The Israeli and Palestinian football associations traded accusations Wednesday over the cancellation of a World Cup warm-up match between the Jewish state and Argentina in the disputed city of Jerusalem. Israel accused the Palestinians of “football terror”, saying their threats saw Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and his team abandon what would have been Argentina’s final […]
Lionel Messi
World Cup fever causes sleepless nights for Bangladesh flagmakers
Flagmakers in Bangladesh are doing a roaring trade weeks ahead of the World Cup, but no-one is interested in the home nation’s colours — the money is all on pennants for Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Neymar’s Brazil. Textile printer Kamal Hossain owns one of scores of small, hot, sweaty workshops in the Merajnagar district of […]
Messi misses Barca match ‘for baby’s birth’
Lionel Messi has pulled out of Barcelona’s squad for Saturday’s La Liga match at Malaga with reports saying the birth of his third child is imminent. The club tweeted: “Change to the squad. Messi is out for personal reasons and Yerry Mina takes his place.” Messi’s wife Antonella Roccuzzo is expecting a boy, a brother […]
Beyond the realms of Cricket
FIFA world cup trophy landed in Pakistan on Saturday accompanied by cricketing legend Younus Khan, actress Maya Ali, singers Quratulain Balouch and Momina Mustehsan, and Pakistan national footballer Kaleemullah Khan. The trophy was unveiled during the ongoing Coke Fest 2018 at Lahore’s Lake City Golf and Country club in a glittery, star-studded and instrumental event […]
Zidane motivated despite Madrid’s shortfalls
MADRID: Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has on Saturday said that despite the club’s stuttering season, he is as motivated as he always is. Zidane, whose team is 19-points behind arch-rivals Barcelona in the league, said that Madrid’s administration and players support him and that the Blancos are hopeful of turning the season around. “I […]
Ronaldo still hopeful for ‘incredible year’ despite Cup elimination
MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo has said on Friday that he believes Real Madrid can end their otherwise stuttering season on a high note by winning a third consecutive UEFA Champions League title. The Spanish and European champions were knocked-out of the Copa Del Rey after falling at home against second-tier Leganes on Thursday. Madrid also lags […]
Mascherano’s eight year spell at Barcelona concludes
FC Barcelona has on Tuesday announced that the club is parting ways with Javier Mascherano, who is expected to leave for China on Wednesday. Javier Mascherano arrived at FC Barcelona to play in defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets’ subsidiary capacity, but soon enough established himself as one of the club’s most significant servants. Mascherano, a defensive […]