Diego shows you (again) why he's the best ever

Most of these challenges would be straight red cards now, some offenders would be facing prison time.

Unbelievable talent.

If the goal at the 3 minute mark is in a proper game, then it's got to be one of the best ever.

It may be cold out, so let Diego help you warm up

Pure genius - it'll be on repeat, trust me.

Defoe gets a start, although seems lucky to make the squad

No surprise to see Damien Duff on the bench, and think this may be the only way Jermain Defoe ever gets to start!

In case your 'keeper didn't make you nervous already

The backpass rule has made a few 'keepers decent footballers, but every time the ball goes back to the goalie, I get nervous.

Most just smash it upfield, but there are a few who love to take a chance. A cheeky dragback or a Cruyff turn will get a few cheers from the crowd, but get caught out and they'll never let you forget it.

This guy is pushing it...

Tricks of the trade - in Scottish Football !

I expected to see some brutal tackles, awful pitches and awful football in the Scottish league.

I was right.

But this is a nice little trick too, so there are exceptions to the rule.

Sunday Funday

It's not real, but it will make you smile - and you need those on a Sunday when there's work the next day!

Tricks of the trade - Weiss nutmeg counts for nothing

Although another replay shows his shot got a deflection on the way in, we have to give it up for Vladimir Weiss.

If a defender opens his legs that wide (insert any joke you want, probably something with Graeme Le Saux), then nutmeg him, show your quick feet to beet another man and slot it home.

If the man you embarrass is Thiago Silva, who cost about $50 million, then all the better. If your team then goes on to lose 4-1 to PSG in the Champions League, then the goal doesn't count for anything!

Sorry Vlad, I'm sure you're just happy to get away from Manchester City and Joe Hart's 'quality banter'.

Tricks of the trade - Robinho

Great footwork - no if only he could find his way into the starting XI of a team.

A bit of a Denilson for me - great talent, but wasted.

You wanted to take a quick throw? My bad

We've seen Ronaldinho do this a few times before, but it's still great to watch.

Especially when the other guy wants to take a quick throw.

Here you go, oh, my bad.

Tricks of the trade

Just stand around and watch as I juggle this a few times and half-volley it into the corner.

Don't tackle.

Don't foul.

Just watch. All four of you!

Something for the weekend

What better way to get ready for the weekend (apart from reading our Argentina League preview or our Championship preview) than watching the original trick of the trade?

Take it away Johan...

Tricks of the trade

Could watch this all day. Ok, not all day, but Ronaldinho has got so many great tricks.

Tricks of the Trade

Seen this move on the dancefloor a few times. Usually ends up with alcohol on the floor and a few stitches in the chin. No problem with the latter, but learn to hold your drink. Have been a little harsh on defenders and goalkeepers recently, but if they could actually play then they would be midfielders or strikers!

Don't sweat it Zlatan, it happens to the best of us

Hug it out, and laugh at yourself

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has skinned enough defenders to know things don't always work out

Tricks of the trade

Slow it down, watch it 20 times, it's unreal

Juan Mata amazes his Spanish teammates - and he can't even get in their starting XI

Big time in the back garden

We all think we're Messi, Maradona or Gervinho when we're in the back garden (ok, no one really thinks they can be Messi!)

Thanks to Lewis 'Broski' Bradshaw for this. Have to question whether he should be allowed to be a parent though, as he was laughing about this far too much.

(Updated with slow-mo at the end!!)

Tricks of the trade

Ok, not sure anyone could ever do this again, but fair play to him for even considering it.

Most of us would miss the corner flag and get laughed at!

Tricks of the trade

Helping out the defenders a little here.

If he's going to skin you, at least make him look like an idiot for wearing baggy shorts!

Tricks of the trade

Great piece of footwork - no shame in being beaten by this.

The American

A Skills Competition for the MLS?

Would anyone win? Would anyone watch?

Tonight is Major League Baseball's home-run derby, an annual summertime tradition of watching the sport's mashers launch moonshots into the bleachers while listening to ESPN's Chris Berman cackle backbackbackback at every ball hit in the air.

The derby serves as prelude to Tuesday night's it-doesn't-count-but-kinda counts-for-something All-Star Game. This idea has caught on at the other major sports' all-star events. 

The NBA has the dunk contest, three-point contest and a skills competition. The NHL has its own competition featuring the hardest slapshot and most accurate wrist shot. Even the NFL had events leading up to the Pro Bowl and perhaps they still do, but nobody watches the Pro Bowl, so why am I still writing about it? 

But where is the MLS's home-run derby, its slam-dunk contest?!? 

I propose that the MLS hold a similar competition before its All-Star Game On July 31 in Kansas City. Want to get more Americans into this event? Start a skills competition!

Who has the hardest shot in the MLS? How many times can you hit the crossbar? How far can you kick a ball? Thread passes through obstacles or score as many goals as you can from impossible-looking angles.

You know, goofy stuff like that so we Americans can go "Well loogit there! He done kicked that ball 100 miles per hour!!"

-Nick Hatcher