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With Lionel Messi on the sidelines, Neymar took center stage in the battle with Cristiano Ronaldo for the crown of La Liga's most influential player on Saturday.

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World Cup 2022: FIFA executive panel debates Qatar heat, workers' rights updated 2 days ago

World Cub officials are meeting Thursday in Switzerland to discuss whether to change the dates for the 2022 tournament in Qatar from summer to winter.

Mind your language or face arrest, police warn football fans updated 2 days ago

Mind your language or face arrest.

Qatar World Cup: All the latest updated 2 days ago

Bayern batters City in Champions League updated 3 days ago

Arjen Robben said it all -- "We didn't expect an easy game like that."

Russia 2018: 'We have nothing to hide' in World Cup bid investigation updated 3 days ago

Organizers of the 2018 Russia World Cup insist they have nothing to hide ahead of an investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Parisians take a bite out of Paris Saint-Germain star updated 4 days ago

Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have cost Paris Saint-Germain $30 million, but you can get your own chunk of the Swedish striker for just $41.

Champions League joy for Arsenal on Arsene Wenger's anniversary updated 4 days ago

Arsene Wenger could scarcely have asked for a more enjoyable anniversary gift from his players after Arsenal produced a scintillating showing to see off Napoli in the Champions League.

Roberto Mancini named as new Galatasaray manager updated 5 days ago

The managerial merry-go-round has stopped for Roberto Mancini -- the Italian has been named as the new boss of Galatasaray.

Premier League: Everton continue unbeaten run with Newcastle win updated 5 days ago

Everton held on to their mantle as the only unbeaten team in the Premier League this season with a 3-2 win over Newcastle.

Premier League: Luis Suarez double fires up Liverpool title push updated 6 days ago

Love him or loathe him, controversial striker Luis Suarez proved just why Liverpool find it hard to live without him.

Ten-man Chelsea draw with Spurs as City and United suffer shock defeats updated 7 days ago

Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas might be poles apart personally, but their teams could not be separated at White Hart Lane on Saturday as Chelsea drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League.

Atletico beat Real Madrid in league for first time since 1999 updated 7 days ago

Atletico Madrid recorded their first victory in the league over Real Madrid this century with a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Dortmund batter Freiburg to stay top of Bundesliga updated 7 days ago

Borussia Dortmund recorded an emphatic 5-0 win over second-from-bottom Freiburg on Saturday to improve an already healthy goal difference and stay top of the Bundesliga.

Anton Hysen: Gay soccer players want to come out updated 9 days ago

Anton Hysen is a football player. He is also gay.

Luis Suarez fails to bite as toothless Liverpool lose to Manchester United updated 10 days ago

Luis Suarez returned to the Liverpool team for the first time since serving his ban for biting an opponent -- but not even his presence could detract from his team's toothless display.

Lionel Messi, Neymar lead Barcelona past Real Sociedad updated 11 days ago

When Brazilian ace Neymar signed with Barcelona in May, observers wondered if he could develop a potent partnership with four-time player of the year Lionel Messi.

Besiktas, Galatasaray ends in violence updated 12 days ago

A derby match between Besiktas and Galatasaray in the Turkish city of Istanbul was abandoned on Sunday as one of Europe's most fiercely contested football rivalries descended into violence and chaos.

Cristiano Ronaldo inspires Real Madrid as Gareth Bale misses home debut updated 13 days ago

If Cristiano Ronaldo feels threatened by Gareth Bale's arrival at Real Madrid, it certainly isn't showing in his performances.

Manchester City crushes United in derby updated 13 days ago

David Moyes' first Manchester derby ended in crushing defeat Sunday as his United team suffered an embarrassing 4-1 loss away to English Premier League title rival City.

Barcelona's 'tiki-taka' reign at an end? updated 14 days ago

For the first time in over five years, a run of more than 300 competitive matches, Barcelona had less possession than the opposition.

