Saudi Arabian star Salem Al-Dawsari has been crowned AFC Player of the Year 2024, marking his second time winning Asia’s top individual honor after first claiming it in 2022.
Known for his technical brilliance, leadership, and clutch performances, Al-Dawsari has been a key figure for Al Hilal and the Saudi national team. His unforgettable goal against Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup remains one of the most iconic moments in Saudi football history.
With this new award, Al-Dawsari further cements his legacy as one of the greatest Asian footballers of his generation — a symbol of pride for Saudi football fans and an inspiration across the continent.
Colombia has produced some of the most colorful, skillful, and unforgettable footballers in the history of the game. From the golden curls of Valderrama to the scorpion kick of Higuita and the magic of James Rodríguez, these players have carried Colombian football to the world stage.
Here are 10 of the most iconic Colombian footballers and the legendary moments that made them immortal in football history ⚽✨
1. Carlos Valderrama – El Pibe 🪄
Position: Playmaker
Era: 1985–1998
Clubs: Deportivo Cali, Montpellier, Tampa Bay Mutiny
Highlight: His no-look passes and famous golden afro became a symbol of Colombian football.
Bio: A true legend and captain, Valderrama led Colombia to three World Cups and is remembered as one of the greatest passers of his generation.
2. René Higuita – El Loco 🦂
Position: Goalkeeper
Era: 1985–2004
Clubs: Atlético Nacional, Real Valladolid
Highlight: The famous “Scorpion Kick” at Wembley in 1995.
Bio: Known as one of football’s wildest goalkeepers, Higuita was fearless, often dribbling and leaving his box. A true showman.
3. Faustino Asprilla – El Tino ⚡
Position: Forward
Era: 1990–2004
Clubs: Parma, Newcastle United
Highlight: His hat-trick against Chile in 1996.
Bio: A brilliant and unpredictable striker who brought flair and energy to every match. A fan favorite in both Colombia and Europe.
4. Freddy Rincón 🥅
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Era: 1986–2004
Clubs: América de Cali, Napoli, Real Madrid, Corinthians
Highlight: Last-minute equalizer vs. West Germany at the 1990 World Cup.
Bio: A midfield engine who made history in Italy and Brazil. His goal against Germany is one of the most iconic in Colombian football.
5. Iván Córdoba 🧱
Position: Defender
Era: 1993–2012
Clubs: San Lorenzo, Inter Milan
Highlight: Header goal that won the Copa América final in 2001.
Bio: One of the best Colombian defenders ever. Captained the national team and became a legend at Inter Milan.
6. Óscar Córdoba 🧤
Position: Goalkeeper
Era: 1992–2009
Clubs: América de Cali, Boca Juniors, Besiktas
Highlight: Keeping a clean sheet throughout the 2001 Copa América.
Bio: A calm and commanding presence in goal, Córdoba was the backbone of Colombia’s only Copa América triumph.
7. James Rodríguez 🎯
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Era: 2009–present
Clubs: Porto, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich
Highlight: His stunning volley against Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup.
Bio: James exploded onto the global stage in 2014, winning the Golden Boot and becoming a Colombian icon.
8. Radamel Falcao – El Tigre 🐯
Position: Striker
Era: 2004–present
Clubs: River Plate, Atlético Madrid, Monaco
Highlight: His roaring celebration after crucial goals for Colombia.
Bio: One of the most lethal strikers of his generation. Falcao is the all-time top scorer for the national team.
9. Juan Cuadrado 🕺
Position: Winger / Wing-back
Era: 2008–present
Clubs: Fiorentina, Chelsea, Juventus
Highlight: His joyful dance celebrations after scoring.
Bio: Known for his speed, dribbling, and charisma, Cuadrado became a key figure for both Colombia and Juventus.
10. Luis Díaz ⚡
Position: Winger
Era: 2016–present
Clubs: Porto, Liverpool
Highlight: His bicycle kick goal against Brazil in Copa América 2021.
Bio: A rising star and the new face of Colombian football. Díaz blends flair with determination, making him a fan favorite.
🏁 Conclusion
From Valderrama’s golden hair to Díaz’s flair, these players represent decades of football magic. Their iconic moments are etched in history — moments that made the world fall in love with Colombian football 🇨🇴✨
could have imagined that this simple moment would become the beginning of a legendary story in modern football.
Their names: Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho, and Luis Enrique.
⚽ From Teammates to Treble Kings
All three shared the same football environment at Barcelona — Guardiola as a captain and midfielder, Enrique as a versatile player, and Mourinho as part of the technical staff. Years later, each of them would go on to write history by winning the treble — the league, domestic cup, and UEFA Champions League in the same season.
🧠 Pep Guardiola – 2009 with Barcelona
😎 José Mourinho – 2010 with Inter Milan
💪 Luis Enrique – 2015 with Barcelona
🏫 A Legendary Academy
Barcelona didn’t just create great players — it helped shape great football minds. The club became like an academy where future Treble Kings were molded. What started as shared training sessions turned into a legacy that shaped modern football tactics, rivalries, and iconic moments.
