JANUARY Updates:
We will start the new year with the Ignacio Ballena. After 3 years spent in Danubio, Ballena ended terms with the former club and decided to move to one of Mexico newest clubs, Jaguares de Chiapas. Jaguares, even though well known in the continent, haven't been able to get their hands on any trophy in their short history. Many in Uruguay questioned Ballena's decision, yet we weren't able to get any answers from the player himself. Ballena will be joining his new Mexican club in December 2014.
In an extreme turn of events, Rosario Central's Javier Squeekles' move to Independiante de La Plata fell through. Javier, as we know, was very excited with the move. The move didnt not take place due to La Plata reaching the maximum amount of signings in the transfer window. Squeekles was gutted, but he kept himself busy and mentally ready to play for Bolivia's International Squad. He made 2 international appearances and picked up 1 yellow card. He was even able to make 2 friendly appearances for the club, which they won 1 and drew the other.
After an impressive year for Gremio, Hulkster decided to sign a new lucrative deal that will see him stay with the club until the end of 2016. The new deal will see him make
$18250 a week. A great raise for a player who made a name for himself in 2013, and now Hulkster will try to repeat that form in 2014 and even win himself a few more trophies. The contract information was leaked out a few days after the deal was signed;
$2600 appearance fee,
$1700 for every goal scored,
$87000 for being named in the team of the year, yearly wage rise of
25%,
$170000 once he hits the
15 goals mark and an extraordinary
$84,000,000 minimum release clause. Yes you read right,
$84,000,000! Mansion anyone? This will surely make the father take notice. It seems that Hulkster has taken a few weeks off after the deal was signed because the team had already started their new season and Hulkster hasn't made an appearance yet.
Vitoria start the season with a bang. In the Bahia State Championship 1st stage, Vitoria have won their first 5 games by a 16-0 margin. Messy Hallow was only able to make 3 appearances and scoring 1 goal in that span.
Matthew Cameron has 12 more appearances to make for Cruzeiro to get a wage raise to $12000 a week. Cameron didn't play in the club's first match of the new year. Which Cruzeiro won 5-0 in the Minas State Championship.
River Plate's Martin Batistuta has moved from the Youth squad and will now be strutting his stuff with the Senior Squad. After making 11 appearances in the first half of the season with River Plate, he was rewarded with a promotion to the new squad. So now he will have a fresh start with River for the Argentinan Premier League Clausura.
OTHER News:
- 2013 FIFA's Ballon d'Or was won by Manchester United's Rooney. Rooney became the first Manchester United player to win it since Ronaldo did won it 5 years ago.
- David Villa was able to beat Ibrahimovic to becoming the World Footballer of the Year. Winning it for the 2nd year in a row. Making it 5 years in a row that a Barcelona player wins the award.
- World Team of the Year was also announced. Petr Cech and Ikar Casillas were named as goalkeepers in the World Team. As for defenders, Coentrao, Vidic, Thiago Silva and Maicon make the backline of the starting XI. Villa, Hulk, Aguero, Ronaldo, Ganso and Xavi make the attacking half of the team. The substitue line-up isnt not too shabby either, Sakho, Leiva, Jovetic, Ibrahimovic, Suarez and Daniel Alves.
- Sao Paulo's Lucas Moura won the South American Footballer of the Year. Becoming the first player to win it 2 years in a row since Juan Sebastian Veron did it a few years back while playing with Estudiantes la Plata.