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23rd December
Brazil soccer star Pele to spend Christmas in hospital as cancer advances
(Reuters) -Brazilian soccer legend Pele’s cancer has advanced and he requires care related to renal and cardiac dysfunction, according to a medical report, and his family said he would remain in a Sao Paulo hospital...
Messi the greatest even without World Cup heroics, says Guardiola
(Reuters) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has no doubt that Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time and his opinion would not change even if the forward had not guided Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar, the Spaniard said on Wednesday. Messi scored two goals and again in the shootout...
Former FIFA head Blatter: Failed to protect soccer from interference
BERLIN (Reuters) – Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA, said he had been unable to protect soccer from political and business interference in an interview with German weekly Die Zeit. Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years, said he had “tried to control the business” but had repeatedly failed “because of the economic value...
UEFA warns UK/Ireland Euro 2028 bid – report
(Reuters) – UEFA is growing frustrated over delays in guarantees around the joint UK and Ireland bid to host the 2028 European Championship in 2028, Britain’s Times newspaper reported on Wednesday. Issues around delaying guarantees for policing, airports, tax exemptions and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have forced European soccer’s governing body to warn bid organisers,...
Morocco welcomes team
RABAT, Morocco — Tens of thousands of jubilant Moroccans welcomed their national soccer team home Tuesday after the players exceeded the North African nation’s wildest expectations and finished fourth at the World Cup in Qatar. Fans packed squares and lined up along avenues and streets in and around Rabat, lighting flares, waving flags, dancing to...
22nd December
Demand for gear spikes
LONDON – In the wake of Sunday’s World Cup final soccer fans around the world have rushed to buy merchandise, with demand for Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe soccer club jerseys more than tripling, sports merchandise retailer Fanatics Inc told Reuters. Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw, with Messi scoring...
Fans jam streets : World Cup heroes forced to abandon bus parade
BUENOS AIRES – Argentina’s World Cup heroes had to abandon an open-top bus parade in Bueno Aires on Tuesday as millions of ecstatic fans flooded onto the streets and brought the city to a standstill, with Lionel Messi and his team mates whisked into helicopters to complete the planned celebrations. The players who were triumphant...
Sports Feature : Madigi and his lethal ‘lefty’
IF Ravuama Madigi had just but one wish which could be granted to him, it would be to re-live the year of 1988. This was no ordinary year for Fiji but was one that will be remembered by everyone who was present at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on the afternoon of November 28 where...
Argentina’s World Cup heroes forced to abandon bus parade and complete celebrations in helicopters
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina’s World Cup heroes had to abandon an open-top bus parade in Bueno Aires on Tuesday as millions of ecstatic fans flooded onto the streets and brought the city to a standstill, with Lionel Messi and his team mates whisked into helicopters to complete the planned celebrations. The players who were...
21st December
Simmons beats challenge to attend trials: Emily’s love for football
For 18-year-old Emily Simmons, being part of the national under-19 girl’s trials is a dream come true. The opportunity has become more special for her as she has a mild Symbrachydactyly condition, which is the underdevelopment of one of her hands. Emily is the grand-daughter of current Labasa women’s coach Arthur Simmons. She is part...
Millions flood Buenos Aires as Messi and co airlifted in choppers
By Nicolás Misculin and Miguel Lo Bianco BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Millions of ecstatic Argentines flooded onto the streets of Buenos Aires on Tuesday to cheer the country’s World Cup-winning soccer squad led by Lionel Messi, with the heaving crowd bringing the open-top bus parade to a standstill. The players were unable to reach the central...
Messi’s World Cup post beats egg to become most-liked on Instagram
(Reuters) – Lionel Messi set yet another record on Tuesday after his Instagram post celebrating Argentina’s World Cup win became the most-liked on the platform, breaking a nearly four-year-old record held by a photo of an egg. Having led Argentina to their first World Cup in 36 years with victory over France on Sunday, Messi...
Demand for Messi, Mbappe soccer gear spikes after World Cup
By Richa Naidu LONDON (Reuters) – In the wake of Sunday’s World Cup final soccer fans around the world have rushed to buy merchandise, with demand for Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe soccer club jerseys more than tripling, sports merchandise retailer Fanatics Inc told Reuters. Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3...
