last ditch glory for the Dutch

The Netherlands saw off Mexico in yesterday's World Cup last sixteen fixture thanks to a last minute 2-1 victory, the result of a penalty slotted away by substitute striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The penalty, of course, was "won" by none other than the flimsy-footed Arjen Robben. The winger, isolated on the right-hand side of the penalty area, took a heavy touch backwards in an attempt to make space. Despite clearly ceding possession to Diego Reyes, Robben spotted Rafael Marquez's boot and used it to simulate a late challenge. The contact was no more than a rub of boots, not enough to knock over a toddler, let alone a fully-grown man weighing 80 kg. In his trademark fashion, the Bayern Munich attacker feigned a heavy collision, hit the ground and deceived the referee to hand Louis van Gaal's side a quarter-final spot.

Mexico put on a brave performance but Robben's constant diving was the real theme of the game. Throughout the first half, he kept going down in the penalty area. Some claims may have even been legitimate but perhaps his reputation preceded him, filling the officials' minds with doubts. By the time the Dutchman had actually earned his penalty, the referee had come full circle. Seeing Robben go down so many times, he finally assumed one of the incidents must have been a foul. Weak refereeing, as you should never call something you are not certain about, but understandable considering Robben's constant deception.

Another angle on Robben's flop as Marquez looks on in astonishment

The real point here is that play-acting is every bit as unacceptable as the Luis Suárez bite that everyone has been so caught up in. The Suárez incident was downright bizarre but did not alter the result of the match as directly as a dive to win a penalty does. There is no dignity in it and Robben's reputation suffers as a result. Here is a player with all the tools to be legend of the game but rather than actually concentrating on beating defenders one-on-one, he looks for the snakey option of diving. This is something Lionel Messi never does and something that Cristiano Ronaldo has removed from his game realising that with his ability, diving can be ultimately detrimental. That is why Robben will never challenge that pair as the best two players in the world.

The Netherlands captured the people's imagination with their 5-1 triumph in their opening game against a flat-looking Spanish side. They played devastating counter-attacking football and looked like a team that could take this World Cup by storm. Since then, however, they have become an ugly sight. At times, they have played something closer to anti-football, stomach-churning stuff compared to the beautiful Dutch football of old. Their path to the a semi-final against either Brazil or Colombia is a simple one. Costa Rica should not be too much of an obstacle. It would be nice if they got there without any more cheating.

WORLD CUP TRIUMPH IN MESSI'S HANDS

D. Ray Morton, 11th June 2014.

Lionel Messi will play in his first World Cup with Argentina built around him

The World Cup finally gets under way tomorrow evening (Brazil vs. Croatia K/O 9pm GMT) and speculation mounts as to who will win the competition on the back of many injuries and players who have endured sixty-game seasons. Lionel Messi, having surrendered his Balon d'Or crown to Cristiano Ronaldo last year, is many pundits' tip to be the star individual of the tournament.

There are several reasons as to why people think Messi will dominate at the World Cup. At one point last season, former Barcelona assistant manager, Angel Cappa, accused the Argentine of losing his passion for the game. Indeed, many felt that he had taken his foot off the pedal as his domestic season wound down in order to save himself for Brazil's football carnival. It is harsh to judge a player's professionalism like this and Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid, who pipped Barça to both a Liga BBVA title and a place in the Champions League final, deserve a lot of credit for keeping Messi quiet throughout their series of games. Therefore, La Pulga Atómica has a lot to prove and a lot of pundits to silence. Included in this is the ever-opinionated Zvonimir Boban who recently accused Argentina's No. 10 of "not trying" (whilst also stating Barça teammate Neymar will never become the world's best player).

The reason for Messi optimism is as follows. Fair enough, his performances did dip a little towards the end of last season but it was on the back of a year that involved a serious hamstring injury. Between Barcelona's last game of the campaign and the start of the World Cup, he has been able to rest and is enjoying his time with the Argentina camp. There may be a sense of pressure too, however. Messi has vomited during play on several occasions in recent times and though he maintains it has nothing to do with nerves, it is odd that the medical staff cannot find an explanation for this. Messi believes it merely some undiagnosed, minor illness that just happens to him sometimes. Merely a weak stomach.

