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☆ Messi named FIFA player of 2022, England women rewarded for Euro campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/8] Soccer Football - The Best FIFA Football Awards - Salle Pleyel, Paris, France - February 27, 2023 Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi winner of The Best FIFA Player award 2022 REUTERS/Sarah MeyssonnierPARIS, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi was named FIFA player of the year 2022 on Monday as Argentina scooped all major men's awards after winning a vintage World Cup final last December. "I want to express my thanks to (coach Lionel) Scaloni and my team mates, without them I would not be here," Messi added. It's a dream for any player, very few people can achieve that and I was lucky enough to do so." Spain's Alexia Putellas, who won the Ballon d'Or last year, was named women's player of the year after inspiring Barcelona to a third consecutive national title in 2022. Polish amputee Marcin Oleksy won the Puskas prize for best goal of the year for a spectacular acrobatic volley with Warta Poznan against Stal Rzeszow.

☆ Messi shortlisted for FIFA's The Best Award with Mbappe and Benzema
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 10 (Reuters) - Argentina forward Lionel Messi is on the shortlist for the FIFA Best Male Player award, joined by Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, soccer's world governing body announced on Friday. Messi could win his second The Best trophy after leading Argentina to their third World Cup title by beating Mbappe's France in last year's final in Qatar, scoring seven goals during the tournament and earning his second Golden ball. World Cup Golden Boot winner Mbappe and France's 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema feature for the first time among the three finalists. Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas could claim the Best Women's Player award for the second year in a row despite being sidelined since July with a knee injury. Forward Beth Mead is also nominated after leading England to the Euro 2022 title as the tournament's leading scorer and best player of the tournament.

☆ Ronaldo scores four goals to pass 500 in club career
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 9 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday to reach the career milestone of 500 club goals. The Portugal international, who celebrated his 38th birthday on Sunday, was unstoppable against hosts Al Wehda, netting four times in 30 minutes to lead his team to a 4-0 win. Ronaldo has scored 503 league goals for five clubs in five different top-flight leagues. He bagged 103 for Manchester United, 311 for Real Madrid, 81 for Juventus, three for Sporting Lisbon, and now has five for Al Nassr. Al Nassr top the standings after 16 games, level on 37 points with second-placed Al Shabab.

☆ Ronaldo's Saudi switch another symbol of Chinese decline
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Portuguese striker's Saudi Arabia switch following the cancellation of his Manchester United contract has highlighted a shift within Asian football that started before the COVID-19 pandemic and which continues to have a significant impact. With money pouring into clubs often owned by debt-fuelled property developers, the Chinese Super League (CSL) had been enticing an increasing number of leading players and coaches to the country since early last decade. The downturn in Chinese football has spared few. Two-time Asian champions Guangzhou FC, once Chinese football's dominant force, went into decline after their owners, developers China Evergrande, were forced to limit funding after the government restricted borrowing. With attention now squarely focused on the oil-funded riches on offer in a newly assertive Saudi Arabia, Chinese football's lustre has all but disappeared.

☆ Ronaldo v Messi: the last dance in Saudi Arabia or a fresh start?
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Messi's Paris St Germain take on a combined Al Hilal-Al Nassr team in an exhibition match, giving Ronaldo and Messi a chance to rekindle their old 'El Clasico' rivalry when they played for Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively. Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Finance, had recently indicated that the door was open for moves by Saudi clubs to try and sign both of soccer's biggest stars. Messi and Ronaldo won every Ballon d'Or award from 2008-2017 until Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric broke their hegemony and the Argentine has since won two more to lead 7-5 over his Portuguese rival in the race to be the world's best player. Should the Argentine move to Saudi Arabia, Thursday's encounter between the sport's two biggest stars of the modern era could signal the dawn of a new age in Asian football. Reporting by Shady Amir; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Messi headlines shortlist for FIFA Best Men's Player award
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Messi, along with his Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, were among the 14 players shortlisted for The Best FIFA Men's Player award, the world governing body said on Thursday. Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, is also in the shortlist. Sarina Wiegman, who led England to last year's European Championship title, is joined on The Best FIFA Women's Coach shortlist by Chelsea's Emma Hayes and Germany manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. Liverpool's Alisson Becker, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Aston Villa's Martinez are among the nominees for The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award. FIFA also announced an 11-player shortlist for this year's Puskas Award for the "most beautiful" goal of the year, with Mbappe's spectacular volley against Argentina in the World Cup final among the nominees.

