Del Bosque praying for Diego Costa recovery

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque is praying striker Diego Costa can overcome injury in time to take part in the World Cup, and has even delayed the announcement of his 23-man squad as he sweats on the Atletico Madrid forward's fitness.

The Brazilian-born attacker had a disrupted end to the season with Atleti, with a string of injury problems hampering his involvement in the run-in. He lasted just 16 minutes in the Liga title-decider against Barcelona and was withdrawn after only nine minutes in the Champions League final.

"I'm not sure Costa will make it," Del Bosque told reporters on Thursday. "We've still got time but now it's in the hands of the doctors and the medical team. We have to be cautious."

Costa was the subject of great controversy when he swapped Brazil, the country of his birth, for Spain back in March, despite having already appeared in two friendlies for the Selecao. His continued injury problems mean he could miss out on the chance to ruin the hosts' World Cup party.

Friday, May 30, 2014 12:30

Tweet Follow @omomani

Watch & learn: Benzema in awe of Ronaldo

Karim Benzema equalled former Brazil striker Ronaldo's goal tally at Real Madrid on Saturday, with his two strikes against Villarreal moving him onto 104 for the Liga club.

But just where does the former Lyon star draw inspiration from?

Yep, you guessed it. It's the legendary former Inter, Barcelona and Madrid sensation himself - Ronaldo. Speaking to AS, Benzema said: "He inspired me in many respects. Firstly, his will to score goals. But I have also learned a lot from him in terms of movement in front of goal.

"I followed Ronaldo as a child and I still watch videos of him before matches."

Tuesday, February 11, 2014 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

El Matador: Diego Costa switches to Spain

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has confirmed he wants to switch national allegiances from Brazil to Spain.

The 24-year-old has never represented the Selecao at any level and now has Spanish citizenship which entitles him to play for La Roja.

While Costa is ineligible for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers he has agreed to link up with the world champions and Vicente Del Bosque for future internationals.

Friday, October 4, 2013 11:49

Tweet Follow @omomani

Netherlands & Italy settle in for World Cup party

Victories for Netherlands and Italy in their World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday ensured they both booked their spot at the 2014 showpiece in Brazil.

Louis van Gaal's side progressed from Group D following a 2-0 win over minnows Andorra, while the Italians came from behind to defeat Czech Republic 2-1 in Turin.

Argentina, Costa Rica and the USA also sealed their passage to Brazil for next summer's international tournament as the beaches of Rio await!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Not the real Ronaldo?

 

Jose Mourinho may have ruffled Cristiano Ronaldo's feathers after suggesting that the Real Madrid forward inferior to Brazil's Ronaldo.

"I was manager for the first time in the 2000 year but, before that, I was assistant in big clubs and with big managers and coaching the best players in the world, so I was 30 and I was coaching Ronaldo, not this one [Cristiano], the real one, the Brazilian Ronaldo," the Chelsea boss told ESPN.

Ronaldo has since responded with: "I have gotten used to people saying bad things about me. As we say in Portugal: 'I do not spit on the plate I'm eating from.' That's all I want to say about it." 

Tweet Follow @omomani

Fred to the lions: Brazil striker hunts World Cup place

 

Brazil striker Fred has vowed to "kill a lion every day" in order to ensure he plays at the World Cup next summer.

“Of course, the closer the World Cup gets, the more the anxiety rises," Fred told Goal.

"I’m very happy to have been part of this winning group at the Confeds, but I know I have to kill a lion every day and continue to prove that I deserve a spot in the Brazil team for the next 10 months." 
Tweet Follow @omomani

Ronaldinho adds another title to prove Scolari wrong

 

He may not be the player of yesteryear, and that's undoubtedly a view shared by Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, but Ronaldinho continues to tot up the titles to prove his doubters wrong.

Atletico Mineiro claimed Copa Libertadores glory on Thursday as they turned around a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Olimpia to secure a 4-3 penalty triumph.

But will Ronaldinho's Libertadores heroics nudge him into contention for World Cup 2014?

The former Barcelona playmaker hasn't played for his country since April, and was left out of the Confederations Cup-winning squad, but will hope that Scolari will take another look before he finalises his squad for the showpiece next summer. 
Tweet Follow @omomani

Ruthless Brazil sink Spain

 

Brazil claimed the Confederations Cup on Sunday with an emphatic victory over world and European champions Spain.

Vicente del Bosque's side were fancied by many to win the competition, which served as something of a dress rehearsal for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

But the tournament hosts raced out of the blocks and led through a Fred goal after just two minutes.

Neymar added a second just before half time, before Fred completed the scoring shortly after the interval. 
Tweet Follow @omomani

Brazil & Spain set to serve up a Confederations Cup treat

 

The climax to the Confederations Cup takes place on Sunday night as Brazil host World and double European champions Spain in the Maracana in front of an expectant crowd.

Neymar has lit up the tournament so far, while Fernando Torres has banged in crucial tournament goals again for Vicente Del Bosque's side.

It all adds to an enticing final match that should provide a lovely taster for next summer and the fervour with which the tournament has been received by the Brazilian public will have whet the appetite of football fans around the globe ahead of World Cup 2014. 
Tweet Follow @omomani

Yabba-dabba-doo! Fred sees Brazil through

 

Brazil made it three wins out of three at the Confederations Cup on Saturday night, seeing off Italy 4-2 to finish top of Group A.

