The 2014 World Cup will place a tremendous amount of pressure on a number of major stars, among those is Argentina's Lionel Messi. Considered the best player in the world, Messi is often omitted from the conversation about whether or not he is the greatest soccer player of all time, and faces a similar situation that Diego Armando Maradona faced in the 1986 FIFA World Cup held in Mexico.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been given the green light to spend again this summer, which could lead to a reunion with Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
One of the greatest soccer players in American history was left off the final cut roster: Landon Donovan. This may prove to be a critical mistake for team America.
Manchester City, which recently won their second English Premier League (EPL) title in three years, has accepted UEFA's sanctions - including a €60 million ($82,056,000 USD).
In 2006, Italy became an improbable World Cup champion. The team was known for having an impenetrable defense, but was also suspect for giving up a lot of scoring chances to the opposition. Fortunately, the team had arguably the greatest goalie the world at the time manning the nets. Buffon was given the Golden Gloves at the tournament for being the best keeper, an award that he amply deserved.
Luis Suarez underwent knee surgery on Wednesday, creating speculations that the striker will not be available for Uruguay in the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The FIFA World Cup is under fire because of the scheduled times and intense heat The 2014 World Cup will be played in the most historically successful soccer nation in the world, Brazil.
Zinedine Zidane. A living legend. But also a polarizing one. France's eternal superstar and one of the greatest players to ever put on the boots proved to be the hero for his country in one instance and its antihero in another. Zidane's great World Cup career took place over the course of two tournaments.
Lionel Messi played down reports that he considered leaving Barcelona in the past few weeks, saying that he is committed in helping Barca win more silverwares in the next several years.
Back in 1970 Gerd Muller scored 10 goals in the World Cup. Since then only one player has come anywhere near that standard. That man was the great Ronaldo, who managed eight goals in that tournament and holds the record for highest scoring player in World Cup history with 15. Ronaldo did not earn the Golden Ball for his performance in 2002; that honor was given to the nearly impenetrable Oliver Kahn. But Kahn, who had been dominant throughout the first seven games of the tournament (he only conceded one goal in that span), met his match in the decisive match and allowed not one, but two goals against the superstar forward.
The World Cup is a showcase for some of the best teams in the world, but also one in which the major stars make get a chance to express themselves to billions of people. The 2010 World Cup featured a number of brilliant superstars playing their best soccer. Uruguay's Diego Forlan managed to win the Golden Ball for a sizzling performance as he led his nation to the semifinals. Wesley Sneijder was the star behind the Netherland's finals berth while Thomas Muller was a major breakout star for Germany in their third place finish. But the performance of the tournament would go to Spain's top goaltender Iker Casillas who became the backbone of a team that won with a team-first mentality.
The Spanish League title will be decided on Saturday when Atletico Madrid and Barcelona face off at the Camp Nou. Los Colchoneros were seen as the favorites to take the trophy, but slip-ups in recent weeks have given Barcelona a chance to lift the trophy on home turf with a win.
With less than a month until the first ball kick, Brazil continues to see protests against the biggest sporting event of the year. Preparations for the World Cup have been followed by a specter of popular discontent, and as the games near. more people hit the streets to voice their displeasure with the government and the Cup.
FC Barcelona put an end on the talks suggesting that they are considering moving Lionel Messi this summer, announcing that they have reached a new deal with the star forward.
On Tuesday May 13, Spain's manager Vicente del Bosque announced his preliminary squad for the national team. The roster featured most of the mainstays from last year's Confederations Cup roster.
