FC Porto

We all saw Lionel Messi's free kick (if not, what are you waiting for?). And we can all agree it was brilliant.

Now, here's another outrageously, absurdly, improbably brilliant goal you might not have seen. Don't say it too loudly, but it's even better.

This, in the video above, is Jackson Martinez scoring for Porto against Sporting Lisbon on Sunday. The goal came in the 10th minute, and it turned out to be the winner as Porto defeated Sporting 2-0, and it can only be described as world class.

The ball comes into the box over the Sporting defense as Martinez beats the trap. Martinez then controls the ball with his thigh and, instead of turning to face the goal, knocks it past the keeper with a no-look, outside-of-the-heel shot.

Brilliant. Phenomenal. And, yes, world class.

Here's another accolade: Martinez's goal is the Set Piece Goal of the Weekend. With apologies to Lionel Messi (and Paris Saint-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic), Martinez's goal was unlike anything else we saw in the world of football this weekend—and better, too.

If you're not familiar with Martinez, he is a 26-year-old Colombian international with 14 senior caps. He joined Porto, the defending Portuguese champs, this season and has already scored five league goals in five matches.

James Rodriguez scored Porto's second goal, an 84th-minute penalty. With the win, Porto moved level on points with Benfica atop the table.

With a few more goals like the one Martinez produced Sunday, Porto will be an entertaining team to watch. And if we didn't already know, they'll be a hot bet for yet another title.

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FC Porto have shown their sour grapes as they prepare an official, and very petty, complaint to UEFA over taunts Givanildo Vieira de Souza received in last night's 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Europa League.

According to reports, the Dragoes aren't happy about City fans at the Etihad chanting "you're not incredible" and "cheat" to their forward, nicknamed Hulk because of his uncanny resemblance to Lou Ferrigno, who played the Incredible Hulk in the American TV series.

The Primeira Liga side, who second in the table behind SL Benfica, claim the chants constitute "unsporting behaviour," and with club spokesman Rui Cerqueira, the club will report City over the issue on the grounds that their fans acted in an "improper way."

When a club launches a complaint of unsporting behaviour, UEFA is obliged to open an official investigation, which is what they'll be doing in this case.

However, the investigation won't get very far, as it's clear there's nothing malicious in these chants—no swearing, no racism, no homophobia, and no threatening words.

After all, if Hulk doesn't understand English, the chants would have had zero impact anyway.

Plus, professional footballers around the world are subjected to much worse almost every game, and none of those chants warrant official investigations.

And in any case, what's wrong with a bit of banter from the fans? 

The whole ploy is clearly just sour grapes from Porto, and perhaps an attempt to stop the negative bombardment currently affecting the club.

The Portuguese side are facing disciplinary action themselves from UEFA for the first leg in the tie with Manchester City, after City rightfully launched a complaint of racial abuse towards their players.

As was clearly heard in the stands, Yaya Touré and Mario Balotelli were the victim of monkey chants from the Porto supporters, despite the club's defence that the fans were chanting "Hulk, Hulk, Hulk!" instead.

Unlike Porto's complaint, this one actually holds credibility, with the problem of racism in football still well and truly alive.

On top of that, FIFA is investigating alleged irregularities in Hulk's transfer to Porto, with third party dealings through Uruguayan side Club Rentistas—who Hulk never played for—evident.

Combine all that with an acrimonious 4-0 drubbing to Manchester City, ending Porto's defence of their UEFA Europa League crown, and it's clear to see how the club might want to deflect attention from their current troubles.

Nonetheless, by launching this petty complaint, Porto have just made themselves a universally derided team, making tit-for-tat complaints because there was no poor referee performance to moan about, and they can't take the fact they were well and truly beaten by a much better side.

The 2011 UEFA Super Cup takes place on August 26th, 2011 at 2:45 PM ET in Stade Louis II, Monaco.

Barcelona will be looking to add their second piece of hardware this month after winning the Spanish Supercup against Real Madrid, while FC Porto will be looking to add their first piece of hardware since losing star striker Radamel Falcao to Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

The Super Cup is an annual game that features the Champions League winner and the Europa League winner. The match was originally designed as a way to prove who is the true champion of Europe, despite the fact that the winner of the Champions League is all but unanimously regarded as the top club in Europe.

The tournament has taken place every year since 1992, and has been played between the Europa League and Champions League winners since the Cup Winners' Cup was cancelled.

The original format of the UEFA Super Cup was as a two-legged affair, but that was changed officially 14 years ago in 1997. Since then, the game has been played as a single match at a neutral site. Every year since 1998, the match has been held at the Stade Louis II.

This match will be aired live in the United States on Fox Sports Channel, and will air live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports 1. The match is also available for live stream on UEFA.com (subscription required).

Once the match begins, check back for the latest updates and results from Monaco.

Where: Stade Louis II, Monaco

When: August 26th, 2011, 2:45 PM ET

Watch: Fox Sports Channel (USA), Fox Deportes (USA), Sky Sports 1 (UK)

Live Streaming: UEFA.com (Subscription Required)

All eyes will be on Monaco when 2011 Champions League winner Barcelona faces off against 2011 Europa League winner FC Porto.

