The Pasteleria Prats in the Catalan town of Lleida has made a 250-pound chocolate statue in honor of Barcelona star Lionel Messi. Messi, whoonly weighs 150 pounds himself, is wearing a Barcelona uniform and holding a Golden Ball on a Prats stand. (The Argentine won the 2009 Golden Ball as the best player in the […]
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Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Alves quits languishing Boca
Abel Alves became the third coach to quit Boca Juniors in the last 10 months when he resigned after the famous Buenos Aires club’s 3-0 loss to Colon droppedit to 19th place in the 20-team Torneo Clausura. Alves was the reserve team coach when he was promoted in January following the resignation of AlfioBasile. Boca […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying
“Maradona could do more with an orange than Messi can do with a soccer ball. But as a coach, Maradona is a disaster and Messi is the only one who can save him in South Africa.” — Real estate employee Daniel Rivas, reflecting common opinion in Argentina that Lionel Messi still has along way to go […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
The Blinding Magic of Messi
By Paul Gardner Let’s see now, I think a few well-chosen words on the Barcelona vs. Arsenal game would be in order. Something like this: Messi Messi MessiMessi Messi Messi, Messi Messi Messi Messi Messi Messi — Messi. Messi, Messi Messi Messi Messi Messi; Messi — Messi Messi — Messi. Messi, Messi Messi Messi Messi […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Rapids hope Lopez will work out better than Gomez did
The Colorado Rapids bolstered their attack with the signing of 35-year-old forward/midfielder Claudio Lopez. The former Argentina national team star spentthe last two seasons with the Kansas City Wizards, the first as a Designated Player. “Any time you can add a talented player like Claudio to your club, the group becomes better,” Rapidscoach Gary Smith […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Maradona bitten by his own dog
Argentina coach Diego Maradona, a national icon for his feats as a player, was bitten in the face by one of his pet dogs and needed had reconstructive surgery on his upper lip.Maradona was released from the hospital on Tuesday in good condition. Argentine television said Maradona was playing with the dog, a Shar Pei, […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
U.S. U-20 candidate shines in Argentina
One of the most exciting young players to be developed in the U.S. youth system is 18-year-old Californian Michael Hoyos, who is playing for 2009Libertadores Cup champion Estudiantes. Hoyos, who was born to Argentine parents, returned to Argentina along with brother Michael to enterEstudiantes’ youth program three years ago and is a regular for the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying
“Now he scratches and he bites.” — Boca Juniors report making fun of River Plate’s Marcelo Gallardo after the former D.C. Unitedmidfielder bit Boca’s Gary Medel on his index finger after the Chilean pointed his finger at Gallardo. Medel scored both goals before being sent off in the 2-0Boca win. The game may have been […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying
“Diego is Diego and millions of years can pass and he will still be the greatest in history for me. I intend to have my career, make my mark and get into the record books with things I have done.I’m not trying to be like Maradona.” — Lionel Messi on Diego Maradona, who recently said […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Will World Cup be Rooney-Messi Show?
By Paul Gardner I have not found the prospect of the upcoming World Cup overly enthralling. Quite aside from the obviously political and anything-but-soccer reasons forstaging it in South Africa, I find am finding it difficult to get excited about the soccer itself. Why would that be? Mostly, I’ll admit, because of Brazil. Yes, I feel […]