The Malaysian Insider

MARCH 14 — It was an embarrassing sight last Wednesday night as we saw most of Real Madrid’s Galacticos “Part 2” walking off the pitch dejected immediately after the final whistle in their Champions League Last 16 second leg draw with Lyon (Lyon won 2-1 on aggregate). Truly, the image of a sulking Cristiano Ronaldo walking down the tunnel was a joy to behold.

He has been quite widely despised by most non-Manchester United fans since he put on the red shirt many years ago. But from what I have heard, many MU fans also took great joy in Real Madrid’s exit, particularly because Ronaldo’s move to the Spanish club seems to have failed where European fortunes are concerned.

After all, the Portuguese winker did play in two successive Champions League finals for the Red Devils — winning one (despite his penalty miss) and losing the other.

MAR 13 — Every time I watch the “We are the World” (WATW) video on TV, I get goosebumps.

It’s partly dejavu recalling the original video of 25 years ago and part sadness at seeing Michael Jackson being featured only as a clip from the original video, as a tribute to the great entertainer and loving soul that he was.

But mostly, it is for the appreciation for what is a collaborative effort from all those talented people in bringing a voice to the suffering following the massive earthquake that hit Haiti.

MARCH 6 — The shock defeats of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal provided the FA Cup with drama and headlines this season. However, they came at a cost to the glamour of the “most prestigious and oldest domestic Cup competition”.

Attention-grabbing defeats for the elite surely provide the spice for the Cup but not when three of the big four are knocked out so early on. What the Cup ultimately needs is what the Carling Cup had this season, with blockbusters in the quarter-finals and semis, too.

FEB 28 — For the past year, and especially during the World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign, England were looking in fantastic condition. Don Fabio Capello had done wonders, one imagined.

Glen Johnson performed admirably for Portsmouth and got a big money transfer to a Big Four club, Rio Ferdinand  and John Terry seemed like the best central defenders in Europe, Ashley Cole was showing why he is regarded as one of the best left backs in the world, Frank Lampard had just completed one of his best seasons, Steven Gerrard was creating havoc alongside Fernando Torres and nearly caught Manchester United for the league and Aaron Lennon was showing cracking form which seemed to be forcing him into England’s first 11.

FEB 27 — It is the highest order of irony that on the same day that the two richest clubs in English football play each other in the English Premier League (EPL), a fellow Premiership side could possibly be playing their last game . . . ever!

The Arab-owned Manchester City visit Stamford Bridge to play Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea in an early kick-off (8.45pm Malaysian time) tonight. These two founding members of the Billionaire Blues Club will, however, be playing under the shadow of the financial calamity that has befallen another ‘blues’ team, Portsmouth.