☆ Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, winner of 3 World Cups, dead at 82
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Scott Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Showing a natural skill for the sport, Pelé eventually joined a youth team coached by the former Brazilian national team player Waldemar de Brito. Keystone/Hulton Archive/GettyBy 16, Pelé made the Brazilian national team and was playing in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. In the 1966 World Cup, Pelé played in only two of three games, scoring one goal, as Brazil was eliminated in the first round. In 1970, Pelé got World Cup redemption, going into Mexico with a Brazilian squad some considered the best team ever. He took part in World Cup draws, inaugurations and ceremonies and was involved in various Olympic opening and closing ceremonies.

☆ Latam M&A expected to recover in 2023, IPOs may take longer
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Tatiana Bautzer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SAO PAULO, Dec 27 (Reuters) - After a sharp drop in Latin American deals in 2022, bankers expect a slow recovery next year, led by M&A. The volume of M&A deals in Latin America fell 35% this year, to $86 billion, according to Refinitiv data. Bankers predict M&A volumes will grow up to 20% in the region next year as Latin America becomes more relevant among emerging markets. Latin America has a great opportunity to increase its share among emerging markets, said Latam M&A co-head at Citigroup Nicolas Roca. Share offerings fell 61% in Latin America this year to $13.4 billion, according to Refinitiv data through December 26.

☆ Messi to return to PSG in early January
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Dec 27 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi will return to Paris St Germain at the beginning of January, the Ligue 1 club's manager Christophe Galtier said on Tuesday. The Argentine forward, seven-times Ballon D'Or winner, scored two goals to lead his country to victory over France on penalties in the World Cup final nine days ago. The 35-year-old Messi will miss PSG's home league game against Strasbourg on Wednesday and the trip to Lens on Sunday. PSG are top of the standings on 41 points after 15 games, five above second-placed Lens. Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ French hearts are broken but future looks bright
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mbappe, who turns 24 on Tuesday, netted all three French goals, taking his tally from two World Cups to 12. "Potentially, this France team has an important reservoir of talents," said Deschamps. "We'll always need experienced team leaders to groom the young players but the reservoir is big." "Some players have been in the Euro 2016 final, won the 2018 World Cup, they bring their experience. "We have to keep this France team at this level, with the best players on the world and European stage."

☆ Leo Messi used a 'growth mindset' to finally win his World Cup trophy—here's what that looked like
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The only major item missing was a World Cup trophy until Sunday, when Messi's Argentina defeated France in a 4-2 penalty shootout after an extra-time thriller. The approach may sound familiar: It's reminiscent of psychologist Carol Dweck's theory of the growth mindset, which posits that talent is only a starting point. Many non-athletes champion their own versions of the growth mindset, from billionaire Mark Cuban to actor Will Smith. Studies show that students who are taught the "growth mindset" by educators are able to improve their test scores more than their peers, over time. And despite long being recognized as a global superstar, it took him roughly 16 years over five World Cup tournaments to finally land his elusive prize.

☆ Factbox: 10 memorable impressions from the Qatar World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

SAUDI ARABIA STUN ARGENTINAArgentina were cruising in their opening Group C game after Lionel Messi scored a first-half penalty. RONALDO EXITS FINAL WORLD CUP IN TEARSPortugal's talisman became the first male player to score in five World Cups with a penalty against Ghana. FIRST FEMALE REFEREE AT A MEN'S WORLD CUPFrenchwoman Stephanie Frappart was handed control of Germany's final Group E clash against Costa Rica, becoming the first female referee to officiate at a men's World Cup. Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez described it as a big step forward in 'sexist sport' and the 39-year-old Frappart produced a calm and assured display in Germany's victory. Germany needed a win over Costa Rica and for Spain to beat Japan to go through as runners-up, and at halftime that was exactly what was happening.

☆ Morocco playing seven games at one World Cup is priceless, says Regragui
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"But I told my players this is our seventh World Cup game. If you told any Morocco fan we would be playing our seventh game on Dec. 17, they would be proud. "Morocco played six World Cup games in 20-odd years and now we've played six games in a month - this is priceless. After the first game (where Morocco and Croatia drew 0-0 in the group stage) we knew the performance was very good," Regragui said. "I don't know if it's Modric's last game, he's a competitive warrior and will want to finish his World Cup in style.

☆ Magical Messi saves his best for last in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Dec 16 (Reuters) - As if he had not made enough fairy-tales, Argentina's little genius Lionel Messi has saved the potentially most magical script for his last World Cup - with one line left to write. After scoring a penalty to send Argentine fans into delirium, the usually impeccably-behaved Messi ran towards the Dutch bench cupping his ears in a provocative gesture. Though some pundits criticized him for disrespect, Argentine fans were largely delighted at the Maradona-like flashes of defiance from the introverted Messi. All that is missing in the Messi story is a World Cup. Carry it in your heart because that is more important than a World Cup and you've already won that, thanks Captain."

☆ Photos: Football great Lionel Messi
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Lionel Messi is carried around the Lusail Stadium in Qatar after Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final in December 2022. By Will Lanzoni, Laura Oliverio and Kyle Almond, CNNLionel Messi says he's coming to the United States to join the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. He is Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer, and he led his country to a World Cup victory in December. At club level, he is the all-time leading scorer for FC Barcelona and the Spanish soccer league La Liga. Messi has won the Ballon d'Or trophy, given annually to the sport's top player, a record seven times.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Will Lanzoni, Laura Oliverio, Kyle Almond, CNN Lionel Messi, he's, Messi, Germain Organizations: Argentina, France, CNN, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Spanish, Mundo Deportivo, FC Barcelona, La Liga, Paris Saint, Barcelona Locations: Qatar, United States, Miami, Argentine

☆ Tearful Ronaldo the lasting image of Portugal World Cup debacle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DOHA, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo running to the tunnel in tears and as desolate as the football world has ever seen him will be the lasting image for Portugal fans looking back on the World Cup in Qatar. Ronaldo, a five-times Ballon D'Or winner, arrived with a mission to prove he could still make a difference. It was another tale of hope turned to disappointment, controversy and under-achievement on the biggest stage for Ronaldo, who was playing his fifth World Cup and hoping it would set him up for new opportunities after his departure from Manchester United. Ironically, in a Portugal team full of stand-out players, Ronaldo fell victim to the abundance of options that coach Fernando Santos had at his disposal. Before the World Cup, Ronaldo refused to say that the tournament in Qatar would be his last and he was already looking ahead to the 2024 European Championship.

☆ Ronaldo says dedication to Portugal unchanged but will 'let time be a good adviser'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The 37-year-old, a five-times Ballon D'Or winner, had arrived in Qatar with a mission to prove he could still make a difference on his national team. He ended the tournament, however, coming on as a second-half substitute in Portugal's 1-0 quarter-final loss to Morocco. Thank you, Portugal. Thank you, Qatar. The dream was beautiful while it lasted... Now, we have to let time be a good adviser and allow everyone to draw their own conclusions," he wrote.

☆ Messi's World Cup chase takes centre stage in quarter-final clash
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's hopes of winning an elusive World Cup will come up against the tactical scheming of veteran coach Louis van Gaal as Argentina face the Netherlands in Friday’s quarter-final at Lusail. Messi can expect little in the way of sympathy from the 71-year-old Van Gaal, who is determined to give the Dutch their first World Cup title after runners-up finishes in 1974, 1978 and 2010. Messi can expect vocal support from Argentine fans in Qatar, who are set to vastly outnumber their orange-clad Dutch counterparts. On the losing side against Germany in the 2014 final, where Argentina failed to add to World Cup triumphs in 1978 and 1986, Messi was grateful for the support. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is still sweating on the fitness of Angel di Maria, who missed the Australia game due to a left thigh injury but returned to training on Tuesday.

☆ Analysis: 'Sorcerer' Ramos dazzles with hat-trick in first World Cup start
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ramos could not have hoped for a more magical night in Qatar, having made his international debut only three days before the World Cup started. Ramos had only featured for 10 minutes in total in Portugal's World Cup group matches but earned a surprise start when Santos opted to leave the country's all-time top scorer Ronaldo on the bench and take a risk with the youngster. Ramos is neither the muscular package that is Ronaldo nor does he play as far forward as the Portugal captain. While thousands of fans at Lusail stadium repeatedly chanted 'Ronaldo' 'Ronaldo', hoping to see the superstar in action, Ramos became the first player to score a hat-trick in his first World Cup start since Germany's Miroslav Klose 20 years ago. But by then a new Portugal hero, no longer the sorcerer's apprentice, had stolen the show with a memorable performance.

