Nice rundown, btw, Hydro2oo9 wrt English press etc.
Yeah, it is a nauseating aspect of English media, IMHO...Shame too because their football productions are easily the best on the planet.
Not sure why praising a talent like Messi equates to somehow disrespecting Rooney, either...Last I checked, btw, Rooney is no giant.
The 'little' thing annoys me over & over again...It's used when discussing Barca, ad nauseum from the English commentators...It's either little Xavi, little Iniesta or little Messi
It seems like a compliment but in reality it's a passive aggressive criticism that yeah they are talented but hey, they're hobbits so not really a footballer