Joga Bonito MovementThu 09 Feb 2006
PREMIERSHIP STARS ALL UNITED BY JOGA BONITO MOVEMENT -
New form of football launched, Joga 3
Some of the world's biggest names in football came together at the Truman Brewery in East London for the launch of Nike's 'Joga Bonito' football movement.
Global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as well as Ireland's Robbie Keane were joined by Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger to witness Eric Cantona appeal for players all around the world to 'Joga Bonito' - the Portuguese phrase that means to 'play beautiful'.
The star studded launch saw Premiership stars enter the venue along a gold carpet. Inside Eric Cantona addressed all the guests, outlining what he believes needs to change within the beautiful game - increasingly negative tactics, play acting and a lack of passion. The Manchester United legend called upon players everywhere to 'Joga Bonito' and to embrace the game's five most important values - skill, honour, joy, heart and team ethic.
Cantona said: "Football is the most beautiful game in the world, an art form practiced by millions. However, increasingly the game is littered by negative tactics, petty fouls and selfishness and there can be only one loser - football. I call upon all followers of the football to Joga Bonito - play with your heart and with honour, work as a team and exude skill and joy at all times."
A new form of football was then unveiled, called 'Joga 3'. Played between two teams of three, Joga 3 uses a futsal a smaller, heavier football that encourages skilful play. Joga 3 was showcased to the watching audience by two very special teams of three; on one side
Jose Antonio Reyes played alongside his usual Premiership rivals Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand; on the other side, three of the most skilful players in the Premiership - Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas and Robbie Keane.The players remarked:Robbie Keane: "Playing with Ronaldo and
Reyes has been a great experience, both are such skilful players and I've learnt a few tricks from them. Joga 3 is bound to be popular amongst kids all over the country, it's so quick and skilful there's never a dull moment."
Wayne Rooney: "It was brilliant to play alongside
Jose, his pace and skill is something else. I'm obviously used to playing with Rio but even so it was great to play with the futsal, it definitely creates a different kind of game I think football fans are going to really enjoy playing it."
Rio Ferdinand: "I really enjoyed playing with
Jose and Wayne, they're two of the most exciting young players in the world right now.
Jose has electrifying pace and great vision whilst Wayne can change a game at any moment I was just relieved to be on their team!"
Jose Antonio Reyes: "It was quite an experience teaming up with Wayne and Rio: Wayne plays with such passion and heart, he's such an explosive player; Rio's such a talented defender that was a relief to play with him rather than against him."
Cristiano Ronaldo: "Joga 3 is my kind of game high tempo and skills based, the futsal allows you to do some great tricks. Robbie and Cesc are fantastic to play alongside; Robbie is such an expert finisher whilst Cesc is such a talented play maker."
Cesc Fabregas: "It was such fun to play alongside Robbie and Cristiano tonight, both are hugely talented players. Joga 3 allows you to express yourself as a player whilst the futsal is the perfect weight for showing off your skills."
Players of all ages will be able to experience Joga 3 throughout the coming months at regular tournaments taking place in Manchester, Dublin, Glasgow and London. Nike will be encouraging teams of three to register at www.nikefootball.com and then come along to numerous tournaments (under 16/over 16 categories for both sexes) taking place in these cities from February to May.
Joga 3 is simple the team that scores the most goals in a three minute game wins. There is no limit on the number of games a team can play, so the more games a team plays, the more points it racks up. Those teams who either win a Joga 3 regional tournament or rank high enough in the national points table will qualify for the national finals, at Highbury Stadium on June 4 2006. The winning team will represent the UK & Ireland at the Joga 3 finals in Brazil this summer.
source:
http://www.a2zsoccer.com/news/content_brea...fm?file=2098679-------------------------------
good to see all these talented stars praising Reyes, but did nike tell them to do so ? :hmm: