Out of this world: Blatter predicts interplanetary football

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has insisted there is no reason why football could not be played on other planets in the future.

Speaking at a Fifa congress in Brazil, the 78-year-old said future tournaments could be contested between planets, rather than countries.

"We should wonder if one day our game will be played on other planets,” he said.

“Why not? And then instead of a World Cup we would have an inter-planetary competition.”

Thursday, 12 June 2014 12:15

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World Cup party about to get started

With the dust having settled on most nation's World Cup warm-up friendlies, attentions can now be turned to the main event with the World Cup just four days away.

England concluded their preparations in a feisty encounter against Honduras and can next be seen taking on Italy in Manaus on Saturday, while hosts Brazil kick off the tournament on Thusday.

The Three Lions flew from Miami to Rio de Janeiro straight after their 0-0 draw, while plenty of other sides, including the likes of Germany, have finally touched down in Brazil.

Sunday, 8 June 2014 12:45

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The Real deal: Messi left in Ronaldo shadow

Having already watched Cristiano Ronaldo pick up the Ballon d'Or this year, as well as Copa del Rey and Champions League winners' medals, now Lionel Messi has yet another reason to envy the Real Madrid attacker.

According to global sports marketing research group Repucom, it is the Portugal star, not the Barcelona man, who is the most marketable footballer in the world.

The former Manchester United winger has over 82 million Facebook likes, 26m Twitter followers and is "an endorser's dream", all of which means Messi must settle for second place behind Ronaldo - and not for the first time this season!

Thursday, May 29, 2014 11:30

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De Rossi not afraid of 'monsters' Messi & Ronaldo

Daniele De Rossi is well known for his fearless leadership in the Roma and Italy midfields and insists not even the prospect of facing two "monsters" at the World Cup will keep him up at night.

The 30-year-old has never faced Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the tournament finals, but that could change this summer in Brazil. "Maybe I will have the chance to take on these monsters this year!" he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Monday, 26 May 2014 12:00

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Zlatan, Blatter & the football world bow to mighty Ronaldo

Just when it looked like Zlatan Ibrahimovic might have sparked an incredible comeback for Sweden, Cristiano Ronaldo blew him out of the water with a magnificent hat-trick that sent Portugal through to World Cup 2014.

The Real Madrid superstar delivered three finishes of the utmost quality to roar back into the Ballon d'Or race.

Despite any mickey-taking from Fifa president Sepp Blatter, Ronaldo's performance - which saw him equal Pauleta's national record of 47 goals for the Seleccao - made the world stand up and take note.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013 08:19

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Ronaldo lands crucial blow in Ibrahimovic battle

Cristiano Ronaldo struck the first crucial blow in the battle between Portugal and Sweden for a place in the 2014 World Cup.

Much of the talk prior to the game surrounded which of football's superstars in Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic would come out on top.

And it proved to be the Real Madrid star, who scored the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute, and he might have had a second but was denied by the woodwork.

Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, cut a peripheral figure in Lisbon and was unable to influence the game in his own inimitable style.

There is still plenty of time for the Paris Saint-Germain man to strike back however, with the second leg on home soil for the Swede.

Saturday, November 16, 2013 12:45

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Round One: Zlatan & Ronaldo fight for World Cup place

They are two of the biggest stars in world football, but only one can go to the 2014 World Cup - Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo will go head to head for a trip to Brazil next summer.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker and Real Madrid giant are expected to line up for Sweden and Portugal respectively in Lisbon on Friday night in the first game of a two-legged qualifier.

And while both coaches - Paulo Bento and Erik Hamren - have insisted there is more to the clash than just Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo, they have also conceded the pair are potential match winners.

Can either land a crucial blow in the first leg ahead of the return tie in Sweden?

Friday, November 15, 2013 11:30

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Ballon War! Ronaldo & Blatter do battle over Messi comments

Sepp Blatter caused a rumble in world football on Tuesday when his comments about Cristiano Ronaldo were put under the spotlight.

