FIFA.com - News

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:08:00 GMT

Featuring Ludovic Giuly on making a fashion mistake at Barcelona, Marco Schallibaum on the amazing toughness of Jeb Brovsky and Gabriel Batistuta on what playing alongside Lionel Messi would have forced him to do.

Falcao denies rumours, Simeone hails Beckham

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:43:00 GMT

Falcao has rubbished reports he has signed for Monaco, while Diego Simeone has discussed Atletico Madrid's Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid and praised David Beckham.

Holders Corinthians eliminated by Boca

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:21:00 GMT

FIFA Club World Cup champions and reigning Copa Libertadores holders Corinthians have been eliminated from this year's competition by Argentinian giants Boca Juniors, while Newell's edged compatriots Velez Sarsfield.

Sabella mulls over Messi absence

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:36:00 GMT

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella says Lionel Messi's possible absence from upcoming Brazil 2014 qualifiers would allow the opportunity to look at other options.

Runs, records and retirement

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:39:00 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson stars in FIFA.com's latest stats review, which also reflects on a week of contrasting emotions for Greuther Furth, Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain and Porto.

Ramires: I have great affection for Benfica

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:04:00 GMT

Ramires speaks to FIFA.com about his time at Benfica, his varying role in the Chelsea team, the UEFA Europa League final between his former and current club, the form of David Luiz and his targets with Brazil.

Messi likely to miss rest of the season

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:54:00 GMT

Barcelona have revealed that Lionel Messi will be out for two-to-three weeks with his long-running hamstring injury, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

Estudiantes back in winner's circle

Tue, 14 May 2013 05:08:00 GMT

Struggling Estudiantes claimed just their second win of the Clausura campaign with a 1-0 home triumph over Union Santa Fe thanks to a lone Duvan Zapata strike.

Lanus miss opportunity as River close

Mon, 13 May 2013 05:40:00 GMT

Lanus failed to return to the Clausura summit after they were held to a goalless draw by Independiente, while River Plate moved to within two points thanks to a 2-0 win over 10-man All Boys.

Scocco send Newell's top, Boca beaten

Sun, 12 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT

A brace from Ignacio Scocco sent Newell's Old Boys top of the Argentinian Clausura in a 3-1 win over Godoy Cruz, while San Lorenzo beat Boca Juniors 3-0.

Happy Birthday to you!

Sun, 12 May 2013 09:26:00 GMT

We look ahead to another week of birthday's around the footballing globe, with the likes of Brazilian legend Rai, Venezuelan star Juan Arango and French goal-scoring queen Eugenie Le Sommer all set to celebrate.

Vilanova: Messi fit for title tilt

Sat, 11 May 2013 20:00:00 GMT

After a productive week of training, Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova believes talisman Lionel Messi will be ready for his side's encounter with Atletico Madrid on Sunday which could seal the La Liga title for Barça.

Babies and the beautiful game

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:55:00 GMT

From Bebeto through Joey Barton to Jonathan Soriano, FIFA.com looks at how the arrival of babies has been greeted in the world of football.

Ten-man Tigre take points at Velez

Thu, 09 May 2013 05:28:00 GMT

A second-half Leandro Leguizamon winner lifted ten-man Tigre to a 2-1 Clausura victory at Velez Sarsfield.

Speedy strikes and German joy

Wed, 08 May 2013 07:30:00 GMT

Miroslav Klose's five-goal show against Bologna features in FIFA.com's latest stats review, which also includes feats by Bayern Munich, Ronald de Boer, Manuel Lanzini and Theo Walcott.

Benedetto double derails Newell's

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:35:00 GMT

Newell's Old Boys missed the chance to return to the top as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal Sarandi thanks to Dario Benedetto's double, while All Boys were held to a goalless draw by Estudiantes.

Boca hold rivals River

Mon, 06 May 2013 05:34:00 GMT

River Plate are five points off leaders Lanus after old rivals Boca Juniors frustrated their attempts to close the gap at the top as the Buenos Aires rivals played out a 1-1 draw.

Happy Birthday to you!

Sun, 05 May 2013 06:59:00 GMT

We look ahead to the week of birthdays in the world of football, with the likes of Brazilian defensive duo Dani Alves and Lucio, and USA women's pair Sydney Leroux and Carla Overbeck.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 04 May 2013 15:46:00 GMT

Featuring Mario Balotelli offering the Real Madrid players a big incentive, an honest Jonathan Zebina on why he didn’t want to see France win Germany 2006, and Scott Parker comparing Jan Vertonghen to an antique car.

Miguel Munoz, the man who dropped Di Stefano's Madrid

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:07:00 GMT

FIFA.com's latest Classic Coach profile centres on Miguel Munoz, a man who regenerated Real Madrid and went on to memorable successes with Spain.

Ten-man Boca, Gremio ahead

Thu, 02 May 2013 08:25:00 GMT

Nicolas Blandi struck the only goal as Boca Juniors beat Corinthians 1-0 in their Copa Libertadores last-16 first-leg, despite being down to ten-men, while Gremio - who were also ended a man light - beat Santa Fe 2-1.

A springboard into the world’s elite

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:23:00 GMT

Ahead of this summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013, FIFA.com and FIFA TV look back on some of the tournament’s previous editions, which launched the careers of more than a few of the world’s biggest stars.

Barça keeping the faith

Wed, 01 May 2013 09:25:00 GMT

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova and defender Gerard Pique have been speaking about the seemingly impossible task of overcoming a 4-0 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich this evening.

Fortresses, failures and a 14-year-old

Wed, 01 May 2013 07:26:00 GMT

Demoralising defeats for Boca Juniors and Newcastle United feature alongside impressive feats from Mathieu Flamini, Houston Dynamo and young Jordan Allan in FIFA.com's latest stats review.

Tigre, Palmeiras take slim advantages

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:56:00 GMT

Argentinian side Tigre edged out Paraguayan giants Olimpia 2-1 to boost their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores, while Brazil's Palmeiras secured a goalless draw at Mexican champions Tijuana.

Monterrey draw on know-how for Santos duel

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:15:00 GMT

Monterrey enter the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final against Santos Laguna level at 0-0 and will look to draw inspiration from the previous two finals where Los Rayados emerged as continental champions.

Zanetti facing long injury lay-off

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:18:00 GMT

After suffering a ruptured left Achilles tendon during Sunday's match against Palermo, Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti underwent successfuly surgery and is expecting to be sidelined for six months.

Joy for hosts as surprises abound

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:37:00 GMT

FIFA.com rounds up the highlights of the South American U-17 Football Championship in Argentina, where the hosts were crowned champions to ensure their place at UAE 2013, with surprise package Venezuela finishing second.

Lanus miss chance to reclaim summit

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:24:00 GMT

Lanus missed the chance to move back level with Newell's Old Boys at the top after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Rafaela who jumped to fourth.

Messi fitness key to Barcelona's hopes

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:22:00 GMT

Barcelona say the fitness and form of star attacker Lionel Messi is key if they are to overturn a 4-0 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Zanetti to carry on despite Achilles blow

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:15:00 GMT

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti vowed to return stronger than ever after rupturing the Achilles tendon in his left foot during yesterday's 1-0 Serie A defeat at Palermo.

Newell's edge thriller to move clear

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:47:00 GMT

A last-gasp winner handed Newell's Old Boys a 4-3 win over Racing Club which put them three points clear at the top of the Clausura, while third-placed River Plate lost ground with a 1-1 draw against Quilmes.

Uruguay claim final ticket, Argentina crowned

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:30:00 GMT

Uruguay have won through to UAE 2013 on the final day of the qualifying competition which was won by host nation Argentina.

Di Maria earns Real victory at Atletico

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 21:46:00 GMT

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1, with an own-goal and an Angel Di Maria securing the visitors the points.

Bilbao hold Barça to put celebrations on hold

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:36:00 GMT

Despite a wonder goal from substitute Lionel Messi, Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw at Athletic Bilbao, with Ander Herrera scoring a late equaliser for the hosts.

Velez edge Newell's

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:33:00 GMT

Ten-man Velez Sarsfield clinched a 1-0 win at Argentinian rivals Newell's Old Boys in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores last-16 tie.

Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela book their places

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:53:00 GMT

Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013, while Paraguay and Uruguay will now fight it out for South America's one remaining berth.

Roura: An awful result

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:41:00 GMT

Barcelona assistant manager Jordi Roura has described as "awful" last night's 4-0 defeat by Bayern Munich but defended the subdued Lionel Messi.

Draw moves Lanus top, Tigre win

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:33:00 GMT

Despite being held to a goalless draw by Union Santa Fe, with the point earned Lanus returned to the top of the Clasura table, while Tigre beat Aregentinos Juniors 1-0 in a match that saw three men sent off.

Xavi discusses Messi influence, Barça tactics

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:41:00 GMT

Xavi has outlined the influence of Lionel Messi and backed him to star against Bayern Munich, insisted Barcelona will attack in Germany and spoken about the importance of keeping possession.

Lahm: Bayern-Barça will be a football feast

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:46:00 GMT

Philipp Lahm has insisted Bayern Munich are not European chokers, discussed the influence of Lionel Messi and tipped their semi-final against Barcelona to be a thriller.

River maintain momentum as San Lorenzo sink Sarandi

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 03:54:00 GMT

River Plate moved to within two points of league leader's Newell's Old Boys after beating Godoy Cruz 2-0 and San Lorenzo dropped Arsenal Sarandi 3-1 in Sunday's match-ups in Argentina's Clausura.

Late Cauteruccio strike sinks Estudiantes

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:44:00 GMT

Martin Cauteruccio's goal two minutes from time gave Quilmes a 1-0 victory over bottom club Estudiantes in Argentina's Clausura.

Happy Birthday to you!

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:11:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at just some of the football identities who are celebrating their birthday over the coming week including John Obi Mikel, Isco, Sara Thunebro and Stephanie Houghton.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 09:28:00 GMT

Featuring Jurgen Klopp and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge exchanging backside-related jabs, Bebe on communication with Sir Alex Ferguson and Rachida Dati on what it would take for her to quit politics.

Newell's take over at the top

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 04:45:00 GMT

Newell's Old Boys moved to the top of the Clausura ladder with a 3-1 win at Velez Sarsfield, while Racing Club and Colon Santa Fe drew.

Herrera: More than just catenaccio

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:46:00 GMT

Helenio Herrera was known as the mastermind of the catenaccio, but he left a legacy of far more than a tactical system popularised by the league titles and cups it won. Here, FIFA.com brings you the story of a revolutionary coach.

Heroes of the back-heel

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:10:00 GMT

From Denis Law through Rabah Madjer to Cristiano Ronaldo, FIFA.com looks at some of the most celebrated exponents of the back-heel.

Corinthians to face Boca, Brazil duo advance

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:52:00 GMT

Defending champions Corinthians will meet Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16, with Fluminense, Gremio and Tigre all winning through on the final matchday.

Messi, Busquets return to Barça training

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:19:00 GMT

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, who had both been sidelined, have returned to the practise pitch ahead of Barcelona's crucial showdown with Bayern Munich.