Former Valencia midfielder Pablo Aimar on Wednesday announced his retirement at the age of 35. The Argentine playmaker made the decision after River Plate Coach Marcelo Gallardo lefthim out of the squad for the Copa Libertadores semifinal series against Guarani of Paraguay. Due to injury problems, Aimar had made just two first team appearances since […]
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Xavi Criticizes Real Over Casillas' Departure
Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez criticized Real Madrid for failing to give departing captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas the send-off he deservedbefore his move to FC Porto. Casillas appeared alone before the Spanish media at a press conference on Sunday to announce his departure. The next day, following a wave of criticism, Real responded byorganizing an […]
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The Sad, Strange Departure of Iker Casillas From Real Madrid
Has there ever been a stranger send-off for a club legend than goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ parting of ways with Real Madrid. In a bizarre press conference, the 34-year-old,who makes way for the expected arrival of Manchester United No. 1 David De Gea, announced on Sunday morning that he was leaving the club he joined as […]
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FIFA Needs to Change its Rankings System, Again
Since it began ranking its member countries in 1993, FIFA has updated the scheme it uses for determining its world rankings on two separate occasions, making major changes in 1999 and 2006. In May 2006, prior to the Germany World Cup, news that FIFA was to revamp its rankings again was met with cheersacross Europe […]
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Bryan Ruiz Heads to Sporting Lisbon
Portuguese giant Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday signed Costa Rica forward Bryan Ruiz from Fulham on a three-year contract. Ruiz, 29, joined the Cottagers for $16.3 millionin 2011, scoring 13 goals in 106 games. He played 32 games for the Championship club last season. Sporting finished third in the Primeira Liga last season. His buyout clause […]
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USA's World Cup Win Sets U.S. Soccer Ratings Record
The U.S. women’s national team’s 5-2 victory over Japan in the Women’s World Cup on Sunday attracted an audience of 25.4 million viewers, making it the most the most-watchedsoccer game in United States history, The New York Times reported Monday. It not only exceeded the previous record for a Women’s World Cup of 17.9 million, […]
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Benfica Coach Poised to Join Sporting
In a stunning move, Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who secured a second Portuguese league title in a row with Benfica last month, will soon join cross-town rival Sporting Lisbon,which fired coach Marco Silva on Thursday. Eurosport reports that Benfica had been trying to cut Jesus’s salary, which was the highest for any coach in Portugal, […]
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Ronaldo Could Play in 2016 Olympics
Portugal could take Cristiano Ronaldo to the 2016 Olympics as one of its three overage players, the president of the Portuguese soccer federation (FPF) said Monday. Ronaldo, 30, will likelyrepresent Portugal at next summer’s European Championship in France; afterwards, “it is a possibility” he could join up with the Portuguese U-23 team for the Olympic […]
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Ibra Interested in Representing Sweden at the Olympics
Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be set to turn out for Sweden at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after a late equalizer against Portugal in the U-21 European Championship on Wednesday bookedthe Scandinavian team’s ticket. Simon Tibbling’s 89th-minute strike earned the Swedes a 1-1 draw in the Czech Republic, a result which sent both sides […]
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Fiorentina Hires Sousa as Coach
Fiorentina introduced former Portugal midfielder Paulo Sousa as its new coach. The 44-year-old Portuguese left his post at FC Basel last Wednesday after winning the Swiss Super Leaguein his only season in charge. Sousa replaces Vincenzo Montella, who was fired at the end of the Serie A season with the club citing a lack of […]