Mesut Özil is one of the brightest and most promising young players in the world these days known for his finnesse and innovative game along with a knack for providing strikers with perfect assists. He plays for the German national team and the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid as an attacking midfielder.

 
Born on 15th October 1988, Özil is basically from Turkish descent. He came into limelight after the 2010 World Cup where he was nominated for the Golden Ball. He's been a member of the German Youth national team since 2006 and a member of the German national team since 2009. He joined Real Madrid in August 2010.

 
There's a lot more than just being a assist to Özil's game. He's crafty and calm in his play and knows where and whom to provide the ball for a goal. At times, Özil can perform as a striker as well and his goal against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup is a proof of that.

Spain were simply unstoppable in the final of the Euro 2012 as they thrashed Italy 4-0 in what seemed like a completely one-sided game. Italy's defense was claimed to have had improved tremendously after the game against Germany where they contained a spotential German attack from scoring. But tonight we saw Spain tear their way through the Italian defense on no more than four occasions. Spain have prolonged their glory days as they've successfully defended their title of European champions by winning both the Euro 2008 and now Euro 2012.

The Spaniards were on a roll as David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata all scored a piece. Clever passing and splendid assists from the midfield is Spain's trademark game, but to see it work so well and accurately was simply mind-blowing to witness. David Silva started the massacre as hit a flashing header from a desperate cross from Cesc Fabregas in the 14th minute. Italy were on the back coot from the beginning and were desperate for an equalizer. The chances they successfully created were meager and no match for the likes of skipper and goal keeper Iker Casillas.

Just before the end of the first half, Jordi Alba scored Spain's second off a brilliant assist by Xavi Hernandez in the 41st minute. As the first half finished one could easily tell that the trophy was Spain's unless the Italians came up with a brilliant  response. But Spain had done their homework brilliantly, marking Mario Ballotelli from the start and containing Italy to provide any assist to him. Fernando Torres was substituted in the mid of second half and he gave his coach the response by scoring the third Spanish goal again off a clever through ball from Xavi Hernandez in the 84th minute. During the flurry of Spanish attacks, Antonio Cassano came up with the only aggressive shot from Italy making Iker Casillas stretch out for a desperate save. The last nail in the coffin for Italy was Juan Mata's goal who was on the field for no more than a minute but scored off a selfless assist from Toress just a couple of minutes later. 4-0 on the board and it looked like the Italians' dream journey was going to end in tears. The final whistle blew and the Spanish squad invaded the pitch filled with smiles and joy. Spain were the European champions yet again.

Germany were haunted by the ghosts of their 2006 FIFA world cup semi final where they lost to Italy who went on to win the World Cup. This time again, with all the momentum going their way, Germans were completely outplayed by the Italians as Germany lost 1-2 to Italy in the second semi-final of the UEFA Euro 2012.

Mario Balotelli scored both goals for Italy in the first half and proved himself to be more than a potential striker for his country. The Manchester City forward was simply unstoppable as his knack for finding the back of the net brought Italy in to the final of the Euro 2012 where they'll be facing Spain. Mario Balotelli, now being nicknamed as 'Super Mario' after his brilliant performance tonight, got his first goal off a brilliant header from Cassano's cross at 22 minutes of the first half. Germany were in desperation to equal the difference, until Balloteli scored again at 39 minutes, this time getting on time to hold possession off a superb lofted through ball from Montolivo and finished it off in style with a powerful kick sending the ball flying to the top right corner of the post. Italy were 2-0 up and Germany at the end of first half were wondering, "What just happened?"

Balotelli got a yellow card for taking off his shirt while celebrating his second goal. Just as the second half began, Germany substituted Gomez and Podolski who were looking out of touch. The substitutions couldn't bore much fruit as the  Germans couldn't get a proper finishing. Chances were created in both halves and during the first few minutes of the game, Khedira almost scored for Germany but Italian defenders were alert enough to stop Khedira. Mesut Ӧzil was the standout player from Germany but he too couldn't do enough to bring his team equal to the Italian score.