☆ Ronaldo denies he swore at Portugal coach over substitution
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ronaldo, Portugal's captain, said the comments he made as he left the field in the 65th minute were in fact aimed at a South Korean player. The 37-year-old is seeking to equal the Portuguese record of most World Cup goals held by Eusebio, who racked up nine in 1966 in England, the only World Cup tournament he played in. Santos, asked by reporters about the substitution incident, also said a South Korean player had been aggressive in his comments towards the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. Ronaldo was kept largely at bay by South Korea's defence in the Asians' last-gasp victory over Portugal that sent Uruguay out of the World Cup. We wanted to go through with a win, we wanted to go through playing good football to keep boosting our confidence," Santos said.

For years, Argentine fans said that no matter how many Ballons d'Or and trophies Messi won with Barcelona, he could never match Maradona until he too lifted a World Cup. EMOTIONAL MESSIMany of the banners show Messi and Maradona together, some depicting the late No. And Messi himself has opened up emotionally to rally the team and nation after their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia. "For me, Messi has always felt and done his all for the national team, from his first game until now. "Messi has suffered from being a venerated star in Barcelona but often under attack here in Argentina."

☆ World Cup 2022 top goal scorer: who could win Golden Boot?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Dec 1 (Reuters) - The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is nearing its knockout phase. England's captain Harry Kane bagged the prize in the 2018 edition of the World Cup in Russia, where he scored six goals and led his team to the semi-finals. MARCUS RASHFORDSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - Wales v England - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 29, 2022 England's Marcus Rashford with manager Gareth Southgate after being substituted REUTERS/Hannah MckayThe England striker has enjoyed a dream start to his World Cup campaign in Qatar. BRUNO FERNANDESSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2022 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes celebrate after the match REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachPortugal's run in the World Cup in Qatar so far has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his acrimonious departure from Manchester United. WORLD CUP TOP GOAL SCORER 2022: GOLDEN BOOT STANDINGS** Stats as of Nov. 30Compiled by Siddharth K in Bengaluru; Editing by Milla NissiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Analysis: Tite's courage pays off as Brazil forwards deliver
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The answer came in an impressive 2-0 victory over a strong and organised Serbia team who did not make it easy for Brazil and frustrated them in a goalless first half. Tite's decision to start Vinicius Jr. alongside Neymar, Richarlison and Raphinha should not have been a surprise as the Brazil coach has been much more inclined recently to unleash his talented young forwards together. Thinking that he would leave Vinicius on the bench was an assumption of those looking at the 61-year-old manager’s past rather than his present. Though Richarlison scored a brace, Vinicius was arguably the best player on the pitch, creating most of Brazil´s chances. Brazil sent a clear message to their World Cup rivals.

☆ Analysis: Amidst the circus, Ronaldo proves ringmaster yet again
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

There had been talk that circus surrounding the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was distracting Fernando Santos's squad. Portugal's fans behind the goal sang his name and gave him another huge ovation when he was substituted in the 88th minute. It is easy to talk about Ronaldo in terms of statistics alone, with so many milestones chalked up. Ronaldo was locked in from the start, working tirelessly to find spaces in and around the massed Ghanaian defence. Importantly for Portugal's chances of going deep in Qatar, it was not just the Ronaldo show as his team mates, especially in the second half, took more responsibility.

☆ Odds-on favorite Brazil face strong Serbia in World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Brazil are keeping their cards close to their chest under the spotlight of being the odds-on favorites as they prepare to face Serbia in their World Cup Group G opener on Thursday. The pressure is on as Brazil aim for a record extending sixth title with a squad loaded with talent but full of young players, with 16 of them making their World Cup debut. Paring the young guns with an in-form Neymar have made Brazil a juggernaut, winning 37 of the 50 games played since their 2018 World Cup quarter-finals loss to Belgium in Russia. They conceded 19 goals in this World Cup cycle, finishing 33 of those 50 matches with a clean sheet. Serbia have never moved past the group stages at the World Cup since the breakup of Yugoslavia but will be looking to seize momentum in a strong Group G that also includes Switzerland and Cameroon.

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