Speaking at the end of last week, the Fifa president admitted that he preferred Lionel Messi to the Real Madrid attacker, who he claimed "spent more time at the hairdresser's".

Ronaldo hit back with a Facebook status which hinted at institutional favouritism towards Messi and his club, Barcelona, while Madrid president Florentino Perez wrote an open letter which demonstrated his displeasure.

Blatter has since apologised for his remarks by replying to Perez's letter and also Tweeting Ronaldo's official account.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013 09:00

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Ibrahimovic vs Ronaldo - who will miss the World Cup?

Following Monday's World Cup play-off draw which saw Sweden paired with Portugal, we already know one superstar will not will heading to Brazil next summer.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of the game's current greats, are both in danger of missing out on international football's pinnacle competition.

Let us know who you would prefer to see at the World Cup.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013 12:00

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Ronaldo haunted by France failure

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he is not looking forward to facing France, should both sides fail to book an automatic spot at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Portugal’s hopes of finishing top of Group F took a huge dent after a 1-1 draw with Israel on Friday, leaving them three points behind leaders Russia and looking destined for a play-off place.

France, meanwhile, are in a similar position in Group I, meaning a play-off date between the two sides is a distinct possibility.

The last time the two sides met France won 1-0 to book a spot in the 2006 World Cup final, and Ronaldo admits he is a worried man: "Hopefully, we'll now get a bit of luck and not get a complicated team. The only team I wouldn't like to face is France.”

Sunday, October 13, 2013 11:56

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Klose and Ronaldo become striker masters

Cristiano Ronaldo and Miroslav Klose etched their way into the record books on Friday after netting for their countries once again.

In Belfast, Ronaldo hit his first international hat-trick to surpass Eusebio’s record and become Portugal’s second highest goalscorer as Paulo Bento's men beat Northern Ireland 4-2 in a chaotic match.

The Real Madrid star has now scored 43 times for his country, and is just four goals behind Pauleta who is Portugal’s leading goalscorer.

Meanwhile, over in Munich, Klose’s 33rd minute strike, ensured he became Germany’s joint highest goalscorer.

The forward bagged his 68th international goal, in a 3-0 win over Austria, equalling Gerd Muller’s record.

Saturday, September 7, 2013 11:51

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Race to Rio continues as stars face World Cup qualifiers

The race to qualify for World Cup 2014 continues in earnest this weekend with many top stars in action for their countries.

The world’s most expensive footballer, Gareth Bale, should feature for Wales although Real Madrid’s newest recruit is highly unlikely to make it to Rio.

Another big summer signing Mesut Ozil is in action for Germany, who are closing in on qualification, while Manchester United new-boy Marouane Fellaini will face Scotland with Belgium.

Elsewhere expect to see Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action as club football takes a back seat this weekend.

Friday, 6 September 2013 11:50

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Ronaldo might need helping hand to reach Brazil 2014

 

If Cristiano Ronaldo is not worried, he probably should be. Portugal are labouring in qualification for another major tournament - this time, Brazil 2014.

Friday's 3-3 draw away with Israel has left Paulo Bento's men third in Group F, four points behind Fabio Capello's Russia, who also have a game in hand.

If they win, the gap will extend to seven, in all likelihood condemning Portugal to a life-and-death scrap with Israel for second place and passage into a nail-biting qualifying playoff.

There also remains the distinct possibility that Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his or any generation, will not even make it to the World Cup next year.

Missing out could potentially deal a fatal blow to the Real Madrid superstar's hopes of adding a World Cup winner's medal to his heaving collection, and hand Lionel Messi a decisive advantage in their epic rivalry.

With this in mind, he needs all the help he can get. 
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A convenient truth? Ronaldo, Rooney & RVP out of friendlies

 

Another raft of international friendlies are upon us and, with them, a whole host of convenient injuries to some of Europe's biggest stars.

Cristiano Ronaldo has pulled out of Portugal's clash with Gabon on Wednesday due to a badly gashed eye sustained against Levante this weekend.