👑 Legacy Beyond Barcelona
What makes this story unique is that their success didn’t come from the same path.
Guardiola revolutionized football with tiki-taka.
Mourinho became the “Special One” and conquered Europe with his tactical genius.
Enrique led the legendary MSN trio to glory.
Three different styles, three different stories, one origin: Barcelona.
🐐 The Treble Kings
Today, their image walking together as young men stands as a symbol of how a single club can shape the destiny of football history. Barcelona didn’t just create players — it created Treble Kings.
Frank Elliot is not your ordinary football fan. He’s a die-hard Manchester United supporter with a unique (and hilarious) promise. One day, Frank declared that he wouldn’t cut his hair until Manchester United won five consecutive matches. ✂️
At first, it seemed like a fun challenge. His hair was short, his smile was big, and he believed United would get those five wins in no time. But as every United fan knows… things don’t always go as planned.
Season after season, match after match, the team stumbled — sometimes close, sometimes far. Meanwhile, Frank’s hair kept growing longer and longer. What started as a short haircut turned into a massive bush of hair filling the screen. Fans around him moved on with their lives, but Frank stayed loyal to his vow.
Then, one day, the miracle happened. Manchester United finally won 5 games in a row. A barber rushed in, ready to give Frank the long-awaited haircut. But when the hair was finally gone… Frank wasn’t the same young man anymore. He had grown old waiting for his club’s moment of glory. 👴
With a big smile, he sang “Glory Glory Man United” while his friend whispered, “It’s been a long time…”
This funny little story perfectly sums up the struggles (and loyalty) of football fans — especially those who support Manchester United these days. It’s a reminder that love for your club can last a lifetime… literally. 😂
Six Asian teams are now fighting for just two tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These nations are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Indonesia, UAE, and Oman.
The playoff stage is one of the most intense parts of the qualification journey. Every team knows that just a single win or mistake can decide its future. The atmosphere is full of pressure, emotion, and drama as these teams compete to join the already qualified nations like Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Uzbekistan, and Jordan.
While the qualified teams can relax and prepare for the big tournament, the playoff teams are entering a fierce battle to keep their World Cup dream alive. Only two will make it through — the rest will have to wait four more years.
This is football at its most intense: passion, hope, and glory on the line. 🌍🔥
Football isn’t always about glory — sometimes, it’s about pain, chaos, and the moments we never forget.
⚽ Ronaldo – 1999 (Inter Milan)
His knee exploded as he tried to dribble past a defender.
It was a complete rupture of the tendon and cruciate ligament — a career-ending injury for most players.
But Ronaldo came back two years later to win the World Cup and Ballon d’Or.
💔 Mohamed Salah – 2018 (Champions League Final)
A shoulder lock from Sergio Ramos sent Salah crashing to the ground.
He left the pitch in tears, missing the rest of the final.
A year later, he returned stronger to lift the same trophy — poetic justice.
💥 Neymar – 2014 (World Cup)
A reckless knee to the back from Colombia’s Zúñiga fractured one of Neymar’s vertebrae.
He missed the semifinal against Germany… and Brazil were humiliated 7–1 at home.
⚡ Nigel de Jong vs Xabi Alonso – 2010 (World Cup Final)
One of the most brutal tackles ever seen on a global stage.
De Jong’s “kung-fu” kick landed straight on Alonso’s chest — and somehow, it wasn’t even a red card.
💀 Harald Schumacher vs Patrick Battiston – 1982 (World Cup)
The German goalkeeper crashed into the French forward with terrifying force.
Battiston lost two teeth, broke his jaw, and was knocked unconscious.
Shockingly, Schumacher wasn’t sent off — one of the darkest moments in World Cup history.
It’s been a nightmare week for Barcelona fans. First, PSG handed them a heavy 4–1 defeat in the Champions League — a result that sent shockwaves through Europe. And just when things couldn’t get worse, Sevilla joined the fun, delivering another beating in La Liga.
In my new cartoon, both PSG and Sevilla appear like two fighters taking turns slapping Barça around the ring! 😂⚽
Football can be cruel — but in the world of cartoons, pain turns into comedy. Sometimes, laughter is the only way to survive being a Barça fan!
Dean Henderson became a hero in London, guiding Palace to their first-ever FA Cup triumph. Flying high, both literally and metaphorically, he’s showing what United missed out on.
Antony the King of Betis
In Spain, Antony has turned into Betis’ fan-favorite, adored for his flair and crowned like a king.
Meanwhile at Old Trafford…
As these ex-United stars thrive abroad, United and Amorim are stuck in chaos. The contrast is painful – and hilarious.
Conclusion
Leaving Manchester United has become the shortcut to success. Rashford, Højlund, McTominay, Henderson, Antony – all proof that sometimes the best way to win… is to walk away.
