Monday, October 3, 2011

Javier Zanetti, Mario Balotelli & Cristiano Ronaldo - Introducing football's Three Musketeers

We've put on our thinking cap to imagine which modern day players are most suited to the famous characters in the The Three Musketeers in 3D which is released on October 12th.

Ronaldo, Balotelli, Zanetti (Three Musketeers)
Omar Momani
To celebrate the release of The Three Musketeers in amazing 3D, Goal.com have dreamed up which modern players bear most resemblance to the film's heroes Athos, Porthos & Aramis. All for one and one for all!

Javier Zanetti as Athos


Fans of the Alexandre Dumas novel 'The Three Musketeers' will immediately see the similarities between Athos and the Inter stalwart. As the eldest of the musketeers Athos is well respected for his lengthy career and is a role model to his comrades. Truth be told, there isn't much this swashbuckler hasn't seen down the years.

No doubt Javier Zanetti would identify with Athos as he has just witnessed his 17th different manager arrive at San Siro. Since moving from Banfield in 1995 the Argentine has seen the Nerazzurri transformed from Calcio nearlymen to a European powerhouse.

Zanetti recently broke Giuseppe Bergomi's 756 game record for Inter appearances and at 38 remains a key figure for the Serie A club.

An Argentina international since 1994, he was suprisingly overlooked for World Cup 2010 after a stunning club season where he captained Inter to an historic treble.

Despite his advancing years Zanetti remains available for selection should his country call upon him. Athos and Zanetti - patriots and warriors to the end.



Mario Balotelli as Porthos

Porthos is the resident joker of the Three Musketeers. He's the man you go to for a dose of comedy and is regarded by his colleagues to have his talents but, whisper it, is also a bit naive. Deep down he is a character who has a good heart and is loyal to the cause.

For Porthos read Mario Balotelli. He has had his run-ins with Athos aka Zanetti, who berated him for throwing his Inter shirt away, after being jeered by his own fans when they were team-mates. Super Mario, Mad Mario & Bad Balotelli are all headlines that have been attached to the gifted Italian in recent times especially since his move to Manchester City last summer.

Balotelli is a one-man headline industry, if he isn't suggesting bringing a pet dog to a team celebration he'll be playing with an iPad on the bench. He racks up parking tickets for fun and tries to score crazy goals like a cheeky backheel in a pre-season friendly only for it to go disastrously wrong.

It isn't all mayhem with Balotelli as he helped a boy who was being bullied at school to confront his problems directly by acting as a mediator. He can also play a bit too and was awarded man of the match for his performance in the 2011 FA Cup final which Man City won.

There is more to Porthos and Balotelli than just a few laughs. Much more.

Cristiano Ronaldo as Aramis

Brilliant, good looking and he knows it. Aramis is a daring playboy who doesn't lack for confidence. Arrogance is a word that is often associated with him but his gift comes with a price. Aramis is rarely satisfied and is always seeking something better. Sound familiar?

Inheriting David Beckham's No.7 shirt at Manchester United didn't faze a teenage Ronaldo one bit. He dominated the Premier League in his final three seasons at the club inspiring the Red Devils to domestic and European success along the way.

Ronaldo's world record £80m move to Real Madrid in 2009 was staggering but not to him. Being the best comes at a price and if you can't handle it then that is your problem. "I think I'm worth more," he told the press afterwards.

Rivals and onlookers may mock and accuse him of being cocky beyond belief but he knows the real reason. "People whistle me because I am good-looking, rich and a great footballer. They are jealous of me," said Ronaldo recently.

Just like Aramis the Portuguese superstar is fiercely loyal to his friends and colleagues. When asked which Barcelona player he would like to sign for Los Blancos he replied "I wouldn't sign anyone."

Ronaldo and Aramis. You may not like them but you certainly can't ignore them.



The Three Musketeers in 3D is released on October 12. This explosive action adventure sees Aramis, Porthos, Athos and the spirited D’Artagnan take on the deadly and mysterious Milady (Milla Jovovich), as Buckingham’s (Orlando Bloom) evil plot takes flight.

 

Wenger's grave