Bayern Munich catches Borussia Dortmund at top of Bundesliga updated 14 days ago

Josep Guardiola hailed Bayern Munich's best Bundesliga performance this season after his side crushed Schalke 4-0 on Saturday to stay second in the league.

Jose Mourinho explains Mata omission after crucial win for Chelsea updated 14 days ago

After two successive defeats, and with his proud unbeaten home English Premier League record at stake, Jose Mourinho was never going to take any chances.

Football and homophobia: Is campaign tied in knots? updated 15 days ago

It was supposed to provide the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but the latest effort to fight homophobia in football is in danger of fading into monochrome.

Multiple nations in running to host Euro 2020 updated 15 days ago

European football's governing body, UEFA has revealed that 32 of its 54 member states have declared an interest in hosting matches at the 2020 European Championships.

World Cup 2022: UEFA backs plan for switch to Qatar winter updated 15 days ago

The prospect of a winter World Cup in 2022 looks set to become a reality after Europe's football associations voted against holding the tournament in the Qatari summer.

Jose Mourinho: Should Chelsea have got back with an ex? updated 15 days ago

There's always something strange about bumping into an ex. Sometimes it can be satisfying -- perhaps they're looking a bit shabby, or have obviously fallen on hard times.

Singapore arrests 14 people in crackdown on football match-fixing updated 17 days ago

In a crackdown on football match-fixing, Singaporean authorities have arrested more than a dozen people

Lionel Messi, after Ronaldo hat-trick, scores three against Ajax updated 17 days ago

Cristiano Ronaldo has attracted much of the spotlight this week, signing a new contract at Real Madrid and netting a hat-trick in the Champions League.

David Cameron branded 'ludicrous' over 'Yid' debate updated 18 days ago

Over the years Tottenham Hotspur's supporters have suffered anti-Semitic abuse and until recently visiting supporters would hiss, in an effort to mimic the sound of the gas chambers that sent six million Jews to their deaths during the Holocaust.

Ronaldo and Rooney star as Champions League bursts into life updated 18 days ago

Cristiano Ronaldo shows just why Real Madrid agreed to pay him the big bucks with a hat-trick on a scintillating evening of European football.

FIFA stand firm on 2022 World Cup compensation updated 18 days ago

FIFA insists it will not be liable for compensation if the 2022 World Cup is staged in winter rather than summer.

Liverpool denied by Swansea as Roma roll on in Serie A updated 19 days ago

Liverpool climbed back to the top of the Premier League Monday -- but it was made to sweat during a pulsating 2-2 draw with Swansea City.

Australian soccer hit by 'disturbing' match-fixing scandal updated 20 days ago

The head of Australian soccer has vowed "to throw the book" at the men charged with match-fixing in a lower league competition -- which has been described as the worst such scandal in the country's sporting history.

Cristiano Ronaldo agrees new five year deal at Real Madrid updated 20 days ago

Cristiano Ronaldo pledged his future to Real Madrid as he signed a new five-year deal Sunday which ties him to the Spanish giants until 2018.

Bale scores on debut as Real Madrid draw at Villarreal updated 21 days ago

In his dreams it was probably a 30-yard screamer that ripped a hole in the roof of the net.

Van Persie and Rooney seal first home win for Moyes updated 21 days ago

Alex Ferguson achieved it on his Old Trafford debut but David Moyes has had to wait a little longer.

Dortmund smash six past Hamburg updated 21 days ago

Borussia Dortmund smashed six goals past Hamburg at the Signal Iduna Park on Saturday evening to record their best ever start to a Bundesliga season.

Samuel Eto'o: 'It's not about the money' updated 21 days ago

Samuel Eto'o doesn't like the question -- instead, he points to a picture.

English Football Association issues 'yid' warning updated 23 days ago

English football fans have been warned they face criminal prosecution if they continue to chant a word which has been deemed anti-Semitic.

Cape Verde's World Cup dream dashed updated 24 days ago

Cape Verde has seen its hopes of qualifying for a first football World Cup dashed after the sport's global governing body FIFA punished the African country for fielding a suspended player.