Assuming Messi is 100% fit and happy, he finds himself in an Argentina team built around him away from the pressures of Camp Nou. This was not the case in the past. Sergio Agüero and Gonzalo Higuaín should join him to form a formidable attacking force, arguably the best at the World Cup. Other major stars from top nations are either missing or struggling for fitness too which gives Messi the chance to shine above all others. Germany's Marco Reus, France's Franck Ribéry and Colombia's Radamel Falcao are all ruled out and there are question marks over the condition of Portugal's Ronaldo and Uruguay's Luis Suárez. Five top players who could have each taken the tournament by storm.

Considering Messi turns twenty-seven on 24th June, he should be at his prime in this World Cup. Argentina's potential path to the final is not the worst either and they could be looking at a semi-final against Spain and perhaps Brazil in the decider, the ultimate South American football rivalry. Spain are thought to be a little bit weaker than in their last three international championships and there are still questions over whether this Brazil team are really that good. There will be a lot more pressure on Neymar & co. than on Messi & co. Even playing the World Cup in South America helps. Obviously not against Brazil but against the European teams.

So will Messi cement that World Cup legacy that places Diego Maradona above him in the annals of the Argentine game? The conditions seem to be right for what Argentinians have been waiting for since 1986. With a much better supporting cast to boot.

REAL MADRID LOSE AT SEVILLA WHILST BARCELONA LOSE VALDÉS

REAL MADRID LOSE AT SEVILLA WHILST BARCELONA LOSE VALDÉS

D. Ray Morton, 27th March 2014.

Last night marked a crucial turning point in the race for the Liga BBVA crown with title hopefuls Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona all in action. Atléti and Barça played at home against Granada and Celta Vigo respectively and both secured three points each as Real fell to a 2-1 away defeat to Sevilla. The Sevilla fixture always looked like it might be a spanner in the works for Carlo Ancelotti's men. Despite taking an early lead through Cristiano Ronaldo, Sevilla got the visitors on the back foot and managed two goals from Carlos Bacca to send the side from the capital packing. Three crucial points dropped and confusion all-round.

Atlético struggled against Granada but managed to win ugly thanks to another goal from their profilic Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa. Barcelona picked up a routine win against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou but their 3-0 rout had the gloss taken off it when goalkeeper Victor Valdés was stretchered off in the first half with a serious knee injury brought about whilst saving a free kick. It is thought to be a cruciate knee ligament injury which will keep him out for at least six months meaning that last night, as he will leave the club in the summer, was his last ever match for Barça. Set to miss the World Cup also, it has been the cruelest of injuries for a keeper that has found his very best form this season. José Manuel Pinto came on to deputise for Valdés but one wonders whether the 38 year-old back-up goalie will be good enough to get los culés past tougher challenges as the season reaches its climax. A brace from Neymar and another from Lionel Messi ensured the Catalans at least got the three points to keep their title charge going.

Each of the three challenging teams have their concerns. Atléti managed to win last night but the struggle in which they dispatched Granada might indicate that Diego Simeone's side are burning out. Barça lost Valdés which could be a huge psychological blow and Real simply bottled it against Sevilla in a game that prospective league champions ought to win.

Atléti have a one-point lead over Barça and have to play them at Camp Nou on the final day of match fixtures. Should both teams finish on level points, it will come down to head-to-head record. When both sides faced each other in Madrid in November, it finished 0-0. Real have left themselves in a bad situation in that they now have to finish a clear point ahead of the other two in order to clinch the title. Atléti and Barça have superior head-to-head records against Real.

Bookmakers are giving Barcelona the edge and still give Real Madrid a better chance than Atlético despite their loss last night. The clubs' run-in fixtures are as follows:

Atlético Madrid: vs. Atheltic Bilbao (away), Villarreal (home), Getafe (away), Elche (home), Valencia (away), Levante (away), Malaga (home), Barcelona (away).

Barcelona: vs. Espanyol (away), Real Betis (home), Granada (away), Athletic Bilbao (home), Villarreal (away), Getafe (home), Elche (away), Atlético Madrid (home).

Real Madrid: vs. Rayo Vallecano (home), Real Sociedad (away), Almeria (home), Valladolid (away), Osasuna (home), Valencia (home), Celta Vigo (away), Espanyol (home).