The Super Cup has been running since 1972 and was first designed as a final way to prove who is the best team in Europe.

Nowadays, the Champions League winner it without a doubt the best team in Europe, no matter what happens in the Super Cup. The Super Cup is a single match, and is always played at a "neutral" site. For the past 13 years, the event has been played in Monaco.

Biggest Storyline: Will Barca Add Even More Hardware?

Barcelona has had quite the successful year. They won the 2010-2011 La Liga season, the 2010-2011 Champions League, and the Spanish Supercup all this year.

This could be their fifth piece of hardware in 2011 alone if they are able to knock off Porto.

Players to Watch for Barcelona: Lionel Messi

Is it possible to name anyone other than Lionel Messi? He is without a doubt the star of the team and is a threat to score at nearly every single moment.

He scored the game winning goal in the Spanish Supercup against Real Madrid and is one of the most dynamic players in the world. If Barca is going to win this match, it will be because Messi had a field day against Porto.

Players to Watch for FC Porto: Hulk

The Incredible Hulk is going to need to be in rare form if Porto is going to have any chance at taking down the European Champions. Hulk registered 23 goals in Portuguese competition for Porto last year and is always a threat to score.

If Hulk puts on too much of a show, he could very easily be on the linked to Tottenham once again.

Key Matchup: Victor Valdés vs. Helton

The goalies are going to play a huge role in this match, especially with the amount of attacking skill on the pitch. With Hulk and Silvestre Varela leading the way for Porto, Valdés will be called upon quite often to make a game changing play for Barca.

On the other side of things, Barca's entire roster is loaded with scoring threats, and it starts with David Villa and Messi. Villa and Messi are two of the most incredible offensive players in the game and will be taking shot after shot against Helton.

Helton will need to bring his A game if his side is going to have any chance.

What They're Saying:

Barcelona's new addition Cesc Fabregas is looking to win another piece of hardware and is excited about the opportunity. The Houston Chronicle has the inside scoop on Fabregas' goals with Barca,

I came to Barcelona to get better, to compete, and obviously to win trophies as well but that's not the only reason. I'm certainly happy to have opportunities such as this one.

This is part of the achievement of last year's team. Now I'm lucky enough to be one of them, to be able to play tomorrow (Friday) and we hope to be champions.

Porto star Hulk took the time to speak to Bettor.com about his focus for the upcoming match,

I am very happy for my goals and we won the game. Now, we must start now to think the game against Barcelona. Then I have time to think about the Brazilian team.”

The 25-year-old also commented that while he was pleased to see Radamel Falcao achieve his dream of playing for a bigger side, the responsibility of replacing was on the whole team and that he would do his utmost best to continue playing at a high level.

The responsibility is for all players, but I'm glad for Falcao.

I will continue to do my job, I will continue to work and respect the choices of the coaches.

Hulk clearly has his mind on plenty of things right now, but his focus needs to be on Barcelona 100% if they are going to have any chance of winning. At this point, it appears that Hulk has too much on his mind, including the transfer of Radamel Falcao.

Final Score

Barcelona 2
FC Porto 0

FC Porto are on the verge of bringing in another promising South American talent, this time in the form of Brazilian wing-back Alex Sandro of Santos.

Sandro, who played an integral part in Santos' successful Copa Libertadores campaign and picked up rave reviews along the way, was also attracting interest from Porto's domestic rivals, Benfica.

However, it appears the young star has opted for the current Portuguese champions and recent Europa-League winners.

It is reported that Sandro cost a total of €9.5 million and, though both Portuguese giants had met Santos's valuation, Porto offered better personal terms.

"With Benfica, we did not get what we think we should be getting and what Alex Sandro should be getting. Porto came in with an offer and we agreed with them immediately," said the player's agent, Pablo Miranda, according to goal.com.

Sandro, mainly a left wing-back, began his career impressively with the Atletico Paranaense youth team before being called up to the senior side for 17 games and a solitary goal.

He was then sold to current club Santos, where he has totaled 28 appearances and one goal. 

Alex Sandro has also played for the Brazilian U-20 squad and was part of the side that claimed the 2011 South America Youth Championship earlier this year. He is known for his attacking prowess and solid defensive capabilities.

His arrival could pave the way for the possible departure of current left-back Alvaro Pereira, whose stock may have risen considerably given his solid performances at this year's Copa America.

Pereira, who arrived from CFR Cluj in 2009 for €4.5 million, had two impressive seasons at the Dragão, and the club are now looking to cash in on the Uruguay international for a fee of at least €20 million.  

Although nothing is official as of yet, Porto look to be wrapping up a deal for Sandro, with the player's agent saying, "They gave us the go-ahead; we have agreed to discuss the salary now. It only remains to formalize the deal itself now."

It remains unseen if Alex Sandro has what it takes to be successful in Europe, but he will be given the opportunity to develop with Porto, a club renowned for its nurturing of young talent.

Mario Jardel. What comes to mind? One word, really: goals. 