Mario Balotelli winner secures Italy's passage to World Cup finals updated 25 days ago

Italy and the Netherlands sealed their places in the World Cup finals in Brazil next year while England survived an uncomfortable night in Kiev against Ukraine.

Jose Mourinho: 'Special One' or stage villain? updated 27 days ago

Jose Mourinho needs love. He pretends that he doesn't. He acts tough, reveling in the role of stage villain, playing, with comically malevolent conviction, a scheming, plotting pantomime version of Shakespeare's Richard III. But the bad guys need love too and the Portuguese football coach, quite possibly the most entertainingly controversial character in world sport, is no exception. That is why he left Spain for England this June, and why, after a protracted but ultimately unhappy fling with gorgeous, pouting Real Madrid he returned to the steadfast embrace of Chelsea Football Club, trading glamor for unconditional devotion.

Jose Manuel de la Torre pays price for Mexico's World Cup struggles updated 28 days ago

Mexico's poor form in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup has cost coach Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre his job.

Cristiano Ronaldo rescues Portugal with hat-trick in World Cup qualifier updated 29 days ago

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored a 16-minute hat-trick as Portugal came from behind to beat Northern Ireland 4-2 in a stormy match to stay on track for automatic qualification for the 2014 World Cup.

Lionel Messi and dad pay Spanish authorities $6.6 million in tax case updated 31 days ago

Four-time world soccer player of the year Lionel Messi and his father have paid Spanish authorities $6.6 million after allegedly committing tax fraud.

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale hopes to avoid the curse of British players abroad updated 32 days ago

It might be better to travel than arrive, but in the case of British footballers succeeding abroad the journey has all too often been painful -- and all too frequently they have returned home after barely arriving.

Transfer deadline day: Ozil, Fellaini and the deals as they happened updated 33 days ago

Real Madrid unveil Gareth Bale at Bernabeu updated 34 days ago

Real Madrid Football Club has unveiled world-record transfer signing Gareth Bale to thousands of fans inside the Bernabeu Stadium.

Gareth Bale transfer: Real Madrid doesn't do austerity updated 34 days ago

Real Madrid doesn't do austerity.

Lionel Messi hat-trick inspires Barcelona while Real Madrid also wins updated 34 days ago

On the day that Gareth Bale commanded headlines by joining Real Madrid, Lionel Messi made news by scoring a hat-trick for Barcelona in a 3-2 win at Valencia.

Gareth Bale joins Real Madrid to become latest 'Galactico' updated 34 days ago

Spanish football club Real Madrid completed the signing of Gareth Bale from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

Birthday boy Daniel Sturridge scores again as Liverpool beats Man United updated 34 days ago

When the English Premier League season began, Liverpool wasn't thought to be one of the title contenders.

Manchester City labors past Hull in Premier League updated 35 days ago

It was far from convincing but Manchester City beat Hull 2-0 in the English Premier League to bounce back from a defeat against another newly promoted side.

Late winner for PSG but more misery for Lyon in France updated 35 days ago

Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon are seemingly headed in different directions.

Penalty drama as Bayern Munich claim UEFA Super Cup updated 36 days ago

Bayern Munich beat Chelsea on 5-4 penalties to win a pulsating UEFA Super Cup showdown in Prague Friday after equalizing with the last kick of extra time.

Platini repeats 2022 Winter World Cup call with sideswipe at EPL updated 36 days ago

UEFA president Michel Platini repeated his support for moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter Friday with a sideswipe at the English Premier League.

APOEL benefit from Fenerbahce's expulsion updated 37 days ago

Two of Europe's smaller clubs got lucky on Friday following match-fixing sanctions imposed on Turkish teams.

European champions Bayern Munich drawn with Manchester City updated 37 days ago

European Champions League holders Bayern Munich have been drawn to face Manchester City in the group stages of the continent's most prestigious club competition.