Barcelona's run-in looks like the easiest of the three but the way this title race has jumped back and forth, there can be no guarantees. Valdés' injury is a huge loss but Real Madrid may already have blown it with their most recent brace of defeats. Let's not count out Atlético. Despite showing signs of fatigue, they still lead the table and very much have everything in their own hands. It's as simple as win every game and you've won the league.

BARÇA EDGE SENSATIONAL CLÁSICO

BARÇA EDGE SENSATIONAL CLÁSICO

D. Ray Morton, 24th March 2014.

Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 4-3 at the Santiago Bernabéu last night in a remarkable match that keeps the Liga BBVA title race running with only one point separating the top three teams. Atlético Madrid did their part earlier on in the evening by dispatching Real Betis with a 2-0 away win thanks to goals from Gabi and Diego Costa. That set the stage for a mouth-watering clásico with Barcelona desperately needing a win to keep their title challenge going. Depending on how you see it, it was either the game of the season or a game of tactical warfare involving several incidents where both sides did their best to deceive the referee, Alberto Undiano.

Barcelona opted to field the same team that brushed aside Manchester City in the Champions League with Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas all starting as Neymar got the nod ahead of Alexis Sanchez and Pedro.

The idea was to dominate possession, as the Catalans did, by fielding as many of their creative midfield talents as possible rather than the speedy wingers which could be used as impact substitutions later on in the match. Real Madrid also fielded a very strong eleven with Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric and Angel Di Maria playing as Carlo Ancelotti's midfield three behind the dynamic front trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Many tipped Real to dominate proceedings before kick-off pointing to their impressive record of 15 wins, 3 draws and no defeats in the league since losing to Barca at Camp Nou early on in the season. The Catalans were keeping shtum about a record of their own, however, and that was Lionel Messi having outscored and outperformed Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo so far in 2014.

The first half was a cracker. Neymar and Benzema exchanged early efforts with Ronaldo attempting to buy a penalty kick from Dani Alves several minutes later. Iniesta drew first blood in the 7th minute finishing beautifully with his left foot after being played in with an incisive Messi through ball to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Neymar, Messi and Benzema had several chances for their respective teams but it was the work of Madrid's Di Maria that really caught the eye. Despite collapsing in an unnerving manner after creating Benzema's headed equaliser to make it 1-1, the Argentine winger was everywhere and tormented los culés down the left flank. He continuously took advantage of the space left by Alves and was a real nuisance to deal with. He assisted a second for Benzema within four minutes, the French striker with a neat nods 'n' vols style finish to give the home side a 2-1 lead.

The first half refused to relent as Real continued to storm forward hoping to extend their lead and put the game beyond doubt. Di Maria continued to run his socks off and if Benzema's finishing had been more consistent throughout, they may well have put daylight between them and their rival visitors. They didn't take their opportunities and were punished just before half-time when Messi pounced upon Real's hesitance in the penalty area and fired home a neat, bottom corner finish to undo what should have been a very good first half for Real. 2-2 HT and Di Maria having the game of his life.

Messi's first half strike meant that he had overtaken Alfredo Di Stéfano's 18 clásico goals but it was Real who struck next thanks to some poor officiating. In the 55th minute, Ronaldo was fouled by Alves outside the box when referee Undianco believed the contact had happened inside. The Portuguese stepped up to the spot and fired his side ahead with ease to give Real a 3-2 lead as things looked ominous in the title race.

Barcelona refused to die however and they fought back ten minutes later. Messi played another superb through-ball into the path of Neymar's sprint as Sergio Ramos came in with the clumsiest of challenges to earn his 19th career red card and a penalty for the Catalans. Messi copied Ronaldo's effort down the other end. 3-3.

With Real reduced to ten men, the complection of the game changed vastly. Real were no longer as much of a threat on the counter attack and Barca, already dominant in possession, now suffocated Ancelotti's side by continuously moving the ball left to right and exhausting the men in white shirts. Pedro replaced Neymar and Alves hit the post and eventually, Tata Martino's side won their second penalty of the game as Alonso bundled into Iniesta as he tussled with Daniel Carvajal inside the area. Messi made no mistake. 4-3 to Barcelona and what a climax to the game.

