Shakira, Pitbull, J-Lo locked in World Cup song battle
Official World Cup theme "We Are One" panned by critics, fans
(YouTube)
The biggest rivalry of the World Cup may not even be on the field, but in the competitive world of commercial music.
Things have been less-than-rosy for Jennifer Lopez (J-Lo, Jenny from the Block, etc.) and Pitbull (Lil' Chico, Mr. 305, Dog-Man) after the dynamic musical duo released their official World Cup song, "We Are One (Ole Ola).”
The problem, according to some, is that it doesn’t highlight Brazilian culture (aside from female samba dancers who have major roles in Pitbull’s portions). The song is performed mostly in English and Spanish, and chiefly features two artists that statistics show are not from Brazil.
To get right out in front of the topic, “We Are One” also includes Brazil’s Claudia Leitte, whose sole verse, sung in Portuguese, lasts 14 seconds before Pitbull shows up again with more samba dancers.
Fans were so upset about the song that they invented a Twitter hashtag to voice their frustration.
It is “VoltaWakaWaka,” which references Shakira’s well-received World Cup theme from South Africa. The hashtag acts as a plea for the massive hit to return and become the 2014 anthem.
Shakira in fact has released her own World Cup song. It will be released on the same FIFA-sanctioned album as “We Are One,” but it isn’t the official song. It was beat out for the honour in what we can only surmise was a Wipeout-style obstacle course challenge between Shakira and Pitbull, with J-Lo acting as a wildcard.
Now, in what can only be considered a battle the likes of which hasn’t been seen since Brazil-Argentina or Turun Palloseura-Inter Turku,* the debate has begun: which song is better?
Both music videos are below. You be the judge.
*Storied rivalry in the Veikkausliiga, Finland’s top league
“We Are One”
Quick TAKE
"If you’re not sure which country the World Cup is in this year then this is the song for you."
“La La La”
Quick TAKE
"A beautiful marriage between two of Shakira’s loves, soccer and Lego. It also has tigers. And polo somehow."
At the age of 19, Neymar won the 2011South American Footballer of the Year award, after coming third in 2010.[3] He followed this up by winning it again in 2012. In 2011 Neymar received nominations for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, where he came 10th, and theFIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year, which he won.[4] He is known for his acceleration, speed, dribbling, finishing and ability with both feet. His playing style has earned him critical acclaim, with fans, media and former players drawing comparison to former Brazil forward Pelé, who has called Neymar "an excellent player", while Ronaldinho states "he will be the best in the world".[5][6][7]
Neymar joined Santos in 2003 and, after rising through the ranks, was promoted to their first team squad. He made his debut for Santos in 2009 and was voted the Best Young Player of the 2009 Campeonato Paulista. Further awards followed, with Neymar being voted best player as Santos won the 2010 Campeonato Paulista, and also being top scorer in the 2010 Copa do Brasil with 11 goals. He finished the 2010 season with 42 goals in 60 games as his club achieved the Double. Neymar was again voted best player of the year in 2011 as his side retained the state title and Santos also winning the 2011 Copa Libertadores in which Neymar scored 6 goals in 13 appearances. He also played a key role in securing a Continental Double for his team, Santos' first since 1963. He received the Bronze Ball in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, with Santos making it to the final, where they were defeated 4–0 by Barcelona.[8][9]
Neymar has represented Brazil at Under-17, Under-20 and senior levels. On 10 August 2010, at the age of 18, he made his debut for the Seleção in a friendly match against the United States; he scored from a header in the 28th minute, contributing to Brazil's 2–0 win. Neymar was the top scorer of the 2011 South American Youth Championship with nine goals, including two in the final, in the 6–0 win against Uruguay, helping Brazil to win their eleventh title in the competition. Neymar was selected as part of Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil squad for the 2013 Confederations Cup on home soil. For the tournament he was assigned the iconic number 10 shirt. On 30 June, Neymar scored Brazil's second goal in the 3–0 final win over Spain. Neymar's performances saw him awarded the golden ball for the best player of the tournament.[10] With 30 goals in 47 matches for Brazil, he is the eleventh highest goalscorer for his national team.[11] In 2012 and 2013, SportsPro named him the most marketable athlete in the world.[12]In December 2013, Neymar was ranked by The Guardian as the sixth best player in the world.[13]
Barcelona