It’s a funny old world football, the 2001-2002 season was Jardel’s annus mirabilis. He had just completed his move from Galatasaray to Sporting Lisbon after a productive year in which he scored 34 goals in 43 matches, including two against Real Madrid to win the Super Cup and a further six in the Champions League.

Of course, Jardel became known across Europe for his performances with Porto, as 166 goals in 169 appearances made for impressive reading. He was destined for bigger things, and when a move to one of Europe’s so-called big clubs never materialised, Jardel packed his bags for the reigning UEFA Cup winners. Although he had success and acquired the nickname "Super Mario" from fans after his displays in Turkey, Jardel failed to settle.

Once again a move to Spain, Italy or England look likely, and yet never happened. With Sporting, Mario scored a jaw-dropping 55 goals in 42 appearances. He single-handedly won the league and cup for Sporting while picking up the Player of the Year award for himself.

That summer, Mario seemed destined to join his national teammates in their quest for a fifth World Cup. However, the call never came, and Brazil went on to win the World Cup with another prolific Brazilian striker writing his name next to the greatest of all-time.

Jardel was devastated. How could winning the European golden boot twice and playing in a league regularly watched back in Brazil fail to get him picked? Mario had been selected in the disastrous 2001 Copa America in which a meek Brazilian team was embarrassingly put to the sword by Honduras in a game that Jardel himself had the misfortune of playing in. It seemed in some ways that he was the scapegoat for a terrible tournament at a time when the Brazilian team was at its lowest ebb.

Mario Jardel was never the same player. Another season with Sporting brought 12 goals in 20 games, yet Sporting had enough following a year of frustrating injuries. Like so many Brazilians players before him, partying, women, drugs and food were seriously detrimental to a player disconsolate and fearing that his big move would never be realised.

His career at Sporting came to an end after he injured himself jumping into a pool in Brazil during the winter break. In the summer of 2003, the Portuguese club let the Brazilian go to Bolton. Jardel must have hoped that Sam Allyrdace, who had done so well to get the best out of aging stars such as Jay Jay Okocha, Ivan Campo and Yuri Djorkaeff could do the same for him.

Unfortunately, all that followed were two goals against Walsall and a goal at Anfield against Liverpool, all of which were in the League Cup. That year, Bolton were beaten finalists in the League Cup, but by that stage Jardel had already left the club to go to Serie A strugglers Ancona where he was given the name “lardel,” a pun on the his ever-increasing waist size.

Jardel is now 37, playing for Al-Taawon in Saudi Arabia. Prior to Al-Taawon, Jardel had played for 12 clubs across three continents over the last seven years, including places like Australia and Bulgaria. Quite sad for a man who between 1995 and 2002 scored 272 goals in 271 appearances across three different leagues.

In the end, seven caps and one goal seem scant reward for a player that lit up Europe and should have gotten the move he always dreamed of. Jardel could have become one of Brazil’s greatest strikers, yet he never really had a decent chance of impressing with A Seleção.

It’s hard to know without talking to the man which proved to be a bigger blow—Brazil, or a big club. Without a doubt, Jardel wanted both, and it seemed that fatal double blow in the summer of 2002 proved a career killer. He played his best football that year and yet it wasn’t good enough for the likes of Scolari, Real Madrid and AC Milan. 

Mario Jardel seems destined, despite his many, many goals, to be a player that history so cruelly overlooks.

Seven years after a successful coach at FC Porto took the reigns at Chelsea, another coach from the Portuguese club is getting a ton of attention and is being rumored with the clubs that one of his mentors has already been at.

That coach is Andre Villas-Boas, who in his first season at Porto has taken the managerial ranks by storm as he led the club to a dominant performance in the Portuguese Liga and a trip to the Europa League final.

Villas-Boas' mentor just happens to be a man named Jose Mourinho, who in his first full season at Porto won the Portuguese Cup, Portuguese Liga and the Europa League. The next year, Mourinho led Porto to the Champions League title before leaving for Chelsea.

Villas-Boas has been the man in European coaching circles since his Porto team began to dominate this season, and all the big clubs that are interested in hiring a new manager have the 33-year-old Portuguese man on their list.

It just so happens that the clubs being rumored with Villas-Boas are clubs where Mourinho has previously managed. Those clubs, Chelsea and Inter Milan, have not fired their respective managers yet, but if something does happen to Carlo Ancelotti or Leonardo, both clubs could try to lure the young Portuguese manager to Stamford Bridge or the San Siro.

Reports are claiming that Villas-Boas has already decided to stay at the Estadio do Dragao for next season and he will look to lead Porto on a long Champions League run just like Mourinho did in 2003-04.

If Villas-Boas stays at Porto for next year and then moves to a bigger European club, it will mirror the time Mourinho spent in Porto, as he spent two-and-a-half years with the club.

There is no doubt that you will see Andre Villas-Boas on the big European stage next season, whether he is in the Champions League with Porto or another big name club, but before everyone else finds out about him, I suggest you watch his Porto side in the Europa League final against Villarreal and you can see for yourself what a brilliant manager VIllas-Boas is.