So 4-3 to Barcelona and the title race has been blown wide open. The Madrid sides are a point above them but Atlético must visit Camp Nou on the final day and Real must hope to maintain that one point lead over Barca as their head-to-head record is now inferior should they finish on level points. It should be a fantastic run-in no matter how you look at it. Each of the last nine remaining league matches are vital and any dropped points could spell disaster for each of the three teams.

Player Ratings:

Real Madrid:

López 6.5; Carvajal 6.0, Pepe 6.5, Ramos 5.0, Marcelo 6.0; Xabi Alonso 6.0, Modric 6.5, Di Maria 9.0; Ronaldo 6.5, Benzema 8.0, Bale 6.5. Subs: Varane 6.0, Isco -.

Barcelona:

Valdes 7.0; Dani Alves 6.5, Pique 6.0, Mascherano 6.5, Jordi Alba 6.0; Busquets 6.5, Xavi 7.0, Iniesta 8.5; Fabregas 7.0, Messi* 9.5, Neymar 7.5 Subs: Pedro 6.5, Alexis -.

* = man of the match

INJURIES HINDERING AGUERO'S CAREER

INJURIES HINDERING AGUERO'S CAREER

D. Ray Morton, 14th March 2014.

Injured again. On his day, Sergio "Kun" Aguero is one of the best strikers in the world. At age 25, however, his career has been dotted with too many recurring injuries that have, so far, prevented him from reaching his true potential. Breaking into the Independiente first team squad as far back as 2003, Aguero has been tipped for great things. His early rise to prominence was such that many predicted his career trajectory would be similar to that of Argentina's undoubted star man, Lionel Messi. Scoring 23 goals in 54 senior appearances at home, Aguero earned a €23m move to Atletico Madrid in 2006 where he went on to score 74 times in 175 games. He was on the radar of Europe's richest clubs at that stage and in 2011, Manchester City splashed €45m on his services.

Aguero may have been the man who scored their Premier League-winning strike against Queens Park Rangers two seasons ago but one must surely question his on-going fitness struggles at this point. It seems that every few weeks his hamstrings act up again, he plays a few games and then he's out for a few games. The pattern is becoming predictable and frustrating. City have one of the best strikers in the world and potentially one of the best all-round individual players but these constant interruptions are preventing him from realising his full capabilities. We have seen several strikers of this ilk over the years. Strikers with incredible ability but who might have been even greater had their bodies not kept breaking down on them.

One such example was Ronaldo (of Brazil). Winner of the World Cup in 1994 and 2002 and also the all-time highest goalscorer at World Cups with fifteen strikes, Ronaldo's career was extremely well decorated but one feels he could have reached the pantheon of football gods such as Pele and Diego Maradona had injuries not so cruelly stifled his career. When Ronaldo was fit, he was astonishing. He had the same blistering pace Aguero boasts, was two-footed and scored all kinds of goals. He joined Inter Milan from Barcelona in 1997 and had a great first season there winning the Ballon d'Or in the process. In a match against Lecce in November 1999 however, Ronaldo's knee buckled which started a series of injuries that would haunt him for the rest of his career. Despite managing to win a lot more after that point in his development, the stop-start pattern of his injuries prevented him from excelling into one of the truly great modern day footballers, a status that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now enjoy instead.

Another Brazilian who's suffered a cruel twist of fate when it comes to injuries is Pato. Once at AC Milan, Pato was another young superstar once heralded in the same breath as a young Messi or Aguero. He had shown great promise from an early age and had all the hallmarks of a future world beater in his displays at Internacionale which earned him a move to Italy's fashion capital in 2007. He started well in Milan and appeared as if he could be the real deal but from 2010 to 2013, his playing time was cut short with continuous injuries, often hamstring problems. His decline was such that he was shipped back to Brazil to Corinthians (and now on loan to Sao Paulo), where he's struggling desperately in his unlikely quest to force his way into the Brazilian World Cup squad. Aguero should count his lucky stars that his career hasn't fallen off the rails quite as dramatically but injury after injury suggests that big clubs will eventually cut the chord of support once their patience has been too thoroughly tested.