On 24 May 2013, Santos announced that they had received two offers for Neymar.[65] The following day, Neymar announced he would sign with FC Barcelona on 27 May 2013 and join the team after playing in the 2013 Confederations Cup. Neither Neymar nor the clubs released details on the transfer fee or personal terms, except to say he signed a five-year deal.[66] On 3 June 2013, Neymar was unveiled by Barcelona after passing medical tests and signing a contract that would keep him at the club through June 2018.[67] Neymar was presented at the Nou Camp in front of 56,500 fans a record turnout for a Brazilian player[68] Club vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu said Neymar's transfer fee was €87.2 million (making him the 10th overall highest transfer) and his release clause was set at €190 million.[69] Barcelona's doctor suggested he might need to gain weight to be able to cope physically in Spanish football.[70]
Style of Play
Neymar primarily plays as either a forward, winger or occasionally as an attacking midfielder and has been described as "a true phenomenon".[110] He often plays as a striker for both club and country in the team's 4–3–3 formation and drifting occasionally onto the flanks due to his energetic pace and playmaking skills. His dribbling skills, technical and playmaking ability are reminiscent of compatriot Ronaldinho. Neymar's common exemplary traits are his creativity, passing, clinical finishing, exceptional dribbling and technical ability, being described as both "electric" and "explosive".[111] He commented on his attributes saying: "I'm always trying to perfect everything – dribbling, shooting, headers and control. You can always improve".[15] Neymar also said that he aspired to be like his idols, Real Madrid Forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and FC Barcelona's midfielders Andrés Iniesta andXavi, stating: "I like to watch good football so I like to watch good players. I like Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta, Xavi and Wayne Rooney."[112]
Neymar, playing for Brazil in 2011, has been compared to compatriots Pelé andRonaldinho.
The media have often drawn comparisons between Neymar and Brazilian Legend Pelé, as Neymar possesses similar attributes and also like Pelé came from the Santos Youth Academy and turned heads with his skill. Neymar has said that Pelé is his "role model" but also saying: "I don't like to make comparison with Pelé".[113] On 11 April 2012, during the celebrations for the 100 years of Santos, when asked by journalists about Lionel Messi, Pelé said he felt that Neymar was better: "Now everyone is talking about Messi; he is a star. But [to be the best ever] he must first become better than Neymar," Pelé said. "At the moment Messi is just more experienced."[114]
Brazilian star Ronaldinho has also tipped Neymar on becoming the best player in the world: “Neymar is young though, and I can't explain how special he will become. In the next two or three seasons he will become the best player."[115] Another Brazilian star, retired World Cup winnerRonaldo also believes that Neymar can become the best in the world: "Logically, Messi is better right now but Neymar is a great talent who will show the world that he will be number one".[116] Former Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano has also praised Neymar, stating: "I like Neymar a lot. Many of his individual actions result in a goal and often it's a move that only seems to be happening with him on the pitch."[117] FC Barcelona star Xavi also stated that Neymar "is a great player, has a very good attitude, and will go on to be the best player in the world." [118] However, Neymar also has been known and criticised for his diving when tackled. For which Pelé has told: "He is a player with a body that can't take a lot of hits. [...] A lot of times he will fall because he can't do anything else, but he was overdoing it." He continued: "Even when he is fouled, he can't make a spectacle out of it".[119]
Neymar's increasing reputation led both the media and former great players to draw comparisons between Neymar and FC Barcelona forwardLionel Messi, which Neymar has commented on saying: "Messi is above everyone, there is no use comparing me with him. [...] He is the best player in the world and I always get inspired when I watch good football."[120]Ronaldo said: “Neymar is a great talent, the best we have in Brazil. He is very similar to Messi.” Zico said: “I see Neymar like a [Cristiano] Ronaldo or a Messi, the type who appears and makes things happen.”[121] After his hat-trick against Internacional 3–1 in Copa Libertadores and Messi's five goals scored in the Champions League, Neymar said: "I am a Messi fan. I was told what he did today. I support him to score a lot of nice goals so I can keep copying and imitating him."[122]
There are no words to explain what soccer is, nor can you judge soccer until you get to play and you feel it. If you like it then you will have your own conclusion. There are no words really. Not in my opinion. I love soccer that’s all.