Having already beaten Japan and Mexico, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men kept their perfect record intact with a victory that should see them avoid Spain in the semi-finals.

Neymar has been the star for the hosts so far and once again got on the scoresheet with a superb free kick after Dante had opening the scoring.

However, it was Fred with a real show of strength who grabbed the headlines, scoring twice in the second half to send the hosts into the last four.  
Tweet Follow @omomani

Neymar carries Brazil to Confederations Cup opening win

 

Not only is the pressure on Neymar and Brazil to deliver at next summer's World Cup, but Luiz Felipe Scolari's side are also expected to impress at the Confederations Cup this month.

Barcelona's latest recruit got Brazil off to a flying start on Saturday as his stunning strike in the third minute helped Brazil secure a 3-0 victory over Japan. 

Tweet Follow @omomani

Football's biggest names land in Brazil ahead of Confederations Cup

 

With the World Cup under a year away, host nation Brazil stage the 2013 Confederations Cup with the rest of the world set to get a glimpse of what the country has to offer.

The hosts kick off proceedings on Saturday evening against Japan, with the likes of Oscar, David Luiz, Hulk and Neymar all expected to be in action.

And if that game alone does not boast enough big names, Spain have a star cast including Juan Mata, Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta, Italy have Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo, and Uruguay boast Edinson Cavani and, of course, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. 
Tweet Follow @omomani

Forlorn Anderson dreaming of Brazil return

 

The Manchester United midfielder wants to leave Old Trafford this summer to improve his chances of making the Brazil squad for next summer's World Cup.

The 24-year-old has struggled for form and fitness over the past few seasons, and is finally ready to pull the plug on his United career.

With the planet's best footballers set to congregate on Brazil, Anderson has big hopes that he can play a part in the Selecao's success. 
Tweet Follow @omomani

Neymar left in Balotelli’s shadow

 

It may have only been a friendly but Italy’s clash with Brazil saw a number of heavyweights go head-to-head as the two countries played out a 2-2 draw in Geneva.

The Brazilians roared into a two-goal lead with Fred opening the scoring before Neymar set up Oscar to double their lead with a neat finish past Gianluigi Buffon.

However, Italy came roaring back after the break with Daniel De Rossi halving the deficit before Mario Balotelli stole the show with a curling long-range strike to ensure honours ended even.

Tweet Follow @omomani

England's Wembley win spoils Ronaldinho's parade

 

It was set up perfectly for Ronaldinho. In his unofficial 100th game for Brazil (he has made five appearances in games not recognised by Fifa), he was handed a chance from the penalty spot to get his name on the score-sheet at Wembley. A penalty against England? Well that's as good as a goal isn't it?

WRONG! Joe Hart superbly denied the buck-toothed magician with not one, but two, fine stops to prevent the 32-year-old marking his return to the Selecao (he hasn't played for them since November 2011) with a goal.

It got worse too. Luis Felipe Scolari replaced him at half-time and England went on to win the friendly with goals from Wayne Rooney and the evergreen Frank Lampard - perfectly marking the Football Association's first glamour friendly in their 150th anniversary. 
Tweet Follow @omomani

Pato back to Brazil

 

Tweet Follow @omomani

You're next! Messi targets Muller goal record after leaving Pele in his wake

 

Barcelona star Lionel Messi never seems to tire of breaking records.

The Argentine re-wrote footballing history again on Sunday when his double against Mallorca took his tally for the calendar year to 76 goals in just 59 appearances, beating Pele’s record of 75.

However, Messi is still behind Gerd Muller - who netted 85 times for Bayern Munich and West Germany in just 60 games in 1972 - although having left Pele behind, the Barcelona man now has his next target clearly in sight.
 

Tweet Follow @omomani

Kaka: I belong to Brazil

 

After spending two years wandering in the international wilderness, Kaka has been welcomed back to the Brazil national fold - and he could not be happier about it.

Though he has not played a minute of competitive football for Los Blancos this season, the playmaker has been identified as the man to safeguard Mano Menezes's job in charge of the Selecao as he was handed a recall to the squad for their
The former AC Milan icon himself admitted that he was surprised to have been included in the squad given his lack of playing time this season with the Liga champions, but revealed that the news was like receiving his first call-up all over again as he looks to reignite his seemingly-dwindling career.

A deeply religious man, Kaka has become renowned for displaying a t-shirt bearing the phrase 'I Belong To Jesus' in the Champions League final win against Liverpool. Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani imagines how the 30-year-old might demonstrate his loyalty to the national side following what could prove to be a hugely significant moment for player and country alike...

Tweet Follow @omomani

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...
Tweet Follow @omomani

Team GB in medal hunt but gold is Brazil's to lose

 

Team GB continue their hunt to medal in men's football at London 2012 but the gold remains Brazil's to lose.
Mano Menezes' men are the only side to have a 100 per cent record heading into the quarter-finals but Stuart Pearce's side beat Uruguay 1-0 en route to the knockout stage.

The South American nation face Honduras at St James' Park at 5pm on Saturday evening before Great Britain take on South Korea at 7:30pm at the Millenium Stadium.
 

Tweet Follow @omomani