Michael Owen also knows a thing or two about being laid out on the treatment table. Another sprinter of a striker, Owen's injury problems were such that many people forget he was once awarded the European Player of the Year gong. Bursting onto the scene at World Cup '98 and having shown his great promise at Liverpool by winning a treble of League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2000-01, he earned a massive move to Real Madrid in 2004 which was hampered by hamstring pulls and knee problems. Over this period, he went from being a speed merchant to a six yard-box poacher such was his rapid decline in pace. By the time he joined Newcastle United in 2005, the club felt they could convert him into an attacking midfield playmaker. He wound down his career at Manchester United and Stoke City, though still highly effective at grabbing the odd goal, appearing to be a very different player from the lightning-quick threat he once was.

To Fernando Torres, another Aguero might be able to learn from. Torres took the Premier League by storm when he joined Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in 2007. Aguero was, in fact, Torres' direct replacement. Quick, mobile and unpredictable, the freckled Spaniard looked a very different player back then from the £50m flop we see regularly at Chelsea. His transformation into a moody, over-sized liability might have something to do with the brutality of the English game's strength and conditioning programme. He was part of the same Rafa Benitez Liverpool system that required players to partake in heavy squat exercises on Friday nights before Saturday afternoon kick-offs. Craig Bellamy, another rocket sprinter described it as the period in his career where he felt most unfit. Surely such intense strength-building exercises should belong in pre-season and certainly not the night before games.

What Aguero can learn from this is that he still has time, at only age 25, to figure out how best his body works and not to rush himself back after bouts on the sideline. Last season's Robin van Persie was a very good example of an athlete who really learned to understand his limitations, identified these and had a great season becoming Premier League top scorer and guiding Manchester United to the Premier League title. Tomas Rosicky at Arsenal is another player who has managed to shake off a career of recurring injuries and is now, finally, playing with the kind of regularity he must regret missing out on when he was at his expected peak.

So don't rush back, Kun! Get well when the time is right.

MESSI LOSING HIS PASSION AND HOW TO FIX IT

This week it was suggested by ex-Barcelona assistant manager, Angel Cappa, that Lionel Messi may be losing his passion for the game after a decade as a senior player at an elite level. Cappa's ominous words may be based on the Messi's last few months of injury struggles and a lack of goals in recent weeks since his recovery. Having dropped the Ballon d'Or to arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo must also hurt. Realistically however, Messi is just 26 so he should be entering the very peak of his career.

Some changes have occured at Barcelona which explain Messi's turbulent 2013. Tito Vilanova had been appointed as Pep Guardiola's successor in the managerial hotseat and his forced resignation due to his battle with cancer certainly left a painful scar with the entire squad. They managed to secure the La Liga title last term but some serious psychological damage was done in their 7-0 aggregate defeat to eventual Champions League winners Bayern Munich in the semi-final. An injured Messi featured in the second leg, a desperate move for a player with a damaged hamstring who should not have been on the pitch that night.

That aside, 2014 is a fresh start for Leo. Regaining his fitness and form, Barcelona have a big few months ahead with a three-way title race domestically against Real and Atletico Madrid and a mouth-watering clash against Manchester City in the Champions League ahead. Messi could dispell Cappa's comments by helping the Catalans beat City with authority but if not, big doubts will start to creep into his mind in this World Cup year. Argentina have some incredible attacking players and are generously placed as second favourites to win in Brazil next summer by many bookmakers but they have a terrible tendency to underachieve at World Cups and should they flatter to deceive again, Messi will take the bulk of the blame. Since the appointment of Alejandro Sabella as Argentine head coach, Messi's international form has improved vastly and hopes are being pinned on him to lead them to glory like Diego Maradona did in 1986. 2014 could map out the rest of Messi's career.

So how do Barcelona improve Messi for now? Getting Xavi and Andres Iniesta back to their best could help. With the recent form of Thiago Alcantara at Bayern Munich, Barca must be ripping their hair out in frustration at letting such a midfield talent go. Although Messi can win games on his own, having a midfield pass master in behind him can be of huge benefit. Barca don't manipulate possession as effectively under Tata Martino's management. Their style is more direct this season and perhaps it is to Messi's goalscoring detriment. Getting Neymar fit and back in the team should also boost La Pulga Atomica. His youthful enthusiasm and creativity can only benefit their front line. Their next game is this Sunday in the league, a tricky away trip to Sevilla. Messi needs to get on the scoresheet and help his side to a win there or else speculation about his status as the greatest player of his generation will continue to increase. Messi always rises to the challenge. This is just the latest one.

D. Ray Morton, 7th February 2014.

@D_Ray_Morton