Manchester United duo Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, meanwhile, have also withdrawn from duty with England and the Netherlands, despite both featuring heavily in the Red Devils' comeback victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Of course, no one would be cynical enough to suggest that 'knocks' like these were crudely manufactured by club managers to buy their key men some crucial rest time, but no one can deny that the absence of their best players is a constant source of frustration to national team bosses.

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Europe's finest begin long road to Brazil

 

The first round of qualifying fixtures for World Cup 2014 kick off this weekend and it's a chance for many of us to see the star names which made Euro 2012 such a memorable tournament.

With Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas leading the way, the Real Madrid captain will be hoping that Vicente Del Bosque's side will be able to become the first team to retain the trophy since Italy did so back in 1938.

Roy Hodgson's England side will be hoping to make an impact on the latter stages in Brazil, as well a few of the other familiar faces such as Italy, Portugal and Germany...
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Ronaldo STILL waiting to hit fifth penalty

 

Cesc Fabregas narrowly put away the decisive penalty on Wednesday night to squeeze Spain into the Euro 2012 final at Portugal's expense - which left Cristiano Ronaldo unable to take what he had hoped would be a crucial fifth for his side.

After both Joao Moutinho and Bruno Alves failed to register, the Seleccao surrendered their place at the tournament despite matching the world and European champions for much of the game.

With some wondering if the three-goal star had been too selfish in hanging back to take the fifth spot-kick, Ronaldo was unable to claim his moment of heroism, and is still waiting for international glory as his side fly home...

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Spain take measures to stop Ronaldo

 

The first of the Euro 2012 semi-finals is upon us with Spain taking on Portugal, and one man the reigning European champions will know all about is Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar won the Spanish title last season with Jose Mourinho's men and is hitting top form in Poland and Ukraine with three goals to his name already.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has said his side must "deactivate" the Real Madrid man to progress to the final, but just how will his team go about doing it?

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Ronaldo winds down with team-mates after Portugal winner

 

After last night's stellar performance against Czech Republic in the first quarter final, there's no denying that Cristiano Ronaldo is beginning to take Euro 2012 by storm.

Having shaken off the shackles he seemed encumbered with in the opening two group games, the Portuguese maestro has been in fantastic form, bagging a pair in the Group B decider against Netherlands before netting the winner for the Seleccao in Warsaw last night.

On the back of two scintillating displays, the Real Madrid star would be forgiven for wanting to put his feet up before his side's semi-final next week - and his teammates are certainly indebted to him after his moment in the sun ...
 

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Ronaldo passes Euro 2012 exam with flying colours to send Dutch & Danes packing

 

Cristiano Ronaldo answered his critics in stunning style on Sunday night with his virtuoso performance in Portugal's 2-1 victory over Netherlands at Euro 2012.

After enduring a difficult start to the competition, the Real Madrid star scored both goals to book his side's place in the quarter-finals against Czech Republic - sending the Dutch and Denmark home.
That took Ronaldo's tally for the season to an astonishing 65 for club and country, although the 27-year-old will know that his work has only just begun if he is to deny arch-rival Lionel Messi yet another Ballon D'Or.
 

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Bendtner takes Ronaldo back to school

 

Portugal may have left it late, but they still did just enough to beat Denmark 3-2 in their Group C clash on Wednesday night.

Both Pepe and Helder Postiga combined to give the Seleccao a commanding two-goal lead, but Nicklas Bendtner gave the Danes a lifeline by maintaining his 100 per cent record against their opponents.

However, talisman Cristiano Ronaldo did not help his country's cause by fluffing a pair of gilt-edged chances to extend his side's lead in the second half, inevitably allowing Bendtner to equalise with a clinical finish.

Nonetheless, Silvestre Varela's dramatic winner secured a vital win, but were it not for the Porto super-sub, the Arsenal striker could have made Ronaldo pay for his inexplicable profligacy in front of goal.
 
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