Shona's Thoughts on the Soccer/Football World (with a little plea for Darfur)

I am procrastinating at work, it's cold and rainy and I just remembered that I had a dream that Cristiano Ronaldo broke his leg while touring Africa and I had to take care of him. What can I say, my obsessions with Darfur (see photo) and football collided in my subconscious. That said:

#1. Ronaldo is the only good thing about Man United. I saw that game on Saturday, and the whole time, while I was hoping desperately for them to lose (they didn't) I thought, what is he doing with this crew -- he needs to go to Arsenal or Barcelona, somewhere where his game will be appreciated. Dude. Also, he's better looking than the whole rest of the team put together. On a related note...

#2. Rooney sucks. I hate railing on players when they have one bad day, so I won't bring up the two missed goals on Saturday that even I could have made. I hate him because he is a thug. And, as I understand it, a 'ho. Who has a weakness for 'ho's.

#3. Thierry Henry, soccer love. So I always knew he was good, but since I mostly watched him play with France, and my eyes were of course on Zizou the whole time, I'm not sure I realized how good. But he is GOOD. Grace. And the only player besides Ronaldinho who smiles even when things don't go his way. Plus, that ball does exactly what he wants it to do. He didn't score on Sunday, but man, he was the only one to watch out there. And then this.

#4. If Chelsea trade Lampard for Deco I will be MAD. I love Deco, who kinda looks like a teddy bear, and like him just where he is. Leave him alone Jose.

#5. Dear Mr. Beckham. I like you. But don't go to the LA Galaxy. First of all, you need to keep your dignity and NOT play for a club in which Landon Donovan is the best player. And second, I'm not sure I can bear to watch Victoria set loose in LA.

#6. Sigh. The Federation Francaise de Football (FFF) will honor its "Golden Generation" -- winners of World Cup '98 and Euro '00 -- in a ceremony before the France-Greece friendly Wednesday at the Stade de France. I can't believe I'm going to Paris exactly seven days after this, and missing not only Les Bleus' last home game for the year, but also a tribute to Zidane, Thuram, Makelele, Henry, et al. Had I been able to go, I KNOW I would have met at least one of these guys and we would have been BFF. Damn.