Spain became the first team to reach the Euro 2012 final after a nervy semi-final with Portugal. The match went goal-less and after 120 minutes of hard fought battle, the result however was decided on penalty shootouts which Spain won 4-2.

After all the hype and intrigue about the result of the came, it wasn't much of surprise as Spain were hailed victorious. Ronaldo had his moments in the game but couldn't contribute where it mattered the most as the scoreline went 0-0 throughout the game. a series of free-kicks, clever passing and innovation in the penalty zone wasn't much for the Portuegesse to break through the Spanish defence. Portugal did manage to scare the Spain's defenders at times but skipper and goal keeper Casillas was more than a handful for the Portuegesse attackers.

Spain on the other hand have been short on the offence in the Euro 2012. They're clearly missing a striker and with the absense of David Villa, all the burden has fallen upon the shoulders of Fernando Torres, Casc Fabregas and David Silva. So far, they've been decent with their responsibilites as forwards but only because of the mid-field assistance. Tonight however, they were clearly lacking on the offence and finishing, as Iniesta at the end of second half missed a sure goal for Spain to achieve the much needed lead.

Lionel Messi became Barcelona's all-time record goalscorer while scoring a hat-trick on a night when the Catalan giants survived a scare against Granada to move within five points of Primera division leaders Real Madrid.

Messi broke the club record of 232 official goals set by Cesar Rodriguez during the 1940s and 50s when he coolly lobbed home his second of the match in the 67th minute to put Barca back in the lead after Granada had fought back from two down to 2-2.

Barca substitute Cristian Tello then added a fourth before Messi completed his eighth hat-trick of the season in the 86th minute to put his side 5-2 ahead.

There was still time after that for Granada, who had cancelled out early strikes from Xavi and Messi with second-half goals from Diego Mainz and Guilherme Siqueira, to pull another goal back when Siqueira slotted in his second penalty of the night after Dani Alves had been sent off.

However, Barca had already done enough to claim the win that puts further pressure on Madrid, who face a potentially tricky trip to Villarreal tomorrow night.

Another cup exit yet again for the current premier league champions and questions are sure to be raised about the future and quality of the current crop of stars assembled by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. Let’s take a look into what went wrong in their latest cup exit

Just for viewers entertainment, Khelo Pakistan presents pitures of some famous football coaches/managers when they were players themselves. This list contains Alex Furguson, Arsene Wenger,Vicente Del Bosque, Felipe Scolari and many more.

Click Full Story For viewing the Pictures.

The 20 years old Spanish kid probably is the next big thing in business whose contract with Barcelona is ending at the end of season and is already being eyed by some top clubs including Liverpool, Valencia Malaga and Benefica.

Pep Guardiola would like to keep him with the Catalan giants as he have promoted him from B team and giving him 8 appearances in last few months.

Tello, also showed signs for a bright future in his first appearance when he netted the ball just in nine minutes and have already scored four goals in his all appearances for Barcelona despite being played as a substitute.

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The most famous Pakistani Football Player Zeshan Rehman was gracious enough to give an exclusive interview to KheloPakistan. The towering super star is known as Zesh Rehman by fans all over the world. He has started a football foundation which can be visited Zesh Rehman Foundation which focuses on football as a tool of change.

Zesh is the first Pakistani to:

• Start a Premiership match
• Play in all 4 leagues of professional football in England
• Play in the FA Cup
• Play in the Carling Cup

During a career spanning more than a decade, Zesh Rehman has played for many teams, here's a snapshot of his teams.

• Captained Bradford City FC.
• Fulham Fc
• Brighton and Hove Albion FC
• Norwich City FC
• Queens Park Rangers FC

Read on for the interview.

At the age of only 24, Lionel Messi has surpassed many records in club football playing for Barcelona.

The Ballon d’Or winner for strikes late in the evening for Barcelona against Bayern Leverkusen to make it 19 in the knockout stage to break former Real Madrid striker Raul’s score of 18 goal in his knockout stage matches in Champions League.

On Valentine’s day Messi gifted himself a gift in shape of record for highest goals in knockout stages of UEFA Champions League, here in Germany against Bayern Leverkusen.