Samuel Eto'o reunited with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea updated 37 days ago

Together they shared an all-conquering season at Inter Milan, now Jose Mourinho and Samuel Eto'o are to be reunited in London.

Milan breeze into Champions League group stages updated 38 days ago

Seven-time European champions AC Milan breezed into the group stages of the Champions League with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

Willian joins Chelsea as Bale switch moves closer updated 38 days ago

At last it appears the pieces in soccer's latest transfer window jigsaw are slowly falling into place.

Fenerbahce's two-year European ban upheld by CAS updated 39 days ago

Turkish football club Fenerbahce have been excluded from European competitions for two years after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld a ban issued by UEFA.

Guardiola's Bayern frustrated by late Freiburg leveler updated 39 days ago

Bayern Munich dropped their first Bundesliga points of the season under new manager Pep Guardiola Tuesday -- frustrated by a late SC Freiburg equalizer in a 1-1 draw.

Chelsea's Jose Mourinho tells Manchester United's Wayne Rooney 'make up your mind' updated 40 days ago

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has told Manchester United's Wayne Rooney to decide where his future lies after the England striker starred in a goalless draw between the two teams on Monday.

Serie A preview: Death of Italian football exaggerated updated 40 days ago

The Italian broadcaster Rai recently aired a piece of nostalgia that would have brought a tear to the eye of many Serie A fans.

Wayne Rooney starts but Manchester United held 0-0 by Chelsea updated 40 days ago

Even before Manchester United and Chelsea kicked off at Old Trafford on Monday, there was ample intrigue.

Barcelona battle to victory in absence of Lionel Messi updated 41 days ago

What a difference a Messi makes. Last weekend "King Leo" inspired Barcelona to a seven-goal victory on the opening day of the Spanish soccer season, but in his absence Sunday the reigning champions battled to beat Malaga 1-0.

Promoted Cardiff shock Manchester City in EPL updated 41 days ago

When Vincent Tan led a Malaysian takeover of Cardiff City in 2010, the Welsh soccer club was battling crippling debts -- and a long-awaited return to England's top flight was tantalizingly out of reach.

Bayern Munich record as Bundesliga celebrates 50 years updated 42 days ago

Bayern Munich celebrated the Bundesliga's 50th birthday by setting a new club record in Saturday's Bavarian derby against Nuremberg.

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale bid 'lacks respect' says Barcelona coach Martino updated 42 days ago

Gareth Bale's imminent transfer to Real Madrid for a reported world-record fee has been criticized by Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino.

Carlos Tevez gives Juventus winning start on Serie A debut updated 42 days ago

Carlos Tevez marked his Juventus debut with the winning goal, but it was not enough to put the Italian champions top of Serie A after the opening day of matches.

Fan less Monaco draw blank; Lewandowski puts Dortmund top updated 43 days ago

Big spending Monaco paid the price for the indiscretion of their fans last season when held to a goalless draw by Toulouse in Ligue 1 Friday.

Respite for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger after victory in Turkey updated 45 days ago

They had only played one competitive match of the new season but already the knives were out at Arsenal.

Milan hold PSV to boost Champions League qualifying hopes updated 46 days ago

Seven-time champions AC Milan took a decisive step towards qualifying for the group stages of this year's European Champions League with a 1-1 draw at PSV Eindhoven Tuesday.

Bayern Munich help imprisoned player Breno updated 47 days ago

In 2008, the future looked bright for Breno.

Manchester City old guard thrash Newcastle to go top updated 47 days ago

Manchester City's old guard earn a priceless first win for new manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Lazio hit by terrace closure for Serie A opener updated 47 days ago

Italian football club Lazio must play their opening home game of the season with a section of their fans banned from the match as punishment for racial abuse.

Mourinho's Chelsea mark his EPL return with comfortable win updated 48 days ago

The Stamford Bridge faithful gave their returning hero a rapturous reception before Jose Mourinho's Chelsea team made sure the "Special One" would be celebrating Sunday as they beat Hull 2-0 in their English Premier League opener.