20th December
France’s Coman, Tchouameni racially abused after World Cup final defeat
(Reuters) – France forward Kingsley Coman and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni have been subjected to online racist abuse after missing their penalties in Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina, the BBC reported on Monday. Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez saved Coman’s effort from the spot and Tchouameni fired wide as Argentina captured their first world title since...
Ancelotti plans to stay at Real Madrid until 2024
(Reuters) – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he plans to stay at the Spanish club until his contract expires in June 2024 following reports of a possible move to the Brazilian national team. The Italian boss said he remains focused on his current role at Madrid as the team looks to defend their LaLiga,...
Argentina to celebrate World Cup victory at Buenos Aires’ Obelisk
(Reuters) -Argentina’s national team will celebrate their World Cup triumph on Tuesday in Buenos Aires at the Obelisk, the monument that is the traditional epicentre of sporting celebrations, the federation said on Monday. “The world champion squad will leave on Tuesday at noon for the Obelisk to celebrate the world title with the fans,” the...
19th December
Magical Messi hoists World Cup after final for the ages
By Ossian Shine LUSAIL, Qatar (Reuters) – As fireworks exploded and some 80,000 people roared, Lionel Messi smiled. His Argentina soccer shirt covered by the bisht the Emir of Qatar had just draped him in – the cape reserved for top officials and sheikhs. He smiled, he paused, then he hoisted high the World Cup,...
Argentina win incredible World Cup final in shootout
By Mitch Phillips LUSAIL, Qatar (Reuters) -Argentina won their third World Cup in an extraordinary final on Sunday as they beat France 4-2 on penalties after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-3 draw and Kylian Mbappe grabbed a hat-trick to bring the holders back from 2-0 and 3-2 down. It was an incredible night...
Mbappe’s hat-trick in vain on Messi’s night
By Fernando Kallas and Rohith Nair LUSAIL, Qatar (Reuters) -France forward Kylian Mbappe put in a performance for the ages in the World Cup final against Argentina, but it proved bitter-sweet as he left the game heartbroken, a hat-trick not enough to avoid defeat against Argentina who prevailed in a shootout. Mbappe became the second...
France disappointed but proud of fightback in epic World Cup final
By Rohith Nair LUSAIL, Qatar (Reuters) – France are disappointed they could not successfully defend their World Cup crown after losing to Argentina on penalties in Sunday’s final but leave Qatar with heads high having fought until the end, players Raphael Varane and Hugo Lloris said. France fought back twice through Kylian Mbappe, who erased...
Argentina vs France: Lionel Messi gets his fairytale World Cup final send off
Lionel Messi, wearing a black Qatari robe over his blue-and-white Argentina shirt, kissed the World Cup, shuffled toward his teammates and hoisted the golden trophy high in the air. It was an iconic sight that finally – definitively – places the football superstar in the pantheon of the game’s greatest players. Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is...
18th December
End of World Cup ushers in new era for All Whites, with five on coaching shortlist
A new era for the All Whites is set to begin once the Fifa World Cup final between France and Argentina comes to an end on Monday morning [NZ time] – one where they will be expected to qualify for the showpiece event every four years. Their new coach is unlikely to be appointed by Christmas, as New Zealand...
Reports claim Gareth Southgate will stay as England football coach after World Cup exit
Multiple English news sites are reporting England head coach Gareth Southgate has decided to stay on after the World Cup quarterfinal exit to France. Southgate is contracted until 2024, but indicated after the 2-1 loss to France that he would take time to review whether he wanted to continue in the role. Now, The Times and...
Should the All Whites’ future be in Asia instead of direct Oceania entry to World Cup?
This World Cup’s not yet over, but Aotearoa New Zealand’s football fans are already eagerly awaiting the All Whites’ almost certain qualification for the 2026 showpiece. Fifa are set to expand the World Cup finals field to 48 nations – up from 32 for the past seven editions. That means Oceania – the only one...
