Tag: Happy birthday

Captain Cool turned 40 yesterday!

Captain Cool turns 40!

Can any Indian forget Ravi Shastri’s words from the commentry box?

“Dhoni finishes off in style. Magnificent strike into the crowd. India lifts the World Cup after 28 years.”

– Ravi Shastri, World Cup 2011

These are words that will remain engraved in our hearts and minds forever. MS Dhoni smashed the winning six to help India defeat Sri lanka and win World cup 2011 at Wankhade stadium. This World Cup winning moment is still cherished by every Indian cricket fan. Not only did Dhoni give millions of Indians a memory worth revisiting throughout their lives, but also transformed himself into a formidable “finisher”, one with ice in his veins.

The player with the most captaincy caps in international cricket, Dhoni is the only skipper in history with all 3 ICC titles (excluding WTC as it started after his retirement). He played 90 Tests, 350 ODIs and 98 T20Is before quitting international cricket in August 2020. He had quit the longest format in December 2014. India’s semi-final exit in the 2019 World Cup, a heartbreak against New Zealand, turned out to be Dhoni’s last appearance in the blue jersey. Dhoni, almost a year ago, drew curtains on an illustrious international career. He announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket on 15 August 2020. Dhoni, however, is yet to contemplate retirement from franchise cricket. He will be seen in action when CSK battles for yet another title in the remainder of IPL 2021 this year. Amid growing calls over not-so-young Dhoni’s ability to deliver with the bat, all we can say is — “Enjoy It While It Lasts”. 

The “Captain Cool”, India’s beloved skipper who has won all major cricketing accolades that one can achieve during his playing stint, and is still a fan favourite amongst all age group celebrated his 40th birthday yesterday with his family and friends.

Since the former India captain lives a private life and doesn’t make public appearances, the fans hadn’t been able to get a glimpse of their favourite player on his birthday. Dhoni lives a private life in Ranchi with his wife, daughter and parents. Dhoni also stays away from social media and the fans have to wait for Sakshi’s posts to get a glimpse of the icon. Dhoni has a staggering social media following but he hardly uses any of the platforms.

A fan managed to get his pic which has now gone viral on social media. The India legend can be seen holding a placard, which has a birthday wish for him. Dhoni is sporting his latest moustache look, a bold army one.

The former Indian Captain – who holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army — would like to spend more time with his unit in the Army now after his retirement, said the news agency PTI.

“One thing is for sure, he will be spending more time with the Army. He will also give time to his commercial ventures and other commitments. We will sit down soon and decide the way forward.”

Mahendra Singh Dhoni to the news agency

As our beloved Mahi turned 40, wishing him a great year ahead with lot more success in every step he takes. Hope his retirement life be brighter than the one before.

Wishing you a belated birthday Sir. Hope your smile never fades. It affects a million Indian hearts.

A smile which make millions smile. Stay cool, Captain Cool

‘Happy Birthday, Football Magician’: Lionel Messi is Thirty Three Today

We all know this person so very well. Today’s ‘birthday man’ is one of the greatest celebrities in the football world. We commonly know him as GOAT (Greatest Of All Time)! Yes, you must have guessed it right! Feliz Cumpleaños (Happy Birthday) to our one of the most favourite football players— Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini!!

Lionel Messi made his debut in FC Barcelona first team in 2004-2005 La Liga at just seventeen. He was the youngest player to represent FCB ever. Since then he is breaking goal records and raising the bar for the future players. He plays as a forward and is currently the captain of both FC Barcelona and Argentina National Team.

Messi was born on 24 June, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina. Having received his first ball when he was four he started playing with his elder brothers. However, just as obvious as his outstanding ability it became more apparent that he was smaller than his friends. The doctors discovered that he had a restrictive growth hormone deficiency. The expensive injections made his family left with huge costs to pay for his continued treatment. In 2000 when he was thirteen Barcelona came to his rescue and changed his life forever. Messi was invited to Spain for a fifteen-day trial. The club agreed to sign him and pay for his medical bills in a contract that was written out on a paper napkin.

Messi always has number 10 on his jerseys in both teams. He is often seen with a smile on his face and humble about his record-breaking achievements. He has enviable commitment to the game. He is the perfect example of how smaller players can use their size to their advantage. He keeps inspiring many football players around the world. His left foot is a deadly weapon when it comes to shooting goals. His razor-sharp brain with a combination of natural talent and instinct make him the attacking machine. Messi is also deceptively quick. He accelerates from the moment he picks up the ball and speeds past defenders before they are even ready to tackle him.

Messi is married to his childhood sweetheart, Antonela Rocuzzo since 2017. They have a family of three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. His favourite dog, Senor Hulk, is one of the largest French Mastiff breeds, Dogue de Bordeaux.

He has record in winning awards almost each year:

•  La Liga titles- 10

•  Ballon d’Or awards- 6

•  Best FIFA Men’s Player- 6

•  Best UEFA Player in Europe- 2

•  Golden Boot awards- 5

•  Champions League Winner- 4

•  Player of the Year- 10

•  Spanish Champion- 10

•  Spanish Cup Winner- 6

•  Spanish Super Cup Winner- 8

•  FIFA Club World Cup Winner- 3

•  Under- 20 World Cup Champion- 1

•  UEFA Super Cup Winner- 3

•  Copa America Runner Up- 3

•  Player of the Tournament- 2

•  Silver Boot- 1

•  Top Scorer- 19

•  Guinness World Records Title for the most official goals in 2012

And the list goes on and on. Thus, these all made him a legend in football.

Although Leo holds the all-time scoring records both in La Liga and Champions League he still has plenty of play left for the rest of his career. How many more goals can he score? How many more records will he make? We have to wait patiently for that. Players have some best days as they have some worst. One of the worst days in his life was not to win the FIFA World Cup in 2014. His face had shown how much disappointed he was about being the runner-up. He faced severe criticisms that the dedication he shows for his club is not found for his national team. We, his loyal supporters who watched him grow, would not disown him on that ground. It is quite possible that he tries really hard to win every game for his country but his luck does not favour him at times.

Even if Messi does not break any more record or fail to score spectacular goals every time he has already done enough for the millions of football fans.  The day will come when he will announce his retirement from football. We need not be upset. We can wish him by saying— Thanks, Leo, for all the memories!

Messi’s story proves that size does not matter. Nor can poverty come in the way of talent. Anything is possible if one is good enough to work hard with talent. Success, they say, comes out of one percent inspiration and ninety nine per cent perspiration.