Seven up for Barcelona in Gerardo Martino's La Liga bow updated 48 days ago

New season, new manager same free scoring Barcelona who routed Levante 7-0 in their La Liga season opener Sunday.

Bayern maintain 100% record with Frankfurt win updated 49 days ago

Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich continued their perfect start to the Bundesliga season with a 1-0 away win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

Moyes' Man Utd off to a flier at Swansea updated 49 days ago

Manchester United's new manager David Moyes started the new English Premier League campaign with a resounding 4-1 win away to Swansea City on Saturday.

Dream debut for Rickie Lambert as tradition revived updated 52 days ago

Hostilities were resumed in the oldest international rivalry in football Wednesday and although billed as a friendly England and Scotland served up a fiercely competitive encounter at Wembley settled by a dream winner from debutant Rickie Lambert.

Lionel Messi, Mario Balotelli meet the Pope updated 52 days ago

Ukrainians Metalist thrown out of UEFA competition on match-fixing charges updated 53 days ago

Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv have been thrown out of UEFA competitions for a year after European soccer's governing body found them guilty on match-fixing charges.

FIFA wants social change in Russia despite 'anti-gay' comments by 2018 chief updated 53 days ago

Soccer's world governing body expects the 2018 World Cup to be a catalyst for social change in Russia, despite apparently anti-gay statements by the head of the organizing committee.

Aubameyang hat-trick leads Borussia Dortmund to win in league opener updated 56 days ago

If Saturday is any indication, Borussia Dortmund won't miss Mario Gotze.

Bayern make winning start; PSG held in French season opener updated 57 days ago

European champions Bayern Munich opened their Bundesliga title defense with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Allianz Arena Friday.

Manchester City's Vincent Kompany: Why his school paid off updated 58 days ago

While those about him have lost their heads, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has been a model of consistency.

'Female Pele' Marta seeks fair deal for women's soccer updated 58 days ago

There's no skirting around the issue -- short shorts, long shorts -- it doesn't matter to the biggest name in women's football, Marta.

FIFA suspends Jamaican footballer updated 60 days ago

Jamaican sport continues to be overshadowed by doping after football's world governing body FIFA announced an unnamed footballer has been provisionally suspended following a positive drugs test.

One Direction star Louis Tomlinson signs football deal updated 61 days ago

One Direction have already conquered the music world -- now one of the fab five is set to take the football world by storm.

Muller hat-trick as Bayern give Pep first win; Remy to Newcastle updated 61 days ago

Thomas Muller scored a hat-trick as Bayern Munich secured their first victory in a competitive match under new manager Pep Guardiola Monday.

Dempsey returns home to play MLS updated 63 days ago

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that striker Clint Dempsey is returning to the U.S. to play Major League Soccer (MLS).

Body of football star Benitez arrives back in his native Ecuador updated 65 days ago

The body of football star Christian Benitez arrived in his native Ecuador Friday ahead of his funeral and other tributes in the capital Quito later in the day.

New York Cosmos: Reawakened in the city that never sleeps updated 65 days ago

Once upon a time there was a galaxy of stars which burned bright in the "Big Apple", a trio of world champions who played football from another planet and sparked a U.S. love affair with the beautiful game.

Five reasons why we can't resist football's transfer window updated 65 days ago

The sun is shining, barbecues are out, beaches are packed and the commute to work is slightly less crowded than normal. It can mean only one thing: football's summer transfer window is upon us. Most managers hate it, fans are powerless to resist hourly updates on it; sports journalists worldwide are consumed by it. With a further month of fevered speculation, rumor, counter-rumor and downright subterfuge to come before it closes, CNN tries to work out what it all means.

Ozil: 'Real Madrid must keep Ronaldo' updated 65 days ago

Cristiano Ronaldo has consistently linked with a move back to Manchester United -- but Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil insists his club must hold onto the player if it is to challenge at the very top.

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