A true soccer player doesn’t care how about what their hair or make up looks while they’re on the field, they care about one thing, getting the ball. They don’t cry over a broken nail, they take pride in their bruises and grass stains. But most of all when they fall down they hop back up without even a second thought.
Step 1– Supernatural performance starts simple as the basic shape is formed. Nike take a clear mold, with no laces, to ensure they get the right fit around the foot. Notice the added layer of padding around the heel region.
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Step 3 – Offset laces provide a bigger strike zone. As well as the offset lacing, Nike look to define the actual strike zone and materials used. This is the stage where extensive wear testing starts to really go into effect.
Step 4 – NIKESKIN texture is added for maximum grip, control and quality first touch. By now, Nike know exactly what the finalized product should be about – it is a matter of finalizing and modifying several elements. Notice at this stage there is a layer added just around the soleplate to ensure they are durable through the testing phase.
Step 5 – The Hypervenom takes shape with NIKESKIN mesh upper and All Conditions Control. As you can see, the final product is nearly on hand, with a lot of design elements coming into play. The Nike swoosh has been defined and the tongue takes clearer shape.
Step 6 – Next up – deadly style. Nike finalizing the colorway and any final details that need to be addressed. This is the boot that is blacked out and put through more extensive testing by pro’s to really ensure everything is up to scratch.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be the 20th FIFA World Cup, an international men's football tournament that is scheduled to take place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014.[1] It will be the second time that Brazil has hosted the competition, the previous being in 1950. Brazil was elected unchallenged as host nation in 2007 after the international football federation,FIFA, decreed that the tournament would be staged in South America for the first time since 1978 in Argentina, and the fifth time overall.
The national teams of 31 countries advanced through qualification competitions that began in June 2011 to participate with the host nation Brazil in the final tournament. A total of 64 matches are to be played in twelve cities across Brazil in either new or redeveloped stadiums, with the tournament beginning with a group stage. For the first time at a World Cup Finals, the matches will use goal-line technology.[2]
On 7 March 2003, FIFA announced that the tournament would be held in South America for the first time since 1978, in line with its then-active policy of rotating the right to host the World Cup among different confederations. The decision meant that it would be the first time that two consecutive World Cups will be staged outside Europe.
On 3 June 2003, the South American Football Confederation CONMEBOL initially announced that Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia wanted to host the finals,but by March 2004, the CONMEBOL associations had unanimously voted to adopt Brazil as their sole candidate.
During the intervening months, Colombia decided that it would enter its own bid, and formally declared its candidacy in December 2006.A week earlier Brazil had also formally announced its interest.
However, Colombia officially withdrew its bid in April 2007, leaving Brazil as the only host candidate.On 30 October 2007 FIFA officially confirmed that Brazil would host the event.
Qualified teams
The following 32 teams, shown with October 2013 rankings used for seeding in the draw, qualified for the final tournament.
The official ball of the 2014 World Cup will be the Adidas Brazuca. The name was selected by a public vote that received responses from more than 1 million Brazilian football fans; "Brazuca" received over 70 per cent of the vote.Adidas, the official FIFA World Cupmatch ball supplier since 1970, took inspiration from elements of Brazilian culture to come up with a shortlist of three possible names for the ball that also included Bossa Nova and Carnavalesca.