So, there are rumors that Fabio Cannavaro might take over as Uzbekistan’s new coach 🇺🇿. And honestly, nobody would be happier than Man City’s young defender, Khusanov.
Imagine being a 19-year-old defender and suddenly getting to learn from a World Cup legend who literally mastered the art of defending in 2006. That’s like a dream coaching scenario.
For Uzbekistan, it’s prestige. For Khusanov, it’s personal growth. If this deal goes through, he could be the biggest winner of all.
Days later, Galatasaray handed them another defeat. Victor Osimhen scored the only goal from the spot, sealing a famous 1-0 win in Istanbul. To make matters worse, Liverpool lost Alisson and Hugo Ekitike to injury.
What’s Next?
Two defeats in a row have left the Reds shaken. With Chelsea and Cole Palmer waiting at the weekend, Slot must find answers quickly — or this nightmare could get even worse.
Atlético Madrid shocked Real Madrid with a stunning 5-2 victory at the Wanda Metropolitano. Julián Álvarez was the hero of the night, scoring twice (a penalty and a brilliant free-kick) to flip the match upside down.
In our video, we reimagine the derby as a comic story: Real Madrid enter as villains, Spider-Álvarez traps them in his web, and a hilarious twist with Simeone and Barcelona wraps it all up.
Barcelona’s young star Gavi has once again faced a serious setback, this time with a meniscus injury in his right knee. The midfielder will be sidelined for months, leaving fans and teammates heartbroken.
Yet, in true Gavi spirit, he has delivered a strong message of resilience: “I’ll come back stronger.” His determination reflects not only his fighting character on the pitch but also the hope of millions of Barça supporters around the world.
With Yamal, Pedri, and Araújo showing their support, the Barça family stands united. Now, everyone is waiting for the day Gavi returns to the field, stronger than ever.
Football never runs out of funny moments. In my latest short cartoon, Vinícius tries to make fun of Yamal after Dembélé wins the Ballon d’Or. But the joke quickly backfires when Yamal’s brother reminds him of Rodri’s victory over him last year.
It’s a quick 10-second reel, but it shows how football banter can turn around in seconds. These small stories are what make the game even more entertaining off the pitch.
Barcelona celebrated their stars Aitana Bonmatí, Lamine Yamal, and Vicky López at the Ballon d’Or 2025… but the party didn’t last long. Suddenly, Dembele appeared with his shiny Ballon d’Or, blinding the Blaugrana with his mischievous smile! To make things funnier, Vinicius laughed from the side before Mbappé gave him a playful knock on the head.
A short, funny cartoon capturing the drama and humor of football’s biggest night.
The Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates ended in a stalemate. No goals to separate the giants, but plenty of drama, intensity, and imagination for the fans.
In our cartoon world, it wasn’t just 90 minutes of football. It was Haaland the Viking arriving on his ship, hammer in hand, charging towards London. On the other side stood Arsenal’s mighty cannon, loaded and ready.
The cannon fired, Haaland struck back with his hammer, and the ball flew between them like a never-ending ping-pong rally ⚽🏓. Neither side gave in. Neither side fell.
Just like the real match, the cartoon ended with no victor. Two powerful forces locked in balance. Sometimes football is not about glory or humiliation – it’s about the fight, the spectacle, and the laugh that comes with it.
In collaboration with Bleacher Report, I created a new football animation capturing the drama of Manchester United vs Chelsea.
The idea was simple but powerful: imagine the match as a chess game between United’s new coach, Rúben Amorim, and Chelsea’s star, Cole Palmer. On the board of Old Trafford, Amorim outsmarts Palmer, leading to Manchester United’s victory. And of course, it wouldn’t be complete without the funny twist of the Old Trafford waterfall pouring down at the end.
This project was special for me, because it shows how football moments can be transformed into visual stories that connect with fans everywhere 🌍⚽.
In our cartoon version, Salah and Van Dijk appear as frozen statues while Simeone laughs with his team. But when Arne Slot hits the giant Gong, Liverpool awaken. Van Dijk rises for a powerful header, and Anfield explodes with joy.
The twist? Rival managers slow-clap Simeone, reminding everyone: the match isn’t over until Liverpool says so.
Phil Foden, the local hero, struck first after just 18 minutes. Jeremy Doku dazzled on the right, skipped past defenders, and delivered the perfect cross for Foden’s header.
❄️ Haaland the Viking
The second half belonged to Erling Haaland. With the power of a Viking, he scored twice—once from Doku and once from Bernardo Silva. He even hit the post chasing another derby hat-trick.
United were dreadful. Luke Shaw was at fault for all three goals, Sesko disappeared on his first start, and Bayindir looked nervy in goal. With just 4 points from 4 games, the Red Devils are in real trouble.
Final score: Manchester City 3 – 0 Manchester United. Manchester is frozen blue. 💙❄️
